Apostolic Women,Apostolic Authority

Apostolic Women, Apostolic Authority

I very much regretted finishing the book, as I enjoyed it so much, even when challenged, and even when not necessarily agreeing with the writers. My overriding impression is that this is not a book for women only, nor is it a book solely about women in the Episcopacy, but a book for all the church: this book addresses the issues of ‘the search towards the wholeness of humanity’ (p15, Helen-Ann Hartley).
The theme is not just about women in places of authority, but about acknowledging that both male and female are made in the likeness of God: both are fully human. It is about different areas of the Anglican Communion being prepared to learn from each other; it is about whole member ministry: ‘The charismatic leader comes and goes. What is needed is the empowerment of the whole ongoing body and all its members.’ (p50, Sr Anita Cook)
I would love to give the chapter ‘What clergy do, especially when it looks like nothing’ (p137ff) to 3 sets of people: every diocesan bishop; every ordinand; every congregation – and have a copy of the chapter hung on the large notice board behind my computer so that I can return to it and refer to it when I think I’m not ‘doing’ or ‘being’ enough to those in my cure.
I would urge those who would not read this book because they are opposed to women in places of leadership to read it for what it says about ministry; skip the sections which make your blood boil, if any do, and read it as ministers for Jesus Christ, for there is much wisdom here – and some surprises.

The Good Book Stall

Publisher