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Women Serving God: My Journey in Understanding Their Story in the Bible
Does God invite women to fully participate in all the assemblies of God?
Among churches of Christ, the voices of women are typically silent and excluded from visible leadership in assemblies gathered for prayer and praise. In this book, John Mark Hicks tells the story of his own journey to understand how women have served God throughout the unfolding drama of Scripture. John Mark describes his movement from the exclusion of the voices of women and their leadership in the assembly to a limited inclusion, and finally to the full inclusion of those voices and their leadership. Along the way, he describes some of the history of churches of Christ as well as his own story but ultimately focuses on the meaning of biblical texts and how they support the full participation of women in the assemblies of God.
Three women, Claire Davidson Frederick, Jantrice Johnson, and Lauren Smelser White, respond to and extend John Mark’s thoughts.
John Mark is detailed, fair, and vulnerable about his own journey and our collective journey inChurches of Christ. I recommend John Mark as a trustworthy guide.—Dr. Sara G. Barton, University Chaplain, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA
Do we believe that the Holy Spirit equally equips both women and men to carry out Jesus’s message of reconciliation? Dr. Hicks is a trusted guide in navigating the depth of scripture and the complexity of our cultural moment. Drink deeply from this well!—Dr. Joshua Graves, Otter Creek Church, Brentwood, Tennessee.
With characteristic depth, rigor, and generosity, Hicks offers his own journey toward embracing the inclusion of women’s voices in the assembly. Hicks writes with a familiarity of Restoration Movement history that few can boast, with an accompanying dedication to searching the scriptures.— Amy McLaughlin-Sheasby, Instructor in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry,Abilene Christian University.
This book is a gift to twenty-first century Churches of Christ. Part autobiography, part history, part exegesis, and part biblical theology, Hicks’s exploration of the Bible’s teachings on the role of women in congregational gatherings offers several invaluable components.—Dr. James L. Gorman, Associate Professor of History, Johnson University
John Mark Hicks is Professor of Theology at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. He has taught for thirty-nine years in schools associated with the churches of Christ. He has authored or co-authored eighteen books, lectured in twenty-two countries and forty states, and is married to Jennifer. They share five living children and six grandchildren.
Among churches of Christ, the voices of women are typically silent and excluded from visible leadership in assemblies gathered for prayer and praise. In this book, John Mark Hicks tells the story of his own journey to understand how women have served God throughout the unfolding drama of Scripture. John Mark describes his movement from the exclusion of the voices of women and their leadership in the assembly to a limited inclusion, and finally to the full inclusion of those voices and their leadership. Along the way, he describes some of the history of churches of Christ as well as his own story but ultimately focuses on the meaning of biblical texts and how they support the full participation of women in the assemblies of God.
Three women, Claire Davidson Frederick, Jantrice Johnson, and Lauren Smelser White, respond to and extend John Mark’s thoughts.
John Mark is detailed, fair, and vulnerable about his own journey and our collective journey inChurches of Christ. I recommend John Mark as a trustworthy guide.—Dr. Sara G. Barton, University Chaplain, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA
Do we believe that the Holy Spirit equally equips both women and men to carry out Jesus’s message of reconciliation? Dr. Hicks is a trusted guide in navigating the depth of scripture and the complexity of our cultural moment. Drink deeply from this well!—Dr. Joshua Graves, Otter Creek Church, Brentwood, Tennessee.
With characteristic depth, rigor, and generosity, Hicks offers his own journey toward embracing the inclusion of women’s voices in the assembly. Hicks writes with a familiarity of Restoration Movement history that few can boast, with an accompanying dedication to searching the scriptures.— Amy McLaughlin-Sheasby, Instructor in the Department of Bible, Missions, and Ministry,Abilene Christian University.
