Together in Ministry - by Rob Dixon (Paperback)

About the Book

Is it possible for churches and organizations to foster healthy mixed-gender ministry collaboration? Longtime ministry leader Rob Dixon casts a compelling--and encouraging--vision for flourishing partnerships between women and men. With research findings, biblical examples, real-life stories, and practical next steps, this roadmap equips teams and individuals with next steps for making that vision a reality.

Book Synopsis

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.

Review Quotes

"Together in Ministry is a transformational primer for faith communities seeking to do the life-giving, reconciling work to reclaim God's original intentions for humankind. From the minute our team learned about Dr. Rob Dixon's flourishing model, we knew it was the tool we were looking for! From start to finish, Together in Ministry offers real praxis learning--that beautiful blend of theory and practice--to help equip congregations to create healthy ministry environments where everyone's gifts can be welcomed and nurtured. Rob's accessible, engaging process invites communities to usher in a vision of God's reign here on earth as brothers and sisters serve freely and fully together."

--Elizabeth Testa, coordinator for Women's Transformation and Leadership, and Equity-Based Hospitality, Reformed Church in America

"Beautifully written, biblically incisive, and culturally astute, Together in Ministry traces human flourishing in mutual male and female partnerships. Weaving wisdom from colleagues, researchers, and thought leaders, Rob Dixon exposes systemic barriers and offers a road map unleashing the power of mixed-gender leadership. Together in Ministry is balm to the church's soul."

--Mimi Haddad, president of CBE International

"Deeply biblical and rigorously practical, Together in Ministry gives ministries the tools needed tools to benefit from God's design for healthy partnerships between women and men. The book challenged me to embrace the intentional practices Rob Dixon lays out and to foster the kind of culture that helps partnerships thrive."

--Tom Lin, president, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA

"The Christian ministry context is long overdue for healthy, practical models of women and men in ministry partnership. In Together in Ministry, Rob Dixon presents a timely and invaluable training model for forming mixed-gender partnerships that are both personally satisfying and missionally effective. Let this straightforward, honest, and pragmatic book be your guide for building flourishing relationships in your ministry!"

--Lisa Rodriguez-Watson, national director, Missio Alliance

About the Author

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.