After several years of studying how God has used both men and women throughout the history of Christianity, I discovered that the Bible has many examples of strong, godly women who achieved amazing breakthroughs for God and His Kingdom. My surprise was that no one had ever told me how God significantly God used women as leaders throughout the Bible. Here are just a few examples:
God appointed Deborah as judge of Israel. Co-workers of Paul, Priscilla and her husband, Aquilla, instructed Apollos and in 1 Corinthians 16:16, Paul urged his followers to submit to everyone who helped him in the work. Phoebe was among those women who assisted Paul on his team and it is clear he asked the early church to acknowledge the authority of the women who worked with him. Huldah was a woman and prophet who lived in Jerusalem, when she was sought out by King Josiah’s top leaders for her advice in 2 Kings 22:14-20, and Junia is the first and only woman in Scripture to be explicitly identified as an apostle.
So if God used women throughout the Old and New Testaments, how can women thrive as leaders in the Church today? Well, here are a few ideas. (And, by the way, these ideas work for men who lead in the church as well!)
Be comfortable with who God has created you to be. Don’t apologize.
Be humble and allow God to give you opportunities to lead. Don’t force your way in.
Be decisive. Don’t second guess yourself.
Be steadfast, even when the path gets rough. Don’t give up if you believe God has called you to be a leader in the church world.
Be patient. Wait on God’s timing and trust Him to open doors.
How can you thrive in whatever position God has placed you in His Church?
