Women in Ministry & Leadership (Overseers, Pastors, Teachers)

This article will address whether or not women can function as overseers of a church, as well as women's roles in ministry. An overseer is someone who is in charge of a church. Different denominations use various terms such as pastor, lead pastor, bishop, elder, superintendent, presbyter, etc. This article will examine the scriptures and the context to determine the proper understanding of New Testament church leadership that has been ordained by God.

In order to see the truth, we must lay down our preconceptions or the doctrine we have been taught by the church. There are errors that come from the point of view that state women are not allowed to teach or minister, and there are errors that come from the opposing point of view that state women can oversee churches. The scriptures reveal the truth if we want to see the truth.

We must lay a proper foundation in this article with important points and scriptures. But towards the end, we will discuss all the functions that women can be called to in ministry and leadership.

God’s Order of Authority

The Bible teaches that God’s authority flows from Christ to the husband and then to the wife. The scriptures show this in the home and in the church (not in the secular world, as the secular world is not subject to God and His word). The Christian home and the church should be subject to God and His word, or they are out of order. When we are out of God’s spiritual order, the life of Christ will not flow freely as it should, and we will stagnate.

“Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,” (Ephesians 5:22-25 NKJV)

Women Empowered to Minister

The scriptures obviously show that women can function within the church in a ministry capacity. Women can pray and prophesy in a public church gathering.

“But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.” (I Corinthians 11:5 NKJV)

The Greek word used for “prophesies” means “to set forth matter of divine teaching by special faculty, to foretell events, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office, to be a prophet, to predict, to utter forth, declare, a thing which can only be known by divine revelation, to break forth under sudden impulse in lofty discourse or praise of the divine counsels, and under like prompting, to teach, refute, reprove, admonish, comfort others.”

The scriptures indicate women can function prophetically in the church, which includes teaching and admonishing. The Holy Spirit opens up a wide range of ministries for women within the church through this scripture. All of the gifts of the Spirit are available for women to function in, as the Holy Spirit wills (1 Corinthians 12:1-11). 

There are several examples of women who functioned as prophets in the Old Testament (Exodus 15:20, Judges 4:4, and 2 Kings 22:14). Obviously, the Lord does put women in positions of spiritual authority and leadership. Anyone who is a prophet has spiritual authority from God to deliver His word to His people. This is an extremely weighty and vital assignment. The scriptures show that God does not change, and therefore He continues to use women in this way.

The scriptures also reveal that the Lord uses women to evangelize and preach Jesus.

“The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host.” (Psalm 68:11 AMPC)

Women Ministers 

“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.” (Romans 16:1-2 NKJV)

The Greek word used for “servant” is diakonos. This is the same word that is translated as “deacon” and used to describe the office in 1 Timothy 3:8-13. The word also means “one who renders service to another; an attendant; one who executes a commission; a deputy; a commissioned minister or preacher of the Gospel; a minister charged with an announcement or sentence; a minister charged with a significant characteristic; a servitor, a devoted follower; and a deacon or deaconess, whose official duty was to superintend the alms of the Church, with other kindred services; a waiter (at table or in other menial duties)".

According to the definition of the Greek word, a servant has a very broad ministry. Phoebe was anointed by God as a “diakonos” and was recognized among the apostles because of her faithful ministry in the church.

Paul Instructs Timothy

Paul does begin giving Timothy Spirit-led counsel about how the church should be overseen in Chapter 3. However, in 2 Timothy chapter 2, Paul is addressing issues between a husband and wife, as the context is Adam and Eve. The Greek word for woman is interchangeable with wife, and the Greek word for man is interchangeable with husband. We must properly discern what the Holy Spirit is trying to reveal.

“A married woman must learn in quiet and in perfect submission. I do not permit a married woman to practice teaching or domineering over a husband; she must keep quiet. For Adam was formed first, and then Eve; and it was not Adam who was deceived, but it was the woman who was utterly deceived and fell into transgression.” (1 Timothy 2:11-14 Williams)

The Greek word used for “authority” is authenteō. It means “to have authority over, domineer, dominate, usurp authority over, and to govern, exercise dominion over one.” So the Williams translation of the Bible translates this passage accurately. A wife is not to take a domineering role over her husband. A wife who rules the family home is out of God’s order. There will never be peace in a home that is out of God’s designated order.

