What is The Phoebe Society?

Educate

By providing quality resources and information regarding the biblical and theological foundations for women in ministry, The Phoebe Society provides support for women who are called into ministry leadership positions as well as the men who support their callings. The articles and resources available through The Phoebe Society are reflective of careful examination of Scripture, cultural and historical elements, and Church tradition. They are also reliant on those who have “paved the way” before us – all the way back to the early Church. 

Despite numerous attempts to erase women’s leadership roles from the Church throughout history, we consistently find evidence in both the Bible and Church history that women have been allowed to lead, teach, and preach in various circumstances – and have done so with integrity, authority, and the respect of the men with whom they lead alongside.

Encouraging women to embrace a call to ministry leadership is not about a “feminist agenda” but rather about embracing the priesthood of all believers, and recognizing that God’s plan for humanity is a co-ruling of both male and female in equal status, with no power struggle for authority over one another. We are called to serve one another in love, submit to each other, and to reflect the way Christ serves the Church. When we can live out our calling as male & female in this way, it provides a powerful witness to the world around us regarding God’s good plan for humanity.

Connect

Relationships are important for ministry leaders! The Phoebe Society provides space for women in ministry leadership positions to connect with like-minded leaders. Building friendships and support systems help to sustain us during difficult seasons of ministry and leadership. Having a network of people we know are “in our corner” can help to encourage us when we encounter challenging situations or need a listening ear.

We will be focused on building connection through both informal and formal opportunities offered by The Phoebe Society and Grace-Filled Discipleship. Be on the lookout for more details in the coming months!

If you’d like to be a part of building the community of The Phoebe Society and helping connect female ministry leaders to a support network, please fill out this form to let us know!

Empower:

Empowered leaders empower others! The Phoebe Society’s primary goal is to equip women called to ministry leadership to be the leader God has called them to be. By offering educational opportunities, connection with others, and empowering events like workshops, seminars, and mentoring/coaching experiences, we hope to empower female ministry leaders to step into their God-ordained roles within the Kingdom.

When we empower each other – encouraging, equipping, and providing the tools that help us to proclaim the Gospel more effectively, then the Kingdom is served in ways that we can’t begin to imagine. By empowering women to pursue the calls that God has placed on their lives, the Body of Christ is enhanced and further prepared for Christ’s return.

Why Phoebe?

        Phoebe is a ministry leader mentioned at the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Even though her story in the New Testament only spans 2 verses (Rom. 16:1-2), those two verses (and the women listed in the verses that follow!) represent what women in ministry have been called to do (and were “allowed”/”approved” of doing in the early Church!):

        Serve  – Christ through the Church,

        Proclaim – the Gospel with authority & integrity to others in a public setting

        Support – God’s ministry to others in whatever ways we can, as often as we can

        Lead – with humility and grace, placing Christ in the seat of honor of all we do

I hope you’ll join us in The Phoebe Society – whether you are a female ministry leader, a friend of someone who is in ministry leadership, someone who is considering a call to ministry leadership, or even a guy who wants to support and encourage his sisters in Christ, there is space for you at the table! 

We saved a seat for you.