Scripture is clear that women played significant roles in community: Lydia was the first Christian convert in Asia. Priscilla was a gifted evangelist who spread the gospel with her husband. Phoebe was a deacon of the church and considered by Paul to be a great help to the gospel. Without the gifted work of the women in the church, communities suffer.

Everyone Is Essential

As 1 Corinthians 12  makes clear, everyone in community is essential.  Every member contributes to the health of the group and when one member suffers, the whole body suffers. 

At Mars Hill, we’re zealous to call our men to accountability and leadership, but for the sake of health in the body, women need to exercise their spiritual gifts too. Otherwise we’re deprived of the blessing that these women bring to the community.

Women: Don’t Shrink Back

It is imperative for the health of the church that the call to men to rise up does not inadvertently ask women to shrink back. On the contrary, our desire is that as Mars Hill women exercise their God-given spiritual giftedness, a high standard is maintained to which those men should rise.

The “one another” Scriptures are not gender specific. As Christians we are disciples and disciple-makers. We live life in light of the gospel, loving, encouraging, rebuking, and teaching one another. And women are uniquely qualified to disciple other women as well as provide a much-needed female perspective to the group.

A Woman’s Contribution Is a Lifeline

Over the years, my life has been impacted greatly by receiving wisdom from women in my community group. As a result, I’m encouraged to become a better husband, father, and pastor. Their willingness to speak gospel truth into my life, my marriage, and my ministry has been invaluable.

It is imperative for the health of the church that the call to men to rise up does not inadvertently ask women to shrink back.

As I’ve led, there have been countless times when women have identified a group member’s life struggle to which I was oblivious. They are uniquely equipped to identify gospel distortions that other women believe, which I can’t see. Rather than being a threat to male leadership, this is a much-needed lifeline. It would be tragic if such gifts were covered up and neglected.

To the women of the church, be confident in your identity as daughters of God and exercise your gifts within the body for the fame of Jesus. You are essential to our communities and without you, the whole body suffers. 

Brad House is the pastor of community groups at Mars Hill Church’s Ballard campus.