From this context, it appears Paul is addressing women (wives) who are taking authority over their husbands and teaching them. Paul is showing that it is out of order for a woman to exercise this authority. I do not believe Paul is saying wives or women can never teach or that they don’t have important revelations to share. He is simply addressing women who desire to take the primary seat of authority, both at home and in the church.

Either a wife can have authority over her husband or she can’t. Either a woman can have authority over men, or she can’t. How can a woman have authority over a group of men if she doesn’t have authority over her own husband? Doesn’t that seem out of order? It also seems confusing. Let’s examine some of the Greek words used in the above scripture.

The word used for “teach” is the Greek word didaskō. It means “to teach or speak in a public assembly, to direct, admonish, to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, deliver didactic discourses, to be a teacher, to impart instruction, to instill doctrine into one, and to explain or expound a thing." The definition of the Greek word used for "teach" seems to have a much broader meaning than a wife teaching her husband. It appears to imply teaching in a public setting as well.

In the above scripture, Paul discusses husbands and wives and makes the point that women are more prone to deception (in general). In context, Paul is saying women are not to have authority over men and teach because they are more prone to being deceived. He also gives the order of creation. Paul says man was formed first, which indicates God’s appointed order in which teaching is supposed to flow.

This is not to say that all women are prone to deception and unable to teach. Some women are very spiritual, walk the truth, and are good teachers. I believe Paul is addressing a certain issue with Timothy: women who want to have authority over men in a domineering way and instruct them (at home or in the church). Possibly, these women didn't want a man to lead the church but felt that they should undo God's natural order so that they could be in control of the church.

Obviously, women can teach, but if we are going to follow the word of God and understand what the Lord is saying, we have to continue in context. I believe the context focuses on teaching the corporate church from an overseer position such as elder, bishop, pastor, superintendent, etc. Paul’s Spirit-led line of thought flows directly into church leadership. There are not any chapter breaks in the original text.

“This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);” (I Timothy 3:1-5 NKJV)

Paul transitions from discussing women not being able to have authority over men to men having the position of bishop. A bishop is simply the office of the elder or the overseer of the church. In other words, the leader who is in charge of a certain church.

Another crucial point is that a man must have ruled his own household well before he can be appointed as an overseer of a church. And the scriptures make it very clear that the Lord has appointed the man as head of the household and given him authority over his wife. So how could a woman be a bishop or overseer of a church? A woman would never be able to rule her own house well in order to qualify as a bishop. She wouldn’t be able to qualify because she is not permitted by God to rule her own household and exercise authority over her husband. Once we break down the scriptures, it becomes much more clear.

This context now makes more sense. Paul is stating that women are not to have authority over men, such as that of the head of the house or a church overseer. They are not permitted to teach men from the governing position of a church overseer. Could a woman teach and prophesy in a meeting under the authority of a male overseer? Sure, as long as the overseer permits it. The overseer is placed in charge by the Lord and has the authority to allow any teaching that is beneficial to the church. The Lord clearly uses women, and many are gifted. Women can certainly benefit the church and should be allowed to minister by church leadership as the Lord directs.

Permitting Women to Minister

Paul stated that he does “not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man”. Given the full context of the scripture that this is sandwiched between, it seems Paul is writing about allowing a woman to oversee a church as the primary leader. Paul said that he does not permit a woman to teach, but does that mean that we should never permit a woman to teach? Paul didn’t say, “God does not permit women to teach”. He said that he didn’t allow it. We see in other passages of scripture that Paul makes a distinction when he is giving his personal opinion or conviction and separates it from God’s command. It’s important that we understand this, or we can go into error.

“Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him.” (I Corinthians 7:10-13 NKJV)

So when we apply all this understanding, we get a clearer picture of the counsel of God. An apostle or church overseer of our day can permit a woman to speak and teach if she is called and anointed by God to do so. It is the right of the church overseer to use their governing authority from the Lord to oversee the church and carry out the will of the Lord. If a woman is anointed to minister and speak, like other women prophets were in the scriptures, then the church leader surely has the right to let her minister.

Current leaders carry apostolic authority to govern the church and do what is best for God’s people. The scriptures give us a blueprint and guidelines, but the Lord moves through His current leaders to govern the church. Overseers are to do what the Lord desires and what is best for the people of God. If a woman minister has a teaching gift or is operating in prophetic ministry, then a church overseer should allow her to minister. We should be doing things according to God’s order, but we should not be restricting women who are anointed by God to minister.

Under Authority 

“But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.” (1 Corinthians 11:3 KJV)

In 1 Corinthians 11:1-12, Paul is addressing the same issue of a woman being under authority. Paul reveals God’s divine order in the home and the church. The context that Paul is addressing is ministry in the corporate church. This aligns with Paul’s statement in 1 Timothy 2:12, where he does not permit a woman to usurp authority over a man. Why? Because God’s order is Christ to the man and then man to the woman. It’s simply the way the Lord designed things to work in this age. We either submit to the Lord or we don’t. Submission to the Lord unlocks the flow of His grace.

How then, in the church, could a woman be the head of a man? Wouldn’t that be out of God’s designed order? I’m specifically addressing church leadership, or the overseer (which most churches and denominations would refer to as a pastor). If a woman pastor is the head leader of a church, then she would be the spiritual head of every man in that certain congregation. The order would be changed to Christ being the head of the female pastor and the female pastor exercising teaching authority and leadership over men in the church (being their head).

I believe this is clearly out of order from what the Holy Spirit taught through Paul in the scriptures. I have nothing against a woman leading or being a pastor, but if we are going to obey the Lord, we have to conform ourselves to His word and His order. It’s not my church and I don’t get to set forth the order that I think is best. We cannot create doctrine based on what we think is right or fair, because that would be humanism based on our natural reasoning.

“But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were shaved.

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.

For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels."  (I Corinthians 11:3-5, 7, 10 NKJV)

The head of every man is Christ. Leaders in the church are not the head of man. The head of every wife is her own husband (man/husband and woman/wife are interchangeable in the Greek). Every man who is ministering with his head (Christ) covered by another man, dishonors his head (Christ). Man should not cover his head (Christ) with the covering of man, because he is the image and glory of God. The image and glory of God must not be covered up by the covering of man, which is very disrespectful. The wife of a man must be covered by her husband's authority because of the angels, and because she is the glory of man. The glory of man must be covered, and the glory of God left uncovered. The glory of God (man) is covered by God Himself, not man. The glory of man (wife/woman) is covered by her husband. Please note that a man's wife is not to be covered by any other man other than her own husband.

In Ephesians 5:22-32, the scripture reveals to us that the marriage relationship between a man and a women is a spiritual parallel of Christ and His bride (the church). So in the context of coverings, and Christ and His bride, the head of every woman is man. The bridegroom is the head of His bride. The bride ought to have a (spiritual) symbol of authority on her head, because she is under her husbands covering. The only man who can cover a woman is the husband of that woman. Therefore, Christ is the only legitimate covering for His bride. No other leader can or should take Christ’s rightful place as the covering for His bride.

Caution

It is possible for a gifted woman who can teach to start a ministry or church and be successful, even if it's not God's will for her to do so. Maybe the woman is supposed to be part of another church or ministry and function under a male overseer, but in rebellion, she starts her own ministry. She would have the ability to draw people to the ministry simply because of her gifting and anointing to teach. However, she would be outside of God's will. The church could prosper because the gifts and callings of God are irrevocable. We must never judge whether or not something is God's will based on earthly success or by the number of people involved.

The Lord will allow and use churches or ministries that were not birthed from His will to test the hearts of believers. Are His people going to follow Him and His word, or are they going to follow the dictates of their own hearts? But the woman church overseer is so anointed and gifted that she must be sent by God, right?

