Women in Ministry...

The following are just a very few facts from the bible regarding the women who have played very important roles in the ministry and church! I am sure you already known about some of these…See below:

Deborah literally means "Bee," reminding us of her wisdom, how she liberally shared with her friends, and how her influence and authority were used by God to "sting" Israel's enemies. Her creative talents and leadership abilities set her apart. Deborah wrote songs and sang them, and she was a patriotic woman of God who judged and led Israel for 40 years. She might be called the first female military commander and first female Supreme Court justice! The keys to Deborah's effectiveness were her spiritual commitment and walk with God, in fact she is called a prophetess. She demonstrates the possibilities for any woman today who will allow the Spirit of God to fill and form her life, developing her full capacities to shape the world around her.

The name "Huldah" is derived from the Hebrew root cheled, which means "to glide swiftly." Perhaps Huldah's name reflects her quickness of mind and her ability to swiftly and rightly discern the things of God. In any case, this woman was used by God in history to voice His judgment and His prophecy, and to spark one of the greatest national revivals in history. Hilkiah the high priest and Shaphan the scribe sought out Huldah for God's word of wisdom. She had the complete respect and confidence of all these men, a lesson in the truth spiritual influence flows from a spiritual lifestyle, not merely from the presence of spiritual gifts.

Esther was a Jewish orphan, raised by her cousin, Mordecai. God opens destiny to any person who will keep His priorities. Even in the presence of success and wealth Esther retained her sense of perspective and integrity. She showed courage and obedience when she was faced with death! She had great respect for the power of prayer. She recognized the reality of the Holy Spirit. She was steadfast and willing to lay down her own life for others.

Acts 21:9 - This reference to Philip's daughter's each exercising the gifts of prophecy makes it very clear that women did bring God's word by the power of the Holy Spirit and such ministry was fully accepted in the early church.

Paul reinforced it in 1 Corinthians 11:5, where he states that a woman may "prophesy," Yes it does state she must be properly "covered," which is rightly related to her husband or other spiritual authority, a regulation incumbent upon all spiritual leaders, male or female.

1 Timothy 3:1-13. So why is the position of women in the ministry contested by so many within the ministry? Women had an equal place in the Upper Room, awaiting the Holy Spirit's coming and the birth of the church, Acts 1:14.

Peter's prophetic sermon at Pentecost affirmed the Old Testament promise was now to be realized: "your daughters" and "maidservants" would now share fully and equally with men in realizing the anointing, fullness, and ministry of the Holy Spirit, making them effective in witness and service for the spread of the gospel.

Though the place of men seems more pronounced in the number who filled leadership roles, there does not appear to be any direct restriction of privilege when it comes to women in the ministry. In fact the method of designation suggests they were the appointed leaders in their respective fellowships. How can there be any doubt that women did speak, preach and prophesy in the early church. 1 Timothy 2:8-15

Women did financially support Jesus in his ministry Luke 8:2,3 - and figured prominently in the establishment of churches of Thessalonica, Acts 17:4 - and Berea (v. 12). The early church was also blessed with prophetesses, Acts 2:17; 21:9 - who spoke the word of the Lord. The first recorded convert of Paul's European mission was a woman named Lydia, Acts 16:13,14 - and the baptism of her household marked the beginning of the Philippian church (v. 15).

Paul later wrote the Following: Phi 4:2 - I encourage both Euodia and Syntyche to have the attitude the Lord wants them to have. Phi 4:3 - Yes, I also ask you, Syzugus, my true partner, to help these women. They fought beside me to spread the Good News along with Clement and the rest of my coworkers, whose names are in the Book of Life. These women not only assisted Paul; they ministered right at his side in an apparently equal capacity. Other women commended by Paul for their ministries include Mary, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, and Rufus' mother, Rom. 16:6,12,13.

A more prominent role in the early church was played by Priscilla. Priscilla, along with her husband Aquila, was involved with evangelism and teaching Acts 18:2,24-26 - and even led churches in Rome, Rom. 16:3,4 - and Ephesus, 1 Cor. 16:19. Similarly, Nympha led a church in Laodicea, Col. 4:15. There are the two other women described in Romans 16 who clearly ministered in leadership roles. wife."Reference 6

"Phoebe" means "Pure or Radiant." Paul calls her not only a servant of the church, but a helper of many. Other versions translate the word "servant" as "deaconess." Still others have called her "minister" in other scriptures where the Greek word diakoneo is use; it is translated "minister" or deacon (diakonon) of the congregation of Cenchrea. Romans 16:2 provides more information about Phoebe: Paul calls her "a patroness (prostatis)." Bible translations render this term "servant," "friend," or "helper." This is appropriate since leadership roles in the church are roles of service.

According to many scholars it was Phoebe who carried the written book of Romans to the congregation. This is consonant to Psalm 68:11, which declares the place of women in the spread of God's Word: "The Lord gave the word; great was the company or host of women . Who proclaimed it." The inserted words are justified by the Hebrew, most translators acknowledge this.

Women have contributed much to the ministry of the Church throughout its history. However, their role in this area has never been free from controversy. Today, most church bodies are discussing the place of women in their ministries. Crucial to these discussions for many of us are the matters of faithful biblical interpretation.

Perhaps a few words should be said about the concept of ministry itself on the basis of the New Testament.

Today, we tend to confuse our specific church traditions about ordination with the biblical concept of ministry. The New Testament says relatively little about ordination. It clearly portrays, however, the fact that the early church had a varied and faithful ministry arising from the fact that all of God’s people were “gifted” by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up one another (see, for example, 1 Corinthians 12:4–31; 14:1–19; Romans 12:3–8; Ephesians 4:7–16; 1 Peter 4:8–11). Any person could exercise ministry (which means, remember, service) who was called and gifted by God and affirmed by the body of Christ, the Church. Some were set apart in leadership positions and some were assigned specific tasks to accomplish, but the differences among ministries were not distinctions of kind. Eventually, certain types of affirmation were combined with certain functions of ministry to produce our current understanding of ordination.

Modern debates over the ordination of women often miss the crucial and basic issues of the holistic concept of the ministry of the Church reflected in the New Testament. Of course, no person should be ordained or given any responsibilities of ministry within the Church because of gender or for the sake of a “point.” On the other hand, we have affirmed in the Church that no person, called and gifted by God, should be denied any role of ministry or leadership in the Church because of one’s gender.

Who better to work with abused women/young ladies/girls than an ordained female chaplain and minister? Women in ministry as chaplains and ministers are serving a very important role in today's world.