Lecture Notes: Women in Missions

Overview

• Discussion on the role of women in the modern missionary movement.
• Examination of women as evangelist preachers and leaders.
• Historical context of women's roles and challenges in religious missions.
• Examples of women in missions from biblical times to modern history.

Historical Context

Cultural Views of Women

• Early Christian views influenced by pre-Christian thought (e.g., Aristotle).
• Women seen as inferior and unsuitable for leadership roles.
• Historical records often focus on male figures, excluding women’s contributions.

Women in Early Church

• Significant openness to women’s ecclesial leadership (e.g., Lydia, Mary, Nimva).
• Women hosted and led early church gatherings in their homes.
• Apostle Paul acknowledged many women co-workers in his letters.

Women's Leadership in Monastic Period

• Roles for women included Virgins, Desert Mothers, and Deaconesses.
• Deaconesses were ordained, responsible for evangelization and discipleship.
• Women like Marcela and Olympias used wealth and knowledge to influence theology.

Women in Modern Missionary Movements

Faith Mission Movement

• China Inland Mission (1865) by Hudson Taylor recruited single women as missionaries.
• Women were seen as effective evangelists and quickly adapted to local cultures.

Prominent Figures

• Lottie Moon: Evangelist in China who advocated for equal rights for women missionaries.
• Bible women: Local women in Asia and Africa evangelizing and leading Bible studies.

Challenges and Contributions

Underrepresentation in Historical Records

• Many women's contributions overlooked or minimized in church history.
• Shift in missions led to fewer leadership opportunities for women.

Bible Women

• Trained by Western missionaries, significant in evangelizing local communities.
• Faced lower status compared to male counterparts despite effectiveness.

Regional Highlights

China

• Dora Yu, Phebe Wang among prominent female evangelists.
• Women led revivals, faced restrictions post-1927.

Africa

• Women played crucial roles in African Initiated Churches.
• Paula Damini and Christina Nku known for founding influential churches.

Philippines and India

• Bible women were key in spreading Christianity.
• Decline in women's roles as leadership shifted to men.

Conclusion

• Women's contributions to missions have been substantial yet often underrecognized.
• Current and historical examples illustrate the ongoing impact of women in missionary work.
• Encouragement for women to continue pioneering and leading in missions today.