Brothers & Sisters — Roles in the Household of God

In Week 4 of The Household of God, we turned our attention to the stunning breadth of Scripture’s vision for men and women serving together in God’s family. Throughout the story of Scripture, we see God calling, gifting, and empowering women to shepherd, teach, prophesy, preach, disciple, lead, and advance the mission of the church. Too often, the church has marginalized or minimized these contributions, but the biblical story does the opposite—it consistently highlights women as essential, Spirit-filled partners in the work of the kingdom.

From Genesis 1, we see that God created male and female in his image with equal dignity, glory, and mission. Throughout Scripture, and especially in the New Testament, women are central to the movement of the gospel: Phoebe carrying and likely reading Romans; Priscilla instructing Apollos; Junia honored among the apostles; Lydia leading and hosting the church in Philippi. These are pastors, shepherds, teachers, and leaders—not exceptions but examples of God’s heart for his family.

We also acknowledged that the church has often collapsed “leadership” into the single office of elder, unintentionally sidelining the vast majority of Spirit-given ministries where women flourish. Scripture presents male eldership as a very narrow and specific calling—a small functional role within a much larger ecosystem of gifts. It never describes elders as superior nor suggests women are unqualified for shepherding or preaching. In fact, the New Testament repeatedly shows women teaching, leading, discipling, and strengthening the church.

We also named the harm that comes when women’s voices are diminished and when cultural patriarchy (not Scripture) shapes church practice. But the kingdom of God invites us into something better: a family where women are honored, heard, trusted, and empowered to use every spiritual gift for the building up of the body.

Finally, we explored the culture of God’s household—one marked by honor, purity, unity, and mutual service. As brothers and sisters, we commit to reflecting the heart of our Father by celebrating all the gifts he gives and by working side-by-side in love for the good of his church and the sake of the world.