This book is a gift to twenty-first century Churches of Christ. Part autobiography, part history, part exegesis, and part biblical theology, Hicks’s exploration of the Bible’s teachings on the role of women in congregational gatherings offers several invaluable components.—Dr. James L. Gorman, Associate Professor of History, Johnson University
John Mark Hicks is Professor of Theology at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. He has taught for thirty-nine years in schools associated with the churches of Christ. He has authored or co-authored eighteen books, lectured in twenty-two countries and forty states, and is married to Jennifer. They share five living children and six grandchildren.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 9, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 8, 2020
All of my life, particularly my adult preaching life, it seems like the churches of Christ (the fellowship to which I belong) have been involved in one controversy after another. It has been said about us; that we would fight at the drop of a hat, even if we had to drop the hat. That characteristic may be inherent in being a "Restoration" movement -- the feeling that we have to be right about everything. The role of women in our gathered assemblies is one of a couple that is on the front burner right now. It is one that has troubled me for a long time, and have often said that what I believe may depend on what side of the bed I got up on that morning. John Mark Hicks has for the past 20 years (or so), has been one of my favorite authors to read. I have great admiration for his scholarship, his ability to tackle difficult subjects, and his loving spirit. This book is no exception on any of those counts. I'm not sure how much I agree with him, probably on most; but he has given me a lot to think about and work through. I'm not going to get into a discussion about what he said, and why he said it, and how I reacted. I would rather you read it and wrestle with his observations and conclusions by yourself, and then make your own mind up. I will tell you that I really liked the responses at the end of the book, as they opened up a whole new world to my thought process about this subject. If you are a part of the Restoration Movement, or the Stone-Campbell Movement, or the churches of Christ; and you have thought about this subject, and considered studying it -- right after you read ALL the pertinent Biblical texts, this is the book to start with.
September 21, 2022
Really tough book. I've been stewing on this topic for years, and this book has only created more tension for me. I'm glad I read "Searching for the Pattern" first, because this book gave me a chance to see the Theological Hermeneutic in action with a hot issue.
The strongest parts of the book come when Hicks points out the problems we run into with the current interpretation of passages like 1 Tim. 2:12—dealing with questions like "Can a woman teach a baptized 10-year-old?" or "Can a woman pray in a prayer chain or small group but not during the worship hour?" or "Why is it okay to sing a hymn written by a woman, but it's not okay for a woman to lead the song?" One that I have always struggled with is, "Why is it okay for a woman to read Scripture in Sunday school but not during the worship service?" These questions and many more are questions we have to deal with, and when we hold 1 Tim. 2:12 up as the blueprint for answering all of these questions, we end up having to make many inferences and judgement calls that are nearly impossible to defend or explain.
I'm still not sure if I'm convinced of Hicks' interpretation of 1 Tim. 2:12, but it has given me something to think about. For me, part 5 was compelling in many ways, but not in the ways I think he intended it to be. The book often frustrated me, but not necessarily because of his arguments. Rather, I often found myself thinking, "Why are we so fixated on a single hour on a Sunday? All of these issues, and many more, all seem to revolve around what we do during the short period of time we spend together on Sunday." That's a separate problem, but I would hesitate to dwell on that and risk dismissing this very specific issue.
One negative thing for me is how dense the book is. It's not a book I would want to hand out to just anyone, and I also couldn't see myself using it in a group study (which was perhaps not his intention. I can't say). I will say, however, that the responses in the back of the book should be read and considered by everyone, even if only for giving perspective. I think we are far too detached from each other's spiritual journeys in general, and that should cause us to be ashamed. Even if the mainstream Churches of Christ maintain the same practices we currently have on this issue, I think we could totally change the atmosphere by raising our awareness of each other's individual experiences, particularly those of women who have been forever imprinted by Church of Christ practices.
The strongest parts of the book come when Hicks points out the problems we run into with the current interpretation of passages like 1 Tim. 2:12—dealing with questions like "Can a woman teach a baptized 10-year-old?" or "Can a woman pray in a prayer chain or small group but not during the worship hour?" or "Why is it okay to sing a hymn written by a woman, but it's not okay for a woman to lead the song?" One that I have always struggled with is, "Why is it okay for a woman to read Scripture in Sunday school but not during the worship service?" These questions and many more are questions we have to deal with, and when we hold 1 Tim. 2:12 up as the blueprint for answering all of these questions, we end up having to make many inferences and judgement calls that are nearly impossible to defend or explain.