Believers will also be tested on whether or not they will follow female leaders who do not have proven character. If a woman pastor has been divorced and was pregnant out of wedlock by her third (future) husband after having been a Christian for 20 years, she is clearly disqualified (as per the scriptures) from being a leader of a church. But believers will still choose to follow these unapproved and self-appointed leaders to their own destruction. What must judge a tree (leader) by the fruit (character) it has produced and is producing.

Are the Roles of Male and Female Done Away?

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 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. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:26-29 NKJV)

We have to compare the above scripture with other verses so we don’t misinterpret it. The same apostle who wrote this verse, also said that he does not permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man. He said the man is the head of every woman. Therefore, Paul is clearly teaching that the Lord has distinct roles for men and women in the church and that our gender still matters. One role isn't better than the other, but it is an assignment by the Lord. Men and women are equal in value, but they are not equal in function.

In Galatians 3:26-29, Paul is saying that the divisions between Jews and Greeks are done away with in Christ. The same would be true for the divisions that seem to separate males and females. In Christ, the union is restored between males and females. The two genders that are different start growing together again into one flesh. Christ empowers this by His grace by tearing down the enmity in the flesh (fallen nature). Only when the fallen nature in man and woman is crucified can they truly become one flesh, as the Lord originally intended. When a man and woman do this, they work together, fulfilling their unique and complementary roles. The man is satisfied with his God-appointed role, and the woman is satisfied with hers.

“Therefore, in the resurrection, whose wife of the seven will she be? For they all had her.” Jesus answered and said to them, “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels of God in heaven.” (Matthew 22:28-30 NKJV)

We see from the above verse that marriage (including structure and roles) will not change until the coming kingdom age (or until we go to Heaven). 

Original Intent

When the Pharisees challenged Jesus regarding marriage, Jesus brought the issue back to its original intent (Matthew 19:3-6). We should pay attention to the direction of Jesus and look at the Lord’s original purpose.

“And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” (Genesis 2:18 KJV)

The Hebrew word translated “help” also means “succor.” Help is defined as “make it easier for (someone) to do something by offering one's services or resources; assist, aid, help out, lend a hand to, lend a helping hand to, give assistance to, and to come to the aid of.” Succor is defined as “assistance and support in times of hardship and distress; ministration, comfort, ease, relief, support, guidance, backing, and easement.” 

The Lord specifically made the woman to be a helper to the man. He didn’t make a man to be a helper to a woman. This is not to say a man doesn’t ever help a woman, but it shows the general roles that we have. Humanism and feminism have tried to change these God-ordained roles. Feminism has also tried to pervert God’s order in His church. Pride in men or women tries to move them to take a role or position for themselves when they are not called by God to do so. The uncrucified souls of men and women want power and authority for themselves and value them more than God's role.

The humble submit to the Lord’s will and His order. Our eternal position and rewards in the age to come are determined by our submission to the Lord, His will, and His role for us in this life. Mary embraced her role and demonstrated this by rejoicing in the Lord regarding giving birth to Jesus (Luke 1:46-55). The Lord is directing us back to His original intent: the husband and wife team becoming one flesh. The wife is a hepler to the husband, and the husband loves his wife while submitting to Christ. We must see the Lord's original intent and order in Paul's writings. Paul understood this, and he is writing foundational church doctrine based on original intent.

The Original Judgment

Jesus gave us authority to be delivered and set free from the curse of the law that came in Exodus Chapter 20 (Galatians 3:13). However, we have not yet been granted freedom from the original judgment issued by the Lord.

“To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring forth children; Your desire shall be for your husband, And he shall rule over you.” Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: “Cursed is the ground for your sake; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, And you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread Till you return to the ground, For out of it you were taken; For dust you are, And to dust you shall return.”” (Genesis 3:16-19 NKJV)

Do women still have pain in childbirth? I’m sure that there are some women who have experienced childbirth with little to no pain. The Lord can choose to move this way at times. However, almost all women still experience painful childbirth (including my wife), whether they are Christians or not. This judgment was not done away with by the Lord, as it was not part of the law.

