Evangelical Resources on Women in Ministry

Christians For Biblical Equality

CBE International (Christians for Biblical Equality) advances the gospel by equipping Christians to use their God-given talents in leadership and service regardless of gender, ethnicity, or class.

CBE exists to promote the biblical message that God calls women and men of all cultures, races, and classes to share authority equally in service and leadership in the home, church, and world. CBE's mission is to eliminate the power imbalance between men and women resulting from theological patriarchy.

Man and Woman, One in Christ: An Exegetical and Theological Study of Paul's Letters
by Philip B. Payne

Philip Payne has written the most exhaustively researched study of the Apostle Paul's statements about the role of women in the church. He is a conservative Evangelical scholar who firmly believes in the inerrancy of the Biblical in the original autographs (the way they appeared when the prophets and Apostles first wrote them). That is his starting point. He began his research on the topic while being a doctoral student at Oxford University with the goal of proving the New Testament places limits on the ministry of women. His research led him to the opposite conclusion.

Dr. Payne looks closely at every text addressing women in the Pauline corpus (Paul's body of writings). This is the book that should be in the library of everyone who wants to know what the Bible actually says about the role of women in the life of the church. is an academic book and not designed for pleasure reading. Instead, it is a book to read carefully and return to its content over and over again. It is an academic book and not designed for pleasure reading. Instead, it is a book to read carefully and return to over and over again.

The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood : How God's Word Consistently Affirms Gender Equality

by Philip Barton Payne https://amzn.to/41XbAlK

A biblical defense of egalitarianism that relies on Scripture to affirm gender equality in the church and in the home.

"Biblical womanhood" is the idea that the Bible teaches God-ordained male leadership and female submission in the home and subordination in the church. Some say this hierarchy of authority is sufficiently evidenced by examples of male leadership (and lack of female leadership) in the Bible: the first human was male, Israel's official priests were male, most authors of Scripture were male, Jesus was male and chose twelve male Apostles. God is addressed as Father. Wives are commanded to submit to their husbands.

In The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood, New Testament scholar Philip B. Payne argues that the very Bible passages that are often believed to teach male headship and female subordination actually teach gender equality. He demonstrates that the Bible does not endorse gender hierarchy but instead emphasizes:
The Holy Spirit gifting all believers for ministry
The oneness of the body of Christ (the church) and the priesthood of all believers
Humility, service, and mutual submission required of all believers
Freedom and willingness to relinquish freedom in order to spread the gospel
These concepts are examined in 14 Bible passages throughout the Old and New Testaments, using careful exploration of Greek and Hebrew word meanings, historical and cultural context, and examples from Scripture. Payne defends his position by providing detailed answers to common objections at the end of each chapter.

The Bible vs. Biblical Womanhood is for those struggling to reconcile the Bible's seemingly contradictory teachings about man and woman. Readers will come away with greater confidence i

Women in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry
by Stanley Grenz and Denise Muir Kjesbo

Studies of key biblical passages on women's roles in the church fill entire bookshelves, if not libraries. But in Women in the Church, Stanley Grenz and Denise Muir Kjesbo offer the first in-depth theological study of this issue--one of the most bitterly contested issues of our day. Carefully considering the biblical, historical and practical concerns surrounding women and the ordained ministry, this book will enlighten people on all sides of the issue. But Grenz and Kjesbo make no secret of their bold conclusion: 'Historical, biblical and theological considerations converge not only in allowing, but also in insisting, that women serve as full partners with men.' Thorough and irenic, Women in the Church bids to take an intense discussion to a new plane.

Beyond Sex Roles: What the Bible Says About a Woman’s Place in Church and Family
by Gilbert Bilezikian

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 non-specialized 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.