Can Women Be Missionaries?

Q: Can women be missionaries?

A: Absolutely. Missionaries come in all types. There are medical missionaries, practical service missionaries, pastor missionaries, evangelist missionaries, worship leader and musician missionaries, and even puppet ministry missionaries. So yes, a woman can be a missionary, but not in a position of congregational leadership.

Now, let me throw something out. I go back and forth about the role of women in evangelism, particularly as street preachers. The reason I might say no is not necessarily a biblical reason, but rather a concern for their safety. Street preaching can be rough and unsavory, and I instinctively want to protect women, especially Christian women, from potential ill treatment. However, is that a biblical reason to not allow it? I’m not sure.

The place and calling of women in evangelism, especially in speaking to the lost and preaching the gospel, is an interesting topic. The work of furthering God's kingdom needs both men and women working together. This idea that men should say to women, 'Just sit down and we'll do everything,' is simply not true. Men cannot do everything that women are doing. We need to keep things biblically faithful, but we should not hesitate to acknowledge that both men and women believers must work side by side.