Call carla6/15/2023 ![]() Why to revisit the theme ‘women in ministry’? The authors pose different questions raised in their field of study, and name oppositions they face(d) from their ministry experience. The former happens as the book testifies for it, the later needs improvement, therefore, the book invites and inspires churches, districts, church leaders and Nazarene education leaders to take the next steps. ![]() As the editor states: “When those partnerships are broken or strained, the church itself suffers.” It is an account for the heavenly call, about the partnering of men and women in ministry. It is up-to date in its recollections of historical examples, starting from the beginning of the biblical account, it enriches the readers with the most recent and global examples of the women witnesses of Christ, those fearless, called, and brave enough to be faithful to the call. Thus, one of the unique features of the book is the authors themselves. The book has been written by multiple writers: current church leaders, theologians, biblical scholars and practitioners, and from a solid Wesleyan-Holiness perspective. This ten-chapter/perspective work brings together a thorough presentation of how women in ministry can be understood from a historical, biblical and practical perspective. Thus, it is written about and for all those who faithfully follow the One calling about and for women and men who were and are obedient to the call, about and for men and women partnering in the mission, answering the call by fulfilling the ministry opportunities and needs. The authors of the essays collected in the book reaffirm both the biblical, theological and historical foundations for women’s place in ordained ministry and in the leadership roles in the church. The authors are concerned about retelling the restoration story, reaffirming the historical foundations, educating and informing through the historical development, the biblical and theological understanding, and a diligent account of their own and of other historical women being faithful to the call. Gunter says in the Foreword, the matter was settled in 1894 ‘women are to be ordained for ministry and are suitable for all opportunities to which God has chosen and called them’. Sunberg, the editor of the book considers the book an ‘effort to bring together our history and theology in a way that helps us understand why God would want to use women in service in the church, just like on the first resurrection day’.Īs Rev. Carla Sunberg and Richard Alan Hadley (2018) is a historical inspiration of the stories of seven revolutionary women, called the Cappadocian Mothers by the writer, and their influence on theology.įaithful to the Call (2022) is the newest Nazarene title enriching the subject matter. Some of the books exploring the Church of the Nazarene’s understanding of ministerial calling and accounts of women clergy published are ‘Ordained Women in the Church of the Nazarene: The First Generation’ by Rebecca Laird (1993) is a historical record of pioneer women ministers ‘The Call of Women in Ministry’ by Mary Rearick Paul (2011) is an exploration of the obstacles to women in ministry and a disclosure of the myths surrounding women leadership and the more recent ‘Uncommon Virtues – Seven Saints Who Shaped Our Faith’ by D. The book is a significant addition to the existing but not extensive literature on women clergy, female ministry and church leadership roles within the Church of the Nazarene. Although, the book is written from within the Church of the Nazarene, the scope of the matter and the biblical, historical, theological and practical ministry responses provided are well beyond a denomination and can enrich the church of Christ. The book is a strong collective witness from authors serving as ordained ministers, teachers, theologians in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition, ministering in the international Church of the Nazarene together in with male and female partners, faithfully serving a God calling men and women. The ten chapters are written from historical, biblical, theological, and practical perspectives by writers who have obeyed the call, each journey to obedience is inspiring, but are as different as their contexts and ministry areas. ![]() Mária Gusztinné Tulipán – Rector of European Nazarene College.įaithful to the Call is a book on the topic of women in ministry with a collection of studies and reflections retelling the restoration story.
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