I can safely say (on the authority of the scriptures), if you are saved, you are called to preach.  Whether man or woman, if you are saved, you are called to preach.  In the Bible, most of the time that the word ‘preach’ is used, it is from the Greek word, “euangelízō” which is where we get the English word, evangelize. 

In 2 Timothy 4:5, we are instructed, “But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, make full proof of thy ministry.”  The work of the evangelist is to evangelize or tell others how to be saved.  Every born-again man, woman, and child should take this instruction seriously and be about the business of winning souls for Christ.  In all the Bible, only one man is ever called an evangelist.  We read in Acts 21:8, “And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of PHILIP THE EVANGELIST, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.”  There is a particular gift of an evangelist that the Lord gives to some, as we read in Ephesians 4:11, “And he (Christ) gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers…”  Although not everyone has the gift of being an evangelist, we are ALL instructed to do the work of an evangelist…or preach the Gospel to the lost. 

Let’s look at a few women mentioned in the Bible for the work they did for the Lord.

  • John 4:39, “And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him FOR THE SAYING OF THE WOMAN, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.”
  • Romans 16:1, “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is A SERVANT IN THE CHURCH which is at Cenchrea.”
  • Philippians 4:2-3, “I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which LABOURED WITH ME IN THE GOSPEL, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.”

With these few examples (and there are many more), we see that believing women can, and should, minister as the Lord leads them.  However, the Lord WILL NOT lead anyone to do anything that contradicts the teachings of the Bible.  For example, we read in 1 Corinthians 14:34, “Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.”  Although many have made great efforts to diminish or explain away this precious truth, it is nonetheless the teaching of God’s Word.  In the church gathering, the woman is not allowed to speak…they are to keep silent.  We also read in 1 Timothy 2:11-12, “LET THE WOMAN LEARN IN SILENCE with all subjection. But I SUFFER NOT A WOMAN TO TEACH, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

The Lord is a God of order, and He has given us instructions to follow His order in His church.  He tells us in 1 Corinthians 14:40, “Let all things be done decently and in order.”  Yes, you may preach.  You SHOULD preach, but it must be under the guidance and order of the Lord.  This goes for men and women.  We can only truly properly serve the Lord when we follow His instructions as given in His Word.  There is much that needs to be done.  We have work mates, we have our families, we have neighbors, we have school mates, etc.  Let us all be faithful to preach to them as directed by the Lord.  (CC) (655.2)