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Our Mission is to be a healthy biblical community of Free Methodist leaders supporting one another and assisting the Free Methodist Church USA in understanding the societal distinctives of women in the FMCUSA in order to fully recruit and empower women among our disciples, leaders, groups and churches. About Us A Brief History It’s difficult to write a history of advocacy for women in the Free Methodist church, because those of us on this team stand on the shoulders of so many women who have walked this path. When exactly did advocacy “start”? With the first FM woman who woke up one morning and said—“This is not right. I’m going to do something.” So many others have “done something” since. We are only the latest nine. We are grateful for their tireless, courageous work of education and advocacy. We build on it. AWLFMC started with a Facebook message between two of us in February 2021. “Do you want to do something?” “Yes.” We messaged four other amazing and brave women with the same question. They gave the same answer. And so here we are. Six of us as a core team began meeting monthly to decide what that something would be. We quickly determined it had to include resources for our pastors and leaders to learn more about the culture in North America and how it affects women, especially the church culture. We needed to talk honestly about what we’ve experienced and allow those stories to be heard, unvarnished. We wanted a gathering place for women in the FMC to feel heard, seen, valued, and energized. Above all, we want to advocate for women to be treated with the dignity and equality afforded to ezer kenegdo images of God—in the church, in leadership, in marriage—everywhere. AWLFMC continues to expand beyond its original six to include women at quarterly meetings where we can learn from one another's experience and hear their needs. We plan action teams to pursue different projects as expertise and passion dictate. If you’re interested in either of these options, contact us. Meet The Team Rev. Denise J. Abston, D.C.C. Denise J. Abston brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Central Region Conference as Assistant Superintendent. She was the first female ordained in the more than 100 year history of what was the Mid-America Conference, served as lead pastor for four churches in Oklahoma as well as in many assistant roles. A member of both the Conference MEG/MAC and the BoA, she has also served as the Assistant to the Superintendent for several years. Dr. Denise received her Doctor of Christian Counseling degree from Omega Bible Institute and Seminary, as well as a Masters of Arts in Leadership in Ministry from Greenville University. With her education and experience she has taught courses primarily in philosophy and business at St. Gregory’s University as an adjunct professor. An office administrator and paralegal for the Oklahoma City law firm of Fenton, Fenton, Smith, Reneau & Moon, she has served as the chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee for the Association of Legal Administrators for the Oklahoma City chapter and was President of the chapter from 2014-2015. Dr. Denise also serves on the Butterfield Memorial Foundation Board and is chair of its governance committee. She is happily married to her husband Chuck, who has been very gracious in allowing her a great deal of freedom to explore all the avenues God has prepared for her. Janet Richards Janet Richards is a Local Ministerial Candidate at Rainier Avenue Church. She is married to Colin Richards, and they have three children: Janeen, Jason and Jada. Within the Free Methodist Church, Janet also serves as Board Chair of the Pacific Northwest Conference. Janet has a career as a project/program manager in the technology industry. However the work closest to her heart is advocacy. Janet has worked in various advocacy roles with Seattle Children’s Hospital and is currently on the Medical Staff and Quality Board of Trustees Committee as a family advisory and community advocate. She is also a board member of Hopelink and the Together Center, two Seattle eastside human services providers. Her focus there is on improving collaboration and empowerment of marginalized communities. Rev. Katie Sawade Hall Katie Sawade Hall is Associate Pastor at Community of the Savior, a Free Methodist congregation in Rochester, NY. She holds an MDiv from Duke Divinity School. Katie has been an ordained elder in the FMC since 2015 and spent the first five years of her pastoral ministry as a children’s pastor in Southern Indiana. She is especially interested in the intersections of liturgy, spiritual formation, and justice. Katie is married to Andy, who is a native of Lancashire, UK, and they have two daughters, Ellie and Zoe, and a golden retriever named Scout. Rev. Dr. Jill Richardson Jill Richardson pastors Real Hope Community Church in suburban Chicago. Her doctorate is in Church Leadership in a Changing Context, with a focus on the next generation and preaching. She has written or contributed to 8 books, and her articles have appeared in leading national magazines and websites. Her tagline is “Reframed: Picturing Faith what the Next Generation,” and her passion is to work with the next generation to create a healthy church for the 21st century. She’s also a writer, speaker, and (fairly) intrepid traveler. You can find her work or contact her at jillmrichardson.com . Rev. Dr. Roberta Mosier-Peterson Roberta Mosier-Peterson has been a pastor for over twenty-five years. As an Elder in the Free Methodist Church, she serves as Lead Pastor of Creekside Chapel in Allegany, NY. She earned a Doctor of Ministry from Northeastern Seminary in 2016. He research focused on the lived experience of female Free Methodist pastors and you can find the documentary film produced from her research on YouTube. A link to her dissertation is in the research section of AWL website. Along with serving her local church, she also serves Genesis Conference and through the Center for Pastoral Formation teaching classes for those in the ordination process. She is married to William, and they enjoy being active outdoors with kayaking, hiking, swimming, cycling, and gardening. AWL