She says out loud what many are fearful to say

SHE NEEDS:
Women Flourishing in the church
By Nay Dawson
IVP. 100 pages. £8.00
ISBN 978 1 789 744 521

Honestly, I was put off by the title. I was expecting an emotional ‘me-centric’ womanly tale of woe! Rebuke to self!

Instead, Nay Dawson, founder of evangelistic ministry Passion for Evangelism, boldly provides a perspective on what it feels like to be a ‘gifted’ woman in a context of passively embedded patriarchy. While this is not comfortable, and undoubtedly contentious, it is worthy of engagement as there are many women, though not all, for whom these things resonate. She says out loud what many are fearful to say.

Dawson draws on secular research and anecdotal Christian examples, but primarily cites Jesus as the One who faultlessly facilitates flourishing in women. Jesus is repeatedly shown to be both the one who meets our needs and is the example to follow. This Jesus-centricity shines and is the clear antidote to the inherent failings of His church.

However, the failings are addressed. Dawson does this in six pithy chapters around ‘she needs’: she doesn’t feel good enough to serve in your church; she needs help failing; she needs help speaking; she needs brothers; she needs you to stop fudging the issue; she needs you to fix the leaky pipe.

What becomes clear throughout the book is the sheer complexity of the differences between men and women and the challenge of embracing these differences without compromising equality which hinders flourishing. Dawson puts her finger on some poignant problems and offers some Jesus-like remedies.

The bar Dawson sets is a high one – Jesus. This is commendable and right. Nevertheless, I am left feeling burdened for the under-shepherds who lead our churches. And, for those women involved in the endless plethora of invisible acts of service, who are treated dismissively when compared to their ‘leading/teaching’ counterparts.

Wherever you sit on the complementarian-egalitarian spectrum – there are valuable insights and lessons to learn. It is short enough to read in a two-hour sitting. For the sake of the women in their lives, I commend this to men, not least those who lead churches. For women, this is a no-brainer!

See also Peter Baker's review: Speaking up for women