Just as women still have pain in childbirth, men still eat bread with sweat on their faces. The majority of men (including Christians) must work hard to provide for their families. They have to work continuously just so their families can have food, clothes, and shelter. This is the judgment that came upon men and it has not been lifted by the Lord. The only exception might be the prosperity gospel preachers who have multimillion-dollar mansions and private jets. They are not toiling for bread, just deceiving people who are toiling hard.

Since we can clearly see that the Lord has not nullified these judgments yet, we also must see that men rule (govern) over women. One could try and argue that that curse has been done away with, but I’ve just shown that these judgments were packaged together and that they have not been done away with. Scripture does not say that they have been canceled, and everyday life proves that they have not.

The Hebrew word for “rule” means “to rule, have dominion, reign, to have power, and be a governor.” Obviously, a man submitted to Christ’s rulership is going to rule over his wife in a loving, kind, and gentle way. He will demonstrate the kingship of Jesus Christ as he matures. Men who are not submitted to Jesus will likely not rule over their wives in an appropriate way. A world that is full of adultery, divorce, abuse, and sin proves this. Until Jesus returns and establishes His kingdom on earth, women will have pain in childbirth, men will work hard to provide, and men will govern their wives. This is God's order for now. Our faith and prayers will not change what the Lord has set in order by His supreme authority. We must submit to the decree of the Godhead. 

Women Remaining Silent in the Church

"Let your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the law also says. And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord." (I Corinthians 14:34-37 NKJV)

The Greek word for "women" also means wife. This scripture would be better translated as "Let your wives keep silent in the church."

Paul is addressing issues of disruption going on in the church. Women were asking their husbands questions during the meeting while the preacher was speaking. This was causing disorder in the church meetings. Paul is simply telling women not to speak during the meeting while the preacher is speaking. Paul is doing this at the command of the Lord. Paul points out that any wife who wants to ask her husband a question about the message should wait until they get home so as to not disrupt the meeting.

This scripture is still very relevant for us today. Husbands and wives should both be respectful of the speaker and not talk during the meeting. By honoring the speaker, we honor God. Also, the same could be said about texting or checking social media during a public meeting. This can be disrespectful to the Lord, depending on the circumstances.

Female Apostles

Some have argued that there were female apostles. While we can’t tell God what He can and can’t do, I do not believe the New Testament has any examples of female apostles. Jesus selected 12 men to be apostles and not any women. Nowhere in the New Testament scriptures do we see that a woman was placed as an overseer of a church. Church overseers always consisted of apostles, prophets, and teachers/pastors (1 Corinthians 12:28 and Acts 13:1-4). Since female elders or overseers are absent from church leadership in the New Testament scriptures, this should be a major indicator for us about the will of God for His church. It’s not about what we want or what we think is right. It’s about the Lord’s will and order.

Some have said that Junia is an example of an apostle in the New Testament church. Let’s examine this scripture.

“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.” (Romans 16:7 NKJV)

The Greek word translated as “among” can also be translated as “before, in the presence of, in the sight of, or in the estimation of”. Therefore, this verse can confidently be translated as “who are of note in the sight of the apostles”. This scripture could be stating that Junia was notable in the estimation of the apostles. To use this one verse to make the case for women functioning as apostles would be to misuse the Bible and make it say what we want it to. Paul did not state that Junia is an apostle, but that she is of note among them.

I’m not saying it isn’t possible for the Lord to make a woman an apostle. I’m saying the scriptures do not show women as apostles. Someone can be an apostle or prophet and not be the overseer of a church. I have seen many online prophetic ministers (many of whom are women) that carry the Lord’s message for the church. These women are called as prophets but are not overseeing a church. I believe the main issue at hand is an overseer who is placed in charge of a certain number of believers in a physical location (the church).

Priscilla

“Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” (Acts 18:24-26 NKJV)

“The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.” (I Corinthians 16:19 NKJV)

It’s clear that the Lord used Priscilla in ministry. Her and her husband explained some spiritual truths to Apollos. We should note that this happened privately and not corporately. Aquila and Priscilla also had a home church. Since Priscilla was submitted to her husband, he would be considered the overseer of the church in their home. Priscilla may have been more anointed or spiritual, but she was under the covering and authority of her husband. Priscilla cannot be used as an example of a church overseer.

