WOMEN & THE CHURCH

Let’s start this year off with a splash! The woman’s role in the church is one of the more controversial topics of our time. Yes, that’s right, in the year 2023 when the world has said women can be all they want to be, there are a group of Christians that say otherwise. In the “you go girl” era women were told to go, do, and be all that they wanted to be. Be a firewoman, be a policewoman, be a CEO, start a business, run for government office. This is great, empowering, and a far cry from where we used to be in our culture, not even able to vote. But there is still a sect in the Christian church that says “You go girl”, out there, in the world, but as for the church, when you come in here, sit down, look pretty, and most importantly don’t try to lead anyone or anything. What a mixed message, am I right? Sometimes I think it’s hard to be a woman, be strong, but not too strong, look nice, but not too nice, have a personality, but not too much personality, and be accomplished, but not too accomplished. We are constantly trying to fit the mold, but they just keep changing it. So what’s our resolve?

As women of Christ, we are not just regular women. The truth is, that as daughters of the King, we are never going to fit the world’s mold. But when inside the body of Christ, we are met with even harder expectations and scrutiny, that’s, well, just exhausting. So let’s squash it! Right here, right now, I want to tell you that you have a purpose. You will not and should not find your identity in the world’s standards of a woman, but there is absolute significance for your role inside the body of Christ. You are a valuable asset to the Kingdom, you should never be reduced to anything else. Don’t ever accept the narrative that you don’t have a place to lead in God’s perfect plan.

Let’s take a look at God’s design for women.

In the beginning, God made Adam, this we all know. In Genesis 2:18 “The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” And God thereafter created Eve, a woman, from the rib of Adam. Eve was a help-meet to Adam, she was not his servant, she was not less than him, and she was created to stand by his side. I would submit that Adam would have never been Adam if not for Eve. Her role in the garden, even though we may not like it now, was significant. We will never be able to fully comprehend all that God had in mind for Adam and Eve in the garden. Until the day we reach eternity, we can be rest assured of one thing, nothing that has ever happened in all of history has come as a surprise to God. He knew exactly where this thing was headed.

Let’s take a look at Mary, mother of Jesus. One of the scriptures I often ponder is Luke 2:19, where the shepherds came and exclaimed what the Angels had told them, it says “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” I find this so interesting because everyone was focused on how magnificent the miracle of Jesus' birth was. Rightly so, the long-awaited Messiah had been born, what a time to celebrate. But Mary knew something more, it wasn’t that she wasn’t excited or in awe of the miracle of Jesus. I believe it was that God had revealed to her the whole picture of what was to come. She knew deep down that he would be beautiful and fulfill all the things God had planned for him, even his death. She knew that she would love him, care for him, nurse him, and raise him as her own. Even though he wasn’t. She knew on that day what would come, that she would have to give him up, and God began to prepare her heart right then. God chooses a woman, Mary, simple, sweet, a virgin, to carry, nurture, and yes lead the greatest miracle of all time. Don’t tell me women have no place in God’s plan. Joseph, her husband, didn’t even make it to the end, to witness the crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus. But God chose Mary to witness and carry forward the gospel message, even after Jesus’ time on earth.

Deborah, a Prophetess and Judge in Judges 4 was leading the nation of Israel and was pivotal in defeating the Canaanites.

Paul had many women aid him in building and leading the early church. Phoebe (Romans 16:1-2), Chloe (1 Corinthians 1:11), Nympha (Colossians 4:15), Apphia (Philemon 2), Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2-3), and Junia (Romans 16:7).

Peter addresses the crowd in Acts 2 to bring clarity to the outpouring of Holy Spirit in the upper room. He shares a passage from the Prophet Joel.

Acts 2:14-18 “Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy."

Daughters and women were always promised the Spirit of God and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Why would we get the gifts and be expected not to use them to build up the church?

And then there are Jesus’ words in The Great Commission.

Matthew 28:16-20 “Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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.”

Why would he tell the disciples to go and make more disciples of all nations if he intended for them only to reach men? If women are left out we are only fulfilling 50% of The Great Commission.

I could offer example after example of how God used women to build and lead in his Kingdom. We could even look at modern-day examples i.e. Joyce Meyer, Christine Caine, and Priscilla Shirer. If God did not like that they were ministering why has he blessed and used their ministries to reach thousands?

The truth about all this is, that for every example we can show through the word of God, the nay-sayers will have a rebuttal. It will never be enough for someone whose heart is hard. And that is what it comes down to.

So I say to you, what is the Holy Spirit of God speaking to your heart? What has He called you to do, on this day, at this time, to bring glory to His name? Hear His voice, and respond in faith.

If I wasn’t going to change anyone’s mind by writing this, then what was the point? The point is this: One, this is a “hot topic” in the body of Christ right now and I want you to be informed. Two, I know that when a woman takes bold steps into the God call on her life the enemy is always right there to offer any opposition that he can. This scheme is one of his favorites. If for nothing else, I shared on this topic today, to encourage those who may be up against this lie in this season of their life. I say to you, go girl, go! Let God use you, he will avenge you from the accuser. Don’t even tilt your head down to listen to him for one minute, for if you do, your crown might slip, and that’s not a good look for anyone!

Love you mucho! – PB

Catch the video blog on YouTube where Pastor Brittany shares about her journey with this topic.