I was a young manager in 1976 when the company made a concerted effort to diversify the all-male sales force by hiring women.

So, the all-male sales force was gathered together to attend a two-day training conference to learn how to recruit, train, and develop women. Of course, it was a conference designed by men and put on by men, so you can imagine how out of step some of the training was! Thankfully, we improved every year.

Over the past 40+ years, women have made significant strides in breaking through the glass ceiling to take on leadership roles in business. While there is still work to be done to achieve gender equality in the workplace, women have overcome many obstacles and biases to reach top positions in companies across various industries.

Thanks to efforts to address gender discrimination, provide equal opportunities, and support work-life balance, women have climbed the ranks in business and brought their unique perspectives and strengths to the table. As more women break through barriers and become successful leaders, they serve as role models and advocates for the next generation of aspiring female leaders.

Inspiring Women Leaders in the Bible

Throughout the Bible, we see examples of women who played crucial leadership roles in civic matters, the military, their communities, and the early Christian church. These women served as prophets, judges, and co-laborers in ministry, and their stories are a reminder that God calls and uses women in powerful ways. This article will explore the leadership contributions of several outstanding female leaders from both the Old and New Testaments.

Miriam

Miriam was a prophetess and the sister of Moses and Aaron. She played a significant role in the exodus from Egypt, leading the Israelites in worship and praise after their deliverance. Miriam’s leadership is celebrated in Exodus 15:20-21, which says, “Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.’”

Deborah

Deborah was a prophetess and the fourth judge of Israel. She was known for her wisdom, courage, and leadership skills. When the Israelites faced oppression from King Jabin of Canaan, Deborah summoned Barak to lead an army against him. Barak was hesitant, but Deborah reminded him of God’s promise to deliver the enemy into their hands. Deborah accompanied Barak into battle, and they won a decisive victory. Deborah’s leadership is celebrated in Judges 5:7, which says, “Villagers in Israel would not fight; they held back until I, Deborah, arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel.”

Huldah

Huldah was a prophetess during the reign of King Josiah of Judah (2 Kings 22:14–20 and 2 Chronicles 34:22–28). The High Priest Hilkiah sought her to interpret the Book of the Law found in the temple. Huldah’s interpretation was instrumental in Josiah’s reform of Judah’s worship practices. She also prophesied judgment against Judah for their disobedience to God.

Anna

The apostle Luke describes Anna as a prophetess who lived in the temple and worshipped God day and night (Luke 2:36-38). When Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the temple to be dedicated, Anna recognized him as the Messiah and gave thanks to God. Anna’s leadership is a reminder that worship and prayer are essential components of effective leadership.

Junia

Junia was a prominent leader in the early church. In Romans 16:7, Paul greets Andronicus and Junia as “outstanding among the apostles.” Some translations mistakenly called Junia a man, but the Greek name, Ἰουνίαν, translated as Junia, is feminine, indicating Junia was a woman. Junia’s leadership in the early church is a testament to the fact that God calls and uses women in ministry.

Priscilla

Priscilla was a co-laborer with her husband Aquila in their tentmaking business and ministry. They worked with Paul in Corinth, where they helped to establish the church. Priscilla and Aquila also mentored Apollos, who became a great preacher. Priscilla’s leadership is a reminder that women can serve alongside men in ministry and contribute to the church’s growth.

Phoebe

Phoebe is mentioned in the Bible in Romans 16:1-2, where Paul introduces her to the church in Rome. Paul calls Phoebe a “deaconess” of the church in Cenchreae, a port city near Corinth. The fact that Paul mentions Phoebe in this way indicates that she was a respected member of the church and that her service was valuable to the community.

In addition to being a deaconess, Phoebe is also referred to as a “patron” or “benefactor” of many people, including Paul himself. This suggests that Phoebe was not only involved in the day-to-day activities of the church but also had the means and desire to support others in the community.

Phoebe’s leadership contributions were not limited to her service as a deaconess and patron. It is also possible that she was responsible for carrying Paul’s letter to the Romans. This was a significant responsibility, as the letter was important not only for the church in Rome but also for the entire early Christian movement.

Euodia and Syntyche

Euodia and Syntyche were two women mentioned in Philippians 4:2-3. The apostle Paul implores them to reconcile their differences, saying, “I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you, my true companion, help these women since they have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel.” From this passage, it is clear that Euodia and Syntyche were leaders in the early Christian church who worked alongside Paul in spreading the gospel.

Although we know little about the specifics of their leadership roles, we can surmise that they were influential and respected members of the Philippian church. Paul’s appeal for them to reconcile their differences suggests that they were both passionate about their beliefs and committed to the cause of Christ. Their dedication to the gospel exemplifies how women can lead with humility, perseverance, and grace.

Philip’s Unmarried Daughters

Philip’s unmarried daughters are mentioned in Acts 21:9, which says, “He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.” This passage suggests that Philip’s daughters played an essential role as prophets in the early Christian church, a leadership position typically reserved for men. Moreover, their ability to prophesy indicates that they had a deep spiritual connection with God and were recognized as spiritual leaders within their community.

The significance of Philip’s unmarried daughters’ leadership contributions cannot be overstated. In a culture that often excluded women from positions of authority, these women boldly stepped forward to proclaim the word of God.

Women in the Church

In Ephesians 4, Paul stresses the importance of attaining unity in the church. To achieve that unity, Paul lists in Ephesians 4:11-12 several kinds of ministers that Jesus gave to the church.

“He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds, and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.”

Let’s look back at the women I’ve profiled here. We see women who served as leaders in civic affairs, judges, military leaders, prophets, evangelists, deaconesses, ministry teachers, and even apostles.

When you examine the Scripture in totality, it’s clear that God calls both men and women to various roles, and those He calls, He equips for the building of the Kingdom. Therefore, for anyone to deny their giftedness (or the giftedness of others) is to deny God’s design for his Kingdom.

Conclusion

The leadership contributions of these women in the Bible serve as a powerful reminder that God can and does use anyone to further His Kingdom, regardless of gender or social status. Their stories inspire us to lead with wisdom, courage, and grace and to be confident in our calling to serve God. As we continue to seek God’s will for our lives and the church, may we look to these women as examples of faithful and effective leadership.

Discussion Questions

These questions can serve as a valuable framework for guiding a thoughtful and engaging discussion about the article and how its insights and perspectives apply to our lives today.

1. What are some practical ways leaders can create space for women to lead and contribute to their organizations and communities?
2. In what ways do the leadership styles of these women in the Bible differ from traditional leadership models? How can we learn from their approaches to leadership?
3. How can organizations and churches that have historically excluded women from leadership roles work to create more inclusive and equitable environments? What steps can leaders take to make this happen?
4. What can men learn from women’s leadership in the Bible? How can male leaders ally and advocate for women in their organizations and communities?
5. How can the stories of these women in the Bible serve as a source of inspiration and empowerment for women in leadership roles today?

More Articles

I have written many articles on obedience to God. You can find them by typing “Obedience to God” in the search bar. Meanwhile, here are several of my favorites.

• #526: 7 Leadership Lessons from A Prophet with Ulterior Motives
• #502: What If Jesus Conducted a Performance Review on You?
• #498: Are We Celebrating Labor Day with Rest the Way We Should?
• #497: Is God Testing Our Faith When He Asks Us to Wait?
• #493: Do You Have the Right Answer to This Important Question?

Join the Conversation

As always, questions and comments are welcome. Have you had the pleasure of working with or for inspiring women leaders who have impacted your life and organization?

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Category: Personal Development | Obedience to God