Q: What are women allowed to do on the mission field?

Ruth Tucker reminds us "The role of women in the modern missionary movement has been phenomenal. No other public ministry in the church has so captured the interest and commitment of women in the past 200 years" from her book _Guardians of the Great Commission_. Tucker notes that by the early decades of the 20th Century, "women outnumbered men on the mission field by a ratio of more than two to one." Just as in other walks of life, there are many instances where women have received neither the freedom to do what they would like to do nor the due recognition of what they have accomplished. However, there are exceptions, and Tucker's book will inspire you with what women have accomplished in the context of cross-cultural missions.

There are two important variables that you need to take into account. Mission agencies have their own "personalities" and offer a differing range of opportunities for women. The geographical context of service would also be an important factor. For example, in Muslim cultures, local custom will greatly influence the freedom of women's public activities and even the way they dress.

Your answer about the opportunities for women in missions will vary from mission to mission. For some women can do some things, but they cannot plant churches or pastor churches or become part of leadership. In others they can do virtually anything.

In WEC the answer is you can do almost anything. In a few cases we have not let a woman go into a situation that seemed especially dangerous. Difficult is not an issue, but dangerous can be. We have women doing almost every kind of ministry in WEC, and we have some women in leadership positions.

At the same time, most women in WEC don't want to be leaders. Most men don't either. A good leader has to give up much of his or her personal ministry in order to lead, and most of our people love the ministry to the nationals.

The short answer is that there are many opportunities for women. They comprise about two thirds of the missionary force. In some agencies their roles are limited. In others there is virtually no limit.

In our agency, World Indigenous Missions, women are allowed to do whatever they are called to do. The history of missions is full of wonderful examples of women being successful in mission work. From Lottie Moon to Gladys Aylward ladies have been used mightily in God's work. We do believe that in some cultures and places there are safety issues to look at and cultural situations that need to be dealt with carefully, but we can and do allow women to fulfill their call.

This question must be more specific to get a helpful answer for you. I don't think single women and married women have the same opportunities anywhere in the world!! We each have our part to play. And of course, in various parts of the world ALL women's opportunities are a bit limited. We have been on the field in Asia for five years and I have seen single women impact this society tremendously - as well as having the privilege of doing a bit of helping as a married woman!

If God is calling you to the field and you are single, don't wait for a husband. Come 'just as you are' and God will give you all the opportunities you can handle!!!

Read this short article about Women's Roles in Missions:
http://www.strategicnetwork.org/index.asp?loc=kb&id=8792&mode=v&

See this marvelous overview and various articles:
http://www.urbana.org/feat.womenandmissions.cfm

Read the book Frontline Women: Negotiating Crosscultural Issues in Ministry by Marguerite G. Kraft, http://www.wclbooks.com