I don't know what time frame you're using to describe the early church. However, Paul's churches had both women and men in what today is called the pastoral or ministerial offices, as well as other offices of service. They were elders, p
resbyteros. Often called overseer or supervisor, episkopos.
Acts 18:24-26
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Ministry of Apollos
24 Now there came to Ephesus a Jew named Apollos from Alexandria. He was an eloquent man, well-versed in the scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord, and he spoke with burning enthusiasm and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him they took him aside and explained the Way of God to him more accurately.
Phoebe the deacon ,
diakonos, in Romans 16.
Passages in scripture also talk about those women who were the head of their household. And there's more.
I will say if someone thinks God can't call women to bring his word and help lead people to his message, they're wrong.
It was a man that got us into this mess in the beginning. Romans 5 12,“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world.”
Because he couldn't lead his woman to obey God rather than be tempted by a snake to disobey God.
Thinking God wouldn't call women to bring the message that leads humanity to repentance from that sin, or to be leaders in service to God when the first man failed as a leader, is silly and biblically indefensible.
The countless women in service under God's appointment today proves God knows what
he's doing.