Together: Reclaiming Co-Leadership in Marriage by tim+anne evans

What a great time Bill and I have had discussing this book! The Evans' premise is that God created marriage in the Garden in Genesis 2--pre-fall; advocating that we should enter into our marriages as He first intended it, as co-leaders. For so many years I have struggled as I observed the way our conservative churches have treated women: help in the nursery, teach children, serve in the kitchen, play the piano -- but don't be a "strong" leader or too outspoken as that is the men's roles. This book gave me a longing and a framework to understand that perhaps God has something more in mind for women. It gives me a theology to understand and accept women's leadership roles in the church-- as board members, teachers and even pastors. My background still makes me cautious about a full fledged Senior Pastor, but I am willing to be open! Another great concept is IOTL - Inquire of the Lord. My teaching and how Bill and i handled this in our marriage was to talk/discuss/share and determine decisions together --if we could not come to an agreement, the man---who is the "cover" and spiritual leader over me, would make the final call. Tim and Anne suggest that a married couple should continue to IOTL until they both have a green light - true co-leadership. They also review and refute many of the passages of Scripture that have been used to support the male hierarchy position of marriage, and discuss how God has uniquely gifted women in many different ways that have been stifled in the church, and yet used in work and para church organizations. Because Bill is a servant-leader, who has modeled well how to truly love and respect me in our marriage -- it makes me realize that he is much like Jesus' example in how he treated and uplifted women, which in turn makes me wonder where the church got the idea of women as subordinate to men. This book is a good challenge to study and learn more; but in the meantime, I am excited about being involved in a ministry that views women in a different way than how I have been trained.