Pillar Women Ep. 18: Women Leading Under God’s Good Design
What does faithful leadership for women in the church look like while living under God-given authority? And how can we help the next generation of women see their place in the work God has called His church to do?
In this second part of our Thriving In and Under Authority breakout session from Unite 2026, Sarah Rogers shares a conversation with a young woman struggling to understand where she fits in ministry. Many women are asking this question.
Looking at Deborah's life in Judges 4–5, Sarah helps us consider what faithful female leadership looks like and how we can raise up women who know God's Word, willingly live under His good design, and use their gifts to strengthen the church.
Whether you're leading a Bible study, discipling a younger woman, serving alongside your pastors, or wondering where you fit in your church's life, this conversation is for you.
HIGHLIGHTS
“If you're leading a small group or a Bible study at your church, if you are pursuing cross-cultural ministry, if you are discipling anyone younger than you, if you are a mother, you have authority in different spheres in your life.”
“We have to teach it (submission) because it does not come naturally to us. If you've been married for any number of days, you know that submission to your husband does not always come naturally.”
“We're not to self-protect because the Lord is protecting us, because as we follow Him in His good design, He is setting us up for flourishing. And we're not to self-promote. Our only boast is in Him.”
“Deborah was a true partner in carrying out the word of God. She lived out her role as a helper, as there from Genesis 2. She was a necessary ally to Barak, supporting him with life-giving, faith-filled words.”
“We need to call godly women to serve, not for their own self-promotion, but for the benefit of others, just like Deborah did.”
“First, we have to model submission to God's word and proper authorities in our own lives. I think this is why this is given to the older women in Titus 2, because they are to teach it, but we cannot just teach this with our words. It has to be modeled.”
“We need to lead women's ministries to enhance, beautify, and extend the work of the pastors by raising the water level all over our churches of women who love and handle the Scriptures faithfully.”
“We get to be women who come alongside our husbands and our pastors to remind them what God has said about Himself, who He is, and literally encourage them, give them courage to face the things that are scary, to face the things that are discouraging, and to be reminded of what is true about God.”
“As modern mothers in the church, let's nurture a generation of faith-filled women who thrive in authority and under authority to the glory of God.”
DIG DEEPER
Sarah describes two responses to authority: self-protection and self-promotion. Which do you struggle with most? How does the gospel challenge both?
Read Judges 4-5. What can we learn from Deborah's faith in God and her willingness to serve others?
Who has helped you grow in your knowledge of God's Word and love for Christ? How can you do the same for other women?
How does Christ's humility and obedience help us understand what it means to live under godly authority?
How are you using your gifts and influence to strengthen your local church and support its mission?
What is one practical way you can encourage another woman to grow in Christ and serve faithfully in the church?
