Evangelicals stand divided in their view of women in the church. On one side stand complementarians, arguing the full worth of women but assigning them to differing roles. On the other side stand egalitarians, arguing that the full worth of women demands their equal treatment and access to leadership roles. Is there a way to mend the breach and build consensus? Sarah Sumner thinks there is. Avoiding the pitfalls of both radical feminism and reactionary conservatism, she traces a new path through the issues--biblical, theological, psychological and practical--to establish and affirm common ground. Arguing that men and women are both equal and distinct, Sumner encourages us to find ways to honor and benefit from the leadership gifts of both. Men and Women in the Church is a book for all who want a fresh and hope-filled look at a persistent problem.
Sarah Sumner, PhD, is dean of A. W. Tozer Theological Seminary in Redding, California. She is also an author and speaker who travels both nationally and internationally to address church congregations and institutions of Christian higher education. In addition, she is a consultant who addresses businesses and nonprofits on the subjects of leadership and organizational health.
Other venues of her involvement include Evangelicals and Catholics Together, a small study group cochaired by Chuck Colson and George Weigel; advisory board work for Leadership Journal and PreachingToday.com; and media spots in productions such as CBS's The Early Show and PAX-TV's Faith under Fire, which was hosted by Lee Strobel.
Dr. Sumner is the first woman to earn a Ph.D. in systematic theology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Her formal training includes a BA in education from Baylor, an MA in theology from Wheaton College, an MDiv equivalent from Trinity, and an MBA from Azusa Pacific University. For nine years Sarah served as a core teaching pastor at New Song Church in San Dimas, California. For almost thirteen years she worked primarily as a faculty member in the Graduate School of Theology at Azusa Pacific University.
In 2007 Dr. Sumner founded Sumner Consulting. (See www.sumnerconsulting.com).
In 2001 she became a licensed pastor. In 1990 she began serving as an aerobics instructor. She teaches Pilates, step aerobics, and boot camp regularly for fun.
Her books include Men and Women in the Church: Building Consensus on Christian Leadership and Leadership above the Line. She and her husband, Jim, coauthored the book Just How Married Do You Want to Be? She has also published articles for magazines such as Christianity Today, Leadership Journal, and Neue Quarterly. She has contributed book chapters and short articles in reference books such as the Dictionary for Christian Spirituality and Dictionary of Everyday Theology and Culture.
Sarah has been married to her dance partner, ministry partner, and life partner Jim Sumner since 1996. Their hope is to become adoptive parents.
