A Place for You: Reframing Christian Womanhood

by Kendra Dahl

The feminine life is beautiful, yet navigating womanhood isn’t easy. Women are bombarded with competing voices and messages from both outside the church and within it. Is there a compelling alternative to the narratives clamoring for women’s allegiance?

A Place for You shares a biblical framework for women’s value, purpose, and belonging. Kendra Dahl invites women to embrace their dignity and delight that God made them female, persevering in the way of Christ with courage and conviction.

With empathy and compassion,

tells the truth about the plight of women throughout history and in lived experience today.addresses the human longing for purpose, the impact of the Fall on our vocations, and the unique ways women contribute to the church, home, and society.writes about our need for one another, the difficulties of female friendships, and the challenge of being a single woman in the church.casts a vision for community where vulnerability and weakness are welcomed, the gospel is proclaimed, and people learn to help each other in tangible ways.
We have human longings—to be valued and understood, and to contribute in meaningful ways. A Place for You showcases God’s noble design, gives voice to women’s desires, and encourages us to hold fast to truth.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian Living

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2025

About the author

KENDRA DAHL is a Christ-follower and writer, wife to Jordan, and mom to Hadley, Adrienne, and Maximus. She holds an MA in biblical studies from Westminster Seminary California and is the author of How to Keep Your Faith After High School (Core Christianity, 2023). Kendra is passionate about helping people live in view of God’s mercies: united to Christ and anchored in the Scriptures. Her work has been featured at The Gospel Coalition, CT Women, Core Christianity, Modern Reformation, and Risen Motherhood. You can find her at kendradahl.com and on Instagram (@kmdahl11).

Reviews

[Glenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My endorsement:

Thoroughly biblical, refreshingly reasonable, and deeply encouraging. I finished this book feeling so grateful for where God has placed me.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the strongest defense of what Gregg Allison calls "moderate complementarianism" in print since Kathy Keller's 'Jesus, Justice, and Gender Roles.' Dahl is a careful exegete and a thoughtful theologian. She applies the WesCal vision of covenant theology (with its strong law-gospel distinction) and Luther's doctrine of Christian vocation to contemporary discussions of biblical womanhood. Her vision deeply resonates with me. My understanding of both 1 Cor. 14:34 (discussed in chapter 6) and 1 Tim. 2:12 (where Dahl cites Moo and Schreiner's view of federal headship) was sharpened as a result of engaging with her exposition.

Dahl sometimes paints with a broad brush, criticizing the worst of the "thick" or "maximal complementarian" arguments instead of their best efforts. But what I love about 'A Place for You' is Dahl's chief aim: She speaks directly to center-left evangelical women tempted to abandon the Bible's teaching about complementarity, appealing clearly and empathetically to their concerns while showing them how beautiful the Bible's teaching about gender is when it's understood rightly and practiced with Christ-like character.

The book is written for women. But if you're a pastor, husband, or girl-dad, it's worth your time. I highly recommend it.

[Dana Schnitzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Immediately five stars. This read came at exactly the right time in my life. I was immensely encouraged, but also convicted and challenged by this book. Dahl digs deeply into theological truths without sacrificing readability, shining light on how covenantal, gospel frameworks impact our understanding of women in the church. She does not shy away from difficult questions or experiences, and instead leans in and shines the light of gospel hope into places where women often feel powerless and marginalized. There were multiple moments through this book where the tenderness of our Lord shone so brightly through Kendra's writing that I was moved to tears. I cant wait to share this beautiful resource with many of the people in my life, and maybe even have a book study with my church. Others have said that every woman should read this, but also every church leader and girl-dad, and I wholeheartedly agree. It's a humble, yet confident approach to scripture that meets us where we are in hurt and confusion, confronts our own selfish desires, and speaks tenderness and hope, all without compromising doctrinal truths, and I'm so grateful for it.

If you're a woman like me, who has struggled with gender roles in the church (even specifically in reformed circles), please read this book, and also, let's talk.