I'm still not sure if I'm convinced of Hicks' interpretation of 1 Tim. 2:12, but it has given me something to think about. For me, part 5 was compelling in many ways, but not in the ways I think he intended it to be. The book often frustrated me, but not necessarily because of his arguments. Rather, I often found myself thinking, "Why are we so fixated on a single hour on a Sunday? All of these issues, and many more, all seem to revolve around what we do during the short period of time we spend together on Sunday." That's a separate problem, but I would hesitate to dwell on that and risk dismissing this very specific issue.
One negative thing for me is how dense the book is. It's not a book I would want to hand out to just anyone, and I also couldn't see myself using it in a group study (which was perhaps not his intention. I can't say). I will say, however, that the responses in the back of the book should be read and considered by everyone, even if only for giving perspective. I think we are far too detached from each other's spiritual journeys in general, and that should cause us to be ashamed. Even if the mainstream Churches of Christ maintain the same practices we currently have on this issue, I think we could totally change the atmosphere by raising our awareness of each other's individual experiences, particularly those of women who have been forever imprinted by Church of Christ practices.
August 10, 2020
Very well done. I've tackled several books on women's role as our church has been through a journey of moving from "no participation" to "full participation" over the last decade. This one was really helpful for three reasons: One, it's not written as a scholarly text. Some of the books on this subject are so obtuse they're hard to read (or recommend). Two, it's written from the perspective of the Churches of Christ. That's my background (and the background of our church) so I found myself relating to much of what the author said. Three, it's written from the perspective of a personal journey. I loved this aspect of the book because it couched the arguments in story. That made it easy to read (and recommend). I plan to do a small group study on this book to help people better understand what the Bible says on this subject and to help them process their own journey. Plus, Hicks answered several complex questions better than I've ever heard. He didn't get too deep in the weeds and explained it in layman's terms. Well done John Mark!
January 27, 2021
I am afraid I experienced confirmation bias with this book.
I am actively in the COC and have grown intellectually dissatisfied with the blue print hermeneutic. To live out the traditional hermeneutic, it requires either intellectual dishonesty or extreme positions. The extreme positions. At times, I've felt called to either. Intellectual dishonesty, for me, meant creating exceptions or pitting verses against each other to justify why I do something. Extreme positions, conversely, meant living by bright-line rules. This leads to isolationism, instead of unity, because I can only fellowship with people who think exactly like me on every single issue. Otherwise, I am having fellowship with those who should be disfellowshipped.
These are both dissatisfying positions and it leaves many bodies and burned bridges in the wake.
I enjoy the format that Dr. Hicks uses to explain the change in theology. I recognize the journey he went on and am closely acquainted with the hoops one has to jump through to justify certain blueprint positions.
The conclusion drawn here is not an absolute position. Dr. Hicks concludes with what can be proven--that one can be justified, with consistent scriptural backing in believing that woman may have some or all roles within the assembly. The ultimate point that I draw is that the issues in the role of women are complex and require inferences from each of us to reach a conclusion. That being the case, we should humble ourselves and afford grace to those who've reached a different conclusion.
This is where I experience confirmation bias. I badly want to be right, but the more I study the more I realize how I can be equally wrong. If I am potentially wrong, the others are potentially right, or we are both wrong. If I am wrong or we are both wrong, I truly hope to receive grace from God due to my fallibility and limited understanding. The book confirms for me that I should seek to be gracious in knowledge. I truly hope that's okay with God.
Maybe that's a good thing though. Having to be gracious to others requires me to lean on grace. It is not my knowledge that saves me, but Christ. It is not my effort, but his.
I am actively in the COC and have grown intellectually dissatisfied with the blue print hermeneutic. To live out the traditional hermeneutic, it requires either intellectual dishonesty or extreme positions. The extreme positions. At times, I've felt called to either. Intellectual dishonesty, for me, meant creating exceptions or pitting verses against each other to justify why I do something. Extreme positions, conversely, meant living by bright-line rules. This leads to isolationism, instead of unity, because I can only fellowship with people who think exactly like me on every single issue. Otherwise, I am having fellowship with those who should be disfellowshipped.
These are both dissatisfying positions and it leaves many bodies and burned bridges in the wake.