Emeritae Rev. Soo Ji Alvarez Soo Ji Alvarez loves reaching people in the margins, bringing reconciliation to communities, and raising up passionate followers of Jesus Christ. She has been in ministry for 30 years and has served as the senior pastor of a multiethnic Free Methodist Church in Riverside, CA. She currently serves as a Field Superintendent for the Free Methodist Church in Southern California where she oversees ministry development. She has been ordained since 2011 and she loves pastoring other pastors, leaders, and churches to create a culture of diversity and multiplication in every ministry context. Soo Ji and her husband Joe are blessed to have 2 beautiful kids, their son Juaquin and daughter Nayara. They also have 2 dogs named Oso and Chunk. Rev. Dr. Sheila Houston Pastor Sheila Houston is a leader in the Sex Trafficking Movement. She has led teams to work directly with victims of domestic sex trafficking throughout Seattle and internationally, working directly involved with over 2,500 victims. From 2008-2011 she also led street teams that worked directly with men involved in pimping. Sheila is a Free Methodist Pastor currently serving in Detroit Michigan at Arise Ministries Detroit. Her credentials include an Executive Master of Not-For-Profit Leadership, Seattle University; Post Master Certificate in Transforming Spirituality, Seattle University; BA Organizational Behavior, Seattle Pacific University; Pastoral Leadership Certificate and a Doctor of Ministry from School of Theology, Seattle University. Rev. Dr. Laura J. Hunt Laura J. Hunt adjuncts for several undergraduate and graduate institutions worldwide. Her PhD used semiotics and the poetics of allusions for biblical interpretation; it is published as Jesus Caesar: A Roman Reading of the Johannine Trial Narrative . She continues to work and publish in academia, particularly on the Gospel of John and 1 Peter. Her tagline, “Making the Academic Practical,” guides her work as Associate Pastor of New Beginnings in SE Michigan and her book on 1 Cor 1-4, The Not-Very-Persecuted Church . She loves languages, coarse bread, and smelly cheeses. Rev. Marianne Pēna Marianne Peña is a Pastor and planter of a bilingual Free Methodist Church in North Houston, Texas, Essential Church. She and her husband, William, co-pastored a multi-generational, multi-cultural, and bilingual church in Miami, Florida for eight years before being called out to plant. Marianne has been an ordained elder in the FMC since 2018. She holds an MA in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University and a Graduate Certificate in Discipleship and Spiritual Formation from Wesley Biblical Seminary. Marianne is passionate about helping believers walk in the freedom and power of the Holy Spirit and seeing women thrive within their context while experiencing the fullness of what God has for them. Marianne and William have three lively boys, Shiloh, Micah, and Mason. Dr. Michelle Roberts Michelle Roberts, a member of the Free Methodist Church since 2002 and one of the church plant leaders of Light & Life West, Long Beach, CA. She served as the co-leader of the ministry support team, “Life Support” where she assisted with groups/classes coming together for healing and support. She ministered as the online church platform leader, communications administrator, social media content developer, program developer and website administrator. 2019, Michelle became the Assistant Director of African Heritage Network. She is also the founder of JKLM Corp, a Non-Profit organization for small business technical support, workshops, graphic design assistance and an entrepreneurial hub for charitable organizations with limited resources. Rev. Heather Baker Utley Heather Baker Utley is pastor and planter for a Free Methodist house church, Tapestry Church, in San Antonio, Texas. She also works in the areas of web design and social media for several Free Methodist-affiliated organizations, including Light + Life Communications and Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy. She holds an MDiv from Seattle Pacific Seminary and has been ordained in the FMC since 2017. She has 17 years of experience working for churches and nonprofits in Ohio and Washington State in the areas of youth ministry, children’s ministry, administration and communications. Rev. Amelia Cleveland-Traylor, MD Rev. Amelia Cleveland-Traylor, MD was ordained as elder in the FMC in 2005. Her ministry responsibilities have included pastoral care, praise and worship leader, women’s ministry director, youth ministry, small group leadership, and faith and fitness. Amelia has served on the MEG and MAC in the Ohio Conference, been a member of the Genesis BOA, and was Superintendent of the River Conference from 2018-2022. She currently serves on the FMC Board of Administration. She has a special interest in justice and advocacy with pending studies of justice and advocacy at Fuller Theological Seminary beginning in fall 2022. She is also a board-certified obstetrician gynecologist and has a focus in indigent health care and women’s health. Our Priorities COMMUNICATION Create and maintain lines of communication that include women leaders at all levels. Ensure they have the information they require to advocate for themselves and find opportunities in the Free Methodist Church. CONTINUING EDUCATION Create a resource center of information regarding gender issues. EMPOWERING MENTORS Work to equip new young pastors, new pastors, CMCs (ministry candidates), and women in new pastoral roles with the mentoring, communication, and opportunities they require for full use of their gifts and opportunities. PROCESSING, HEALING, SHARING STRATEGIES Create a safe space for women who have experienced sexual abuse, assault, or harassment either from an FMC leader or a person defended by one to tell their stories and find advocacy. ADDRESSING PROMOTIONAL SYSTEM Educate the FMC about gender bias and women’s unique life stages so that women can begin to make up a more representative portion of leadership and pastoral candidates. SEXIST PATTERNS OF BEHAVIORS Offer training on patterns of sexism and power. PREVENTATIVE MEASURES Work to educate and screen pastoral candidates regarding egalitarian beliefs.

