Thursday, April 3, 2025

In God’s Image: Why Women Belong in Pastoral Ministry



It is difficult to imagine what the world was like before sin came and corrupted God’s good Creation. This good Creation was a world where God’s first word to humanity wasn’t division but harmony. In that world, leadership wasn’t a man’s prize to claim but a shared gift to use in taming, shaping, and stewarding God’s good Creation. That’s the world of Genesis 1—a world too many churches, theologians, and teachers have buried under layers of tradition and misread verses.

Today, in most conservative evangelical churches, women can’t stand in the pulpit and preach, offer counsel and instruction to both men and women, or make decisions about the direction of the church family. In this discussion, the same handful of Scriptures are cited, or centuries of male dominance are held up as THE example of how things should be.

The Bible provides a bolder picture of male/female relationships and female leadership among God’s people. This picture is rooted in God’s creation of humanity, traced through prophets like Deborah and Huldah, and grows in the early church with women like Phoebe.

It is my belief that women belong in pastoral ministry—not as a modern compromise or the church going woke, but as God’s design from the beginning.

I want to briefly outline this truth as we see it in Scripture. This isn’t a rigorous defense of women in pastoral ministry; it’s a brief outline that allows me to share the thoughts swirling around in my mind.

Created to Co-Rule: Genesis 1:26-28

On page 1 of the Bible, we read that God declared:“Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth” (Genesis 1:26, CSB). Then, “God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female” (v. 27). And what was their responsibility? “God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth’” (v. 28).

Take a moment and meditate on what happened.

God doesn’t whisper this to Adam alone, leaving Eve as an afterthought. He blesses them—male and female—crafted equally in His image, tasked together to rule. God’s mandate to rule over Creation is given to both men and women as part of their identity. Both reflect God’s image and demonstrate His character—love, creativity, wisdom, authority—and both are given authority over creation. There’s no hierarchy here in God’s original design, no “he leads, she follows.” It’s co-rulership, pure and simple, a partnership mirroring the Trinity’s unity.

Then comes Genesis 3. Sin fractures this harmony, and “he will rule over you” (v. 16) falls like a shadow—a curse, not a calling. This is a different Hebrew word than the one used in Genesis 1:26 and 28. It’s the same word used in Genesis 1:18, explaining that the Sun and Moon rule over the day and night—the light of the Sun overpowering the darkness to make it day. That’s the key idea in Genesis 3:16: overpowering and domination. Male dominance isn’t God’s design; it’s the consequence of the Fall.

Genesis 3:16 can be translated a couple of ways. The Christian Standard Bible renders it: “Your desire will be for your husband, yet he will rule over you,” suggesting women desire a marriage relationship, but men hold the power. The New Living Translation offers: “And you will desire to control your husband, but he will rule over you,” implying a more antagonistic dynamic. 

I prefer the first option because I believe the biblical witness is one of men dominating women for their purposes rather than women rebelling against their husbands’ authority. Abraham and Hagar, Judah and Tamar, David and Bathsheba—these are examples of men taking advantage of women for their own selfish ends. Therefore, I believe the hierarchy model is more a product of the Fall and the Curse than God’s original design.

So it’s no surprise when Jesus comes and elevates the status of women—having women disciples and instructing them to be the first to carry the news of the resurrection. With that in mind, the Apostle Paul wrote these counter-cultural words: “There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28, CSB). Redemption restores Genesis 1’s vision—equality, not subjugation. If God entrusted women to co-rule the earth, why not co-lead His church and New Creation? To say otherwise is to cling to the Fall, not the Gospel.

Prophets of God: Deborah and Huldah

Now let’s travel through Israel’s history, where Genesis 1’s seed of co-rulership sprouts into action. Meet Deborah, a prophetess and judge in Judges 4-5, around 1200 BC. She didn’t just pray quietly in a corner—she led a nation. She was a Judge over Israel (Judges 4:5), leading not only the women but also the men. As a prophetess, she spoke God’s word with authority. When Canaan’s King Jabin oppressed Israel with 900 iron chariots, Deborah summoned Barak, the military commander, and delivered a divine directive:
She summoned Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, “Hasn’t the LORD, the God of Israel, commanded you, ‘Go, deploy the troops on Mount Tabor, and take with you ten thousand men from the Naphtalites and Zebulunites? Then I will lure Sisera commander of Jabin’s army, his chariots, and his infantry at the Wadi Kishon to fight against you, and I will hand him over to you’” (Judges 4:6-7, CSB).