I enjoy the format that Dr. Hicks uses to explain the change in theology. I recognize the journey he went on and am closely acquainted with the hoops one has to jump through to justify certain blueprint positions.
The conclusion drawn here is not an absolute position. Dr. Hicks concludes with what can be proven--that one can be justified, with consistent scriptural backing in believing that woman may have some or all roles within the assembly. The ultimate point that I draw is that the issues in the role of women are complex and require inferences from each of us to reach a conclusion. That being the case, we should humble ourselves and afford grace to those who've reached a different conclusion.
This is where I experience confirmation bias. I badly want to be right, but the more I study the more I realize how I can be equally wrong. If I am potentially wrong, the others are potentially right, or we are both wrong. If I am wrong or we are both wrong, I truly hope to receive grace from God due to my fallibility and limited understanding. The book confirms for me that I should seek to be gracious in knowledge. I truly hope that's okay with God.
Maybe that's a good thing though. Having to be gracious to others requires me to lean on grace. It is not my knowledge that saves me, but Christ. It is not my effort, but his.
February 25, 2022
Raises a number of challenging questions I had not considered. Demonstrates the complexity of this issue. Presents a good case for the egalitarian position. Those in churches of Christ who want to better understand how their brothers and sisters come to different conclusions should read this book. Those who want their own position challenged and honed should read it as well.
Ultimately, I found his handling of the repeated grounding of texts on marriage and gender roles in the creation narrative unconvincing. He is right to point us to the story of scripture, but I don't think his handling of the overall trajectory was convincing. The grand story begins in the creation account and it ends with Christ's marriage to his bride in Rev 21. Consistently, marriage and the roles of men and women are grounded in this story and are lived re-imaginings of this grand story. We are actors in a drama that began before us and that continues beyond our marriages and our roles in this age.
We must take seriously the way that worldly rule has been used to oppress and abuse women. We must seriously and critically re-examine "traditional" gender roles and stereotypes. But we also ought to take our place in living in our relationships the grand story of Christ and the church.
Ultimately, I found his handling of the repeated grounding of texts on marriage and gender roles in the creation narrative unconvincing. He is right to point us to the story of scripture, but I don't think his handling of the overall trajectory was convincing. The grand story begins in the creation account and it ends with Christ's marriage to his bride in Rev 21. Consistently, marriage and the roles of men and women are grounded in this story and are lived re-imaginings of this grand story. We are actors in a drama that began before us and that continues beyond our marriages and our roles in this age.
We must take seriously the way that worldly rule has been used to oppress and abuse women. We must seriously and critically re-examine "traditional" gender roles and stereotypes. But we also ought to take our place in living in our relationships the grand story of Christ and the church.
August 17, 2024
This book is good regardless of your position concerning women's role in the church. Hicks is exhaustive in his premise that the totality of God and Jesus' dealing with, treatment of, and gifting to women invalidates the highly specific comments made by Paul addressing the issues of women in Corinth and Ephesus. Whether or not you agree with him, you have to appreciate his thought process. The postscripts by some women who comment at length on the issue from perspectives of growing up in traditional churches of Christ, from different viewpoints, but with similar conclusions, are touching, evocative, and meaningful. You may or may not agree with Hicks' conclusions, but you'll appreciate the trip to your own position
January 2, 2023
Hicks, a Lipscomb Bible professor, lays out his journey in understanding women's role in the church from holding a conservative opinion in the 70s to his current stance of full inclusion. He does a nice job of explaining how he came to his conclusions in every stage of his journey and the questions he still has today. Highly recommend!
February 17, 2022
I would recommend this book to anyone exploring the issue of women's roles. I found it helpful to understand the history of where the CoC are coming from, as I believe this has had an effect on the ICOC as well. It is not a heavy read (imo), but still gives a thorough explanation.
August 4, 2023
I will be returning to this book after reading some of his suggested resources for further study, but in the meantime, I really enjoyed reading his views from the extreme conservative to full participation of women in the church.
September 9, 2023
Clear, fair, kind. John Mark Hicks speaks the truth in love. If you disagree with the premise, you should read the book.
October 14, 2023
Very thoughtful. Lots to chew on.
January 1, 2024
I didn’t realize how much this book would mean to me.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews