Women and Leadership!

Leviticus 15; Leviticus 16; Leviticus 17; Acts 18

Scripture

Priscilla, Aquila and Apollos

Acts 18:18-28

18 “Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, "I will come back if it is God's will." Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
24 M eanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arriving, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.”

Observation

Women play a very important role in the church today and have always played an important role since the ministry of Jesus. There are a few but very strong leaders in our convention today that say that women cannot lead. I disagree. I agree with those leaders when it comes to a woman being a senior pastor of a church. But I believe that as long as a woman is under the authority of a man she can serve in our churches in just about any capacity (other than senior pastor). Priscilla was a leader along with her husband Aquila in the early church. It is interesting that her name is always mentioned first when encountered in scripture. Paul and Barnabas were Barnabas and Paul until Paul took the lead position on the mission team. It is at least interesting that she is mentioned first and not her husband.


Application

Men need to step up and take their places of leadership in the church, but we should never look down on a woman who is serving in the area where God has placed her.


Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me to do more to fire up our men to lead and help me see the leadership potential in every person whether man or woman and help me to disciple more of them for leadership.



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