The Web of Women's Leadership

Leaders have long realized that hierarchical models of ministry andorganizations have little place in the church. For congregations dedicated to theprinciple that all God's people are called to share equally in mission and ministry, the notion that "some are more equal than others" is absurd. Yet, in spite of thisawareness, churches often default to hierarchical structures of authority andorganization, with decisions and initiatives coming "from the top" and passing down"through the ranks" with, at best, mixed results.

In this bookthe authors propose an alternative model: the web of leadership. Unlike traditionalhierarchical understanding, authority and power in the web are circular andinterdependent. The principle tools of effective ministry are access and dialogue.Where it comes into contact with the world, the web is flexible and resilient; it isable to adapt faithfully to change and engage in new ministries and forms ofoutreach, because it is anchored to and in constant conversation with the center.The source for this understanding of authority and ministry is the tradition ofwomen's leadership in the church.

The Web of Women'sLeadership calls for women in the church leadership to recognize thepotential of female styles of authority and ministry and lay claim to them as a wayto move beyond the hierarchical models that have dominated our understanding of howthe church practices its mission and organizes its life. It offers detailed, practical steps for how to work with laity, other clergy, and congregationalleadership groups to achieve this transformation in the way the church organizesitself for ministry.Read less