If you’re a women’s ministry leader looking for books to help with your role, you won’t find many about women’s ministry specifically. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t helpful resources for you. I asked experienced women’s ministry leaders and Bible teachers to send me the title of one book they think every women’s ministry leader should have on her bookshelf—and nobody sent only one.
I’ve organized the books by category and summarized their thoughts about why each resource is helpful. Here are their recommendations.
Leading, Teaching, and Training
Empowered and Equipped: Bible Exposition for Women Who Teach the Scriptures by Julia B. Higgins
This is one of the most well-organized, helpful books to encourage and support women as Bible teachers. It’s an excellent resource for training other women, as well as a book to reference time and again to improve your own teaching.
Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership: Seeking God in the Crucible of Ministry by Ruth Haley Barton
Leadership is both beautiful and hard, and as we minister to others, our souls sometimes become spiritually malnourished. Barton helps leaders do the slow and deep work of regaining their vision for ministry and sustaining their life-giving connection with God.
Developing Female Leaders: Navigate the Minefields and Release the Potential of Women in Your Church by Kadi Cole
This book is written for male leaders, but women in ministry are served by Cole’s principles and insights into developing female leaders. Even if your church leadership hasn’t read it, you can use her principles in your ministry among women to deploy, equip, and train women to lead other women in the church.
A Short Guide to Women’s Ministry by Nora Allison
The day-to-day work of women’s ministry often leaves us longing for practical help. Allison gets into the details of women’s ministry, offering advice for everything from how to help women grow in their gifts to how to redirect a rabbit trail in Bible study.
Word-Filled Women’s Ministry: Loving and Serving the Church edited by Gloria Furman and Kathleen B. Nielson
If we’re not careful, women’s ministry can become all about women. But this book helps us see that while biblical women’s ministry is for women, it’s about God. This is a great resource for those looking to establish or refocus a women’s ministry around God’s Word.
While biblical women’s ministry is for women, it’s about God.
Discipleship and Care
Deep Discipleship: How the Church Can Make Whole Disciples of Jesus by J. T. English
We know we’re called to make disciples, but we’re not always sure what that looks like. English helps ministry leaders know both why discipleship is important and how to equip the saints for the work of discipleship ministry.
Growing Together: Taking Mentoring Beyond Small Talk and Prayer Requests by Melissa Kruger
While English’s book helps us understand the why and how of discipleship, Kruger’s equips women to do the work of discipleship. It’s written for women to work through together in a discipleship context.
One-to One-Bible Reading: A Simple Guide for Every Christian by David Helm
Reading the Bible one-on-one is a tried and true way to facilitate discipleship relationships. Women’s ministry leaders recommend Helm’s book as a guide for implementing this approach with your women.
The One Year Book of Hope: A 365-Day Devotional with Daily Scripture Readings and Uplifting Reflections That Encourage, Comfort, and Restore Joy by Nancy Guthrie
One women’s ministry director keeps a couple copies of this book on her shelf at all times (along with Guthrie’s Be Still, My Soul and O Love That Will Not Let Me Go) to hand out to women facing suffering. The devotional length is accessible for someone in the midst of grief, and wisdom, care, and kindness flow from Guthrie’s writing.
A Still and Quiet Mind: Twelve Strategies for Changing Unwanted Thoughts by Esther Smith
As struggles with anxiety become more common, this book is a valuable resource to equip leaders to help women in their congregations and to give to women who might benefit from Smith’s strategies.
Doctrine and Theology
50 Core Truths of the Christian Faith: A Guide to Understanding and Teaching Theology by Gregg R. Allison
An experienced Bible teacher said this is one of her most used resources for teaching the Bible and answering questions about theology. Allison covers many of our faith’s core doctrines with clarity and accessibility. Each chapter provides a short explanation of a doctrine, a list of key Scriptures, a teaching outline, descriptions of potential errors, and resources for additional learning.
By Design: God’s Distinctive Calling for Women by Susan Hunt
While this book is worth it for every chapter, one women’s ministry leader particularly recommends the chapter titled “Defenders of Women.” Hunt shows how necessary and vital women are in ministering to women in the church and serving alongside elders who shepherd the church.
You Are a Theologian: An Invitation to Know and Love God Well by Jen Wilkin and J. T. English
Wilkin and English’s book offers an approachable way to study theology and doctrine that leaders will appreciate for their own study and can also use to teach and equip women in their churches.
None Like Him: 10 Ways God Is Different from Us (and Why That’s a Good Thing) by Jen Wilkin
Focused on God’s incommunicable attributes, this book offers another approachable way for women to study theology. And it can be a great encouragement to leaders. The leader who recommended this book explained, “Every women’s ministry leader needs the reminder: You’re not God. I found this book to be a beautiful reminder that while I’m limited, finite, and unable to change situations, we serve a God who is infinite, all-powerful, and ever present.”
The Gospel Coalition