Barak hesitated, begging her to join him. She did, prophesying a woman would claim the victory—and Jael did, driving a tent peg through Sisera’s skull (Judges 4:21). The result? Forty years of peace (Judges 5:31). Deborah’s song of triumph (Judges 5) still echoes, a testament to her leadership.


Was Deborah a fluke? No, she’s an example of the reality that women have a place in leadership among God’s people.

Then there’s Huldah, centuries later, around 622 BC. King Josiah’s men unearthed the lost Book of the Law in the temple—a crisis moment for Judah. Who did they seek? Not the famous prophets Jeremiah or Zephaniah, but Huldah, a prophetess (2 Kings 22:14). She lived in Jerusalem’s Second District, and when the high priest Hilkiah and royal officials knocked, she didn’t hide. She declared God’s judgment on Judah’s idolatry and mercy for Josiah’s repentance (2 Kings 22:15-20). Her words sparked a national revival, one of the Old Testament’s high points.

These women—Deborah and Huldah—weren’t sideline helpers. They taught God’s word, judged, and led God’s people, men included, with divine authority. Even in the Old Testament, a glimpse of Genesis 1’s co-rulership shines through.


Phoebe and Romans 16: The Early Church’s Witness

Jumping to the New Testament, the Spirit breathes Genesis 1’s equality into the church. Romans 16 is a treasure trove—a list of ministry giants, and women stand tall. Leading the pack is Phoebe. Paul writes, 
“I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church in Cenchreae. So you should welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints and assist her in whatever matter she may require your help. For indeed she has been a benefactor of many—and of me also” (Romans 16:1-2, CSB).

Let’s take a quick look at what’s going on here. “Deacon” (diakonos) isn’t a throwaway title. Paul uses it for himself (1 Corinthians 3:5), for Timothy (1 Timothy 4:6), and for deacons in Acts who preached and served (Acts 6:8-10). Phoebe was a minister in Cenchreae, Corinth’s eastern port—a hub of trade and religions. According to Craig Keener (IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament), the word “deacon” “probably corresponds to the chazan of the synagogue, who was in charge of the building.” She likely taught, cared for the poor, and served as a leader in the church that met at her house. “Benefactor” (prostatis) goes further—it means patron or protector, a role of influence. There’s a good chance she funded the church, hosted it, and housed Paul during his Corinthian mission. But her story doesn’t stop there.

Many scholars agree Phoebe carried Romans—Paul’s longest, deepest letter—to Rome, a 600-mile sea journey from Corinth. That’s a huge undertaking. Letters then weren’t just dropped off; couriers read and explained them. Imagine Phoebe standing before Rome’s scattered house churches, unrolling the scroll. She reads, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), teaching about justification by faith, the Spirit’s power (Romans 8), and the hope for Jew and Gentile. She was the first preacher to explain the theologically dense book of Romans, shaping a church that would shape the world.

Romans 16 doesn’t stop with her. Priscilla, often named before Aquila, taught Apollos, a gifted preacher, “the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26)—her theological understanding on display. Junia, with Andronicus, was “outstanding among the apostles” (Romans 16:7), likely planting churches and facing prison with Paul. Mary “worked very hard” (v. 6), Tryphena and Tryphosa “worked hard in the Lord” (v. 12), Persis too (v. 12)—the same Greek word (kopiō) Paul uses for his own ministry work. These women weren’t fetching water, making coffee, or just teaching kids; they were building the church, living out Genesis 1’s co-rulership in Christ’s body.

Facing the Critics

Skeptics of this egalitarian view wave 1 Timothy 2:12—“I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man”—like a trump card, as if it explains away all that God has been doing. But context is king. Ephesus, where Timothy ministered, was a hotbed of false teaching (1 Timothy 1:3-7), possibly from uneducated women stirring trouble. Paul’s rule addressed a local problem, not a timeless ban—how else do we square it with Phoebe preaching Romans or Priscilla teaching Apollos?

Then there’s 1 Corinthians 14:34-35—“Women should remain silent in the churches.” Yet 1 Corinthians 11:5 assumes women pray and prophesy in worship. Again, it’s about curbing chaos, not silencing gifts. Now, it’s true tradition later locked women out, but Scripture’s arc—from Genesis to Romans—tells a freer story.

