There’s been some extra talk lately about women in church leadership. It’s no secret there are many Christian men who think it’s wrong for women to lead, especially in a ministry setting. What I really wanted to do, though, is take a minute to thank the men who aren’t so quick to push women down. Your words and actions haven’t gone unnoticed, and they mean a lot.

It always surprises me when men stand up for women in leadership, especially church leadership. I’ve known Christian men who were so against women in leadership, I started to question myself and whether or not I had it all wrong. That being said, it stops me in my tracks when Christian men speak supportively of women following the call God has placed on their hearts… even if it means leading in a ministry context.

So, men, thank you. Thank you for using your voice and leadership to help us stand stronger in ours too. Thank you for “holding the door open” even just a little bit wider to give women room to be who God is shaping us to be. Thank you for defending us.

Thank you for reminding us of the truth. When women have a dream burning in their hearts but are told it’s unbiblical by men they respect, they start to second guess themselves. You start to question whether you actually heard from God. You feel the discouragement settle in at the thought of never being able to live out the dream that roars in your heart. You dumb yourself down and hold yourself back to try to fit into the mold of who Christian men tell you “godly women” are.

Godly women don’t want to rebel. Godly women want to glorify and obey God. So when respected, godly men tell those women their dreams are unbiblical, women who are still struggling to learn the truth about it second guess themselves. To the men who stand up and speak out in those moments, thank you for protecting us.

Thank you for not treating us like we’re crazy rebel women out to destroy churches and further mislead lost souls – The very things that break our hearts and stir in us the need to lead others toward God’s freedom. Not as a replacement of male leadership, just as obedient servants of God who are heartbroken over the hurt we see. We see a need and we feel God’s heart to help them. We feel the need to protect and guide confused and broken people, and we need to lead them to His freedom.

In the cases where there is confusion or lack of clarity, can we agree we don’t have to have all the answers right now? Can we agree to work together to find the truth in areas that still seem gray? Can we agree that if God chooses to use someone in a certain role, we don’t have, nor should want, the authority to tell them not to follow Him? Can we support each other in the gifts God has given each of us as one Body of Christ that needs each part healthy and strong in order to truly reflect Christ in a world that so very much needs Him? Can we be on the same team?

So, from the women who feel the weight and pull to lead for God’s glory and to His freedom, while still respecting and valuing the leadership of strong, godly men: thank you for standing up for us. Thank you for being a steady voice of encouragement. Thank you for knowing how to lead women who lead.

Godly women don’t want to rebel. Godly women want to glorify and obey God. They see people in need of protection and freedom, and they need to help those people. If God’s not in it, godly women don’t want to be either. If God is in it, though, even the harshest words from people who disagree can’t stop what God has already chosen to do.

“So in the present case, I say to you, stay away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or action is of men, it will be overthrown; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them; or else you may even be found fighting against God.” – Acts 5:38-39 (NASB)