In the history of Australian pentecostalism, women have been at the vanguard of planting and leading churches. By 1930, 20 out of 37 pentecostal churches were planted and led by women. Many began as small groups that flourished into faith communities. At the centre was the theological conviction that the Holy Spirit empowers both women and men for ministry and leadership.
Currently there are over 1,000 women ordained in the Australian Christian Churches. There are women in all levels of leadership, from local churches to the National Executive. Yet, the reality is that there are still obstacles and challenges for women to rise into positions of executive leadership.
The recent Masterclass on Women in Leadership addressed many questions, both practical and theological. Many participants of this Masterclass asked for a list of resources to help them explore this topic further. You asked for it, so here it is: A list of recommended resources on Women in Leadership. It is not an exhaustive list, but it will certainly get you started in your journey studying this issue. You might also want to look out for an upcoming one week intensive on ‘Women in Christian Ministry’ (September 2021: on campus in Adelaide and available online) taught by Rev Prof Jacqueline Grey.
Top Recommendations:
Blog by Marg Mowczko: Exploring the biblical theology of Christian egalitarianism.
https://margmowczko.com/
Lucy Peppiatt, Rediscovering Scripture's Vision for Women: Fresh Perspectives on Disputed Texts. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2019.
http://ow.ly/tRed50EOYNf
by WEA: Co-workers and Co-Leaders: Women and Men Partnering for God’s Work.Theological Resources:
Caroline Custis James, Half the Church: Recapturing God’s Global Vision for Women. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010
Graham Hill, Holding Up Half the Sky: A Biblical Case for Women Leading and Teaching in the Church. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2020.
Kevin Giles, What the Bible Actually Teaches on Women. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2018.
Shane Clifton & Jacqueline Grey (eds), Raising Women Leaders: Perspectives on Liberating Women in Pentecostal Charismatic Contexts, APS Sup 3, Sydney: APS, 2009. (available on kindle)
Biblical Resources:
Craig Keener, Paul, Women and Wives: Marriage and Women’s Ministry in the Letters of Paul. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1992
Alice Mathews, Gender Roles and the People of God: Rethinking What We Were Taught About Men and Women in the Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2017.
Cynthia Long Westfall, Paul and Gender: Reclaiming the Apostle’s Vision for Men and Women in Christ, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2016.
Women in Early Christian History:
Lyn Cohick, Women in the World of the Earliest Christians: Illuminating Ancient Ways of Life. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2009.
Practical Resources:
Kadi Cole, Developing Female Leaders: Navigate the Minefields and Release the Potential of Women in Your Church. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2019.
Karoline M. Lewis, She: Five Keys to Unlock the Power of Women in Ministry. Nashville, TN: Abingdon, 2016.
Robyn Wilkerson, Shattering the Stained Glass Ceiling: A Coaching Strategy for Women Leaders in Ministry. Springfield, MI: Influence Resources, 2017.
Aimee Byrd, Recovering from Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: How the Church Needs to Recover Her Purpose. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2020.
Women and Global Pentecostalism:
Kimberly Alexander & James
Bowers, What Women Want: Pentecostal Women Ministers Speak for Themselves.
Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2018.
https://aps-journal.com/index.php/APS/article/view/51/48
Women in History:
Beth Allison Barr, The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2021.
Website resources:
Christians for Biblical Equality - http://www.cbeinternational.org/
Gifted for Leadership - http://www.christianitytoday.com/gifted-for-leadership/
The Junia Project - http://juniaproject.com/
The Network: Women in Ministry (Assemblies of God US) - http://womeninministry.ag.org/