Welcome to the Gospel Coalition podcast, equipping the next generation of believers,

pastors, and church leaders to shape life and ministry around the gospel.

On today's episode, you'll hear a breakout session with Michael Kruger from TGC's

2024 Women's Conference.

We are talking about a topic that I cannot imagine more relevant to a women's conference

than the topic before us today, why we need women in ministry.

And actually, I want to start by just talking about this title with you for

just one moment. You'll notice that it's a rather short title, but I want you to notice it's a very

carefully chosen title, and particularly one word I want to draw to your attention as we start

this time together, and that is

the word need. The church needs women involved in ministry. It's not optional. It's not just a

preference. It's not something that should just be allowed or tolerated, but I would argue and we'll argue

the day in our time together, but by God's design, men and women together need to be involved

in the ministry of the church.

Now, that word need probably stands in contrast to many other views out there that

no doubt you've come across.

There's certainly some out there that think that ministry is not really for women at all.

And that sort of ministry and theology and Bible instruction and training and so forth

or sort of something that men do, but women don't do it.

So there are some that might argue out there

that women really don't do ministry and might not choose that title. Then there's another view

out there, slightly better, only a little better than the other one, and that is some might say,

...