[Amber Thiessen · Rating 5 out of 5]

{full review: https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/wh...}

As a woman who loves the Lord and genuinely delights in serving His people, I often find myself longing for clarity about how my gifts fit within the life of the church. A Place For You: Reframing Christian Womanhood by Kendra Dahl was a welcome encouragement. Her thoughtful, biblically grounded reflections helped me see my place—and the places of the women around me—with fresh gratitude and courage.

A Place for You shares a biblical framework for women's value, purpose, and belonging. Kendra invites women to embrace their dignity and delight that God made them female, persevering in the way of Christ with courage and conviction.

My Recommendation
If you’re confused about your place in the church as a woman, pick this up!
If you’ve felt unseen or struggle with belonging in light of your gifts, you’ll find biblical foundations and encouragement here!
If you want a theologically rich, accessible framework for womanhood that avoids extremes and anchors you in Scripture, this is a solid, thoughtful guide.

Quick Stats
# of Pages: 224
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars

*A big thanks to Moody publishers for a complimentary copy of this book and for the opportunity to post an honest review!

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have yet to read a book on biblical womanhood rooted in such deep theology! This spurred me to research Genesis and covenant theology in a way I never did before and for that I am so grateful. It is not written as a wordy text that makes you feel as if you are trying to stay afloat while reading. Kendra slowly takes you deeper and deeper, while keeping everything clear in the most wondrous way! You will emerge amazed by the depth of what you learned about the Lord and our calling as women.

What I love about A Place for You is that it is not merely counter cultural by swinging to the opposite side of the pendulum. Rather, it gives a perfect middle ground, true to God’s word and its application today. It takes great courage to write a book on a touchy topic like this these days!

I believe this book will be used to spread the message that there is a place where you will be cared for, loved, and fulfilled in the Lord to women in need of such hope for years to come.

[Jenilyn Swett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a welcome addition to a weighty and complex conversation. Kendra Dahl has clearly wrestled deeply, humbly, and faithfully with questions about womanhood and women’s roles in God’s kingdom. She doesn’t shy away from engaging the hard questions and attending to cultural concerns and messages. Even more notably, she exegetes Scripture in a thoughtful and accessible way that enables her to provide wise guidance while also encouraging readers to do wrestle deeply for themselves. Dahl brings a theologian’s mind, a mother’s heart, and big sister energy to this book, and it will be a help to this who are seeking to find their place - or helping women find their place - in the church.

[Sophia Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a personally encouraging, clear and doctrinally sound book. I love the reframing of things within the context of covenant theology and thoughtfulness towards early Genesis. Leaves me with conviction and courage in the hope and identity that is mine through Christ.

[Malia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book would have been such a gift to 20 year old me!! But 30-something year old me is happy to have read it too! This is a solid look at biblical womanhood and it deepened my understanding of covenant theology along the way too. Dahl consistently redirected my heart to the gospel &im encouraged to keeping loving and serving my church. I highly recommend reading this book alongside a bookclub to foster conversation & sisterhood.

[Lianna Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare book on Christian womanhood—rare because it avoids stereotypes, looks intelligently to Scripture, and is careful not to overstep the biblical text. It submits willingly and yet is freeing, values faithfulness but isn’t afraid to challenge conventional thinking. A true success, striking just the right tone.

[Janie Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book should be required reading for every Christian. But especially every man who’s questioned the value of women in the church. I finished this book feeling so confident and validated as a woman, and yet still challenged to surrender to the uniqueness of how God has designed my femininity, with all its limitations and difficulties. Dahl argues that we waste too much time arguing about where Christian women can and cannot go, and what we can and cannot do. Instead of focusing on determining their limitations we should start by acknowledging that women play an utterly essential role in the flourishing of the church. When that’s our starting point, when we believe every Christian woman is called to the work of the kingdom of God, there’s so much more room for women to serve Him freely. The particulars of authority and submission become far less intimidating and instead can be seen as helpful guidelines and road maps for how to make the family of God work well together. And I loved how she boldly tackled every majorly controversial passage about women in the Bible with effortless ease, putting those passages in a less prominent place in the conversation about biblical womanhood. She made each passage seem far less intimidating and misogynistic than I’ve ever been able to see them, yet didn’t lean heavily on progressive/feminist approaches that contradict the original message of the text. She just pulled out the deeper truth within each verse to point readers to how the Lord truly loves women and how there is in fact a place for them in his Church.

[Shiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book meant to be savoured as it shines light on the much debated topic of gender and church especially in the reformed, evangelical circles. How beautifully Dahl describes the gospel message and gently encourages women in their vulnerabilities. Though I might not agree with her take on few scripture passages like Genesis 3:16. Nevertheless, it is edifying to read how clearly she explains the complementary role of women, what it actually means for women to be quiet in church and what really submission looks like. I love how she points out women as being co-labourers for Christ and not just a weaker vessel to be dismissed. Refreshing take on the high standards of proverbs 31 too. Will definitely recommend to women for its great encouragement and to men to see women as ‘helper’ God truly intend women to be.

[SarahReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether single, married, kids, no kids, young or old, there is a place for all women in the household of God. Instead of getting bogged down by all the the things we think we can't do in the church, the author encourages us to focus on believing that women essential to the life and flourishing of the church.
I really enjoyed reading this book - the theological depth and the applications gleaned from scripture were very good and encouraging to me as a woman in the church. I can and I should use my gifts and be faithful to where God has placed me within the body of Christ.

"God's place for his daughters is spacious and it's beautiful; we need only to receive it."

[Isabelle Chambers]

Be confident in where God has placed you. He has a plan. Instead of focusing on the constraints, first look at all the amazing duties that have been set out for us.

[Lauren DuPrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review contains affiliate links

A Place for You: Reframing Christian Womanhood is the debut title by seminary graduate, mother, and women's ministry director, Kendra Dahl. Years ago, I came across an essay Kendra wrote on women in the church, and on reading it, I immediately felt like I wasn't alone. Much of what was included in the article is articulated and expounded on in her book. Her approach to women in the church is reasonable and, most importantly, deeply rooted in Scripture.

The book begins with Kendra sharing a poem called Your Mom Went to Seminary that she wrote for her kids that details the wrestling she felt between being a mother and a seminary student. After she graduated, a conversation with a friend prompted her to think about the place of women in the church. Her two goals with A Place for You are: ". . . to help you form conviction, and I want to instill courage. I want you to know your God, and I want you to know your own mind," (pg.23).

As a Christian woman who has at times felt like both a second-class citizen and a threat within the church, I appreciate Kendra's acknowledgments of how it is often difficult to be a woman in the church. I felt seen and understood as I read A Place for You . Having once had extreme, extrabiblical requirements taught to me as the way to live out biblical womanhood, I deeply appreciate Kendra's faithfulness to not require of women what God doesn't. Because of my experiences, I rarely read books on biblical/Christian womanhood, but I'm so glad I read A Place for You .


This book is a breath of fresh air, and for me, it's been a healing read. Kendra does hold to the complementarian position, but does so with gentleness and humility. On page 177, she acknowledged, "Regarding authority, the word Paul uses for 'exercise authority' in 1 Timothy 2:12 is not used anywhere else in Scripture, and some have argued that Paul is restricting women from a particular kind of abusive or domineering authority. I don't think their arguments are convincing, but you can see the note for some references if you'd like to dig deeper."

I don't consider myself a complimentarian or egalitarian, but I appreciated Kendra's willingness to acknowledge a view different from her own and even her provision of resources for those who want to study further. To me, this demonstrates humility and charity which I've often found lacking in the debate on gender roles in the church and it was quite encouraging.

Kendra did use some of the book to explore the idea of headship. This is one I still struggle to understand since Paul often refers to a body when he mentions a head. It's also a term that's not in the Bible, which Kendra helpfully points out on page 42, and one I've seen often abused, so it's been difficult for me to reconcile. I appreciated what Kendra shared about the concept, though, and trust her research and plan to use the information she provided to dig deeper. Her declaration on page 80 that, ". . . male headship when practiced rightly, does not oppress women, it elevates them," really encouraged me.

