Unfortunately, for one reason or another, the controversy over the role women have in church leadership still exists. While this is a debate within the church, it is clear: there are many examples of Bishops and Elders of the church inside of the Bible.

What about Christian prophecy?

There is also controversy over the roles of women as prophetesses. Again, the Bible - by far clearest voice of the authority of God in the church - is crystal-clear on the role of Christian prophecy for women. God wants women in prophetic roles. He knows that there is a place for them.

God placed women in roles as prophetesses in the Old Testament.

Here is a (short) list of prophetic roles for women in the Bible:

Miriam:

And Miriam the Prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women out after her with timbrels and with dances.

And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphted gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.

-Exodus 15: 20-11

Deborah:

And Deborah, a Prophetess, the wife of Lapridoth, she judged Israel at the time.

And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Beth-el in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

-Judges 4:45

Huldah

So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahihm, and Achbor,and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the Prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Hnrhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jeritsalein in college); and they communed with her.

I1 Kings 2234

New Testament Prophetesses:

Anna:

And there was one Anna, a Prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with feelings and prayers night and day.

And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.

-Luke 2: 36-38

It is clear, there is a Biblical precedent for women inside of prophetic roles within the church of God. Christian prophecy should fully include women into the body of Christ. The church of Christ is a body, and the body should have every joint in place. Women are - by far-the large untapped resource to bring the glory of God unto the church. This is true of almost every single denomination, church, small group and family; each of these groups should give women a robust role in Christian prophecy within the church. If it is true (and it is) that the church is a body then half of the body is not being used like it should be. Let us energize this important half of the body of Christ in the role of the Christian body; galvanizing women into prophetic roles whenever the Holy Spirit calls.

Hmmm

tink