I grew up a pastor’s daughter and sensed God calling me into ministry at age 11.

When I was a young teenager, my father invited me to preach during a Wednesday night service.

I remember the weight of that initial sermon development. I wanted my message to be powerful and life-changing. Yet I worried that no matter how much I prepared, some people would dismiss me as preaching “like a girl.”

This highlights a gap between egalitarian theology and practice. The Assemblies of God affirms that women are not only allowed, but also called to preach the gospel. Nevertheless, many churchgoers still think of preaching as a male activity.

The hurdle for women in ministry isn’t a matter of legitimacy, but perception.

Preaching like a girl doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Where biases persist, women can recognize the hurdles and overcome them with excellence. And men can partner with female ministry colleagues to counter stereotypes and create space.

Bible Focus

Paul’s charge to Timothy remains the gold standard for men and women alike: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

While every preacher should take seriously this responsibility, female communicators often carry the weight of representation. Because women are still a minority on many platforms, congregants frequently judge them as representatives of their gender rather than individuals.

When a male preacher struggles, it’s on him. If the speaker is female, some may use a poor performance to argue against women in ministry.

Inside and outside the Church, social biases shape perceptions of a woman’s abilities. A 2025 study by the Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences revealed men were significantly more likely than similarly performing women to be recognized for leadership potential.

Because female preachers often begin with a perception deficit, how they open their sermons is crucial. If a woman starts with an apology, self-deprecating joke, or soft introduction, it may unintentionally reinforce the notion that she is a guest in a man’s role.

A Bible-first approach reminds everyone preaching is about God’s authority, not the speaker’s. A good sermon includes both exegesis and illustrations. But since an audience might be socialized to see women as speakers rather than preachers, keeping Scripture at the forefront establishes sermon credibility.

Effective gospel proclamation helps disarm biases. A female preacher isn’t there as a token, but because she has a message from the Lord. Walking to the pulpit with the gravity of that mantle sets an expectant tone from the beginning.

Vocal Control

Pentecostal preaching is known for its enthusiasm and intensity, which often translates to increased volume. This can present a challenge for women in the pulpit.

Because the vocal cords of women naturally produce higher frequencies than those of men, raising the volume might create sounds some people find harsh and piercing. The solution is awareness and vocal control.

When congregants see their lead pastor taking seriously a woman’s preaching ministry, they will 
do the same.

Some argue that monitoring one’s pitch is inauthentic. However, authenticity is not found in unmanaged habits, but in the freedom that comes from mastery. Preachers can train their voices for greater ministry effectiveness even as they develop their hearts and minds.

Breathing from the diaphragm not only provides better vocal control during volume shifts, but it also reduces throat strain.

This isn’t about women trying to sound like men, but simply learning to utilize their full vocal range. Even during moments of Pentecostal fervor, a woman’s voice can convey strength and authority.

All preachers should try to avoid distractions that might cause people to tune out. Ensuring the pitch of your voice matches the tone of your message can be one aspect of that.

Support

Women who preach need the support of male colleagues.

In many churches, men are the gatekeepers of the platform. When and how pastors introduce female preachers matters.

An introduction that focuses on a woman’s “sweet spirit” or family may inadvertently cast her as a helper rather than a herald. Emphasizing a female preacher’s competence and calling, on the other hand, raises expectations and instills confidence.

Too often, women receive generic introductions: “We’re so glad to have Sister Kathy here to share her heart.”

A better introduction invites people to lean in and pay attention to the preacher and her message: “Pastor Kathy is a gifted exegete and powerful voice in our Movement. She has a word from the Lord for this house, and you need to hear it.”

When congregants see their lead pastor taking seriously a woman’s preaching ministry, they will do the same.

Physical presence is the best endorsement. Guest preachers often fill in when the lead pastor is away. Being there to hear a woman preach gives the lead pastor an opportunity to model active listening. Sitting on the front row, taking notes, and engaging with the points sets a positive example for the entire congregation.

A common barrier women in ministry encounter is the special-interest pigeonhole. There is a tendency in some churches to limit women to speaking on Mother’s Day, or only asking them to preach on female Bible characters.

While the stories of Esther and Ruth are important, pulpit ministry is a calling to the whole counsel of Scripture. Women can and should preach about David’s wars, Christ’s suffering, and Paul’s theology. Presenting a variety of texts with expertise demonstrates God’s truth is for everyone.

Empowerment requires both intentional equipping and visible opportunity. Offer professional development and preaching opportunities to female staff members. Invest in them just as you do male team members.

Open your platform to female preachers — not as an act of charity, but in obedience to God, who pours out His Spirit on both men and women.

When I preached that first Wednesday night sermon during my early teens, I didn’t yet understand how to train my voice or manage the pressures of representation. Still, I wanted God’s Word to be front and center, not anyone’s opinion of me as a female speaker or the pastor’s daughter.

Several years ago at a Network for Women Ministers gathering during an Assemblies of God General Council, someone handed me a sticker that says, “I Preach Like a Girl — Spirit Empowered.” I still proudly display that sticker.

Over the years, I’ve come to view “preaching like a girl” as a badge of honor. It represents a cohort of gospel communicators who can navigate the complexities of bias, steward their voices and callings, and remain unshakably committed to correctly handling the Word of truth.

To my sisters who are called to the homiletical task: Preach on! Study the text until it lives in your bones. Train your voice to carry the weight of the Spirit’s message.

When the whole Church hears the whole Word from the whole Body, we all move closer to the fullness of Christ.

This article appears in the Spring 2026 issue of Influence magazine.