Preac H er Sunday Sunday, March 1st, 2026 The Free Methodist Church ordains women. Sure, you know that. But does your congregation? The next PreacHer Sunday will be Sunday, March 1st, 2026. PreacHer Sunday is the first Sunday of each quarter. Other PreacHer Sunday dates for 2026 will be: June 7, September 6, and December 6. FMC women have difficulty getting appointed to senior positions, and when they do, large segments of the church often leave. One reason is that they never see a woman in leadership—or in the pulpit. We need to change that. You can’t accept what you’ve never imagined. You can’t imagine what’s never been. You can’t be what you don’t see. PreacHer Sunday is a joint initiative of the FM network Advocates for Women in Leadership and the Strategic Catalyst for Love Driven Justice. The goal is for every church in the FMC USA to have a woman deliver the main service message at least four times a year. AWL is ready to assist your church in accomplishing this goal in several ways: Suggestions for different ways this goal can be accomplished Suggestions of women who can preach/teach in your church A list of qualities you might look for in women in your congregation who can teach and preach Support for women in your congregation who have gifts of preaching but might be hesitant to speak on a Sunday morning Resources to teach your congregation about the importance and biblical welcome of women in ministry Contact us here to get started.

Acerca de Forgiveness and Repair The Full Story In the experience of many women in ministry, when relationships with superiors break down, demands for forgiveness often precede or replace any work towards repair. The resources on this page will clarify and carefully distinguish between the work of apology, the work of forgiveness, and the work of repair and reconciliation. In our experience, if these steps are not carefully distinguished, victims are re-victimized and perpetrators are robbed of the opportunity to repent, grow, and change into more holy people. Power imbalances factor into this conversation as well. We have seen those with power behave in sexist or even abusive ways, stumble their way through a difficult situation without coming to terms with the harm they have caused, and then move on, putting the event out of their minds and evidently hoping and trusting that those they have harmed will do the same. For those without power, however, especially for those who were harmed, those events become flashpoints, clear evidence that those with power are not trustworthy, and those stories continue to circulate as warnings to those navigating the power dynamics in institutions in which we know we are not safe. We have posted information on ways to move forward on some of our other pages. Here we focus first on making amends, and then on forgiveness. We trust that perpetrators who are focused on making amends will do the self-work necessary to center the needs of those who were previously hurt. We trust that those working on forgiving those who have harmed them will come to their own conclusions about whether moving forward means repairing or ending the relationship. We pray that God's Spirit would empower each person to recognize the image of God in themself and in the other/s throughout this difficult process. REPAIR HOW TO BEGIN TO ATONE FOR THE HARM DONE Learn More FORGIVENESS HOW TO BEGIN TO MOVE PAST THE HARM DONE TO YOU Learn More R EPAIR On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World by Danya Ruttenberg Sorry Watch The 5 Apology Languages: The Secret to Healthy Relationships by Gary Chapman and Jennifer Thomas Although each of these resources offer a slightly different model, they all include a victim-centered approach that includes: Clarity about the wrong done and its consequences U nderstanding that leads to change Restitution if possible Apologizing without excuses Making different choices Repair FORGIVENESS Forgiveness video by Laur a J. Hunt Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown The Art of Forgiving: When You Need to Forgive and Don't Know How by Lewis B. Smedes We recommend Dr. Smede's work with some hesitation, so trust your own process more than his book. Still, he suggests three useful steps for forgiveness: We rediscover the humanity of the person who hurt us We surrender our right to get even. We begin to wish the person well. Please note that reconciliation is a completely different step, and depends on the commitment of the perpetrator to the work of change. Forgiveness

< Back Meghan Markle is not holding back. Sep 21, 2022 Duchess of Sussex has opened up about her personal life. Archetypes , the Duchess of Sussex has opened up about her personal life during intimate conversations centered around gender-specific stereotypes and labels. Read the full article in People: https://people.com/royals/meghan-markle-biggest-revelations-in-archetypes-podcast/ By Skyler Caruso Previous Next

Hello On April 27, we met to talk about telling our stories. The stories of our journeys into ordination and into leadership in the church are important. Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes points out that we need to have places where we can tell those stories without having to worry about someone else’s feelings, where we can simply and honestly feel our own. So—think about your stories and the places you have and have not been able to tell them. What were the barriers? How is telling those stories important to you? Have other people tried to tell your story, and how has that gone? Have you tried to tell your story and what was the result? Who Tells Your Story? Jill Richardson's blog post on Telling Our Stories Laura Hunt's sermon on Telling Our Stories "Seriously?" Men try to tell women's stories Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's talk: "The Danger of a Single Story"--the rest of the story Holy Calling: Daily Wisdom from Women in Ministry Submit Story for AWL Blog Anonymous posts on our blog are ways to let the FMC know about some of the injustices in our midst without threatening people's positions, careers, or futures. Who Tells Your Story?

