At City Church, we believe that God empowers and calls women to lead, teach, and serve in every area of the church, fully participating in the mission of God. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture reveals God’s design for women as vital contributors to His kingdom, uniquely gifted and equipped by the Holy Spirit to make disciples and fulfill the Great Commission.
Biblical Foundation for Women in Leadership:
- Genesis 1:27–28 – God created both male and female in His image and commissioned them to steward His creation together. Both man and woman were created in God’s image (imago Dei) and were given equal authority over creation. The fall (Genesis 3) distorted relationships, leading to hierarchical structures where men ruled over women (Genesis 3:16). However, this was not God’s original design but a consequence of sin.
- Exodus 15:20–21
– Miriam, a prophet and leader, led Israel in worship and celebration of God’s deliverance.
- Judges 4:4–5 – Deborah, a prophetess and judge, led Israel both spiritually and politically, guiding the nation in righteousness and victory.
- 2 Kings 22:14–20
– Huldah, a prophetess, was sought out by King Josiah’s officials for wisdom, and her words led to national repentance.
- Luke 8:1–3
– Women, including Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna, played an active role in Jesus’ ministry, supporting and proclaiming the gospel.
- John 20:17–18
– The resurrected Jesus entrusted Mary Magdalene to be the first to proclaim the news of His resurrection to the disciples.
- Acts 2:17–18
– At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit was poured out on both men and women to prophesy and proclaim the good news. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was not gender-exclusive—it explicitly included women as full participants in ministry. Spiritual gifts are given without gender distinction (1 Corinthians 12:4–11, Romans 12:6–8, Ephesians 4:11–13).
- Romans 16:1–7
– Paul commended women leaders in the early church, including Phoebe (a deacon), Priscilla (a teacher), and Junia (an apostle).
- Phoebe (Romans 16:1) – A deacon entrusted with delivering Paul’s letter.
- Priscilla (Romans 16:3–4) – A teacher who instructed Apollos.
- Junia (Romans 16:7) – Called “outstanding among the apostles”, signifying apostolic leadership.
Jesus Affirmed Women in Ministry:
Jesus broke cultural and religious norms by engaging, teaching, and empowering women in His ministry:
- Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38–42)
– Jesus commended her for choosing learning at His feet over traditional female roles.
- The Samaritan Woman (John 4:1–42)
– Jesus commissioned her as the first evangelist to her village.
- Mary Magdalene (John 20:17–18)
– Jesus entrusted her to announce His resurrection, making her the “apostle to the apostles.”
- Women as financial supporters (Luke 8:1–3)
– Women were not just passive disciples but active patrons of Jesus’ ministry.
Women and the Great Commission
Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:18–20 to go and make disciples is not limited by gender. We believe that women, just as much as men, are called to lead, teach, shepherd, and disciple others within the church. The body of Christ is incomplete without the leadership, wisdom, and gifts of women in every sphere of ministry. The Church’s mission is to equip all believers (Ephesians 4:11–13) for ministry and we see that women were present at Pentecost, actively proclaiming the gospel alongside men (Acts 1:14, Acts 2:1).
Addressing Difficult New Testament Texts
Certain passages in the New Testament, such as 1 Timothy 2:12 (“I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man”) and 1 Corinthians 14:34 (“Women should remain silent in the churches”), have often been misinterpreted as universal prohibitions against women in leadership. However, these passages must be understood in their historical and cultural context:
- Paul wrote these letters to address specific issues in specific churches, such as false teaching (1 Timothy 1:3–4) and disorderly worship (1 Corinthians 14:26–40).
- Paul affirmed and worked alongside female leaders throughout his ministry (Romans 16, Philippians 4:2–3).
- The broader witness of Scripture shows God consistently calling and empowering women to lead.
Women’s leadership in the Church is not an issue of preference or cultural progressiveness, but of biblical faithfulness.
- God’s original design was equality.
- Jesus affirmed women in ministry.
- The Holy Spirit gifts women for leadership.
- The Great Commission requires women’s leadership to be fulfilled.
- Restrictive passages are contextual and cannot contradict the broader biblical witness.
- To restrict women from leadership is to reject God’s calling, the Spirit’s gifting, and the mission of the Church.
Our Commitment to Women in Leadership
At City Church, we joyfully affirm and celebrate the leadership of women as pastors, teachers, elders, preachers, and ministry leaders. We believe that the church flourishes when both women and men partner together in the mission of God, empowered by the Spirit to advance the Kingdom.
“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
– Galatians 3:28
Sample Link