Book Reviews -- By: Anonymous

Journal: Journal for Baptist Theology & Ministry
Volume: JBTM 20:2 (Fall 2023)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous


Book Reviews

Women Leading Well: Stewarding the Gift of Ministry Leadership. By Emily Dean. Brentwood: B&H Academic, 2023. 143 pages. Paperback, $17.26.

Women in ministry leadership serve faithfully yet often lack access to mentors. Professors and denominational leaders need research-based academic resources to train women to serve the Church and train new leaders. In Women Leading Well: Stewarding the Gift of Ministry Leaders, Emily Dean effectively integrates Scripture, research, and practical wisdom to guide women to embrace ministry leadership and maintain harmony in the Christian life.

Writing a textbook to guide women in ministry leadership is a challenging task. Resources on women in ministry leadership often focus on the debate of female roles and titles and evoke strong, opposing views. While these resources are important, they fail to help female leaders chart a path to serving well. Dean writes to meet women where they are and encourage them to recognize their gifts and steward them well. This resource fills a prevalent gap. Some women fall into leadership roles while serving in the local church. They transition quickly from service to leadership without formal, or even informal, training. Others feel a distinct calling from God to serve and pursue training but struggle to articulate their call to lead. Too often, women arrive in leadership roles, lacking guidance on organizing their lives to serve well and thrive.

In part 1, Dean provides a biblical foundation of leadership by citing examples of female leaders from Old and New Testament Scripture. She addresses challenges to understanding women’s leadership in ministry by explaining the neutrality of leadership principles and highlighting ways women serve through influencing others. Dean begins with Mt 28:19–20 as the general call for all believers to lead. She quickly moves to a specific vocational ministry calling. She affirms the value of female ministry service and equips women by providing important markers that should be present in the lifestyle of Christian leaders.

In part 2, “Steward Influence Well,” Dean reminds women to care for their physical, mental, and spiritual health. She also

encourages leaders to take a posture of humility and integrity. Dean makes the right call to include chapter 9: “Leading Others.” Sometimes women become so consumed with navigating their leadership journey that they forget the responsibility to lead others well. She admonishes women to avoid serving in isolation by seeking out a mentor and mentoring others. She masterfully tempers empowered leadership with the call to manage conflict and respect others while serving.

Dean makes...

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