While there are several levels to calling and various ways God can extend a leadership call, nowhere does the Bible teach that either gifts or secondary callings are bestowed according to gender. In fact, women preached, prophesied, and led in both the Old and New Testaments . . . sometimes over men. (See the examples of Deborah in Judges 4–5, Huldah in 2 Kings 22, Anna in Luke 2, Priscilla in Acts 18, and Junia in Romans 16. ) The exercise of calling was sometimes limited by gender, but the fact of calling was not.

Angie Ward is a leader, teacher, writer, and pastor’s wife. She is an award-winning regular contributor to Christianity Today leadership publications and has served as a contributing editor and editorial advisor for Leadership Journal, Building Church Leaders, and Gifted for Leadership. She is also a highly regarded teacher and speaker, with classroom experience at Denver Seminary, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Trinity International University, and Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School. Her leadership experience includes roles in church, para-church, nonprofit, and educational contexts.