Have you ever considered what it actually means to call a view of men and women in the church “egalitarian”? To be egalitarian is to hold that men and women are created equally by God as image bearers and stewards, and are called together to share in His work. Scripture consistently presents God forming His people through mutual responsibility, shared service, and co-labouring in the gospel. In Christ, men and women are restored and empowered to serve side by side, according to their gifting and calling, for the building up of the church.
Some people assume that the word egalitarian means sameness or the removal of distinction. That is not what it means. God delights in diversity of gifting and calling within His people. In practice, the egalitarian conviction means that both women and men may serve as pastors and elders, as these roles are discerned according to character, gifting, and faithfulness to Christ.
It is also worth recognising that both patriarchy and women’s liberation movements can pull God’s people away from His design. Patriarchy diminishes the dignity and calling of women, while liberation movements can undermine the beauty of God’s plan for men and women to serve together in unity and complementarity.
1. Creation and New Creation
From the beginning, God created humanity in His image, male and female, to live under His good authority and care for His world together. That purpose is not erased by the fall, but restored through Christ.
The church, then, is to reflect that design – honouring both men and women as equal in worth, equally saved by grace, and together serving the purposes of God.
2. Headship as Source, not Domination
The biblical language of “head” (kephalē) is best understood as “source” rather than “boss.” Just as Christ is the source of the church’s life, so too men and women share in mutuality, not hierarchy. The New Testament consistently calls all believers - men and women - to mutual submission in Christ (Ephesians 5:21).
3. The Gifts of the Spirit
The Spirit gives gifts to every believer without distinction. Leadership, teaching, preaching, and shepherding are never limited by gender in Scripture. To restrict women from using their gifts is to quench the Spirit and to diminish the body of Christ.
Reading Scripture in Context
Taking Scripture seriously means reading it with consistency, context, and care. Some passages that are often used to restrict women in ministry (such as 1 Timothy 2 or 1 Corinthians 14) must be understood in their historical and cultural setting, and interpreted in light of the whole witness of Scripture.
When read carefully, these passages address specific issues in particular churches, not universal bans. Taken as a whole, the consistent pattern of Scripture is one of God calling and empowering both men and women to serve, teach, and lead.
New Testament Examples
The New Testament church itself bore witness to women in leadership and ministry:
- Phoebe (Romans 16:1–2) – A deacon and leader, trusted by Paul to carry and explain his letter to the Romans.
- Priscilla (Acts 18:24–26; Romans 16:3) – A teacher who, with her husband Aquila, instructed Apollos in the way of God more accurately.
- Junia (Romans 16:7) – Named as “outstanding among the apostles.”
- Philip’s daughters (Acts 21:8–9) – Four prophetesses publicly recognised for their ministry.
- Mary Magdalene (John 20:17–18) – The first witness of the resurrection, sent by Jesus to proclaim the good news to the apostles.
- Nympha and others (Colossians 4:15; Acts 12:12) – Women who hosted and likely led churches in their homes.
These are not footnotes but frontline leaders in the mission of God. The early church recognised and affirmed the Spirit’s work through them.
A Shared Calling
The picture that emerges is of a church where men and women are shaped by shared life and shared responsibility; proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, shepherding God’s people, and carrying forward the mission of Christ for every generation.