Jen Wilkin on Women in the Church

What does it say about the state of the evangelical church that 83 percent of women’s ministry leaders are not compensated? That’s the question that Russell Moore and Jen Wilkin, an author and Bible teacher, pose at the beginning of their conversation on this episode. Wilkin, who spent most of her years leading women’s ministry in a volunteer capacity, talks about how the fifth commandment to honor our parents prompted her to grow more curious about how the church treats its mothers. 

Wilkin and Moore discuss how churches can better value women as leaders, staff members, and congregants. They consider the challenge of being one of the only women on a church leadership team as well as the pros and cons of single-gender ministries. Wilkin and Moore explore the importance of encouraging biblical literacy and teaching theology within the local church. And they consider what it means that, as Wilkin says, “all theology is autobiography.”

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

You Are a Theologian, An Invitation to Know and Love God Well by Jen Wilkin and J.T. English

“Honor Thy Church Mothers—with Wages” by Jen Wilkin

Lifeway Women Academy

To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond by Katie J. McCoy PhD

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“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today 

 Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper 

 Host: Russell Moore 

 Producer: Ashley Hales 

 Associate Producers: Abby Perry and McKenzie Hill

 Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens 

 Audio engineering by Dan Phelps 

 Video producer: Abby Egan 

 Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton

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