Video Corner Watch these videos to learn more about women in ministry, egalitarian marriages, the history of women in Christianity, or anti-sexism. To see more resources organized by topic, go to this page . Humility We often expect humility to look like stepping aside, away from the spotlight, and giving authority, credit, or an assignment to someone else. In this video, Dr. Christena Clevalend explains what humility looks like from a marginalized position. Does God say, "I hate divorce"? Malachi 2:15 is sometimes cited out of context, used to prolong marriages that have long ceased to be places of Shalom. In this video, Gretchen Baskerville takes us through this passage and gives us its context. Why do women preach? When so many churches oppose women preachers, why do some of us insist on preaching anyway? In this compilation, a series of women pastors explain. The Pushback What happens when women preach? Sometimes there is pushback. Here are examples from the NC Synod of the ELCA. If you ever wondered what microaggressions are, these are examples. Headship in Ephesians Laura J. Hunt goes through the meaning of the word for "head" in the ancient world and its uses throughout Ephesians to explain the meaning of headship in Eph 5:23 (CEB): "A husband is the head of his wife like Christ is head of the church, that is, the savior of the body." Adventures in Sexist Hermeneutics 1 Timothy 2:12 is often used to prohibit women's preaching. In this video, Jamin Hübner takes us through the principles of good hermeneutics (interpretation) and shows us the problems with this understanding. The powerpoint for this talk is here . The Theology of Gender In this series of 11 videos, Ron Pierce teaches a course on the Theology of Gender at Biola University. Each video is approximately 90 minutes long. The first video starts here; click here for the whole playlist. Theology of Suffering Because Christians follow a suffering Messiah, suffering itself is sometimes held up as virtuous. Such a theology has historically failed to motivate Christians to alleviate suffering, for abused women among others. Much has been written on different models of suffering. In her book, Race & Rhyme , Love Sechrest writes, "Paul emphasizes suffering that is endured--not embraced--as part of the cost of following the way of Jesus in ministering life and liberation to others in this life." Raquel A. St. Clair writes about suffering in Call and Consequences: A Womanist Reading of Mark , summarized here . This video, by Laura J. Hunt, offers a few thoughts. The Danger of Civility Church leaders sometimes dismiss critics, labeling them "angry," "bitter," or "too demanding." In this video Christena Cleveland explains the importance of listening to those who do not always make us comfortable in the way they present their information. Intersectionality In recent years, the term "intersectionality" has come under attack. Watch in this video how Kimberlé Crenshaw, the author of the term, explains why we need a term that allows us to address the way sexism and racism are not just overlayed on top of each other but manifest differently in various women's lives. What Were You Wearing? To help our culture move away from victim blaming, this display demonstrates that sexual assault is not about uncontrolled lust but about expressing power. Therefore, women's clothing is irrelevant to this particular discussion. Everyday Sexism A quick 2-minute video with examples of small changes you can make that will have a big impact. Listening to Michal Rev. Dr. Kristina LaCelle-Peterson takes us through the story of Michal in a way that values her contribution and reminds us to listen well. Forgiveness An overview of helpful ways to define forgiveness. For more, see the resources listed here . Lived Experience Using volunteer actors to protect the identity of the women involved, this movie allows Free Methodist women to tell their stories in their own words. Rev. Dr. Roberta Mosier-Peterson explains and narrates.

The So-Called "Feminization" of the Church The "feminization of the church" movement, despite the historical marginalization of women from full engagement in life and meaningful work, and their segregation into household and spiritual pursuits, blames women for the failures of an essentially male-led church. These resources will get you up to speed on these issues. The "Feminization" of the Church by Kristen Rosser A Jesus for Real Men: What the new masculinity movement gets right and wrong by Brandon O'Brien (If you do not have access to CT , you can download the full article here .) The Making of Biblical Womanhood by Beth Allison Barr

Need Help? If you need immediate help , our team of women is available to support you by brainstorming your next steps, joining you for a confidential meeting or conversation, or stepping in as an advocate, as the situation requires. First Name Last Name Email Choose an option Reason for Contacting Message Send Thanks for contacting us! One of our team members will get back to you within one week.

