Women Leaders in the Early Church

Michael Bird suggests that in the New Testament, we have indications that women were patrons of Christian assemblies but possibly also “overseers” as well.

• Mary of Jerusalem’s house provided hospitality to many people including the apostles, though we can say nothing in favor of any leadership role (Acts 12:12-17).

• Lydia of Philippi sponsored a house church and supported Paul’s missionary endeavours (Acts 16:14-15, 40).

• Priscilla and Aquila hosted a church in their home where both of them had some teaching role (Acts 18:26; 1 Cor 16:19; Rom 16:3-5).

• Philemon and Apphia, whether brother and sister, or husband and wife, seem to have been patrons of the church in Colossae where first Epaphras and then Archippus served as the main leaders (Col 1:7; 4:12, 15; Philm 2, 23).

• Phoebe was a deacon and patron of the church in Cenchrae whom Paul sent to Rome to deliver, and perhaps instruct upon, his message to the Roman churches (Rom 16:1-2).

• Nympha was the patron/pastor of the church of Laodicea (Col 4:15). Some would dispute the pastoral side, but as I’ve argued elsewhere, Nympha was both the patron of the Laodicean church (like Phoebe, Philemon/Apphia) but also the pastor of the church (like Archippus).