Q. In my reading of Scripture, there are many instances in which women had significant roles in the early church. For instance, in the gospels, Anna the prophetess (Luke 2:36-38), an elderly widow who worshiped at the temple and recognized Jesus as the Messiah. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna (Luke 8:1-3), women who supported Jesus’ ministry financially and served Him directly. The Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42), who became an evangelist to her town, sharing the message of Jesus. Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38-42, John 12:1-8), who sat at Jesus’ feet to learn, signifying her devotion and understanding of discipleship. In the NT there are many other examples of the work of women in the church. It seems to me that affirming women in such roles helps advance Christ’s kingdom and His work.
I agree with you. As I say in the series of posts on this blog that begins with this one, “I believe there should be no restrictions on what women can do in communities of Jesus’ followers.” But I recognize that Christians of good will, who have equal commitments to the inspiration and authority of the Scriptures, see this issue differently. That is why I have engaged the biblical texts in detail in that series of posts, and in even more detail in a separate blog. (If you visit that blog, once you have read the first post, you can access the others in the right sidebar; work from the bottom up.) Personally I have been blessed and enriched in countless ways by the ministry of women within the church of Christ, and I want to see their gifts and callings and persons affirmed and released for the blessing of many others.
Good Question 