Customer Reviews

Becoming Colleagues: Women and Men Serving Together in Faith

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This book is about power sharing between men and women in ministry, where the man is in the lead position.

The stuff is okay. As I read it I kept thinking,"Okay, I know that, I've heard it before. I've been reminded of this in committees and contexts where I work with women." I'm not done reading the book. I keep hoping I will see something new that I can bring to this partnership I'm in.

I haven't checked all the references she makes. A random look tells me that some are from the early 90's. That means the work on the references was late 80's. Well, that about checks out with her information and the the style in which it's presented.

It's sorta put forth as groundbreaking . . . and it's not. My female partner sees value in it, and we will complete the book. But we are quite past much of what Becker calls us to do and be.

Many books have captured that fascinating differences between genders, but Carol Becker goes further and deeper. She explores the dynamics of mixed-gender teams, a little understood but frequently practiced work configuration in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors. Becker's sensitivity to the many subtleties of inter-gender communication and her insightful understanding of the barriers to leadership for women are invaluable learnings to organizations in both sectors. The book was stocked with living examples and helpful suggestions, elements that heightened its relevancy and readabililty. I appreciated her primary target, that being nonprofit, mission-driven organizations; however, readers will quickly sense the transferability of her findings and recommendations to corporate America.

The book is good! Readable. But, better than that, it gives hope to women and men who work together and want to work together better.

Becker interviewed numerous 'mixed-gender' teams in ministry and then juxtaposed their stories against 'Nine Criteria'. The 'Criteria' may seem common sense but they are not. The case studies, observations and text are informative, provocative and instructional to women and men in ministry but hopefully also to the world at large.

Becker's Criteria gave me a quick snapshot of what mutual ministry can approach but also its hazards and challenges. I highly recommend this book.