As a woman in ministry, I have been inundated with questions and had numerous conversations about my gender’s role within the church. I once was told my purpose as a woman was to deeply study theology and Scripture so the pastor of my church would be challenged when he wrote his sermon. Although I strongly encourage women to study these things, I think it’s misguided to rally them to do so for this reason.
The role of women in ministry tends to be a controversial topic. So, I’ll preface my thoughts by saying this: Whether you come from an egalitarian viewpoint (men’s and women’s roles are equal in every way, including serving as elders, preachers, etc.) or a complementarian outlook (men’s and women’s roles are different, but they complement one another for the glory of God), I anticipate you will agree with the thoughts I share here.
What Are the Roles of Women in the Church?
1. To practice spiritual disciplines. The term spiritual disciplinesencompasses many things, but the most vital to the Christian life are prayer, fasting, and fellowship. Scripture says, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18). The best way we can strengthen our relationship with God and fulfill our role in his kingdom is through prayer. (If you want to learn more about the spiritual disciplines, check out Richard Foster’s book Celebration of Discipline.)
2. To serve and volunteer. Women are great at serving others and volunteering at a church where we are needed, and this is an exceptional way we can fill our role in ministry. First Peter 4:10 says, “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” We need to discover our gifts and then use them. God commanded us to do it.
3. To be inviting and inclusive. “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2). Women can make others feel welcome or unwelcome with just the tone of our voice. We are told to show hospitality, and I urge you to do this, especially at church.
4. To study the Word. I strongly encourage all Christians to know the Bible, and a Barna study showed why that’s so important among Christian women. In “Commitment to Family, Faith, Career & Community: Mothers Juggle It All,” Barna wrote, “Moms are [children’s] foremost partners in prayer (63 percent) and conversations about God (70 percent), the Bible (71 percent), or other faith questions (72 percent). This is consistent with Barna data through the years that show mothers are the managers of faith formation (among other household routines and structures).” Additionally, as women, we tend to compete for attention among the many distractions going on around us, which makes it even more important that we consciously take time to learn about God and spend time with him. “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always” (1 Chronicles 16:11).
5. To evangelize. The Great Commission isn’t just for men, ladies! Jesus was talking to all Christians when he said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
What Are Not the Roles of Women in the Church?
1. To compete. Let’s stop comparing ourselves against others. This is a common flaw among women. It is easy to look at other ladies and see what they want us to see. We all have something we are working on or struggling with. We all are traveling on different roads, so we cannot compare our journeys. Sometimes our roads intersect or run parallel, but they are never the same.
2. To entertain gossip. We are called to be peacemakers and peacekeepers, not gossips. It’s best to stop slander when you hear it. Say something like, “I am not interested in that, but why don’t you tell me more about . . .”
3. To overcommit. Overcommitment is the enemy of peace. To remain spiritually healthy, we need to evaluate what we can do with the time we have available.
4. To be alone and keep to ourselves. We were created to be social, a part of a community. There is nothing wrong with recharging and taking time for self-care, but we are not called to be lonely and cut off from everyone else. Allow yourself to build deeper relationships with your church family.
5. To be argumentative. Let’s not argue over nonessential doctrine. As representatives of Christ, we should do all things in love.
I pray that these lists encourage you as you pursue Christ boldly.
Women have awesome tools as Christian women in and out of the church ❤️ PRAISE GOD!!
I was quite disappointed when I read this article. The “Roles” described, both positive and negative, apply equally to both men and women. This article completely avoids the issues that must be addressed if the Christian Church is to continue to be relevant in our Western culture. We are turning people away from the church with our outdated and discriminatory view of women based on a few misunderstood and incorrectly interpreted Scriptures that are used as isolated proof texts, and we are ignoring Scriptures that clearly describe women in leadership roles in the kingdom of God.
We have competent women who are CEOs of multinational corporations, leaders in governmental positions (Vice President, Speaker of the House in the United States, Prime Ministers in other countries, the head of the European Central Bank), owners and managers of small businesses, and the list goes on.
To continue to insist that women cannot have central leadership roles in the church is ridiculous and absurd and will turn people away from the kingdom of God for no reason.
Thank you for this article. So much attention is often given to the controversy about roles that the good things mentioned here such as hospitality, spiritual disciplines, evangelizing, etc. are never mentioned or looked at in-depth. There is no lack of good to do in any church I’ve been a part of. Thanks, again.
Of entering the kingdom of heaven, Jesus in Matthew 7:21 declared: “who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” That will is well recorded especially in the New Testament and just needs to be done.
