Intro:
The history of the church is rich with the stories of bold and godly women serving the church of Jesus in remarkable ways!

Amy Beatrice Carmichael — 1867-1951
Gladys Aylward — 1902-1970
Phoebe

Romans 16:1-16: I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.

Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

PAUL’S TEAM:
-Paul knows them well.
-Paul loves them.
-Christ is at the center of these relationships.
-Paul’s team is incredibly diverse: men and women, slave and free, Jews and Gentiles,various nationalities and rich and poor.

Lessons for us:
No one plants a church alone!
No one does ministry or the Christian life alone!

LETTERS OF COMMENDATION:
Romans 16:1 - Phoebe
Acts 18:27 - Apollos
2 Corinthians 3:1-2 - Paul
3 John 8-9 - John

PHOEBE:
What we know for sure:
-Sister
-Servant
-Patron

What we can reasonably suppose:
Paul’s Emissary carrying the letter to the churches in Rome
Deaconess of the Church in Cenchrae
Host of the church like Lydia in Philippi

DEACONS:

Men and Women
Pastoral assistants
logistical and practical ministry support
Elders and Deacons work closely together: Elders lead - Deacons facilitate - All Believers do ministry (Ephesians 4:11-12)
elders lead through words (teaching and preaching) - deacons lead through works (practical ministry)

Relevant Scripture Passages:
Philippians 1:1
1 Timothy 3:1-13
Acts 6:1-7

JOIN OUR TEAM!

Text ‘cccserve’ to 94000 and we will get you connected to one of our serve-teams.