Called Beyond Permission: When Others Question the Leadership God Gave You

Recently, I heard a pastor I respected publicly announce that women should not hold the titles of Pastor, Elder, or senior leadership positions in the Church. He went on to explain his reasoning, sharing his interpretation of Scripture and the research that had shaped his perspective.

In that moment, two things happened inside of me.

First, my heart broke for the women in his congregation. Women who now felt limitations placed on them in the Kingdom of God. Women who were essentially told, “You can only go so far. You can only do so much.”

It reminded me of the court of women in the Jewish Temple, allowed to enter, but only to a certain point. Allowed close, but not too close.

Second, it sent me into another spiral of questioning my own calling, anointing, and gifting in the Kingdom of God.

And honestly, that surprised me.

I have been ordained in ministry for almost ten years. I’ve served in executive and pastoral leadership for over a decade. Yet even now, moments like these can still shake me.

Sometimes I take it personally. Questions start swirling in my head:

Do they think I’m walking in disobedience?

Do they believe what I’m doing is contrary to Scripture?

Do they think I should step aside so a man can lead instead?

Those thoughts can feel Loud. Heavy. Exhausting.

And even though I’ve walked this road before, wrestled through the opinions, interpretations, and criticisms of others, it still hits differently when it comes from someone I respected. Someone I didn’t expect.

So what do we do in those moments?

What do we do when our calling and leadership are questioned? When people insist we are wrong for walking in what we believe God has called us to?

Here’s what I’ve found.

Listen to the Voice of God Again

At the end of the day, it was not man who called you. It was God.

When doubt creeps in, I go back to the beginning. I revisit the words God spoke over my life. I reread journal entries, prophetic words, and Scriptures that launched me into ministry in the first place.

I spend time in His presence again.

Not striving. Not defending myself. Just listening.

And every time, He faithfully reminds me of who called me.

Dive Deep Into Scripture

Whenever I hear teachings that oppose women in leadership, I go back to Scripture for myself.

From Genesis to Revelation, I see God using women in powerful ways, leading, teaching, prophesying, judging, evangelizing, discipling, and building His Kingdom.

I study deeply. I ask hard questions. I wrestle honestly with the text.

Because if I’m going to stand firm in my calling, I want it rooted in conviction, not emotion.

Study More, Not Less

I don’t stop at surface level conversations.

I dive into theological works from respected scholars, historians, and theologians, both modern voices and those closest to the early Church. I study the Greek. The Hebrew. The historical and cultural context surrounding passages often debated.

I read perspectives I agree with and perspectives I don’t.

And where I find uncertainty, I keep digging until clarity comes.

Faith was never meant to fear study.

Lean on Trusted Leaders

One of the greatest gifts God has given us is wise community.

I lean into trusted leaders, both men and women, who have wrestled through these questions themselves. Leaders who have studied deeply, prayed faithfully, and walked this road before me.

Sometimes I simply need someone to remind me:

“Yes, you are called.”

“Yes, God can use you.”

“Yes, you can walk fully in what He has asked you to do.”

There is strength in hearing affirmation from people who know your character, your fruit, and your journey.

Let Jesus Heal Your Heart

This conversation can stir up a lot of pain.

Hurt. Anger. Rejection. Frustration.

And the enemy would love nothing more than to use those wounds to divide the Church.

So I bring it all to Jesus.

I process the hurt with Him. I work through the anger. I choose forgiveness. I let Him expose pride, insecurity, fear, or offense wherever it exists in me.

Not because I want to surrender my convictions, but because I never want bitterness to poison my heart.

I want to remain soft toward God and loving toward people, even when we disagree.

Choosing Unity Without Shrinking Back

Where this issue has the potential to divide, I want to work toward unity.

The ultimate goal is not proving my position right. The goal is the name of Jesus being lifted high so that people can be drawn to Him.

I never want this debate to distract me from the mission.

So wherever possible, I strive to walk in unity with those who disagree with me while still boldly releasing and empowering women to walk in every role God has called them to.

Apostles? Yes.

Prophets? Yes.

Evangelists? Yes.

Pastors? Yes.

Teachers? Yes.

If God has called them, who are we to stand in the way?

Because the Kingdom of God was never built on human permission. It was built on divine calling.