Books Affirming Mutuality in Ministry

Are you ready to dig deeper into the biblical, theological, and historical foundations for women and men serving equally in ministry? Here’s your reading list! 

Beyond Sex Roles by Gilbert Bilezikian

What does the Bible say about female roles in the family and the church? This book is an excellent primer that examines the key texts of Scripture which help us understand female roles, affirming full equality of the sexes in the family and the church.  

How I Changed my Mind About Women in Leadership edited by Alan F. Johnson

This book gathers compelling stories from prominent evangelicals who changed their mind about gender roles and embraced a view that recognizes the full shared partnership of leadership in the home and the church.

Discovering Biblical Equality edited by Groothuis & Pierce

This book brings together the work of twenty-six evangelical scholars to study Scripture. This positive defense of biblical equality is scholarly and practical.

Why Not Women? by Cunningham, Hamilton and Rogers

What does the Bible say about women in leadership and in ministry and why does it matter? This book takes a serious look at the attitudes toward women in ancient culture, contrasted with God’s original design. Examples of women leaders in the Bible and in history or offered.

Good News for Women by Rebecca Groothuis

This book is a biblical picture of gender equality. It examines the overall outline of Biblical teaching, logically working through the contradictions of gender hierarchy today and defending equality as the universally applicable Biblical teaching.

What Paul REALLY Said About Women by John Bristow

If you can get past the dated cover, this book offers a great historical look at the socio-political context of Paul’s day and how that helps us understand his writing. It helps us understand Paul's liberating views on equality in marriage, leadership and love. 

She Preached the Word: Women’s Ordination in Modern America by Benjamin R. Knoll and Cammie Jo Bolin

Hearing Her Voice: A Biblical Invitation for Women to Preach by John Dickson

Bourgeois Babes, Bossy Wives, and Bobby Haircuts: A Case for Gender Equality in Ministry by Michael F. Bird

Partners in Christ: A Conservative Case for Egalitarianism by John G. Stackhouse, Jr.

Paul and Gender: Reclaiming the Apostle’s Vision for Men and Women in Christ by Cynthia Long Westfall

Gender Roles and the People of God: Rethinking What We Were Taught about Men, Women, and the Church by Alice Mathews

Now That I’m Called: A Guide for Women Discerning a Call to Ministry by Kristen Padilla

Emboldened: A Vision for Empowering Women in Ministry by Tara Beth Leach