What did God mean when He declared over the first man and woman: “Let them rule”? I invite you to join me on a journey – a quest to discover God’s original intent for His daughters and sons.
- Have men and women been designed by God to co-labor in shared ministry?
- Or has He assigned them gender-exclusive roles and responsibilities?
- Does the Bible clearly indicate that women and men can lead together?
- Or do the scriptures forbid women from even considering such positions?
Side by Side describes my personal expedition to discover God’s heart on the issue of men and women in ministry – an issue that will not go away anytime soon. Ignoring it or deploring it will not bring resolve – only further hurt and division.
Could the collaborative leadership of women and men in the church be an answer to Jesus’ prayer for us to be one? Though uniquely diverse, we are part of the same spiritual family. Can we tangibly love one another with the same love? Can we truly serve side by side in the same army, standing together in the same battle against the same enemy whom we will overcome with the same power that raised Jesus from the dead?
Let’s spend some time prayerfully processing this – together!
Table of Contents:
Foreword by Cindy Jacobs
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: In the Beginning
Chapter 2: Disharmony, Disunity, and the Fall of Humanity
Chapter 3: Old Testament Glimpses of the Restoration of God’s Original Intent
Chapter 4: The High Cost of Compromise
Chapter 5: Jesus the Revolutionary Restorer
Chapter 6: Pioneering Partnerships
Chapter 7: Declaration of Interdependence
Chapter 8: 1 Timothy 2:11-15 in Context
Chapter 9: What About Those Other Verses?
Chapter 10: A Tale of Two Women
Chapter 11: Their Stories
Chapter 12: Our Story
Chapter 13: Your Story
Chapter 14: Final Words
Endnotes
About the Author:
Dave Hess and his wife, Sheri, have been best friends and partners in ministry for over 40 years. Together, they have preached, pastored, taught, and led in a variety of ministry settings. Currently, they serve with the leadership team of Christ Community Church in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Their family includes three children and their spouses, plus four grandchildren, and a spoiled rescue dog named Hayley.
