WHY THE CHURCH NEEDS BOTH MEN AND WOMEN TO LEAD
An Invitation to Look Again
Have you ever noticed how God seems to delight in pairing things together? Light and dark. Land and sea. Heaven and earth. Peanut butter and jelly. (Okay, that last one might be more our idea than His—but it’s still solid.)
From the very beginning, God designed life to flourish when complementary parts work in harmony. That’s not just true for creation—it’s true for His people, too.
This is what I call Kingdom Partnership—men and women serving side by side, each bringing the fullness of their God-given calling, working together for the mission of God. It’s also why this conversation matters so much.
Some of us have seen churches limit women so tightly that half the body of Christ sits on the sidelines. Others have seen churches erase God-given differences between men and women altogether. In both cases, something beautiful God intended is lost.
What if the church truly lived as God designed—men and women leading together, each bringing their God-given strengths? We would be better together.
God’s Design from the Very Beginning (Genesis 1:27–28)
The very first chapter of the Bible doesn’t just tell us that God created humanity—it tells us how and why.
“So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.’” (Genesis 1:27–28)
This is more than a poetic origin story—it’s a mission statement for humanity.
“Male and female he created them.” Our gender is not an accident of biology. It is an intentional act of God’s design, woven into creation before sin ever entered the world.
“God blessed them…” Blessing is always tied to purpose. God doesn’t bless for no reason—He blesses so that His creation can flourish in its intended role.
“Be fruitful… fill the earth… subdue it… rule over…” This is a shared mandate. God doesn’t give Adam one list of instructions and Eve another. Together, they are called to be fruitful, to multiply, to fill, to subdue, to rule.
From the very first page of Scripture, God’s vision for His image-bearers is side-by-side leadership—men and women ruling and reigning together over His creation.
This is the heart of Kingdom Partnership: equal in value, distinct in design, complementary in function. Creation thrives when both men and women bring their God-given strengths to the table.
The Great Commission Is for All (Matthew 28:18–20)
When we turn to the New Testament, we find another defining moment—Jesus’ final words to His disciples before ascending to heaven.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” (Matthew 28:18–20)
Notice a few things:
“All authority… has been given to me.” Jesus’ authority is the foundation for our mission. It’s not ours to invent—it’s His to entrust.
“Go and make disciples of all nations…” This is a universal call. The risen Jesus does not pull the men aside and whisper, “Okay, the real mission is just for you.” Both men and women are present in the group of disciples who receive this charge.
“Baptizing… teaching…” These are leadership tasks—leading people into the faith through baptism and then teaching them how to walk in obedience to Jesus.
“I am with you always…” This is not a short-term assignment—it’s a lifelong, generation spanning mission, and Jesus Himself promises His presence through it all.
The Great Commission is not gendered. It is for the church. That means both men and women are called to go, to baptize, to teach, and to disciple—to carry the gospel into every corner of the world.
Empowered Together by the Spirit (Acts 2:14–18)
After Jesus ascended, He made good on His promise to send the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, Peter explained to the crowd what was happening by quoting the prophet Joel:
“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: ‘Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: “In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.”’” (Acts 2:14–18)
This is a radical leveling moment. The Holy Spirit does not distribute gifts along gender lines.
“Sons and daughters will prophesy.” Speaking God’s word is not reserved for men.
“Even on… both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit…” No one is left out.
“…and they will prophesy.” The Spirit’s gifts are given to be used—not buried.
Pentecost affirms what Genesis and the Great Commission have already made clear: God intends men and women to serve and lead together, empowered by His Spirit, for the sake of His kingdom.
Headship in the Church (1 Timothy 2:12–13)
Some people might be nodding along right now, but others might be wondering: What about passages that seem to limit women’s roles?
One of the most discussed is 1 Timothy 2:12–13:
“I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man; she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve.”
Paul’s instruction here is grounded in creation order, not cultural bias. The Greek terms for “teach” (didasko) and “assume authority” (authenteo) are best understood together—referring to the single role of highest governing and teaching authority in the local church.
In our modern context, this corresponds to the Lead Pastor role. This passage is not prohibiting women from teaching, preaching, leading, or holding spiritual authority—it is limiting one specific office.
That means:
Women can and should preach the Word of God.
Women can and should lead ministries, disciple others, and exercise leadership gifts.
Women can and should serve as associate pastors, deacons, and board members—if the church structure allows.
Getting Application Right
When applying biblical principles, we can make two mistakes:
Under-applying God’s design—which includes ignoring male headship and the household model we see in the New Testament.
Over-applying God’s design—stretching male headship beyond its biblical scope and restricting women in ways God never commanded.
Faithful obedience means holding two truths at the same time:
Male headship in the role of Lead Pastor.
Full and free use of women’s spiritual gifts in every other area of church life.
This is what it looks like to live out Kingdom Partnership—each doing our part, without diminishing or overreaching.
Why Kingdom Partnership Matters
When men and women lead together, something powerful happens:
We honor God’s original design.
We strengthen the church with both perspectives.
We unleash every spiritual gift God has given His people.
We reach more people with the gospel.
We are, quite literally, better together.
Encouragement for the Church
If you’ve ever felt like your gifts weren’t welcome because of your gender, hear this: God made you on purpose, and He gave you those gifts for a reason.
If you’ve ever been confused about how headship fits with equality, know this: God’s design is never about diminishing worth—it’s about multiplying impact.
When we walk in step with His design, there’s joy. There’s freedom. And there’s power for the mission He’s given us.
TAKE ACTION
This week, ask God two questions:
“Lord, what gifts have You given me for Your church?”
“How can I use them to build up the body of Christ—alongside others?”
If you’re a leader, invite voices that are different from yours to the table. If you’ve been sitting on the sidelines, step into the game. If you’ve misunderstood God’s design, go back to His Word and let Him reshape your perspective.
The Great Commission was never meant to be carried by half the church—let’s joyfully carry it together.
*If this has been helpful, please send me a message at brad@bradjenkins.me and let me know. My writing aims to help people enjoy a vibrant relationship with Jesus, and it is an honor to be on this journey with you.
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