Women in Ministry

Biblical Examples of Women in Ministry 

Old Testament history includes accounts of strong female leadership in many roles. The
following are striking examples: Miriam was a prophet to Israel during the Exodus,
alongside her brothers Moses and Aaron (Exodus 15:20). Deborah, both a prophet and a
judge, directed Barak to lead the army of Israel into successful combat against Israel’s
oppressors (Judges 4 to 5). Huldah, also a prophet, authenticated the scroll of the Law
found in the temple and helped spark religious reform in the days of Josiah (2 Kings
22:14–20; 2 Chronicles 34:22–28).

The New Testament also shows that women filled important ministry roles in the Early
Church. Tabitha (Dorcas) initiated an effective benevolence ministry (Acts 9:36). Philip’s
four unmarried daughters were recognized prophets (Acts 21:8,9). Paul singled out two
women, Euodia and Syntyche, as “women who have contended at my side in the cause of
the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers” (Philippians 4:2,3).
Priscilla was another of Paul’s exemplary “fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans
16:3,4). In Romans 16, Paul greets numerous ministry colleagues, a large number of them
women. In these greetings, the word Paul uses to speak of the work (kopiaō), or labor, of
Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, and Persis (Romans 16:6,12) is one he uses extensively for
the labor of ministry (1 Corinthians 16:16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 1 Timothy 5:17).

Phoebe, a leader in the church at Cenchrea, was highly commended to the church at 

Rome by Paul (Romans 16:1,2). Unfortunately, translation biases have often obscured 

Phoebe’s position of leadership, calling her a “servant” (NIV, NASB, ESV). Yet Phoebe 

was diakonos of the church at Cenchrea. Paul regularly used this term for a minister or 

leader of a congregation and applied it specifically to Jesus Christ, Tychicus, Epaphras, Timothy, and to his own ministry. Depending on the context, diakonos is usually 

translated “deacon” or “minister.” Though some translators have chosen the word 

deaconess (e.g., RSV, because Phoebe was female), the Greek diakonos is a masculine 

noun. Therefore, it seems likely that diakonos was the designation for an official 

leadership position in the Early Church and the proper translation for Phoebe’s role is 

“deacon” (TNIV, NLT, NRSV) or “minister.” Moreover, a number of translations reflect similar biases by referring to Phoebe as having been a “great help” (NIV) or “helper” (NASB) of many, including Paul himself (Romans 16:2). The Greek term here is prostatis, better translated by the NRSV as “benefactor” 

with its overtones of equality and leadership.

ESTHER – A WOMAN OF COURAGE

As women have opportunity to serve in our churches, we look to the Scripture to discern 

how God used women in significant ways in the past. An outstanding example for us is 

found in the little book of Esther. Esther was a woman who lived in difficult 

circumstances, had a difficult marriage, and yet she was used to change the fate of her 

entire nation. Women, even in difficult personal circumstances, can make a significant 

difference in God’s purposes.

Esther

We will consider this book from three perspectives and see what we can learn about how God uses women for His purposes. We will see that He prepares us, we must risk obedience, and seek His wisdom in acting for Him. You might say that for every time there is exists a prepared person, a real risk, and a wise way. Let’s consider these 

together, beginning with “a prepared person.”

We first observe God in community with Himself (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) 

determine to create mankind in His image. The interaction, communication, and 

collaboration within the Trinity reflect the intrinsic connection of God’s image and 

community. Additionally, from the beginning the image of God is reflected by both male and 

female, human beings. Being created in God’s image means having both male and 

female genders. The act of creation of man and woman to reflect God’s image is done 

in community as well – male and female as mankind in two persons. We discover in 

these verses that woman is a bearer of God’s image equally with man giving her great 

worth and dignity. From these verses we also learn that woman shared with man the responsibilities 

assigned by God in creation. They were not either/or, but both together. 

Verses 26-30 commands both man and woman 

• To rule over creation 

• To be fruitful and multiply 

• To subdue the earth and fill it 

• To enjoy the fruit of the earth 

Because God made both man and woman in His image and gave these tasks both the 

man and woman we can surmise that: 

1• Woman is equal in nature with man as a person with intellect, emotions, will, and 

spirit. 

2• To both man and woman, as bearers of His image, God gave dominion, blessing, 

and the important responsibility to rule and to be fruitful. 

3• And He gave to both of them the pleasure of enjoying that fruitfulness. 

4• It is not only man or only woman, singularly, who can fulfill this commission. It 

is given to them both as a part of community that involves both male and female. 

Male and female complement each other as image bearers. 

5• Though we see that woman is like man, we also see in verse 27 that she is created 

to be different. There is a reason that this verse differentiates woman from man. 

