Creating Cultures of Belonging: Cultivating Organizations Where Women and Men Thrive

by Beth Birmingham, Eeva Sallinen Simard, Myal Greene (Foreword)

With increasing interest from donors and board members to see faith-based, missional organizations reflect the diversity of God's kingdom, these organizations desire to have women in positions of leadership. However, this proves difficult when the organizational culture is one that silences and even penalizes the unique giftings that women bring to the table. Many organizations still lack the ability to embody a new culture–what Beth Birmingham and Eeva Simard call a belonging culture . Such a culture is one where all employees are secure and recognized, where leaders seek productivity and connectivity, and where the organization is committed to supporting a diverse community of employees. Creating Cultures of Belonging offers solutions for leadership teams, board members, and managers that reshape organizational culture in ways that invite and celebrate gender equity. With practical steps to enhance mentorship opportunities, human resources practices, and management tactics, Beth and Eeva point a way forward by identifying the changes that need to be made to create a belonging culture.

Genres: Leadership, Gender

192 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2022

Reviews

[Lori Neff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a helpful resource for leaders on a vital topic. I believe many have good intentions to have cultures that exhibit equality, but often don't really know HOW. The authors have given us a way forward for lasting and thriving organizations that honor women and men working together.

[Beth Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

At times I wanted a little more practical information but the testimonials, research, and advice in this book make it a must read for anyone in ministry leadership today. If you are a director, CEO, or a board member, you need to read this book.

[Catarina Cardones · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who spent most of their childhood in the church, it was nice to read and be told that I am valuable and a part of God's work when it feels like I have been told the opposite by the church. Being given scripture that specifically points to how and why women are a vital part of society and aren't just caregivers was wonderful. It gives me something to go back to when I feel beaten down. A great read that everyone in the church community should read.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Birmingham ad Simard make a compelling case for delving more deeply into our we shape our organizational cultures. The Belonging Culture Framework is fantastic, well developed, and makes sense. It had deep applicability as a general framework for any organizational culture that seeks to develop a community of Kingdom-minded believers out to partner with God in His work of redemption.

There are a couple problematic areas that I could see along the way, with some stereotypes that I do not agree to be true wholistically anymore. However, I believe each reader should identify those for themselves and wrestle with them.

Those disagreements aside, this was a great read. Any organizational leader, whether within their focus of missional organizations or not, would do well to give this a read and wrestle with their own theological perspectives on complementarianism vs. egalitarianism. Our workplace communities deserve our efforts.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting with both the theological and the statistical reasons to create organizations where women, too, can thrive, these authors write from their experiences in missionary organizations to explain the practical steps required to change organizational culture. They recognize the ways that racial disparities are intertwined with gender disparities, as well. Although written specifically with missionary organizations in mind, the book is eminently applicable to any church or denomination.

It's honestly the best thing I've read yet as far as practical how to's because it recognizes the myriad pitfalls and doesn't reduce the plans to a 10-step process.

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF at 18%. Perhaps I didn’t give it long enough, but the first few chapters were super repetitive and focused more affirming the reality and validity of patriarchal experiences in leadership and offering anecdotal stories of those experiences than practical strategies to break through and dismantle the structures that create and maintain the dichotomy between men’s and women’s roles in leadership.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars Some thought-provoking content and several helpful ideas for taking steps towards growth. I thought a number of points were poorly supported and there was an overall negative perspective despite progress that has been made. I listened to the book, so it’s possible that there were footnotes or citations that would have provided more of the details I feel I missed.

[Rebecca Sneller · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the top two best books I’ve read this year! It’s compelling, well researched, organized, and practical. I highly recommend it to anyone working in a Christian organization (including churches).

[Scott McClure · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent resources for churches, workplaces, and missional organizations to learn how to cultivate environments where all team members thrive and lead within the fullness of their gifting and abilities.

[Cara Meredith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely had some highlighted parts, even if it’s not a terribly applicable subject to me right now.

[Timothy Hoiland · Rating 5 out of 5]

The authors have worked within a number of faith-based institutions. They know what it’s like to be part of a healthy, life-giving organizational culture. And they have enough life experience to see the warning signs when something’s not right. They want organizations to do better work, and to be better places to work.

Significantly, the authors ground this “love letter to faith-based organizations” in theology, in data, and in their own personal experiences.

more at timhoiland.com