Another expression of Kendra's humility that blessed me is on page 180, where, referring to the role of elder being restricted to qualified men, she wrote, ". . . the Bible isn't explicit about why this role is entrusted only to males." I've heard many arguments for only qualified men being pastors, and appreciate Kendra's honesty in acknowledging that the Bible doesn't say.

A Place for You is an excellent, deeply encouraging read that I believe will bless all Christian women regardless of their positions on gender roles in the church. This book is one I desperately needed, and reading it helped heal my heart in some areas. I'm so grateful for the time and love Kendra put into writing it, and I eagerly anticipate reading more by her in the future.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

In A Place for You, Kendra Dahl reframes Christian womanhood. Men and women would benefit from hearing a sister share from Scripture and from her heart.

Part 1 is on the theme of conviction and sets up the theological foundations, looking at womanhood through the lens of covenant theology. I was most moved to see how, throughout history, the church has provided refuge from society’s misogyny. “The Bible welcomes women in gathered worship, encourages their learning and discipleship, and celebrates their participation in the ministry of the church. In these contexts, male headship, when practiced rightly, does not oppress women; it elevates them.” To be a helper is to be a partner. This reframed fruitfulness in everything a woman does, not just bearing children.

Courage, Sacrifice, and Strength

Part 2 focuses on courage, looking at areas that women might see as weaknesses but that Dahl reframes—or reveals—as strengths. It is here that her exegetical work shines through in her writing. She tackles seemingly troublesome passages with nuance and care. I was most encouraged to see her place women and men on a level playing field: all have a place and a role to play. “There are no secondary players, even if some callings feature more prominently than others.” She often addresses single women, showing how the state of being single is equally beautiful and a gift that God gives.

When I think of the people in my life who I feel have personally sacrificed the most for Christ, it truly is the women who come to mind. I am privileged to have so many in my life, and I am a better man because of it.

I received a media copy of A Place for You and this is my honest review. @diveindigdeep

[Ruthie Hoot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The author dealt thoughtfully with many different scripture passages and issues women in the church face, but ultimately always pointed to our hope in Christ, and our ultimate unshakable place in his family and in his kingdom, regardless of how the details work out in this sinful and broken world. I really resonated with her examples of women's fears and struggles, and was blessed by her pointing toward steadfast hope in Christ, rather than dwelling on fear of being without a voice.
She many times pointed out that we don't need to box women into only specific roles, which I totally agree with. She touched several times how even on a biochemical and hormonal level, our bodies effect our social behavior. But I would have liked some more thoughts on our embodied realities as women who are specifically mothers, how the fact that our bodies are made to create and nurture life does have something to say about our roles especially when children are young, combatting in some ways the harmful aspects of feminism that say you can have it all and children are an obstacle and a burden. In modern times a dad can give a bottle just as easy as a mom can nurse a baby, but what does the design of our bodies teach us about our roles, and how our children are most likely to flourish?
I will definitely recommend this book to others and look forward to reading more from the author.

[Alecia Rohrer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a really refreshing balanced complementarian take written by a seemingly strong, seminary-educated woman. Although there are sections I wish she would have gone deeper on, I found it helpful and challenging. I want to go back and think through some of this more deeply myself. A good starting point book and well-rounded, in my opinion. :)

[Candace Heurion · Rating 5 out of 5]

A refreshing, encouraging, and scholarly read! Something worth reading in the conversation of biblical womanhood, by a woman, and choosing to exogete the word instead of manipulating it for the sake of what tickling other's ears.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Thoughtful Perspective

I enjoyed the book very much. A lot of things I could empathize with and understand. The chapter on “limited” was one of my favorites. Highly recommend for women struggling to understand their role in the church.

[Hannah Mignard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent read. The author was rooted in scripture and articulated answers to my questions so clearly. Would highly recommend 🪴🪴🪴🪴🪴