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Ask a Pastor: What is the role of women in the church?

This is an expanded Q & A based on an article posted in 2019. Below is an adapted version by Rev. Mark Wagenaar.


Question

What is the role of women in the church? Should they be in leadership?

Answer


The Bible says a lot of things about women. From the first page of Scripture, the Lord declares the shared dignity and worth of men and women. On the sixth day, the Lord created Adam and Eve equally in the image of God. While men and women are equal in dignity, our Creator made them beautifully different in a way that complements one another. The Lord made Adam first from the dust and appointed him to be the head of his wife. Eve was then formed from Adam’s rib and given to be a helper with him in joyful serving God as they exercised dominion over creation.


With these foundational truths in mind, it is no surprise that women are honoured in the Scriptures and given an important place in salvation and the church. In Genesis 3, we see a reversal of the authority structures, where Eve being deceived by the serpent, tempted Adam to fall into rebellion, bringing in all the sin and misery that we experience today. One effect of the Fall is the clash of wills between men and women and the sinful bent to rebel against and abuse God’s life-giving authority structures of male leadership in the home and church.


Into this misery, God graciously announced the gospel of life and gave women a tremendous place in the story of redemption. God promises that the Seed of the woman will be the Serpent-crusher who will reverse the curse (Gen. 3:15). In hope of this gospel promise, Adam names his wife, Eve, which means “mother of all living” (Gen. 3:20). In the fullness of time, God chose the virgin Mary to be the “God-bearer” and through the Holy Spirit, miraculously conceived Jesus in her womb (Luke 1:29-33; Gal 4:4; 1 Tim. 2:15).


In His life, Jesus interacted with women, treating them with respect (Jn. 4:27; Mk. 5:34; Lk. 11:27-28; 13:12; 23:27). He preached the gospel to them and He financially depended on wealthy women to fund His itinerant ministry (Luke 8:1-3). He befriended Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary. He commended Mary for being an eager student of His word (Luke 10:42). Later, He was anointed by Mary in preparation for His death and burial (John 12:7). When many of his disciple forsook him, Christ’s loyal women followers stood at the foot of the cross witnessing His atoning death (John 19:25). Women were granted the privilege of being the first witnesses of the empty tomb, the first to meet the risen Saviour and the first to share the joyful news with the disheartened disciples (John 20).


Women continued to have a place in the church after Christ’s ascension; they were present in the circle of disciples as they prayerfully awaited the coming of the promised Spirit (Acts 1:11). As the gospel advanced to new regions, women were sometimes the first converts, for example, Lydia (Acts 16:15), and Damaris (Acts 17:34). They were honoured and often played an important role in the church. For example, women opened their homes to meetings of the church (Acts 12:12); they served the saints (1 Cor. 16:15), they practiced hospitality (Acts 18:2; 1 Tim. 5:10); they mentored other women (Titus 2) and were involved in evangelism (Rom. 16:3; Acts 21:9 – see linked articles below for examples of what this can look like today). Born-again women, men, girls and boys are united to Christ, share in His anointing of the Spirit and are prophets who witness of Christ, priests who serve Christ and kings who fight with Christ against sin, Satan, and the world (Heidelberg Catechism, Question 32).


While women are critical in the church, they do not have the same roles as men. It is noteworthy that while women were found among Christ’s followers, only men were chosen to be apostles. The Bible plainly teaches that only qualified men are permitted to serve as pastors, elders and deacons (1 Timothy 3:1-13). The Apostle Paul states, “But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence” (1 Tim. 2:11-12; cf. also 1 Cor. 14:33b-35). This does not mean that women are not allowed to speak with others at church, or sing in church (Ex. 15:20-21; Col. 3:16), but they are not given the role of official authority in the church (pastor, elder, deacon).


This is under attack today in the Western Church; and those who believe in opening up the office for women in the church usually explain that cultures have changed from Bible times. While it is true that cultures do change, God’s authority structure was woven into His good creation before the Fall and reflects the gospel where the Bride of Christ lovingly submits and follows her Heavenly Husband (Ephesians 5:22-33). Thus, what is declared by precept and taught by principle in the Scriptures is not up for alteration by the church, but ought to be joyfully embraced by the church.


There is no doubt that most of us have been tremendously blessed by mothers, grandmothers, Sunday School teachers, and others who have taught us the word of God, modeled for us Christlikeness, and prayed for us without being pastors, elders or deacons. If we are going to have healthy churches, then we need Spirit-filled, Christ-loving men and women who are whole-heartedly invested in their church and joyfully embracing their callings. Let us thank God for the many godly women in our lives and hold fast to the clear direction of scripture.


Some examples of how women can serve in the church:

 
 
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