How To's Whether you want to better recognize sexism or to put practices in place that promote balanced leadership, the articles below can help. Also check out our book recommendations . What does sexism look like? It's Time to Start Recognizing Sexism in the Church by Janel Apps Ramsey The Subtle Hazing of Women in Ministry by Jill M. Richardson Becoming a Champion of Women: One Pastor’s Journey by Larry Walkemeyer Why Hiring Women is Not Enough: Tokenism and the "Problem" Woman of Colour by Kira Page The Problem When Sexism Just Sounds So Darn Friendly... by Melanie Tannenbaum The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory : Can you recognize the different faces of sexism? We Are Feminine (But We Won’t Fit In Your Box) by Tara Beth Leach The "Feminization" of the Church by Kristen Rosser The abrasiveness trap: High-achieving men and women are described differently in reviews by Kieran Snyder A Jesus for Real Men: What the new masculinity movement gets right and wrong by Brandon O'Brien Why Do So Many Incompetent Men Become Leaders? by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic 3 Female Ghosts that Haunt the Church by Jen Wilkin Roundup of Concerns with the ESV Women Rising: The Unseen Barriers by Herminia Ibarra, Robin J. Ely, and Deborah M. Kolb Organizational Resistance to Women in Ministry by Edward C. Lehman. Email AWL for full article . How can we support women and build egalitarian environments? Local Church Assessment of Women's Full Inclusion Creating Discussion Spaces Where Women Are Heard by Jill M. Richardson Raising Up Allies: A Standardized Pathway for Developing Men into Allies to Women by Rob Dixon If you would rather listen to an audio version of this material, see Becoming an Ally: A Roadmap for Men Who Aspire to Advocate for Women . How to Find a Church that Empowers Women by Ruth Martin Would someone looking for such a church choose yours? The Billy Graham Rule, or Why Men in Ministry Need to Meet with Women Roundup Seventeen Resources on Women and Men in Mutual Leadership by Chris Morton How to Become a Church that Welcomes Women Pastors by Jill M. Richardson Learning from My Mistakes: Being Intentional about Practicing Egalitarianism by Charles M. Metcalf 9 Ridiculously Practical Ways for Male Leaders to Empower Female Leaders in the Church by J. R. Briggs Caring for the Mothers in Our Midst: The Church’s Responsibility 8 Reasons to Stop Saying ‘Men’ When We Mean Everyone by Karl Vaters Interrupting Sexism at Work: What Drives Men to Respond Directly or Do Nothing? (Report) by Negin Sattari, PhD , Emily Shaffer, PhD , Sarah DiMuccio, PhD , Dnika J. Travis, PhD Plus a couple of suggestions from AWL: Make your presenters list as diverse as you want your audience to be. Let Women Ask the First Question in Q & A and Discussion Meetings: How To's for Women in Ministry Six Tips for Taking Center Stage by Jill M. Richardson No Need to Downplay Your Leadership by Jill M. Richardson "Tiara Syndrome" Do you have a tendency to put your head down, work hard, and hope someone will eventually notice and reward you with promotion? Some of us do, too! Here's what that is, and how to do something different. See also videos on our video page , such as: Everyday Sexism Lead Stories and websites such as CBE International and The Junia Project will all have lots of help and support .

Discouragement Sometimes, it’s hard to tell whether our discouragement is related to sexism or not. There’s no sign that clearly announces: You’re discouraged because of ongoing sexism! or instead You’re discouraged because it’s February! So we have included resources that address both. Resources to Face Discouragement Wh at To Say : CBE has a whole series of articles that will give you the tools to respond to discouragement that can come from the people around you. Grit: The power of passion and perseverance Leaving a high-flying job in consulting, Angela Lee Duckworth took a job teaching math to seventh graders in a New York public school. She quickly realized that IQ wasn't the only thing separating the successful students from those who struggled. Here, she explains her theory of "grit" as a predictor of success. AWL is aware that Angela has a book as well. Feel free to check it out! Contemplative Practices Contemplation has long been a part of Christianity. Here are two websites where you can access resources to learn Christian meditation or to find a spiritual director: Soul Formation Transforming Center Note that we have chosen two centers that have benefited by and provided help for many Free Methodists.

FMC Women's Dissertation Corner Are you a FM woman whose dissertation is missing from this list? Let us know and we will add it! (We would also be happy to add dissertations written by men addressing gender equity.) Email Us An Evaluative Study of Instruction in Moral Development Education for Paraprofessionals, PhD, Michigan State University, 1976. Rev. Catherine M. Stonehouse, PhD "Responsible curriculum development for moral education calls for attention to behavioral changes, not just in the adult learning situation, but out where parents and teachers transact with children and young people in the events of life.” Those Astounding Free Methodist Women: A Biographical History of Free Methodist Women in Ministry with an Extended Bibliography of Free Methodist Women’s Studies, DMin, United Theological Seminary, 1992. Rev. Jean Gramento, DMin "The saga of Free Methodist women in ministry remains largely uncompiled as a readily available documented source. Historians along with others can benefit from an accurate, interestingly written history which conveys not only these women’s contributions to the denomination’s ministries, but will also be a vehicle to express the confusion, tension, and frustration which sometimes accompanied their attempts to live out their calling, to ordained ministry in particular.” Women in Ministry in the Free Methodist Church: Getting the Picture, 1997. Bishop Bates, Carollyn Ellis, Rev. Dr. Cathy Stonehouse "Based on our findings, the study committee recommends that the Board of Administration take the following actions. 1. Recognize the special sensitivities of the women in ministry issue. We counsel grace on all sides. 2. Request all conferences to study the salaries of their ministers with particular attention to the salaries of women clergy to be sure that the women are receiving salaries commensurate with their contribution to the ministry of the churches in which they serve. 