Category: Facilitation in the faith sector
Subcategory: Training Manuals and materials
Abstract
This Church Manual is a comprehensive guide for promoting gender awareness and leadership development in the Reformed tradition. The manual is a response to the growing concern about the lack of gender balance in church leadership and decision-making processes.
The manual is based on the understanding that all individuals are created in God's image, regardless of gender, and that this understanding has implications for our understanding of leadership, decision-making, and community life. The authors argue that the traditional patriarchal hierarchy has led to a distortion of God's image and a lack of full humanity in many individuals.
The manual is divided into three main sections:
Understanding God's Image: This section explores the biblical and theological foundations for gender equality and challenges traditional patriarchal interpretations.
From Hierarchy to Partnership: This section provides practical guidance and resources for promoting gender awareness and leadership development, including strategies for addressing power imbalances and promoting mutual respect.
Leadership Development: This section offers practical tips and resources for developing leaders from diverse backgrounds, including women and men from marginalized communities.
The manual is designed to be a flexible resource for churches, allowing them to adapt the material to their specific context and needs.