What about male headship in marriage (Ephesians 5:22-23)? This section is about what mutual submission looks like (Ephesians 5:21). In ancient household codes, the husband/father’s authority was assumed, not instructed—yet here, Paul explains God’s expectations for husbands, calling them to submit too. While “Husbands, love your wives” isn’t a surprising command to us, it was radical then; marriage was about family, not love. Just as Paul’s instructions to slave owners (Ephesians 6:9) helped pave the way for seeing slavery as evil, his call for husbands to love their wives should help restore equality in marriage. 

Genesis 1’s equality is the proper lens to view Scripture, not the Fall’s distortions.

Why It Matters Today

God doesn’t waste people’s talents. Women pastors bring preaching that stirs hearts, counseling that heals wounds, and leadership that reflects His image—just as Deborah, Huldah, and Phoebe did. They speak to half the church—women—with a voice men can’t replicate, tackling issues like abuse or motherhood with lived insight. In a culture crying for justice, their presence helps show the Gospel’s continued relevance.

I’m part of the Free Methodist Church, founded in 1860 by B.T. Roberts (along with his wife Ellen Stowe Roberts), rooted in Genesis 1’s equality and a passion for holiness. Women like Ida Gage and Blanche Stamp served as pastors, planting churches and spreading revival across America. Catherine Booth co-founded the Salvation Army, preaching salvation and service. Why stop that now? A church with women pastors isn’t weaker—it’s fuller, truer to God’s design.

A Call to the Church

Genesis 1:26-28 hands men and women the same crown—co-rulers in God’s world. Deborah used it, judging Israel with God’s voice. Huldah utilized it, sparking revival with His word. Phoebe carried it, delivering Romans to shape the faith. These aren’t side notes; they’re God’s declaration, shouting that women are able to lead His people. The Spirit falls on “sons and daughters” alike (Acts 2:17), and gifts don’t wear gender tags (1 Corinthians 12:7). So why do we make such a big deal about gender when it comes to church leadership? 

We need to stop quenching the Spirit, stop silencing half His servants. Picture a church where Deborah’s courage, Huldah’s wisdom, and Phoebe’s perseverance lead us to Christ. That’s not a dream—it’s God’s plan from Eden. Will we build it, or keep boxing out His daughters?

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Shattered Dreams: When Life Doesn’t Turn Out As Planned

Part 3 of 4 in the "Shattered Dreams" Series

“When we want to be something other than the thing God wants us to be, we must be wanting what, in fact, will not make us happy.”
— C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

Rarely does life unfold according to our plans. More often, it pushes us into unexpected places—places we never intended to go and can’t escape. The dreams we once held slip away as we grapple with the reality before us.

Joseph, a man familiar with shattered dreams, comes to mind. While we often think of Joseph from the Old Testament—sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned—I want to shift our focus to another Joseph: the husband of Mary and earthly father of Jesus. Though often overshadowed by other figures in the Christmas story, Joseph’s journey reveals the pain of broken dreams and the beauty of God’s greater purpose.

In Matthew 1:19, we read:

“Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly” (NIV).

This brief description—“a righteous man”—tells us much about Joseph. To us, righteousness might mean morality or religiosity, a good person striving to live out their faith. But for a Jew of Joseph’s time, it meant something deeper: a love for the Torah, God’s Law. Joseph wasn’t a Pharisee or a scholar; he was an ordinary, hardworking man raised to honor and study the Law. His righteousness positioned him for respect in his community, perhaps even a future as an elder—a common dream for men in his culture.

But then came the shattering moment: his young fiancée, Mary, revealed she was pregnant. Joseph knew the child wasn’t his, and her claim of a divine conception likely sounded unbelievable. In his mind, there was only one conclusion—unfaithfulness. According to the Torah he loved, unfaithfulness warranted death by stoning. As a righteous man, Joseph could have demanded justice. Yet he didn’t.

The NIV translation suggests it was because of his righteousness that Joseph sought to divorce Mary quietly, sparing her public disgrace. But I propose a different reading: although he was righteous, he chose mercy. His devotion to the Law pulled him toward justice, but a greater force—love—held him back. Joseph loved Mary. Despite believing she had betrayed him, he couldn’t bear to see her suffer.

