Empowering Women, Empowering the Church: A Biblical Perspective on Women Leadership

Whenever I think about women, I think about Eden. I think about the beginning; how God created the world - His heart and intention for the world. This, for me, is usually how I address anything, so as to see God's mind and come to a place of functioning by design or as designed.

Let's see this briefly in the book of Genesis.

In Chapter 1:27-28, God created mankind in His own image - that is, making them to be like Himself. The Bible records that He created them male and female, then blessed them to be fruitful, multiply and replenish the face of the earth, with everything under their control. This means they were in charge of everything.

Note, that Eve wasn't mentioned here but was already in the picture and included. As such, the blessing was for both Adam and Eve.

Genesis 1 ends by saying that, God looked at everything He had made and saw that it was good. Flowing from this, we then can conclude that the picture of good in God's eyes, is when both the human beings created work hand in hand.

Do we see, that right from the beginning the woman was included in leadership?

This gives the picture that when both men and women are in charge of things, there is dominion and replenishing of the surface of the earth.

So when both men and women are in leadership in the church, we bring a perfect blend of order. We are accurately able to bear fruits (fruitful and multiply), causing the church to advance.

Doesn't it sound like the same instruction Jesus Christ gave in Matthew 28vs19?

"Go ye into the world and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit".

Even in the preceding verses of this chapter, the women went early to the tomb that Jesus was buried. Eventually they realized that He had risen from the dead and were instructed to go tell the disciples.

All through the Bible, we see women play leadership roles directly to bring deliverance unto nations and raise disciples. Some examples:

1. Deborah

In Judges 4&5, we see the life of Deborah, a wife, a prophet and a judge. I particularly loved that her being a wife was first mentioned in the Bible. A woman can be in a leadership role and still be a present wife.

In a time where the roads were deserted and warriors lived in fear; she fed the commander of the army of Israel with encouraging words, causing strength in their hearts just as a mother will feed food to her family to cause nourishment.

Eventually Israel had victory and peace for 40years. She didn't fight but was the trigger to victory.

b) Priscilla in Acts 26: alongside her husband discipled a man named Apollos, teaching him more accurately the way of God. Romans 16vs3-5 also mentioned that a church met in their house, she must also have been responsible for some administrative and welfare works.

So how can women be empowered which ultimately empowers the church?

1. Celebrate their contributions

amidst building their homes and nurturing their families, this causes them to do more and not see it as being sidelined. Besides, many believers also work in secular spaces. The culture of appreciation and celebration can spread into these spaces causing the church to have an influence on actions and indeed shine in the midst of a dark and confused world.

2. Organise Relevant Trainings for Women

biblical trainings and leadership trainings helps to refine the qualities that women already have. This gives the church a rich blend of knowledgeable and capable hands to handle the affairs of the church.

3) Give Women the Avenue for expression

women gifted in particular areas such as teaching, ability to mobilize people etc should be given the room to handle this aspects. They shouldn't be seen as too driven or competitive because really, the welfare or children's department isn't the only spaces reserved for women. Some men even function much better in these places.

This often times give women a training ground for the specific assignments God has for their lives. We must therefore partner with God to prepare His vessels.

Conclusion

When we follow the order of God for doing things, we bring His order in any arena we find ourselves. Similarly, when the women in church are empowered to lead, we bring the body of Christ into the fruitfulness and expansion that God has in mind.

He knows the qualities that is embedded in each gender and in His wisdom made it such that both has to function to experience fullness. It means that God's design was never for one to function without the other, collaboration in key in God's agenda for His bride.