Christian Leadership With Women
I like the word 'with' because it is inclusive. We're going to see a small hand full of women who were involved in the early church. Right from the time of Jesus. This is an insight into the heart of God towards women. It is easy to point to Mary the mother of Jesus as being a part of Gods plan. However, it is also easy to say that as Jesus wanted to "dwell among us", being born had to involve a woman. We of course don't discount Mary or her significance. However, did women play other roles in the formative stages of Christianity? In my early twenties I became very concerned about searching for women in the bible. I wanted to be able to see that God cared enough about people like me (women), to involve us actively in His kingdom.
Despite all that Paul said about women in church leadership he also conceded that "there is neither... male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." - Galatians 3:28.
We touched on that in a previous blog;
Other women in the early church are Martha and her sister Mary. Who are known for their argument over whether to serve or to learn. It can also be an example of Jesus' view of "a womans place". His opinion? 41“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 NIV. So whether we as women choose to serve or to learn, Jesus says it won't be taken from us. Could it be that what really matters is being in the kingdom? Certainly that is the priority. Here we see that how we participate in the kingdom of God is up to us and Jesus won't turn us away. Sound familiar? How about when the woman with the issue of blood took her chance to be healed. Remember Jesus words then? 22 Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed at that moment. (Matthew 9:22 NLT) I know healing is the childrens bread but let us remember that women back then were not even a part of the census! Not counted and definitely had no voice. Yet, Jesus attitude was to not slight them because of their sex or consider them less than somehow.
Not quite convinced? How about when even His disciples were surprised that Jesus was speaking to a woman! Samaritan at that. See John chapter 4 for all the tea. Verse 27 is the disciples shock - "Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman,.." Even the woman was shocked in the beginning because it is JESUS who initiated the conversation. Verse 9a - "The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans."
Not leadership you say? Okay but there were also the women who were sent from the tomb to tell the others that He is risen. And Jesus chose them to appear to first after His resurrection. They were women. The first evangelists they are called. Their record is in Matthew 28:1-10
Then we see in Luke 8:1-3 names of women who traveled with Jesus and the twelve disciples "contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples."
This is long. How should I end this except to site:
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7 ESV