Book review by Hilde Margrethe Sæbø Fjeldstad

It was with a greatful heart I read this book sponsored by the
AD2000 Women’s Track, the Lausanne Women’s Network and World Evangelical
Fellowship Women’s Comission. It is a very important book because it
makes visible the valuable heritage of many historical, female mentors
whose stories may inspire us to take risks for God. It is a joyful book
because it celebrates living, active women in the 90’s whose obedience
to our Lord and Saviour has opened up great ministries promoting his
kingdom. It is a colorful book because it represents all six continents,
and very different personalities and ways of serving the Lord.

Lynn Smith, vice-president of student affairs at Ontario Bible
College and Seminary is conscious about the importance of her role as a
model for both male and female students. "…the model of a woman
who is not angry at men, nor unhappy about being a woman, nor
unfulfilled as a woman is something badly needed in our culture",
she says. "Women as Risk-takers for God" tells us the story of
many such women.

The stories, such as the one about Ms. Pan Ramabai from India gives
valuable insights into other cultures’ view of women. Insights which put
the Bible and our own struggles in perspective, and represents a much
needed corrective to Western feminists embracing New Religious Movements
with Hindu and Bhuddist roots.

Many women will find the book’s practical suggestions to help them
"unwrap, assemble and begin to use their gifts" helpful. I
appreciate the admonition to "look for every opportunity available
to minister in and through the church". The author has observed
that most of the women represented in the book are leading ministries
outside their denomination or local church. Obviously, many women do not
find a leadership role within their own church.

However, some of the formulations in the book seem to be placed
there to secure the support of those who cannot accept women in
leadership in the church. A statement like; "if your husband
opposes your ministry, I doubt it is from God" (p. 211,7), is at
its best unsubstantiated, and no doubt an oversimplification.

"Women as Risk-takers for God" recommends a model which
moves the questions about the theology of women from the continuum of
authority, command, power, mastery, reign and rule into the sphere of
encouragement, nurturing and community. Using again the words of Lynn
Smith: "Instead of a power-based model, we have a gift-based model
in which authority is not ‘over’ but ‘on behalf of’. Equality is not
maintained by one giving up power to another, but is an inherent value
of the community."

If the advice given to men in this book really were read by many key
Christian leaders, the daring hope with which this book concludes may
have a chance to come through; the synergism of male-female partnership
may well be the greatest redemptive force this world has seen since
Pentecost.

My conclusion is: We need more books like this! A "Women as
Risk-takers for God II" will reveal many more significant stories
of women throughout history yet to be popularized. Furthermore, the
author probably has several other stories of unique women from other
geographical areas and other kinds of ministries well worth publicity.

Lorry Lutz: Women as Risk-takers for God can be ordered from:
Paternoster Press, PO Box 300, Kingston Broadway, Carlisle Cumbria CA3
0QS Tel: +1 44 1228 512512 Fax: +1 44 1228 514949 email:
100

Also distributed through Baker Book House in the United States.