3. Have denominational leaders work with women clergy to develop awareness raising and instructional seminars and present those seminars in gatherings of superintendents and pastors. The seminars would help male and female clergy better understand the perspectives of one another and how to work more effectively together for the advancement of God’s Kingdom. 4. Have denominational leaders enlist the assistance of women clergy to work with superintendents providing the superintendents with ideas that they will use to help churches prepare to accept a woman pastor. 5. Encourage conference and denominational leaders to enhance communications in the denomination so that clergywomen and clergymen perceive that women’s voices are heard and do make a contribution. 6. Call all who plan conference, denominational, and local church events to regularly have, as a public model, both men and women leading together. 7. Commission the development of a study guide on the biblical understanding of women’s roles in the church. 8. Establish a support system for women in ministry that includes mentoring and networking, support from other women and male colleagues. 9. Request conferences to provide support and scholarships for women clergy to attend inspirational and enrichment events that are equitable with the support provided for clergymen. 10. Order the continued monitoring of trends in the leadership of women in the church, both lay and clergy women. 11. Make this study of clergywomen an on-going research project to include a follow up survey in 3 – 5 years, using the same questionnaire for comparative analysis." Only God Knows the Opposition We Face: The Rhetoric of Nineteenth Century Free Methodist Women’s Quest for Ordination, PhD, Bowling Green State University, 2012. Christy Mesaros-Winckles , PhD Winner of the Dissertation of the Year Award for 2012 from the Religious Communication Association! “As my dissertation has illustrated, the rhetoric of gender roles and male headship is not a new development in evangelical culture. It must be critiqued from both a current and a historical context. Understanding the present without understanding the influence of the past will only generate lopsided research. As this chapter’s opening story about ordained Free Methodist women shows, there is a lack of knowledge about rhetorical history within one’s own denomination. My research lays the groundwork for others to resolve this challenge.” Lived Experience of Female Pastors in the Free Methodist Church, USA: An Ethnographic Study, D.Min., Northeastern Seminary, 2016. Rev. Roberta Mosier-Peterson, DMin This dissertation has been made into a movie, which you can find here . “.........It is important for the church to face gender bias that remains. In order for change to occur, there must be an acknowledgement that gender bias causes much pain for female pastors. There is great need to change the environment, to aggressively resource, and to arrange mentorships for women in church leadership. It is time for the church to grow into greater faithfulness regarding gender equity. This will result in greater health and effectiveness not only for women clergy, but for the Free Methodist Church, USA, as a whole. This is a wholeness that is intended by God for the church.” Gender Bias in the Leadership of Protestant Churches, D.Min., Seattle University, 2018. Rev. Sheila Houston, DMin With regards to general assumptions about male-female differences in leadership styles, Dr. Houston’s study found “differences in the measures of only four of those areas: (1) More men than women manifested tendencies to use power over the lay members of the congregation. (2) More women than men were trying to empower their lay members to master their own spiritual lives and congregational affairs. (3) Men were more legalistic than women in dealing with ethical issues. (4) More men than women preferred making decisions using formal and rational criteria.” Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion of Women and People of Color in Leadership in the Wesleyan Tradition, D.Min., Portland Seminary, 2020. Rev. Trisha Welstad, DMin “Everyone’s voice matters to enact the kingdom of God. To be able to practice theology in culturally nuanced ways that truly impact communities, people from diverse backgrounds and both genders need to be empowered to speak into leadership, programs, and systems. When these voices are filtered through the existing predominant paradigm, the kingdom of God becomes homogeneous, and thus, less than God’s intention from Genesis through Revelation.” The Household of God: Building Communities of Shalom, DMin., George Fox University, 2021. Rev. Jodi Gatlin, DMin “The shalom community loves God first, and then focuses on loving one another as Christ loves them. The shalom community must be focused on practices that bring healing, rather than harm. The shalom community will join God, in the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the unity of Christ to love God and one another, and do this through the lens of paradise, practice, and patience.” Checking our Pulse: Today’s Women Ministers in the Free Methodist Church, GM531 Fuller Theological Seminary, December 1985. Rev. Deborah D. Smith "I see three areas that need to be addressed in the future by the denominational leadership of the Free Methodist Church regarding their women in ministry: 1). Increased support and encouragement of F.M. women in ministry; 2). Improved education on women in ministry at denominational, conference and local church levels, and 3). Increased visibility and placement of women in ministry and leadership positions within the church.” Immigrant Clergy in the Promised Land, summarized from her PhD of the same name, Syracuse University, 1997. Rev. Delia Nüesch-Olver, PhD “Whether this new wave of [Latino] missionaries comes under the auspices of a denomination or not, for the sake of the harvest, the church in the United States could prepare people and organizations to receive and to empower these new missionaries. There could be a continuum of support, backing, and collaboration: from being good brokers by helping Latino pastors better serve their own Latino communities to developing support systems similar to the ones for Western missionaries overseas. Some assistance would be simple personal, relational, intentional encounters. The other end of the continuum would require major organizational shifts and adjustments.” Strengthening the Vitality of New Hope Free Methodist Church Through the Natural Church