Unexceptional: Ordinary Women Doing Extraordinary Things through God

by Sharon Dickens, Aileen Challies (Foreword)

"Whoever and wherever you are, these women want to tell you that you are a frontline worker." - From the Foreword by Aileen Challies.

From Austin to Edinburgh, from Baltimore to Glasgow, this is the story of women's ministry as you have never heard it before. It's one story told through different voices as women with ministry experience from across the globe collaborate to share their wisdom, insight and practical advice on how they minister in their communities. If you had the chance to sit down and ask each of these contributors about their lives, this would be that conversation. A healthy, thriving women's ministry is possible in your church too.

Genres: Womens, Christian

196 pages, Paperback

Published December 2, 2019

Reviews

[Laurie Hetherington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written for ordinary women in ministry - well, actually to any woman who is following Christ and wondering how to do ministry. Each chapter is written by an ordinary woman allowing God to use her in extraordinary ways. A few of the writers are full time paid women in ministry but others have full time careers outside the church.

[Andie Dole · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some really helpful chapters/stories in here, others were just okay. I don't know if it's encouraging or depressing that ministry is hard no matter where you live or what you're doing. These are definitely not glamourous ministry life examples, but in-the-mud, 11-15 church members and slow-as-molasses growth reality.

[Heidi Reger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! If any women are serving or want to be encouraged by women, especially in poorer communities then read this book! It is encouraging, challenging and has questions at the end of each chapter so would be great to read as a small group!

[Sierra Cusson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book at the 20schemes pre-conference class at TGCW22, and recently I have been going through it with several other women from my church. It is full of wisdom, encouragement, and conviction! 4 stars because I really liked it and underlined lots of sections! (I save my 5 stars for my all time favorite books, so don’t let that scare you away). If you are a woman and a church member, you should read this!! The women in this book show that it is not just the paid staff that do the discipling and the serving, but each one of us must do so in order to be obedient to the Lord.

I think having the different perspectives of women in various contexts will really help women to see that ministry is not “one size fits all.” We are all uniquely positioned by God for the contexts he has placed us in! And ministry may look different in how it plays out, but the one thing that stays the same is that we are all serving the same God and giving the same Gospel. The chapter thatreally has stayed in my mind is Mandi McNutt’s chapter on mercy ministry as an outreach. Since I live a short walk from my church, and am a part of the neighborhood my church serves, there is a lot of opportunities to reach people with acts of service, which could then lead to gospel opportunities. I was convicted that I need to reach out to my neighbors and just start by getting to know them - looking for needs and prayerfully considering how I can help fill them.

I also appreciated this books focus on the local church and church membership. One woman quoted Paul Washer where he said, “If you want to give your life for something in the ministry, give it to the church” (101, 102). This is who Jesus gave his life for! Mercy ministry, evangelism, and outreach should be an outpouring of the service and discipleship already happening within the doors of our local church.

This books recommends a lot of helpful resources for women wanting to dive deeper into these topics. And I think the 20schemes website will be one that I keep in mind when I am looking ti give myself more development and training in ministry.

[Suzanne Elyse · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we landed in Edinburgh for 3 months of school studies in 2013 I assumed that living in an old European city around the corner from a literal castle would be the memory that would stick with me most -- but 12 years later, sharper than anything, is the unexpected experience of getting to be a part of the Niddrie Community Church family whilst they were in the early stages of 20 Schemes. We didn't help much and likely got in the way more than anything (and got absolutely trounced on the badminton court) but we got to see these people who loved God so deeply put their faith into action in the most remarkable -- yet unexceptional -- ways. They were bold, clear, unapologetic, and faithful. And yet, as the pastor there said the first time we met him -- "we're not a sexy church." This isn't a sexy book. There's no personal glory or fabulous acclaim or perfection. There's weary but tireless, hurting but faithful accounts of following the Lord's call to minister in each context these women have been given. Many helpful gems in this book to convict and to reflect upon, especially in this new season of church planting. And now my reading list has grown again thanks to the recommendations at the end of each chapter!

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of wisdom and guidance for all Christian women as we walk in obedience to the call of making disciples and evangelizing.

I appreciated the variety of contexts that were shared in the stories, and the “hindsight”, “practical principles”, and “resources” elements of each chapter were brimming with useful information.

It is a blessing to read of the journeys of other women in their ministry work, and to see so clearly the dependence upon Christ for strength to carry this work out.

This book ought to be required reading for all Christian women, as all our lives are in ministry to our Savior and King.

Thank you, Sharon Dickens, for sharing this wonderful book project!

[Susanna Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really inspirational, yet challenging book. It has inspired me to really pray about how God wants me to serve - here and now - and to ask Him to open my eyes to the needs of the people around me. Full of tried-and-tested wisdom, Godly insight and practical wisdom, I would definitely recommend it.

[Kaylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this transparent look into ministry in hard places. These women shared their joys and weaknesses, helping the reader see their realities. Definitely a recommended read for any women who are involved in or desire to be involved in ministry.

[Kristin Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book to go through with a group

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book about women's ministry—especially in hard places.

Sharon and the other ladies show from their own stories how ordinary women can do ministry.

Each chapter is by a different lady who tells her story and what ministry looks like for her. Then it goes through some things they have learned from ministry and things they would have liked to know earlier. The chapters end with challenging and thought provoking questions about your own life and ministry. In some books I would be tempted to skip over that sort of section but these ones were definitely worth spending time thinking and praying through.

The women's ministry talked about in this book is not about ladies' dessert nights but about genuine, gospel-centered discipleship.

I would highly recommend this book to any Christian.

[Lynn Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exceptional book about several 'un-exceptional women' and what women's ministry looks like for them in their "hard place". A must read book, by real women about 'ordinary women doing extraordinary things through God."

It's one of those books that has questions at the end of each chapter, which really hit the spot. Makes you think about the chapter and how you can be used by the Lord no matter who you are, where you are, or how you start. Yes, even as a women.

Would be perfect as a small group book - esp for young women - Very encouraging yet challenging in all the right places.

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is probably one of the best books I’ve read all year! It felt like I was sitting down for a chat with each of the writers to hear about their experiences and lessons learned in life and ministry. So helpful!

Some chapters spoke to me more than others, but that isn’t surprising as each chapter is written by a different person.

Overall this book has been profoundly helpful, challenging and encouraging at the same time. I would definitely recommend this to anyone in ministry!

[Dorna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, lovely writing style and it almost feels like chatting to all of you and hearing about your experience however I believe we are all ordinary people serving and extra-ordinary GOD and therefore I'm not so sure about the title :)

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspiring and challenging book! There is always something you can do for the Lord, if you just step up and DO! The people that know their Lord shall be strong and do.