Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 17:1 (Spring 2020)
Article: The Strategic Importance Of Ministry To Women Programs In Theological Education
Author: Emily Dean

JBTM 17:1 (Spring 2020) p. 75

The Strategic Importance Of Ministry To Women Programs In Theological Education

Emily Dean

&

Tara Dew

Emily Dean is assistant professor of Ministry to Women at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Tara Dew is director of the Ministry Wives Certificate Program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The Rationale And Importance Of Preparing Women For Ministry Leadership Through Theological Training

A frequent question in theological education is, why should women pursue theological training? When God calls a woman to serve in ministry leadership, whether vocationally or voluntarily, preparation for service is an important element of that calling. Theological training is valuable for women in whatever calling God places on their lives, whether that be in the local church, on the mission field, in the parachurch organization, or in the home. Theological education provides women with the skills necessary to develop sound theology and ministry methodology that will prepare them to lead effectively in a variety of ministries, such as Bible teaching, mercy ministry, counseling ministry, disciple making, and cultural engagement. Perhaps the better question would be to ask why women would not want to pursue theological training. When God calls a woman to ministry leadership, whether as a full-time vocation or as a lay leader, she has a responsibility to prepare for whatever leadership opportunities God brings into her life.

The deeper discussion behind the value of theological training for women often stems from the broader conversation on complementarianism. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) collectively affirms that God calls men to the role of pastor, but the SBC also affirms the giftedness of women for service in the church.1 A recent SBC resolution affirmed the dignity of women

JBTM 17:1 (Spring 2020) p. 76

and their importance to ministry service.2 Rather than concentrating on what God does not call women to do, the focus of the conversation needs to remain on what women currently are doing and can do to serve the kingdom of Jesus. Women throughout the SBC give valuable leadership as church staff members, pastors’ wives, denominational leaders, lay church leaders, parachurch leaders, missionaries, and itinerant Bible teachers. While women have served as messengers to the annual SBC convention for over one hundred years,3 an increasing number of women are even beginning to ser...