Development Approach, D.Min., Asbury Theological Seminary, 2000. Bishop Linda J. Adams, D.Min “When I arrived as a new pastor, I found it very beneficial for the church leaders to have an ‘outside’ diagnosis of their health. As a newcomer, I did not have to be the prophetic voice, calling people to recognize their need for spiritual renewal. Their own answers on the NCD survey did that!” Promoting Clergy Gender Equity: A Mixed-Methods Analysis of an Egalitarian Evangelical Denomination, PhD, Gonzaga University, 2015. Beth K. S. Whiting, PhD Dr. Whiting has also created a 20-page summary of her research entitled “Second-Generation Gender Discrimination and the Stained Glass Ceiling.” Dr. Whiting’s study proposes the following steps to promote equity: change organizational dynamics, alter unhealthy norms, amplify female voices, support innovation, implement women’s leadership development initiatives, create a Center for Gender Equity, and encourage benevolent male advocacy. Jesus Caesar: A Roman Reading of John 18:28—19:22, PhD, University of Wales Trinity St. David, 2017. Rev. Laura J. Hunt, PhD This dissertation is published as Jesus Caesar: A Roman Reading of the Johannine Trial Narrative . WUNT II 506. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2019 . “Latin use in inscriptions shows evidence of intersections between Roman and Greek languages and culture during the first century CE. Although the provenance for the Gospel of John is not definitively determined, this evidence is present in each proposed location as well as in the text of the Gospel itself (e.g., πραιτώριον in 18:28, 33 and 19:9). This suggests, based on Umberto Eco’s semiotics, that the Roman cultural encyclopaedia could shed light on the Gospel of John, particularly in the Roman trial narrative for a Roman-aware audience.” Improving Discipleship on Sunday Morning: Interactive Teaching/Preaching as a Discipleship Model for Adults, DMin, Gordon-Cowell Theological Seminary, 2022. Rev. Jill Richardson, DMin "The sermon monologue hasn’t changed in essence or execution for centuries. Now, however, it has come up against a force that might change everything—the information overload age. Our electronic culture has become less attentive, more apt to question facts, less interested in one person’s thoughts, more interested in discovering varying opinions, less willing to sit at the feet of an expert, and more collaborative. This reality will inevitably clash with our history and traditions of preaching. If we desire to disciple all our people and maintain their robust faith, it is time to experiment with new preaching methods to disciple and reach them. A pastoral teaching style that emphasizes interaction, hands-on activity/application, sensory detail, community, and collaboration better disciple our congregations, especially young adults, toward a robust, active faith." Women in Leadership Task Force, “Final Report to the Board of Administration," 2020. Free Methodist Church in Canada This report has a detailed set of recommendations for FMC leadership at every level, as well as a bibliography “as we consider the recommendations this task force is making, it should be noted that almost everything we heard, analyzed, digested and are proposing will benefit all leaders in our denomination, not just the women, and will make us stronger. We would like to further note that it was the leaders we interviewed who made this point!” Why Can't You Just Be Sweet? Experiences of Women Clergy in the Church of the Nazarene Dr. Kathryn Lewis Mowry Trevecca Nazarene University Published in Didache 23.1 Although this is not a study on or by the FMC, we thought that the results were similar enough to our experiences that they were worth reporting. "Nearly all the women in this study have common stories of difficult experiences with lay persons in congregations. They have had people walk out of services when they have preached, leave churches when they have pastored, and tell them to their faces that women should not be pastors. For the sake of this article, however, I have chosen to move past these common experiences with lay persons in local churches to address common experiences of women in the context of relationship with their ministerial colleagues and district leadership."

Book Recommendations The books below are linked to Worldcat which will tell you the closest library that owns a copy. You will find links there to purchase the book from various booksellers. You can also recommend that we add a book to this list using the button below. Recommend a book Empowering Women for Service in the Church These books offer support and practical steps for removing barriers to women's empowerment for God-ordained service at home and in the church. Creating Cultures of Belonging Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive Authors: Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard Starting with both the theological and the statistical reasons to create organizations where women, too, can thrive, these authors write from their experiences in missionary organizations to explain the practical steps required to change organizational culture. They recognize the ways that racial disparities are intertwined with gender disparities, as well. Although written specifically with missionary organizations in mind, the book is eminently applicable to any church or denomination. Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling: Equipping and Encouraging Female Pastors Author: Christine A. Smith This book emerged out of the studies conducted by Pastor Smith (initially along with Rev. Kasey Jones). Through surveys, interviews and small groups, women from 9 different free will or autonomous denominations were able to share their stories. From this and widespread further research, Pastor Smith gives women encouragement and advice, as well as warnings, about the path ahead. When Women Lead When Women Lead: Embrace Your Authority, Move Beyond Barriers, and Find Joy in Leading Others Author: Carolyn Moore Rev. Dr. Moore adds something to the conversation of women in church (or any) leadership by positing that we unfairly position women for failure when we fail to notice that they lead differently and in different situations than men. If we force molds written only for men, we fail these women in empowering them to the best extent possible. With much scholarship and data to back her up, she offers a better way. Together in Ministry Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships