Foreword by Ruth Haley Barton Acknowledgments Introduction: God's Intent for Flourishing Partnerships 1. The Together in Ministry Model Part 1—Inner Life 2. Authentic Learner's Posture 3. Shared Theological Conviction of Gender Equality 4. Awareness of Gender Brokenness Part 2—Community Culture 5. Vision for Freely Shared Power 6. Differences for the Sake of Mission 7. Value for Holistic Friendships 8. Corporate Sensitivity to Adverse Gender Dynamics Part 3—Intentional Practices 9. Abundant Communication 10. Contextualized Boundaries 11. Public Affirmation and Modeling Conclusion: Together in Ministry General Index Scripture Index
Women and men are designed to work together in fulfilling God's mission on earth. Yet God's original intent for equal partnership has been so distorted that churches and organizations continually struggle to foster healthy mixed-gender ministry collaboration. Is it even possible to return to the Genesis ideal of co-laborers in today's contexts? Longtime ministry leader Rob Dixon knows it's possible—though it takes intentionality, courage, and wisdom. Based on qualitative field research among ministry practitioners, Together in Ministry offers a prophetic roadmap for individuals and communities as they seek to develop flourishing ministry partnerships for women and men. Organized around the key domains of inner life, community culture, and intentional practices, this model identifies ten key attributes of partnerships that are both personally satisfying and missionally effective. For each attribute Dixon presents research findings and biblical examples, along with benefits, barriers, and practical next steps. With plenty of real-life stories from ministry leaders and reflection questions in each chapter, Together in Ministry casts a compelling—and encouraging—vision for flourishing partnerships and equips teams and individuals with next steps for making that vision a reality.
Rob Dixon (DIS, Fuller Theological Seminary) is an associate regional ministry director with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA and senior fellow for gender partnership with the InterVarsity Institute. He is an adjunct professor at Fresno Pacific University and Fuller Theological Seminary and provides training on flourishing mixed-gender ministry partnerships for numerous organizations around the country.
