On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate to the river, where we expected to find a place of prayer. We sat down and began to speak to the women who had gathered there. One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Acts 16:13-15 

---

During a college math methods class, the professor told all the future teachers, “Make sure you all dispel the myth about girls and math.” I’m sure I made a baffled face that communicated, “What myth?” She continued, “The myth that girls are bad at math.” “What!? Whoever said that? I never in my life heard that! I’m great at math and science, too. Who is telling girls this!?”

Perhaps I’m not the best to speak to the idea that women belong in positions of leadership in the church because it simply seems so obvious to me. Of course, a talented woman should be in a position of influence and decision-making. From where I sit, girls aren’t bad at math or leadership.

I did a little research, and women did have influence in social, economic, and spiritual situations in ancient Israel. Men had more legal rights and a stronger role in the public forum than women. Even as today’s Scripture indicates, Lydia operated a thriving business. She was not timid in speaking to men and presenting a case to “persuade” them. Paul clearly valued women. He sat down, ready to spend time with them and presented the salvation message. 

The biggest point to make in the case for women in ministry is God’s response. “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.” God valued all these women and specifically opened Lydia’s heart. Not only to salvation but to stronger enterprise. The action God requested of her was to be forceful in her invitation to the Disciples to stay at her house. Lydia is not alone, but since I’m limited to 400 words, I compiled a list from Kyndall Rae Rothaus in her writing titled “What Does the Bible Say about Women in Ministry?”

• Anna, a prophet (Luke 2:36)
• Phoebe, a deacon (Romans 16:1)
• Junia, an outstanding apostle (Romans 16:7)
• Priscilla, a leader with her husband (Acts 18)
• The women who discovered the empty tomb (the Gospels) and the woman at the well as the first to proclaim the message of Jesus (John 4)
• Deborah, a judge over Israel (Judges 5:7)
• Huldah, a prophet ( 2 Kings 22:11-20, Chronicles 34:14-33)
• Miriam, the sister who helped save her brother Moses (Exodus 2)
• Queen Esther (Esther)
• Queen Vashti (Esther 1)

The evidence is abundant. Girls are good at “math.”

Next Steps

God can flip our thoughts and ideas on their heads, so to speak. Is there something God is nudging you to reconsider about your faith? 

Don’t forget, this summer, we are committing to a goal of 50,000 Acts of Service! As we continue on in our Unleashed series, we want to be the hands and feet of Jesus to our neighbors in our communities. You can log your act of service here. Let’s be bold, commit to kind acts of service, and witness God move powerfully through our communities!