6• In this way, neither man nor woman is defined by marriage itself, but each reflect 

the glory of God through their gender in unique ways. Marriage itself can be a 

means of that reflection, but it is not fundamental to the expression of God’s 

image through a man or through a woman as a created being and an individual 

before God. 

Women have a unique connection to what is human and personal. This ability 

provides strength in connecting people to each other through relationships in the 

family, in the church, and in the community. It is interesting to realize that 

because Adam was already created, Eve entered into a world where human 

relationships were available (i.e. Adam) whereas Adam had experienced a world 

prior to human relationships (which God declared not good) Also, she was created 

from Adam’s side, his very person. Perhaps that is why women have a bent 

toward relational connections.

Adam and Eve in the Garden

God worked with the dust of the earth to form man. Then He breathed His 

own life into man. Man has a unique connection with the earth. 

1• When Adam was alone there was something missing that was not good. 

God meets this need in making woman. “I will make a helper suitable for 

him.” The fact that God took the rib from Adam and formed woman 

pictured that his incompleteness was made complete. 

2• God’s image was not complete when Adam was alone. Something was 

missing? God formed Eve from Adam’s humanity, and human community 

was set in motion. 

3• God worked with bone, flesh, and blood to form woman. 

4• Here is a picture of something warm, human, and personal in the way God 

formed woman and the material He used. 

5• Woman has a unique connection to what it means to be human, with a 

special connection to others. 

6• Woman was formed from a human being, from a person. 

7• She has a capacity to see life in a way that man does not have as clearly. 

Likewise, he has a capacity to see life in a way that she does not have as 

clearly. They complement each other. 

8• When she was created as a “suitable helper,” she was given a unique role.

Regardless of our particular backgrounds and convictions about how women serve in the 

church overall, the ministry of  women is clearly an area that is both biblical 

and needful for the sake of a healthy church. The ministry of  women is an area 

in which the exercise of all the gifts toward equipping, disciplining, and serving are 

essential. 

A. If women are guided by mature women in effective, serious studies of Scriptural 

truth, the problem of gossip will diminish rather than grow. The use of small groups 

and personal relationships with godly women will also give them a necessary and 

healthy outlet for discussing their lives in productive ways, and praying toward 

Christ-honoring attitudes and solutions. 

B. Significant ministry of  women in the area of counseling and guidance 

through life issues protects the church and its leadership from the problem of 

sexual temptation and even immorality that so often begins when men take on the role 

of counselor to women. Surely this was part of the Lord’s protection for us all in 

mandating the needful and effective ministry of  women. Thus, women need to be well trained and prepared to meet this challenge biblically and from a position of personal maturity. 

C. If women are growing spiritually and discovering their spiritual gifts, there will be 

many more servants equipped to participate in the ministry of the church. Women 

enjoy serving if they understand how and where to use their gifts! In this way, they 

are more fulfilled as well as appropriately supportive of church leadership. In general, 

when women are actively encouraged to serve in the areas of their gifts and 

biblical calling, they will be fulfilled and satisfied, not angry and looking to 

dominate church governance inappropriately. If their needs for relationship and 

nurture are being met, they will be healthy and effective contributors. 

D. When the relational needs of women are met in relationship with other women, they 

are happier at home, at work, and in every arena of life. Families are also affected 

in wonderful ways. Women who are studying God’s Word, growing in their faith, and 

serving others provide excellent role models for their children. Their commitment to 

spiritual growth may also serve as a catalyst to their husband’s spiritual development. 

Our relational priorities are one of our greatest strengths if properly tended! 

E. When married women are trained and able to join their husbands in ministering to 

others, greater understanding and unity can be fostered in the home and in 

ministry. As married couples labor toward a common goal, both feeling connected to 

this calling, they will also be able to provide needed support to each other in the face 

of various struggles and pressures. 

F. Women in ministry support the overall goals of the church. Ministry to 

women, by women and for women, to bring us closer to God and to a heart for 

serving and loving those around us, should exist in support of the overall ministry and 

goals of the church, not exist as a separate entity outside the church. This focus must 

be continually held before us, accountable to church leadership, given support and 

encouragement by leadership, and contributing to the welfare and success of the 

church and those who lead the church in following Christ.

As women, we have all received different callings and gifting from the Lord. We all live 

in different circumstances with different personalities and personal histories. Esther 

changed the course of history for her nation in spite of personal difficulty. How might 

you make an impact in your world if you follow God’s call?

Spend some time in prayer thanking God that He has 

made you female in His desire to express aspects of 

Himself in the universe through you. Thank Him for the 

special ways He delights in you and invites you to 

participate in what He is doing around us for His glory!