Holding Up Half the Sky: A Biblical Case for Women Leading and Teaching in the Church

by Graham Joseph Hill, Grace Ji-Sun Kim (Foreword), Margaret Mowczko (Foreword)

Women have played significant roles in ministry and leadership throughout the history of the church and the pages of the Bible. Today, women make up more than half the church, and do much of the mission, ministry, and discipleship in the life of the church. But women have often been held back from ministry roles. Graham Joseph Hill outlines the biblical vision for women in ministry and leadership. He offers a biblical and passionate call for women to be released to teach, to lead, to preach, to serve, to pastor, and to minister in every area of the church. The Bible paints a radical vision of women, empowered and emboldened for full ministry participation in Christ's church. The biblical vision for women and for their role as teachers, witnesses, disciplers, and leaders transforms not only personal lives, but also the church and the world. This book offers a biblical case for women teaching and leading in the church. Hill then explores practical ways that we can empower and release more female leaders in the church, and ways that we can amplify the voices and honor the gifts of women in the way Jesus intended. Together women and men can revitalize the church and renew the world.

Genres: Womens, Faith

156 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 3, 2020

About the author

Graham Joseph Hill (PhD, Flinders University) is an adjunct research fellow and associate professor at Charles Sturt University. In 2024, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to theological education. Hill is one of Australia’s most prolific and awarded Christian authors. He’s written more than 30 books, including Salt, Light, and a City, which won the 2012 Jesus Creed Book of the Year (church category); Healing Our Broken Humanity (with Grace Ji-Sun Kim), named Outreach Magazine’s 2019 Book of the Year (culture category); and World Christianity, shortlisted for the 2025 Australian Christian Book of the Year. He lives in Sydney with his wife, Shyn.

"Following the Jesus Way – theology and spirituality for the whole of life."

Reviews

[Phil Hanbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holding Up Half the Sky provides a passionate appeal for the full participation of women in Christian ministry. It brings together an extensive investigation of the significant role of women in the Scripture, alongside a the careful study of the most perplexing New Testament passages and insights from contemporary thinkers. Graham Hill offers a balanced view that seeks to respect those who ultimately disagree with his position. The result is a challenging, deeply thoughtful, inspiring and thoroughly Biblical argument in support of an evangelical egalitarian approach to who can preach, teach and provide leadership within the church. Moving beyond the theoretical issues, Graham also provides practical implications and suggestions for charting our way forward. I warmly commend this book to you.

[Karl Mueller · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I've read on Women and Men Leading Together in a long time. The author is Biblical, supports his position with scholarly research, is concise and at the same time is clear and simple. I highly recommend this book. It should be read by all Christians.

I teach non-formal and graduate level courses in North America, Africa and Asia on the topic of women in leadership, and I will recommend this book to all my students (even though it is more North American centric than global).

Get the book! Read it carefully! Have an open mind.

[Lori Adams-Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for everyone in the church. Men must read it to understand how to help the church be more inclusive, knowing that God never intended for men to lead alone. Women must read it to understand that there are gifts that God gave them to work shoulder-to-shoulder with men on to bring Good News and work for shalom together in all places and spaces.

[Rob French · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book! I cannot recommend it more highly if you are looking for a biblical, thoughtful and fair approach to looking at a biblical case for women leading and teaching in the church.
In addition to the careful exegesis, this book gives a helpful approach and posture for those wishing to encourage and support women in preaching, teaching and leadership roles.

[Anna Butel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling, gracious, and empathetic. A well-researched, balanced, Scripture-based argument for the inclusion and equality of women in all aspects and “offices” of ministry. Four stars as I felt the author sometimes made conclusory statements without wholly sufficient evidence (perhaps this is just the lawyer in me).

[Judd · Rating 3 out of 5]

An excellent, concise book that does a good job of covering a wide swath of ideas and texts in a short amount of space. Of course that means it does not go as in depth as others. Compassionate and practical.

[Brandon Morrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

Thoughtful, winsome, and well researched on the inclusion and empowerment of women in the church. Those in all theological streams would benefit from reading this.

[Amy Jacobsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will reference this book again for the solid Biblical interpretation of difficult passages and very pragmatic ideas for mutual partnership of men and women.

[Luke Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant in terms of summarising so many different views in one concise, easy to read format!

Not the most in-depth coverage of the topic I’ve read but a wonderful summary of the key points. Highly recommend as part of your reading, when exploring this issue.