Twelve Scriptural Examples of Women in Leadership

Hope College’s Witness organization issues a glossy color brochure called, “Twelve Scriptural Examples of Women in Leadership.” Since the egalitarian model of Christian leadership depends on the overall historical sweep of scripture, particularly the obvious calling of women by God in both Old and New Testaments, this brochure is particularly welcome and helpful. Here are the points summarized:

1. Miriam was a leader of the Children of Israel. Mic 6:4; I Chr 6:3; Num 12; Num 26:59.

2. Deborah the Judge gave God’s instructions to Barak and the army. Judges 4.

3. Hulda the prophetess was chosen by King Josiah to identify a scroll instead of Jeremiah or Zephaniah. 2 Kings 22:8-23; 2 Chr 34:14-28.

4. Anna was a New Testament prophetess in the temple in Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38.

5. Mary the mother of Jesus was called by God to go against religious law and culture. Luke 1.

6. The Bible describes the outpouring of spiritual gifts to women. Joel 2:28-29.

7. Women were disciples of Jesus; they were not sent back to domestic duties. Luke 10:38-42; Acts 9:36-41.

8. The Samaritan woman evangelized. John 4.

9. The women disciples of Jesus were called ministers (diakonon). Mark 15:41; Matt 27:55.

10. Women are chosen by God to bear the news of the resurrection to the rest of the disciples. Matt 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-11; John 20:1-18.

11. Junia ia called a prominent apostle. Romans 16:7.

12. Pheobe is the minister and leader of the Church in Cenchrea. Romans 16:1-2.

Also included in the brochure are photographs of early-century inscriptions such as a fourth Century tombstone that reads, “Guilia Runa, woman priest”; a mosaic of Bishop (Episcopa) Theodora, 820AD; and a fifth Century tomb epitaph that reads, “Sacred to her good memory, Leta the Presbyter lived 40 years, 8 months, 9 days, for whom her husband set up this tomb.”