This refreshingly balanced treatment compares women's roles in contemporary society and church to women??'s roles in ancient societies and the early church.

Susan and Peggy remind us that true leadership is not so much a result of one's position, but rather an outgrowth of Christlike qualities which are neither male nor female.

What would your church look like if it maximized the dormant gifts of the women God has brought there? Discover how to develop and leverage the leadership abilities of women within your congregation. Leadership and people development veteran Kadi Cole offers a practical strategy to help church and organizational leaders craft cultures that facilitate the development of women as volunteer and staff leaders. In Developing Female Leaders, Cole shares eight easy-to-implement “best practices” that help accelerate a woman’s organizational contribution, such as: Seek to understand Clearly define what you believe Mine the marketplace Integrate spiritual formation and leadership development Be an “other” Create an environment of safety Upgrade your people practices Take on your culture Combined with current research, thorough appendices and references add even more guidance for setting vision, milestones, and goals. Using interviews and surveys of more than one thousand women in key church and organizational roles, Developing Female Leaders is a one-of-a-kind resource for identifying what is missing today in your church to help it flourish in the future.

Women have been central to the work of Christian ministry from the time of Jesus to the twenty-first century. Yet the story of Christianity is too often told as a story of men. This accessibly written book tells the story of women throughout church history, demonstrating their integral participation in the church's mission. It highlights the legacies of a wide variety of women, showing how they have overcome obstacles to their ministries and have transformed cultural constraints to spread the gospel and build the church.

Evangelicals stand divided in their view of women in the church. On one side stand complementarians, arguing the full worth of women but assigning them to differing roles. On the other side stand egalitarians, arguing that the full worth of women demands their equal treatment and access to leadership roles. Is there a way to mend the breach and build consensus? Sarah Sumner thinks there is. Avoiding the pitfalls of both radical feminism and reactionary conservatism, she traces a new path through the issues--biblical, theological, psychological and practical--to establish and affirm common ground. Arguing that men and women are both equal and distinct, Sumner encourages us to find ways to honor and benefit from the leadership gifts of both. Men and Women in the Church is a book for all who want a fresh and hope-filled look at a persistent problem.

Well-known evangelical leaders from a broad range of denominational affiliations and ethnic diversity share their surprising journeys from a restrictive view about women in leadership to an open, inclusive view that recognizes a full shared partnership of leadership in the home and in the ministries of the church based on gifts not gender.

Although you may see yourself as merely one among millions of Christian women, God has great plans for you to leave an eternal impression on others. He has created and called you to spiritually influence those around you—your children, friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. This practical guide will help you grow in the six fundamentals of spiritual leadership and encourage you on your own journey from ordinary woman to spiritual leader. “I not only recommend this book, I know I will be using it as I minister to women.” —Dr. Beverly Hislop, author of Shepherding a Woman’s Heart and Shepherding Women in Pain “Kay’s own experience and the stories of women that are included illustrate how powerful these truths are and how crucial they are for women who truly desire to serve God in an extraordinary way.” —Susie Hawkins, author of From One Ministry Wife to Another

This first-rate biblical and theological study offers an accessible examination of the key texts of Scripture pertinent to understanding female roles, affirming full equality of the sexes in family and church. The third edition has been revised throughout. Gilbert Bilezikian avoids using scholarly jargon and complex argumentation in the main text of the book to encourage readers to interact with the biblical research. The aim is for nonspecialized readers to be able to follow his discussion step-by-step, evaluate arguments, consider alternative views, and arrive at independent conclusions. The study guide format of the book is designed for either individual investigation or group work. Pastors, church leaders, students, and those interested in issues relating to gender and church life will value this classic work on the egalitarian viewpoint.

What if you had been deceived about an important Bible teaching that has huge impact on peoples openness to the gospel and on the reputation of Jesuss church? Would you want to know? What if your church could double the number of teachers and leaders and experience revitalization by implementing one Bible teaching? Would you want to know how? Discover the following: What Gods creation intent was for the roles of men and women How the Fall radically changed male and female relationships and impacts us every day An interpretive key with transformative potential for every marriage How misinterpretation of the two primary gender role passages in the Bible has deceived millions and caused great harm How a major emphasis of scripture has been stifled or ignored How to implement a game-changing Bible truth in your church

In this book, historians of religion and gender studies explore the biographies of a number of female leaders, and the factors within their groups and cultural contexts that support these women’s religious leadership. New Religious Movements have been supportive of women taking roles of leadership for a long time. Authors of this book examine issues of gender and female leadership from diverse theoretical and methodological standpoints. The book covers a broad range of groups both with regard to time and place, covering Paganism, Hindu guru groups, Christian organizations, esoteric/ mystical movements, African churches, and a Japanese NRM. The common focal point is the powerful, prophetic, charismatic women who have founded and/ or led New Religious Movements.