Women Functioning in Ephesians 4 Gifts

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11-12 NKJV)

I believe the scriptures reveal that a woman should not and does not qualify to oversee a church. So does that mean that women cannot be given a leadership gift shown in Ephesians chapter 4? Leadership gifts are distributed by Jesus as He wills. Man does not have any right to tell Jesus what He can and can’t do. The Bible never explicitly says that a woman cannot be given a leadership gift, but only that a woman cannot oversee a church.

For example, let’s say that a man called as an apostle is overseeing a church in a region. A woman who is a pastor, teacher, or prophet could be under his leadership authority and be ministering within the church. She would not be the bishop of the church, but she would still be operating in the gift that Christ had given her. The women minister would not be submitted to the overseeing apostle in the same way that she would be to her own husband, but simply under his leadership authority for ministry. There are some women who function as teachers but are not overseeing churches as pastors. They write books, articles, do online messages, and travel to speak.

A woman could be an evangelist, traveling and preaching the gospel. If she were unmarried, she would be submitted to the Lord and under His authority. This woman would be fulfilling her calling as a leader, although not a leader in a specific congregation. A woman could be functioning as a prophet and ministering in different churches. She would be fulfilling her calling yet not functioning as an overseer or pastor of a church. Women prophets could also issue strong warnings, rebukes, or corrections if the Lord speaks through them to church leaders. That is part of the calling of prophets. They speak the word of the Lord. Women have freedom in the Lord to operate in their leadership gifts as the Lord calls and allows. He is the Master and Commander.

An example of a woman who was an evangelist is Maria Woodworth-Etter (1844–1924). The Lord used her powerfully in revivals. He saved and healed thousands of people through her ministry. This could not have happened if the Lord had not been with her in power. An un-anointed woman could not have had the impact and success that Maria did for the Kingdom of God. We have to recognize God's grace and call on women.

Heidi Baker has been called an apostle by many in the charismatic church. The definition of “apostle” is “delegate, messenger, or sent one”. She started as a missionary with her husband, Roland Baker, and they were sent by the Lord to Mozambique, Africa. The Lord’s grace on their lives and ministry is evident. The Lord has used their ministry to bring over 1 million people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and start over 5,000 churches in Mozambique. They have appointed and commissioned countless elders to oversee churches. The Lord has used Heidi to do much of this. This would seem to fit the Biblical definition of apostolic ministry.

A person cannot simply decide to go and do work like this. Many missionaries have tried and failed. Only someone operating in an apostolic anointing has the grace to complete a task like this. People can reason that a woman cannot be an apostle, but the evidence of that calling is present in her ministry. Many signs, wonders, miracles, and healings have been performed by the Lord through Heidi Baker (2 Corinthians 12:12). Obviously, she and her husband work as a team, and she is under his authority. It does seem to be extremely rare for the Lord to commission a female apostle.

Deborah would be the one exception for a woman overseer in scripture. She was a prophet and a judge who governed God's people (Judges 4:4). This would be similar to a woman functioning in the gift of an apostle and prophet in the New Testament church and being a bishop because of her apostleship. Generally, the Lord does not appoint women as overseers of His people; however, He will if He cannot find a man who is qualified to fill that roll. Jesus is the Head of the church and He will make exceptions if He wants.

At some point, our human reasoning must give way to the clear manifestation of God’s grace on the lives of certain women whom the Lord has chosen to use powerfully. We also have to admit that most often, the Lord chooses to anoint and commission men into the leadership gifts of Ephesians chapter 4. We must submit our will and reasoning to the scriptures and the clear evidence of grace that the Lord places on His ministers. The church is supposed to be led by the Spirit and the word of God. If we only allow ourselves to be led by humanistic interpretations of the word or reject the grace of the Spirit, we will drift into the traditions of men and deception.

-Ty Unruh (November 2023)