Over the years, I’ve read many books that have helped me to understand the role of women in the body of Christ.
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In my early days as a Christian in the UK, the stream of churches we were part of held the traditional view of women–they could lead prayer meetings, children’s and women’s ministry and make the coffee. They were not allowed to have any kind of strategic leadership role.
This viewpoint was ingrained in me for many years. (I disliked it intensely, but if this was what God had for me as a woman, then I would submit to it–although I have to admit to doing more than my fair share of grumbling and complaining! I might be sitting down on the outside, but inside I was definitely standing up.)
Aside from my own study of the Scriptures, books by various authors played a large part in setting me free. I’ve read fairly extensively around this topic. Here are ten of my favorites:
Why Not Women : A Biblical Study of Women in Missions, Ministry, and Leadership
What’s With Paul and Women?
Ten Lies The Church Tells Women: How the Bible has been misused to keep women in spiritual bondage
For Such a Time as This
Man and Woman, One in Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Paul’s Letters
Unladylike: Resisting the Injustice of Inequality in the Church
The Fall of Patriarchy: Its Broken Legacy Judged by Jesus & the Apostolic House Church Communities
Powerful and Free: Confronting the Glass Ceiling for Women in the Church by Danny Silk is a recognition of the stained glass ceiling for women and an appeal for equality in the church.
Beyond Sex Roles: What the Bible Says about a Woman’s Place in Church and Family
How I Changed My Mind about Women in Leadership: Compelling Stories from Prominent Evangelicals
Add to this a Kindle-only book, Junia Is Not Alone
I’d love to hear what other books you’ve found helpful on this subject
12 replies on “My ten favorite books on the topic of women in the church”
Men & Women in the Church by Sarah Sumner is one of the best I’ve ever read. It’s not
argumentative which makes it especially helpful. It was the first I read on the subject and it really opened my eyes and mind to being willing to accept myself as a leader despite what I’d been taught.
Half the Church by Carolyn Custis James. It’s not academic and just so encouraging. Also has a global perspective which I find helpful here. I find anything by Carolyn Custis James so encouraging in my own development as a leader in the church. Her other books and her blog are equally good.
For us younger women, A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans, was another encouraging book. Again, it’s not an academic treatise on why women should not be leaders. Rather, it’s Rachel’s story of coming to terms with her evangelical upbringing vs. her calling as a leader in the church. I laughed, I cried, and it led me to pray about the ways I’d sold myself short in ministry because I’m a woman.
Scot McKnight’s ebook, Junia is not Alone, is a quick easy read. Also wonderful and encouraging.
April, thank you for these suggestions. I’ve added Scot McKnight’s book to the post. I read it a few months ago and as you say, it’s a great read. I’ve just recently come across Carolyn Custis James–she has a great way of putting things on her blog. I’ll have to try and get hold of her book.
Thank’s for the tip. Looking forward to read your book when it’s finished!
Guardians of the Great Commission is my favorite. It is out of print and hard to find. 🙁
I like “Familiar “Leadership” Heresies Uncovered” by Bruce Fleming. It has a pretty strange title, but a lot of good insight, some I have not found in other books.
Interestingly the AG (Assemblies of God), ordain women to serve as Pastors and other ministerial positions. They have a position of women in ministry and they recognize that it is cultural. It is very interesting to see how they present their position recognizing women as able to perform any of the ministerial/leadership roles. However, their churches are autonomous, therefore each pastor establishes the doctrine in that matter.
They have their position paper in their website. 🙂
Yes, that is interesting. There are a few denominations who are very open to women in leadership–I praise God for them.
I like “The Lost Apostle” by Rena Pederson. The book was written by a journalist with no theology training (and not much Bible knowledge); but she knows how to research. and has gone to great lengths, and to many excellent resources, to research about women in the early church. Rena doesn’t just write about Junia, she writes about early Christian women in general and several women in particular. Rena’s writing style makes “The Lost Apostle” an easy and engaging book to read.
Thank you to everyone for these suggestions. Some of the titles I’ve heard of, but I’ll have to take a look at the others.
I’m reading the book: “not less than everything” – the courageous women who carried the Christian Gospel to China. from Valerie Griffits
It’s a great book about women serving as pioneers in China’s church and missions.
It’s a book where one can see what obstacles and bareres the thinking about women and ministry in mission can build. And how brave men (in empowering) and brave women in obeying what they were sure to hearing from God… can walk on new paths.
Thanks for sharing this. There are some wonderful stories of women on the mission field–I think of Gladys Aylwood, Amy Carmichael and others.