Women Unmuted

Women have always played a vital role in God’s redemptive plan, from the Old Testament to the New, leading, teaching, and prophesying with divine authority. Despite a few often-misunderstood passages used to silence women in ministry, scripture when read in context, shows a consistent pattern of God empowering both men and women to lead. The early Church was filled with female disciples, deacons, apostles, and prophets, and the same Spirit that called them continues to call women today. As the Church, let’s walk in the full expression of God’s calling on all His people.

I deeply respect and honour the men of God I’ve had the privilege to serve alongside throughout my ministry journey. I’ve worked with incredible male leaders who have championed women, upheld biblical truth, and led with humility, integrity, and strength. I’m also blessed to be married to an amazing man of God who not only supports my calling but walks confidently in his own. This conversation about women in ministry is not about diminishing men, it’s about walking side by side in the fullness of God’s design, honouring one another, and advancing the Kingdom together.

In over four decades of ministry, I’ve only had a few moments where I’ve been aware of someone questioning whether I, as a woman, should be in ministry. Most of those comments came in my 30s, like the young adult who asked, “How can you, a woman, be a pastor?” My response was simply, “Friend, what are you even asking?”

There was also a moment in my 50s, during an interview, when someone openly stated they didn’t believe women should be in ministry. That moment clearly showed me we weren’t the right fit for each other.

But let me be clear: those moments have been few and far between. These questions come from a misunderstanding of scripture because of our cultural lens, and our taught, cultural understanding of a woman’s “place”.

Misunderstood Scriptures

For generations, a couple of New Testament passages have been often used out of context to limit women’s roles in ministry:

1 Corinthians 14:34–35

“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.”

1 Timothy 2:11–12

“A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet.”

These passages have been used to silence the voice and gifts of women in the Church. But when we study the Bible in full context, both culturally and scripturally, what we actually see is a God who calls, empowers, and sends both men and women.

Let’s take a broader look at God’s design.

From the Begininng

In Genesis 1:26–28, God’s original design is made clear:

“Let us make mankind in our image… so that they may rule…”

“So God created mankind in His own image… male and female He created them.”

God gave the command to “rule” to both Adam and Eve. It was never gender-exclusive.

Old Testament Women Used by God

• Sarah birthed a nation at 90.
• Jochebed defied Pharaoh and preserved Moses.
• Miriam prophesied and led worship for Israel.
• Deborah judged Israel and commanded armies.
• Jael assassinated Israel’s enemy.
• Jehosheba preserved the Davidic lineage.
• Huldah prophesied and advised the king.
• Rahab became a spy and ancestor to Jesus.
• Esther saved her entire nation.

New Testament Women in Ministry

• Mary, a teenage girl, said “yes” to God and carried the Messiah.
• Anna, the prophetess, was the first to publicly declare Jesus as Messiah.
• Mary of Bethany poured out her worship at Jesus’ feet.
• Women were the last at the cross and the first at the resurrection when even when the other disciples had fled.
• The women at the tomb were the first to proclaim, “He is risen” in a culture where their testimony was not even considered valid.
• On Pentecost, women were among those who prophesied and spoke in tongues (Acts 2).
• Priscilla taught Apollos, a church leader.
• Chloe led a house church.
• Phoebe was a deacon and entrusted with delivering Paul’s letter to the Romans.
• Junia was an apostle, yes, and a church planter and missionary.
• Philip’s daughters prophesied.

In fact, Scripture often refers to “The Women” a group of female disciples who followed and supported Jesus. They were present through His death, burial, and resurrection where others abandoned Him.

Understanding 1 Corinthians 14 and 1 Timothy 2

1 Corinthians 14:34–35 is often cited as a command for women to remain silent in church. But in the same letter (chapter 11), Paul gives instructions for both men and women to pray and prophesy in church. You can’t prophesy silently. If Paul was instructing women on how to speak, he wasn’t commanding them to be silent.

The Greek word used for “silent” here refers to voluntary silence amid disorder. The church in Corinth was chaotic, and Paul was addressing that disorder, not issuing a timeless ban on women’s voices.

1 Timothy 2:11–12 must also be read in context. Paul is writing a personal letter to Timothy addressing a specific issue in the Ephesian church involving false teaching and power struggles. The word “authority” used here authentein is not used anywhere else in the New Testament. It means “to usurp or dominate,” not to lead with godly authority.

There is no indication that Paul intended to establish a universal, eternal policy silencing women. To interpret it that way means elevating a few verses above the consistent biblical witness of women who led, taught, preached, prophesied, and planted churches.

Also, if we take one part of this passage at face value like “women must not teach” then we must also accept that “women will be saved through childbearing” (1 Tim 2:15). Clearly, this isn’t how salvation works (Romans 10:9–10). We cannot pick and choose which parts we treat as metaphorical or literal without a solid theological foundation.

What’s at Stake if Women Don’t Engage in Ministry?

We lose half of God’s workforce in the Church. Half of the image-bearers, half of the gifts, half of the voices called to share the Gospel. We miss out on powerful leaders, preachers, teachers, and prophets that God has already chosen.

The global Church is full of powerful women in leadership. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, famously said, “My best men are women.” Overseas, countless women are leading churches and movements and changing nations.

Advice to Women Called to Ministry

Yes, there may still be moments of resistance or misunderstanding. But the tide is turning. Walk with confidence in your calling. Preach with excellence. Serve with passion. Live in a way that proves your life and calling are fruitful and Spirit-led.

And don’t let one voice of dissent drown out the many voices cheering you on.

We’re seeing change: women are lead pastors, district leaders, and sitting at decision-making tables in the PAOC and beyond. One outdated opinion does not define your calling. God does.

Keep your heart soft, your back strong, and your eyes on Jesus. Lead with love. Preach with fire. Walk in humility and crush those lies with your powerful, obedient life.

Galatians 3:28

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Women of God, you are called. You are chosen. You are equipped.