Author: Rob Dixon One of the best resources we have found so far, this book offers practical steps for developing mixed gender ministries. Not Without a Struggle Not Without a Struggle: Leadership Development for African American Women in Ministry Author: Vashti M. McKenzie After summarizing the background of women in ministry in the first century, Rev. Dr. McKenzie looks at the tradition of women's leadership in Africa and African American culture, describes leadership approaches both in the Bible and today, and ends with practical suggestions as well as inspiring letters from Black women in leadership today to the next generation. Buried Talents Buried Talents: Overcoming Gendered Socialization to Answer God's Call Author: Susan Harris Howell After describing the messages girls absorb from our culture that hinder them from pursuing their call as adult women, the book provides direction for overcoming these barriers. An important book for both men and women. Redeeming Power Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church Author: Diane Langberg A biblical examination of the use and misuse of power in the church On Repentance and Repair On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World Author: Danya Ruttenberg A rabbinical process for repentance with much to teach us today. Helpful for deciding how to make repairs for past sinful behaviors marginalizing women. God's Protection of Women God's Protection of Women: When Abuse is worse Than Divorce Author: Herb Vander Lugt A biblical argument in favor of divorce in cases of abuse. The link allows you to download a free copy. Athena Rising Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women Authors: W. Brad Johnson, David Smith Tools, techniques and reminders for how and why men should mentor women . Note that the military language and some assumptions of men’s (weaponized) incompetence are off-putting, but this book offers many sound principles. You can get a list of the book's principles here . Developing Female Leaders Developing Female Leaders: Navigate the Minefields and Release the Potential of Women in Your Church Author: Kadi Cole Great help particularly for men who want to develop women leaders. However, the wonderful material is mixed in with some problematic opinions or advice. Biblical and Practical Support for Women in the Church These books analyze both the Bible and US culture around the topic of empowering women in the church. I'm Still Here I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness Author: Austin Channing Brown A first-person description of the white evangelical church's ongoing barriers to the beloved community. Liberating Tradition Liberating Tradition: Women's Identity and Vocation in Christian Perspective Author: Kristina LaCelle-Peterson This book provides biblical support and discussion for a liberating place for women in ministry and marriage. Required reading for any pastor who works in a denomination that ordains women. See a detailed review here . Imagining Equity Imagining Equity: The Gifts of Christian Feminist Theology Author: Karen Strand Winslow A deft reclamation of the word "feminist" and an analysis of the place of the marginalized in the Bible that undergirds the empowerment of women today. This Holy Calling This Holy Calling: Daily Wisdom from Women in Ministry Authors: Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy Six months of daily reflections by and for women in ministry. Past and Present These books offer histories, both recent and from early Christianity, to help us understand the roles women took in the past and how our current church culture was shaped. The Making of Biblical Womanhood The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth Author: Beth Allison Barr The fairly recent history of the marginalization of women in the church I Bring the Voices of My People I Bring the Voices of My People: A Womanist Vision for Racial Reconciliation Author: Chanequa Walker-Barnes A clear-eyed look at the history of racism in the evangelical movement, its effects on African-American women in particular, and their importance in the journey towards reconciliation. Stained Glass Ceilings: How Evangelicals Do Gender and Practice Power Stained Glass Ceilings: How Evangelicals Do Gender and Practice Power Author: Lisa Weaver Swartz For Free Methodists in particular, this comparison of the practices of gender and power at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with those at Asbury Theological Seminary reveals some of the less overt patterns that continue to bar women from flourishing in the FMC. Jesus and John Wayne Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation Author: Kristin Kobes Du Mez The history of the worship of power and masculinity in white evangelical churches. Daughters of the Church Daughters of the Church: Women and Ministry from New Testament Times to the Present Authors: Ruth Tucker, Walter L. Liefeld Setting the record straight on the vitality of women's leadership from the early church to today. Nobody's Mother Nobody’s Mother: Artemis of the Ephesians in Antiquity and the New Testament Author: Sandra L. Glahn Dr Glahn has made much sense out of Paul’s inexplicable statement in Timothy about women being saved through childbirth. She also explores the reasons Paul probably included the verses on women learning in silence. Drawing on evidence regarding the Artemis cult and its effects in Ephesians, she presents an excellent case. Biblical Interpretation and Theology Particularly important for those who preach, these resources raise awareness of the importance and pitfalls of certain texts and theologies for women's Shalom. Womanist Midrash Womanist Midrash: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne Author: Wilda Gafney Using her sanctified imagination, the author gives us stories, prayers and laments for each women of the Hebrew Bible, named and unnamed. She Who Is She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse Author: Elizabeth A. Johnson A biblical theology of God from a woman's perspective. Women's Bible Commentary Women's Bible Commentary, 3rd edition Authors: Carol A. Newsom, Sharon H. Ringe, Jacqueline E. Lapsley Written by women scholars, this commentary offers the same interpretation of the Bible as any other, but does not omit to discuss aspects of the text of relevance to women. Also Recommended: Maelstrom - Carolyn Custis James The Cross and Gendercide - Elizabeth Gerhardt Women, Abuse and the Bible - Catherine Clark Kroeger and James R. Beck