June 15: What does the Bible say about women’s leadership in the church?
A Sermon by Amelia Davis at The Collective ATL
June 15, 2025
Note: This message was recorded live during worship. Due to a technical glitch, the camera died at the end—so the video cuts off a little early. You can still hear the heart of the sermon below.
Introduction
My name is Amelia, and I go by she/her pronouns. I'm excited to be here. I am nervous to be here, and when Michael asked me, I hesitated for a little bit. I wasn't sure if I was ready to be in the pulpit again, but when I thought about the topic, I just said a resounding yes. I'm excited to be able to share my heart with you—a little bit of my story with you.
If the message is a little too precious for you or you are offended, Michael is right back there and you can talk to him after the service.
I find it ironic to preach about women in ministry on Father’s Day—a day set aside to celebrate those who are fathers. I echo what Michael said: this can be a hard day for some of us and a complicated day for some of us. But on this day and on any Sunday, when you worship here at The Collective, you're allowed to come as you are. We can hold joy and sorrow and tension at the same time, and we are welcome here, however we choose to come.
A Prayer and a Personal Story
Will you pray with me?
Lord, may the meditation of my heart and the words of my mouth be acceptable and pleasing to you. Amen.
I lost my dad back in 2012. Watson was barely one year old. My daughters, Georgia and Bentley, were just three and five. It was seven years before Emmy and Jonas became a part of our family. I was in my mid-thirties, and there’s not a day that I don’t miss him or wish I could call him one more time.
He would be super proud of me standing here today and would have insisted on being here—likely right in the front row, cheering me on. He would’ve shaken all of your hands as you came in to let you know, “My daughter is the preacher today.”
He was proud of me for going to seminary and even drove up to Durham, North Carolina, to camp out with us for Duke basketball tickets—or really, just to drink beer. He also joked, in total confusion, about how he ended up with a kid who decided she wanted to be a pastor. He knew it wouldn’t be easy for me. But like a good parent, he encouraged me to chase my dreams and convictions—always with a grin and a wink, almost as if to say, “Give 'em hell.” What a gift and a blessing that was.
On Weddings, Warnings, and Women Who Speak Up
One of my favorite stories about my dad happened in college, when Jeff and I were engaged. We were seniors preparing for our wedding—just two weeks after graduation. We were literally baby adults. Planning the wedding, trying to graduate, figuring out our next steps. No jobs. Depending on our parents to pay for the whole thing.
I was from a small town. My parents basically knew everybody. I'm pretty sure everyone got an invitation. Jeff's family was the opposite—bigger town, smaller social circle, wanting to keep things simple. If you knew my mother, you’d know “simple” wasn’t on her to-do list.
Stress was high, tempers short, and Jeff and I were trying to manage everyone’s emotions while avoiding a full-blown war.
One afternoon my dad left a message for me in college and asked me to call him. He told me my future father-in-law had contacted him earlier that week to express frustration and disappointment about something I’d said. I don’t recall what it was, but I knew I was in hot water.
I’m a proud member of Gen X. And let me tell you: when a Boomer is upset, you’re going to have to apologize no matter what. That call was scary. But when I spoke with my dad, he said something I didn’t expect—he told me he stood up for me. He said he was proud that I spoke my mind. “That’s how I raised you.”
Legend has it, he even hung up on him. I’ll never know.
What Happens When Women Speak
That was a first—but far from the last time I found myself in hot water for sharing an opinion or asking questions in authority spaces. The patriarchy doesn’t exactly love women with strong opinions. It gaslights. And you know when you’ve crossed the line.
Some days I could care less. But every encounter leaves a mark.
I had a male supervisor who was stunned when I asked to be held to the same standards as male colleagues. He shouted, “Are you calling me sexist?”
A former employee once assured me that I was being paid equally—even as I watched male colleagues afford homes and stay-at-home spouses, while my math didn’t map.
A pastor at my previous church ghosted me after I volunteered to lead a small group for LGBTQ+ youth. I have over 20 years of ministry experience and a seminary degree—and I couldn’t even get a volunteer position.
Once, a male missionary shouted at me to “shut thee up or leave” after I stood up for a friend in need of housing.
These encounters aren’t rare. They’re woven into life as a woman in the church—especially in the South. But they’re not unique to me. Many women have suffered far more at the hands of bad theology and toxic masculinity.
What the Bible Actually Shows Us
So when I’m asked about women in ministry, I often ask: why is this so important to you?
Usually, it’s a “gotcha” question. I know the verses coming next. And honestly, I’d rather take a cue from Jesus and change the subject—because there are more pressing matters than whether I’m allowed to speak here.
Jesus listened to women. He elevated their voices. Women are everywhere in Jesus’ ministry.
Mary and Martha were his close friends.
A woman anointed his feet with perfume—a priestly act.
Anna was a prophet in the temple.
The woman at the well had the longest one-on-one conversation with Jesus.
The woman who touched his robe was seen and healed.
All four Gospels say women were the first to witness the Resurrection.
Paul lifted up women too: Phoebe the deacon, Junia the apostle, and Priscilla, always named before her husband—suggesting leadership.
Women like Deborah, Miriam, Rahab, Ruth, Esther, and Mary also shaped the story of faith. Mary carried God in her belly, labored love into the world, raised love, mourned love, and proclaimed love’s return. That’s preaching.
On Scripture and Interpretation
It’s worth noting: the Bible wasn’t dropped from the sky. It’s 66 books compiled over time. Poetry. History. Letters. The same Gospel story told in different voices. All seeking to understand the divine.
It requires interpretation. Context. Imagination. It lives and breathes alongside us.
Yes, there are verses like:
“Women should be silent in church”
“I do not permit a woman to teach”
But these were contextual. These were pastoral responses to specific communities. Paul was trying to protect the message in fragile early churches. But they don’t cancel out the women who led, spoke, and preached.
You can proof-text your way to anything. But zooming out tells a larger story—one of grace and partnership.
My Own Call
When I discerned my call to ministry, I was told:
“Those scholarships are for the guys.”
“You’ll need a PhD for anyone to take you seriously.”
And maybe that’s true. But I’m here anyway. And I’ll keep showing up. Because women’s voices matter. And Jesus made that clear.
