“What a beautiful thing it is when women come together in their churches and in their homes around the Word of God! As they study the Word and journey life together, they are moved to an outward-looking lens of how they can share the gospel with others, having an impact for the kingdom.”

This is what Helen Vonow observed when the Lutheran Women in Mission come together for their 2025 Biannual Convention: ‘Growing in God’s Grace’ (2 Peter 3:18), on June 26–29, in Omaha, Nebraska.

We spoke with Sandra Rhein, Deaconess and Sacred Music Educator, LCMS Asia. Sandra, together with her husband Rob, a retired professor of music, recently travelled to Australia to present sessions at ‘Sacred Song,’ a Creative Word Fellowship Young Adults and Families camp.

In this interview, Sandra shares a little about herself, how she came to become a deaconess and how God has used her in that role in surprising ways.

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Galatians 3:26-27

It is clear in the Scriptures that women have the same status as men before God, as members of God’s family by baptism (Galatians 3:25-29; 1 Peter 3:7). They are coheirs with Christ as God’s Son, sharing in a common inheritance as the Father’s dearly loved children.  

In worship, women receive the same Spirit (Acts 1:14; 2:1-4). Unlike the men-only synagogue, Jesus makes it clear that women may be disciples/students of the Word (Luke 8:1-3; Acts 1:14; 1 Timothy 2:11. See also the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10:38-42). 

Men and women have the same vocation of intercession for others together with Jesus (1 Timothy 2:1-10). In Acts 1:14 after Jesus’ ascension, the apostles “joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.” Polycarp described widows as ‘God’s altar’ in his letter to the Philippians for offering themselves and others in prayer to God. 

Women are given many gifts, spiritual and practical, in common with men, to be used to the glory of God. This may include prophesying (Acts 21:8-9, 1 Corinthians 11:5), the wise use of wealth (like Phoebe in Romans 16:1 and Nympha in Colossians 4:15, who were patrons of house churches), showing hospitality and witnessing to others about Jesus (John 4:9-42; 20:18). 

… The Bible has many examples of women serving God in a variety of ways. Some of these vocations and giftings are the same as those of men, while others are different but complementary. This is part of God’s plan for humanity, and especially for his church.