We know little about their relationship. Jewish betrothal was far more binding than a modern engagement, but how well they knew each other remains unclear. What’s certain is that Joseph had chosen to love Mary. As he prepared a home for them, he dreamed of their life together—the family they’d build, the future they’d share. Now, those dreams lay in ruins.

Quietly divorcing Mary would have preserved her life and allowed Joseph to salvage his reputation as a righteous man. Marrying her, however, would destroy it. In a small town like Nazareth, word of her pregnancy would spread. People would assume Joseph condoned her “sin” or was complicit in it. His business, his standing, his dream of being a respected Torah-lover—all would crumble.

Then God intervened. An angel appeared to Joseph, confirming Mary’s story and urging him to take her as his wife. This divine call demanded the very choice that would obliterate Joseph’s dreams. Why didn’t God send the angel sooner—perhaps the same night Gabriel visited Mary? Perhaps God wanted Joseph to wrestle with the cost. To marry Mary meant sacrificing his reputation, his livelihood, and his place in the community. It was a decision that required him to choose between his dreams and God’s will.

God’s dream for Joseph wasn’t a life of outward righteousness or communal respect. It was far greater: to raise and teach the Messiah. Joseph became Jesus’ primary example of love and integrity. Imagine the whispers he endured—about Mary’s supposed adultery, about Jesus not being his son. Imagine the struggle to find work as a “disgraced” man. Yet through it all, Joseph modeled love and obedience, even when it cost him everything. Jesus grew up watching this, learning from a father who chose God’s way over his own.

Joseph’s dreams shattered when Mary announced her pregnancy. Accepting God’s plan didn’t make his life easier—it brought hardship and scorn—but it made it better. Joseph traded a dream of reputation for an influence he couldn’t fully grasp in his lifetime. His impact on Jesus, and thus the world, echoes into eternity, though he likely never saw its fullness this side of heaven.

Our dreams, even the noble ones, can blind us to God’s purpose. When we cling to them, we miss the life we were created for. Like Joseph, we must let our dreams shatter to embrace God’s greater vision. Only then do we discover true fulfillment—not fully in this life, but certainly when King Jesus returns and makes everything right.

Stay tuned for Part 4 in the "Shattered Dreams" series as we continue exploring how God’s plan transforms our understanding of life and fulfillment.

Monday, March 31, 2025

Lessons from the King: Two Ways


Back in January of 2011, Jenny and I were engaged, and I began preaching my first series through the Sermon on the Mount up in Storm Lake, Iowa. I was eager to prepare well, so I bought a few books—some commentaries, and a couple of older works. One was John Wesley’s book on the Sermon on the Mount—Jenny was attending a Free Methodist Church, so I figured I’d better get to know Wesley a bit. Another was by a guy named Emmet Fox. I didn’t know who he was—just saw it was an older book with good reviews on Amazon, so I downloaded it to my new Kindle.

It didn’t take long to realize something was off. As I read Fox’s take, his teaching felt…self-focused. It wasn’t lining up with what Jesus was saying in the Sermon on the Mount. It was more about me than the Kingdom. So, I Googled him. Turns out, Emmet Fox was a New Thought leader—a philosophy that says if you just think the right thoughts, you can manifest your desires. That’s infiltrated everything in our culture—from self-help books to Oprah to even corners of Christianity.


Here’s the thing: I spotted that as false because it didn’t match what I’d been taught about following Jesus, how I practiced following Him, or what biblical scholars have said for centuries. That moment taught me something crucial—discernment isn’t optional for us as followers of Jesus. It’s what keeps us on the right path. This is the truth Jesus teaches in Matthew 7:13-23. We need to be people of discernment.


Discernment Keeps Us on the Narrow Road

Through the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us what it means to live as Kingdom citizens—to see God’s will done on earth as in heaven. It’s not about us—our comfort, our dreams. It’s about God’s Kingdom and our loyalty to King Jesus. In Matthew 7:13-23, as He wraps up this sermon, He doesn’t give new rules. He gives a warning: without discernment, we’ll follow the wrong way.


Two Roads, One Choice (Matthew 7:13-14)

Jesus says, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” When Matthew wrote this, Jerusalem’s destruction in 70 AD was still future. People thought the Kingdom would come through violence, power, and wealth—the wide road. But Jesus points to the narrow way: poor in spirit, meek, merciful, peacemakers.


