5 Reasons Why Your Church Should Empower Women

Let’s talk honestly for the sake of the Gospel, the health of the church, and the dignity of half the Body of Christ.

Empowering women in the church isn’t about promoting a cultural agenda or dismantling anyone’s biblical convictions. It’s not just a political woke ideal, and It’s not about pushing women into pastoral or elder roles if that’s not how your church understands Scripture.

This post, that I am writting on a rare sunny seattle Sunday, isn’t about titles—it’s about value.

I do believe, however, that when someone says a woman doesn’t hold enough value to be trusted with a role, what’s at play is no longer just biblical conviction—it’s control. What must be recognized is that the Holy Spirit is not gender-selective, and when women are consistently overlooked, silenced, or spiritually minimized, the whole church misses out.

Over time, that kind of culture doesn’t just stifle women, it dulls the prophetic edge of the church. If you miss out on half the Body, you’re missing out on half the Kingdom.

That said, maybe your church is already trying. Maybe you're listening, learning, repenting where needed, and opening doors for women to walk in their God-given callings with confidence. If that’s you: Thank you. Praise God. Please Keep going.

If that is not you: Thank you for reading this.

My prayer is that we can all strive to love and lead the way Jesus did.

I am going to give you my top five reasons your church and ministry should be intentional about empowering women—not to check a box, not to be the coolest church, but to more faithfully reflect the heart of Jesus and the story of Scripture.

These are not the practical how to’s because that is between you, your church leadership and the Holy Spirit to decide. I am simpling going to give a gentle push in that direction.

1. Jesus empowered women, you should too.

Luke 10:38–42, John 4:1–42, John 20:11–18, Luke 8:1–3 

From the very beginning of His ministry, Jesus welcomed women into spaces they were usually excluded from. He taught them, listened to them, honored their faith, and entrusted them with His message.

Mary of Bethany sat at His feet like a disciple. The woman at the well became a bold evangelist. Mary Magdalene was the first to proclaim the resurrection. These weren’t side moments or background characters - they were central to the ministry.

Jesus didn’t hesitate to speak life into women. He didn’t diminish their faith or giftings. If anything, He amplified them. If we truly want to follow Jesus, we can’t overlook the way He uplifted and empowered women.

2. The Trinity.

Genesis 1:26–27, John 17:20–23, 1 Corinthians 12:4–7, Galatians 3:28 

I would LOVE to bore you with a long theological rant about the trinity but I will keep it short and sweet for now…

The triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—is a relationship of love, mutuality, and shared mission. There is no hierarchy of worth in the Trinity, only unity and distinctiveness working together in perfect harmony. The Father is not greater than The Spirit and vice versa. This is a unique 3 in 1 concept that is beautiful and intricate and holy.

When men and women lead, serve, teach, and discern together, we reflect something holy: not competition, but collaboration. Not sameness, but shared purpose.

Empowering women doesn’t erase differences but it does honor the fullness of God’s image in all of us.

3. The Gospel

Luke 4:18–19, Acts 2:17–18, Romans 16:1–7, Luke 11, 1 Corinthians 11:5,

The Gospel is good news for EVERYONE … and did I mention the first person to share it was a woman? If and when the church communicates—whether through structures or silence—that women’s voices are secondary, it sends a message that contradicts that good news.

Honoring the dignity and calling God gives to all believers means empowering men and women to be the gospel — not just talk about it. Men and women have an equal and identical calling (see Luke 11) one that is to hear the word of God and obey it. Because of this, Women deserve to be taken seriously when they speak wisdom, teach truth, lead with integrity, or offer spiritual insight as a demonstration of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

4. Strength and Accountability in Diversity

Proverbs 31:26, Judges 4:4–10, Acts 18:24–26, Titus 2:3–5 

Women bring different lived experiences, questions, and insights into leadership and spiritual discernment. This is not a threat to unity, it is a gift to the church.

When women are part of decision-making, teaching, mentoring, and vision-setting (in whatever form your church practices), you get a fuller picture of the Body of Christ in action. It leads to more thoughtful leadership, better community care, and often a more compassionate, well-rounded church culture. It also encourages accountability, something that many church leadership teams struggle to create. 

Silencing women doesn’t protect the church – it weakens it.

5. It’s faithful to The Spirit.

Romans 16:1–2, Romans 16:7, Acts 21:8–9, Joel 2:28–29, Micah 6:8 

As we have already touched on, throughout Scripture, God called and empowered women to lead, speak, prophesy, and build. Think of Deborah, who judged Israel. Huldah, who interpreted Scripture. Priscilla, who taught theology alongside her husband. Phoebe, who delivered Paul’s letter and likely explained it’s contents. Junia, whom Paul calls an apostle. Lydia, Chloe and Nympha who all held leadership roles in the early church…

These were obedient, entrusted and empowered by the spirit women. 

Empowering women in your church isn’t about replacing men or disregarding the Holy Spirit’s work in men. In fact women will be empowered by the spirit with or without you. This is truly about recognizing what the Holy Spirit is already doing through women. It is up to you to affirm it, bless it, and make space for it. The Kingdom of God is not led by men or women, it is led by the spirit. 

What Now?

This isn’t a call to erase biblical conviction or flatten meaningful distinctions. It’s a call to embody the full vision of The Gospel. A vision where women are not only present but empowered, not only welcomed but entrusted, not only included but commissioned.

This is not about women taking over. It’s about making holy, intentional and gracious space for the Spirit to move through all of God’s people.

We dare not miss the word God is speaking simply because it came from glossed and lined lips (or unlined…you do you).

Let’s raise daughters who don’t second-guess their spiritual gifts. Let’s build churches where women don’t need to be quiet to be heard. Let’s disciple women and men together as Jesus once did. Let’s create communities where 100% of it’s members can be active participants.