Books for Women in Youth Ministry
My recommendations for those making sense of the experience
Over the past several years, I’ve wondered a lot about what makes the experience of being a woman in youth ministry unique. For a long time, I couldn’t find many people or places that had many answers, as much as I could find other women who seemed to have the same questions and face the same challenges I faced.
Along the way, I’ve come across a number of books that have helped shape my thinking about the experience of being a woman in ministry, in the church, and in the workplace, which I have been able to contextualize to youth ministry specifically. I want to pass along a list of these books, in hopes that it may help you as well.
As a disclaimer/FYI, some of these books are written from a particular theological perspective on women’s roles in ministry, while others are written with the intent of serving those on both sides of that issue. Even outside of that particular issue, I don’t expect anyone to agree with everything in these books (I don’t). In fact, it’d be impossible to, because they disagree with each other in multiple places. However, I found helpful insights in each one.
Christian Books
Developing Female Leaders: Navigate the Minefields and Release the Potential of Women in Your Church by Kadi Cole
Called to Cultivate: A Gospel Vision for Women and Work by Chelsea Patterson Sobolik
Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships by Rob Dixon
Co-Laborers, Co-Heirs: A Family Conversation edited by Brittany Smith and Doug Serven
Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women by Elyse Fitzpatrick and Eric Schumacher
Women in God’s Mission: Accepting the Invitation to Serve and Lead by Mary T. Lederleitner
Growing Women in Ministry: Seven Aspects of Leadership Development by Anna R. Morgan
Secular Books
The Tending Instinct: Women, Men, and the Biology of our Relationships by Shelley E. Taylor
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg
The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance — What Women Should Know by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman
Likeable Badass: How Women Get the Success They Deserve by Alison Fragale
I will continue to make additions to this list as I come across more books.
For now, I’d love to hear:
What books have helped you?
Are there any other books I should add to my to-read list?