Amen to Kenneth – all roles above (including the “don’t do” items) are equally applicable to men and women. And yes, it’s patently unbiblical to continue to prevent women from serving equally with men in central leadership roles in God’s church…this is not what Jesus would do (or did) and it’s not something that pleases Him. Nor does it promote spiritual growth in individuals or in the church as a whole. Kenneth, you said it well in your final comment,”To continue to insist that women cannot have central leadership roles in the church is ridiculous and absurd and will turn people away from the kingdom of God for no reason.” Strong words – but this has gone on far too long, so I can relate to your frustration. As a lifelong faithful Christian who is a woman, the wife of an elder, and the mother of a bright, thoughtful, faithful, and spiritually-deep teen daughter, I would add that the behavior and attitudes you referenced are unscriptural, divisive, and abusive – and yes, these are destroying churches and turning people away from the kingdom of God (particularly teens and young men and women).
Wow, how surprised I am that we need to change or conform to the world so we don’t offend people. You still must do what the Bible says. The Old Testament is just as vital today. God said to be in the world not of the world.
Thank you for sharing! I and my wife picked up mostly of what you shared and combined them with an unknown author’s message to women in India. We rearranged/edited them according to what we believe are relevant to those that requested. May He continually bless you and your husband’s ministry.
Regardless of how you feel about, what you think it should be in the churches, women have lots of roles if they stop holding their talents back. That doesn’t have to mean all this leadership over a man. You have to remember it’s not about how we feel, it’s about what God Word says. That’s what’s wrong with the world now, we want things the way we want it not how God feels about it. The world is getting more wicked by the day and moving away from God’s Word.
I have loved what you have written. I come from Kenya Africa and my desire is to meet a woman who can help me grow in the Ministry. I am a pastor’s wife and women leader.
Thanks I have loved what you have shared
”the women should keep quiet in the meetings. They are not allowed to speak; as the Jewish Law says, they must not be in charge. If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home. It is a disgraceful thing for a woman to speak in church.“
1 Corinthians 14:34-35 GNBDK
Yes, women have some roles to perform only out of an assembly. Unless one understands the mystery of the word he/she cannot be to know the will of God. My stand is from what Apostle Paul says about women. That they should keep quiet during an assembly. There are many roles women are given in the Bible, they are not alienated from entering into God’s Kingdom because of the not assuming leadership roles in the church. Remember the devil’s first priority is the woman.
Women can use all their different talents outside the Church. We can do without an institution that despises and dehumanizes us. Leave the boy’s club to the men.
There was an article many many years ago about women serving communion entitled something like this. “I Looked Up And Saw Her Standing There”. The article was making a point that it was OK for a women sitting in the pew to pass the communion to the person sitting next to her but it was not OK for women to stand in the aisle and serve communion.
While all roles listed above are equally applicable to men and women, it is my opinion this article’s purpose is to definitively outline the roles for women. It never stated this is not also true for men. However, throughout the generations, women’s roles in the church have been varied and uncertain. I appreciate the clarification of this article.
My first impression was hmmm really? on reading the article. But then I read Kenneth Cooper’s comments. I echo everything Kenneth Cooper said. It’s unfortunate and sad that the complete and the whole truth of the Bible isn’t articulated. It might be a reactive article to quiet turbulence in the author’s church or specific experience but in the name of scripture. I’ll say this – it’s about God’s calling, His Holy Spirit and the anointing He places on men and women alike to equip for ministry not gender. For there’s indeed according to scripture:
Gal. 3 Verses 28 – [28] There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Women have unique calling, abilities and gifts God has placed on them. They can be and do whatever God has called them to be. Deborah, Esther, Lydia, Priscilla in the Bible come to mind. There are more – study the Bible holistically and you’ll be amazed at what you can find and learn.
I take 1 Timothy 2:11-15 very seriously. It has been abundantly clear to me that women are a needed problem in the church. I am so grateful for technology, so I can learn in all submission and quiet by reading the word, listening to preaching on-line and daily prayer. I no longer need to worry about upsetting my brothers in Christ by my existence and presence. Praise God!!!!!
I read this article after Googling “women’s role in church” because after deciding to join a church for the first time, I’m finding myself being inundated with requests to join women in cooking for a Thanksgiving cause, decorating for the holidays, I’ve been invited to the women’s FB group, and friends requested by three women so far. My husband hasn’t been bugged for anything. I don’t have time for this, and don’t particularly enjoy decorating, or planning or cooking outside of having to at home. I just wanted to go to church.