The Bible offers insight into the roles that women can fill within the church and Christian ministry. While some limitations exist, women have many opportunities to serve God and make significant contributions.
Teaching Other Women
One clear role for women in ministry is teaching other women. The older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. (Titus 2:3-5)
Older, mature Christian women are called to mentor and instruct younger women in matters of godly womanhood and family life. This type of discipleship among women is vital for passing on Biblical values from one generation to the next.
Teaching Children
In addition to teaching women, women can also teach children. Throughout Scripture, the responsibility of raising and educating children falls primarily to mothers. Women are therefore well-suited for teaching children the truths of God’s word both at home and at church.
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy 6:6-7)
Evangelism and Discipleship
Women play a key role in spreading the gospel and making disciples. While the office of pastor/elder is reserved for men, the call to evangelism applies to all believers. Women can utilize their spiritual gifts for evangelism, hospitality, mentoring, and more to further God’s kingdom.
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)
Service and Helps Ministries
Women often excel at behind-the-scenes ministry roles involving helps, service, administration, showing mercy, and more. Scripture commends many women who supported church leaders and assisted believers in practical ways.
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae… (Romans 16:1)
For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)
Music and Worship Ministry
The Bible records women participating in worship through music and song. Women who are gifted in this area can serve as worship leaders and on praise teams. However, the role of lead pastor, which includes preaching and teaching with authority over men, is reserved for qualified men.
And at Caesarea there was a prophetess, Anna…She did not depart from the temple, worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day. (Luke 2:36, 37)
Prophecy and Prayer
Women with the spiritual gift of prophecy can proclaim God’s truth to strengthen and encourage believers. Women should exercise this gift under proper authority and with a humble spirit. And of course, women are free to engage in fervent prayer for their churches, leaders, families, and missions efforts.
And there was a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher…And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36-38)
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” (1 Corinthians 12:21)
Hospitality Ministries
Women have long provided hospitality as part of church life and Christian service. From opening their homes, to preparing meals, to welcoming newcomers, women are vital in creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for fellowship, care, and community outreach.
Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. (Romans 12:13)
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. (1 Peter 4:9)
So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. (Luke 5:7)
Mercy and Benevolence Ministries
Christian women have often led the way in acts of mercy, compassion, and benevolence. Ministering to those in need provides women great opportunities to demonstrate the love of Christ in very practical ways. Many women devoted themselves to care for the sick, serve the poor, provide for orphans and widows, and comfort the distressed.
She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. (Proverbs 31:20)
But showing mercy to others is something pleasant to Him. (Micah 6:8)
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27)
Supporting Church Leadership
Women can provide invaluable support to church leaders through assistance, encouragement, prayer, cooperation, and utilizing their spiritual gifts to forward the work. Scripture commends many women who contributed to the advancement of God’s kingdom in this way.
Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you…Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord. (Romans 16:6,12)
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. (Proverbs 31:31)
And although women are limited from certain governing and authoritative positions in the church, they are by no means insignificant. Women are indispensable partners in ministry and church leadership.
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Romans 12:4-5)
Marriage and Family Ministries
Women have a vital ministry within their homes and families. By exemplifying Biblical principles and investing in her husband and children, a wife and mother makes an eternal impact as her family is strengthened in Christ.
Older women likewise are to…train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3, 4)
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” (Proverbs 31:28-29)
Missionary Service
Women have long played integral supporting roles on missionary teams worldwide. While men often serve as lead pastors and teachers on the field, women provide vital assistance in reaching across cultures with the gospel through medical aid, education, discipleship, evangelism, church planting, and simple acts of compassion.
The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares for the things of the world—how she may please her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:34)
For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. (1 Corinthians 9:19-20)
And Jesus said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2)
Exercising Spiritual Gifts
Women are essential members of the body of Christ and are gifted by the Holy Spirit for building up the church. As women exercise their spiritual gifts faithfully and humbly, they make significant kingdom contributions. This includes gifts of:
– Service (Romans 12:7)
– Teaching (Romans 12:7)
– Encouraging (Romans 12:8)
– Giving (Romans 12:8)
– Leadership/Administration (Romans 12:8)
– Mercy (Romans 12:8)
– Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11)
– Prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:10)
– Helps (1 Corinthians 12:28)
– Hospitality (1 Peter 4:9)
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching. (Romans 12:6-7)
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:7)
Pursuing Personal Growth and Maturity
As Christian women seek the Lord through Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and application of Biblical truth, they mature in Christ-likeness and wisdom. Their spiritual growth allows them to minister to others from the overflow of their vibrant relationship with Jesus.
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)
Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. (1 Peter 2:2-3)
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15)
Being Examples of Godliness
One of the most significant ministries a woman has is simply being a day-to-day example of virtue, faith, integrity, and godliness. As others observe the fruit produced in her life by the Spirit, they receive a powerful testimony of the grace of God.
Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity (Titus 2:7)
Set an example for other believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
Being Mothers and Grandmothers
Motherhood provides women with one of the greatest platforms for ministry. By pouring into her children, a mother influences the next generation with the love and truth of Christ. Grandmothers can also have a profound spiritual impact on their grandchildren through instruction, guidance, and godly example over many years.
You shall teach [God’s words] diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy 6:7)
Older women…are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. (Titus 2:3-5)
Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. (Proverbs 17:6)
Investing in the Next Generation
Beyond their own families, Christian women can make a profound investment in future generations through ministries to youth and young adults. By providing mentorship, teaching life skills, modeling godliness, and giving sound counsel, women help guide young people to become mature believers.
The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. (Proverbs 14:1)
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. (Proverbs 31:26)
Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12)
Intercessory Prayer
One of the most powerful ministries a Christian woman has is through her prayers. Believing prayer for pastors, leaders, unbelieving spouses, wayward children, our nation, missionaries, and a myriad of other needs is invaluable. Consistent, fervent prayer moves the heart of God.
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior. (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. (James 5:14)
The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (James 5:16b)
Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. (Colossians 4:2)
Using Skills, Talents, and Resources
Along with spiritual gifts, Christian women have natural talents, abilities, education, resources, and life experiences that can be used for God’s glory. Whether through technical skills, artistic talent, community involvement, or financial resources, women have much to contribute when their gifts are channeled for Kingdom purposes.
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace. (1 Peter 4:10)
There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit… To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4,7)
And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this? (Esther 4:14b)
Summary
Women have a wide scope of ministry within Biblical parameters. This includes discipleship, evangelism, helps, service, showing mercy, hospitality, worship, encouragement, spiritual parenting, supporting leadership, and many other avenues. Women exercise spiritual gifts, utilize natural talents, set an example of godliness, invest in the next generation, and intercede in prayer. Whether within the home, church, or community, women are indispensable partners in advancing Kingdom work.