For them, it wasn’t “hell vs. heaven” like we might read it today. It was “destruction vs. life”—the popular way or Jesus’ way. He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44) because they missed it. Today, the warning’s for us, the church. Are we chasing power, comfort, wealth, or Jesus’ character and dependence on God? Ask yourself: Am I following Jesus’ vision for the Kingdom, or my desires with Him as a mascot?


Watch Out for Wolves (Matthew 7:15-20)

Then Jesus warns, “Watch out for false prophets… By their fruit you will recognize them.” Not false teachers—prophets. They claim to speak for God, with visions and dreams. They’re dangerous because they sound right—talking about the Father, Jesus, the Spirit—but lead us off the narrow road. In Jesus’ day, they might’ve preached rebellion and riches. Today, it could be prosperity or self-fulfillment dressed up as faith.


Test them, Jesus says. Don’t just swallow their words. Here’s how:

  1. Be vigilant with anyone claiming to be a prophet—don’t lower your guard.
  2. Compare their teaching to Scripture and wise counsel (that’s how I spotted Emmet Fox).
  3. Look at their lives—deception or integrity? A false prophet can’t live the narrow way any more than a thistle can grow grapes.


The Sobering Truth (Matthew 7:21-23)

Jesus gets real: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father.” People will say, “Didn’t we prophesy? Perform miracles?” And He’ll reply, “I never knew you.” It’s not about words or wonders—it’s about a life reflecting the Beatitudes, a heart transformed by the Spirit, a relationship with the King.


You can think you’re on the narrow road and miss it. So evaluate: Are you following Jesus’ way or what feels right to you? To stay on track, do this daily: pledge allegiance to King Jesus and surrender to the Holy Spirit. That’s the path.


Living It Out

Matthew 7:13-23 isn’t just about salvation—it’s about whether we’ll follow God’s way as His people. Jesus warns us because He loves us too much to let us wander. The Kingdom isn’t popular or comfortable—it’s Jesus’ character, teaching, and reign. Test the voices you hear—Scripture and fruit, not feelings, are your guide. Test your heart, too.


The big idea is this: Citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven are discerning about what influences their live so they can remain on the narrow road of King Jesus. Discernment isn’t optional—it’s survival. Test the voices you listen to—weigh them against Scripture, watch how they live. But more than that, test your own heart. Pledge your allegiance to King Jesus. Surrender to the Spirit’s leading. That’s how we stay on the narrow road. That’s how we become citizens who don’t just pray “Your Kingdom come,” but live it out—right here, right now.


To paraphrase Dietrich Bonhoeffer from the book The Martyred Christian: “God’s will isn’t ours to control—it’s His grace, fresh daily. It’s not your gut feeling or a spiritual rule. God reveals His will only to those who seek it anew.” We don’t set the Kingdom’s path—that’s the King’s job. Follow Jesus. Use His words in these chapters to weigh everything. That’s the narrow road of King Jesus.


A Prayer for the Journey

Take a moment. Thank God for Jesus and His Kingdom. Ask for wisdom to live as a good citizen. Surrender to the Spirit. If God’s nudging you to follow Jesus more closely, don’t wait—reach out to someone today. Let’s pray: “God, thank You for Jesus. Give us wisdom to follow Your way. We surrender to Your Spirit. Keep us on the narrow road. Amen.”

Sunday, March 30, 2025

Sunday Prayer: Guide Me on the Narrow Way

Heavenly Father,

I come before You seeking the narrow gate, the difficult road that leads to life. Guide me, Lord, away from the broad paths of destruction, and help me to find the way that few discover—Your way of truth and righteousness. Grant me wisdom and strength to walk this path with faith and perseverance.

Lord, I ask for discernment to guard against false prophets who disguise themselves as Your servants but seek to lead me astray. Open my eyes to recognize them by their fruit, just as a tree is known by what it bears. May I not be deceived by appearances, but test all things against Your holy Word.

Father, cultivate in me a heart like a good tree, rooted in Your love, producing fruit that honors You—fruit of kindness, truth, and righteousness. Prune away anything within me that bears thorns or thistles, that I might not be counted among those cut down and cast aside.

I pray for those lost on the wide road, that they too might turn and seek the narrow gate. Use me, Lord, as a bearer of Your light, reflecting Your goodness in all I do, so others may see and glorify You.

In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen.

In God’s Image: Why Women Belong in Pastoral Ministry

It is difficult to imagine what the world was like before sin came and corrupted God’s good Creation. This good Creation was a world where G...