A Woman Called: Piecing Together the Ministry Puzzle

The call to ministry is profound and life-changing, one that women are often forbidden to answer. In this sensitive and moving memoir Sara Barton speaks openly and vulnerably about how the conflict has played out in her life.

In many churches today, Christians assume that women are excluded from the public role of preaching--yet women like Sara Barton experience a call to preach, forcing congregations and individuals to confront a complicated rethinking of tradition and theology. For many, the issues that surface are fraught with hopes and fears--hope of what could be in a church that embraces women's voices in the pulpit and throughout leadership; and fear of violating God-ordained order and losing a sacred commitment to Scripture. Other books have addressed the theological arguments in this important debate, and while those works are significant, they tend to be removed from the day-to-day realities involved.

Feeling an inner call to preach as a young girl, Sara found herself perplexed because of her community's strong teachings about the role of women in the church. She has been seeking her way ever since--still convinced she is supposed to preach, still confused by the censure that brings in her religious community, and unwilling to reject that community in return. Sara's story is one of being pulled apart and yet deeply committed. Anyone touched by this issue should take her voice seriously.