Men & Women In Roles of Leadership
Our family of churches in The Alliance Canada has given each local church a mandate to do their own study and give prayerful consideration to the roles of men and women in leadership, particularly with regards to the role of Elder. Many feel strongly about the topic, and hold different perspectives. Our goal as we approach this subject together is to do so with a gracious and humble attitude that honours God and honours one another.
Although there are two main perspectives on this question – Complementarian and Egalitarian (also referred to as Mutuality) – there are many variations on each.
Though we may differ as individuals in where we stand, our goal at Westburne is to forward an opportunity to listen to differing views in a respectful and prayerful conversation.
There are many resources available on this topic. We hope the selection below is helpful. Though we’re recommending these resources, WAC may not endorse all perspectives expressed – apart from those in Scripture, of course.
If you have questions, we want to hear from you!
What Does the Bible Say?
The first place we look for guidance on this question is God’s Word. Here are some of the key biblical passages that we need to consider and reflect upon in our study of this topic:
If you would like to research this topic more, we've broken down the main resource list into three options:
Overview
If you're just looking for a summary of the viewpoints about men & women in ministry.
Medium
If you would like a bit more extensive presentation of each viewpoint.
In Depth
If you would like to read or hear the most thorough presentation of the viewpoints.
Overview
Summary of Complementarianism & Egalitarianism
This summary is on the website of the Council on Biblical Manhood & Womanhood, which supports a complementarian perspective. The summary, though, is pretty fair in explaining the viewpoints of both perspectives. It can therefore be a helpful starting point in understanding what the arguments and explanations are for the two primary views.
Summaries of Each Position
Websites with Resources on the Differing Perspectives
The two links below will take you to organizations that have resources on the two perspectives.
The egalitarian link will take you to CBE International (Christians for Biblical Equality).
The complementarian link will take you to CBMW (Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood).
Each site features articles, podcasts and other resources from the two perspectives.
Medium
Two Views on Women in Ministry (Counterpoints: Bible and Theology)
Edited by James Beck, Stanley Gundry, Linda Belleville
This book is not as comprehensive as Pierce/ Groothuis’s and Piper/Grudem’s books listed below, but it is easier to work through. This book furnishes a clear and thorough presentation of the two primary views on women in ministry so the reader can better understand each view’s strengths, weaknesses, and complexities. Each view—egalitarian (equal ministry opportunity for both genders) and complementarian (ministry roles differentiated by gender)—is represented by two contributors.
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In-Depth
The two books listed below would generally be considered the two seminal works on the question of men and women in ministry.
Discovering Biblical Equality
Edited by Ronald Pierce, Rebecca Groothuis & Gordon Fee
Pierce & Groothuis
This book provides one of the primary resources from an egalitarian/mutuality perspective written in response to “Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood”.
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Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood
Edited by John Piper & Wayne Grudem
Piper & Grudem’s book is viewed as one of the leading works supporting a complementarian view of men and women.
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Additional Resources
Books
God's Design for Man and Woman: A Biblical-Theological Survey
Andreas Kostenberger & Margaret Kostenberger
This study of the Bible’s teaching on men and women aims to help a new generation of Christians live for Christ in today’s world. Moving beyond other treatments that primarily focus on select passages, this volume traces Scripture’s overarching pattern related to male-female relationships in both the Old and New Testaments.
Men and Women in the Church: Building Consensus on Christian Leadership
Sarah Sumner
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? Avoiding the pitfalls of both radical feminism and reactionary conservatism, Dr. Sumner 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. Jesus is the Answer
Partners in Christ: A Conservative Case for Egalitarianism
John Stackhouse
The Bible says that women should keep silent in church AND that they should pray and prophesy. It calls wives the weaker partner AND says that men and women are equal.
When it comes to understanding what Scripture says about men and women, those on both sides of the debate can and do marshal strong evidence from the Bible. Why are they able to do this? Dr. Stackhouse contends it is because Scripture in fact says both things. Does the Bible contradict itself then? Not so. Rather, Stackhouse describes the single approach in Scripture that guides us with clear direction on these important matters of relationships in the church and the family.
Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective to the Evangelical Gender Debate
Michelle Lee-Barnewall
Regarding gender relations, the evangelical world is divided between complementarians and egalitarians. Michelle Lee-Barnewall critiques both sides of the debate, challenging the standard premises and arguments and offering new insight into a perennially divisive issue in the church. She presents an alternative way to move the discussion forward based on a corporate perspective and on kingdom values.
Forgotten Voices: Women in Ministry in The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada
Barb Howe
Barb served faithfully as a pastor on staff at Southview for many years. Her book is a historical overview of the significant ministry that women have provided within the C&MA in Canada.
Podcasts & Articles
Women in Ministry: The Pauline Texts
Gordon D. Fee, Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Regent College, Vancouver
In this audio file Dr. Fee examines the more difficult Pauline texts on women in ministry. He sets these texts within the broader perspective of Biblical data and within the cultural context of the letters.
What You Should Know About Biblical Complementarianism
The Gospel Coalition Sept. 23, 2022
Melissa Kruger, and Nancy Guthrie discuss what it means to have a healthy, biblical view of complementarianism. Melissa Kruger defines complementarianism as understanding men and women to be “equal in worth and dignity, and different in how we live that out in the world.” The panel answers questions like “What does healthy and unhealthy complementarianism look like?” and “How do we graciously argue for it when others disagree?” As the panel discusses the differences in the roles of men and women, they also encourage us to keep the gospel central and to follow the example of Jesus in how he treated both men and women.
Male and Female He Created Them
The Gospel Coalition October 9, 2015
Panelists Tim and Kathy Keller, John Piper, Don Carson, and Kathleen Nielson discuss how they each came to a position of complementarianism, what complementarianism is not, and the enormous implications of moving away from the clear teachings of Scripture on gender roles.
Exploring the Biblical Theology of Christian Egalitarianism
Articles by Marg Mowczko
Writing from an egalitarian perspective. Marg is an Australian and conducted her research in early Christian and Jewish studies at Macquarie University.
Evangelicalism and Feminism
Kingdom Roots with Scot McKnight Feb 4, 2016
The role of women in the Church is one of the biggest debates in Christianity today. Dr. McKnight helps turn this hotly contested debate into a positive conversation.
The Kingdom Roots Podcast with Scot McKnight is a conversation about how the Kingdom took root then and how it takes root now. Kingdom Root conversations with Scot McKnight will give clarity to the context of the New Testament and how that context informs the Church today.
Female church leadership, complementarity and marriage
Ask NT Wright Anything Jan 30, 2019
Tom answers questions on what the New Testament says about the role of women in church leadership. Does 1 Tim 2:13-15 forbid women from preaching? What does he make of complementarian vs egalitarian theology? How does he treat passages such as Ephesians 5: 22 ‘wives submit to your husband’?
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