As implied by the title,
Hold Up Her Hands examines the role of women in ministry, emphasizing their leadership and spiritual contributions within religious communities. As the phrase suggests, this book encourages support, recognition, and collaboration with women as they embark on their ministerial journeys, often confronting challenges such as gender bias, societal expectations, and limited opportunities.
This book exposes readers to ideas, concepts, and scriptures that provide various examples and principles supporting women in ministry and their roles in church leadership. Readers will encounter insights from both the Old and New Testaments. The text presents strong and compelling evidence that supports and affirms the spiritual equality of all believers, regardless of gender.
In
Hold Up Her Hands, readers are introduced to several women leaders and their undeniable power, strength, and effectiveness in ministerial roles throughout history. This book features women ministry leaders such as Deborah, the prophetess and judge who led Israel, providing both spiritual and civic leadership; Phoebe, the deacon and benefactor of the church whom Paul the apostle recognized for her leadership and ministry work; Priscilla, who, along with her husband Aquila, taught Apollos-an eloquent speaker-demonstrating her role in teaching and ministry; and Junia, whom Paul mentions as "outstanding among the apostles," affirming the significance of her ministry in the early church.
After reading these pages, the reader will gain a new perspective and understanding of what scripture says about women in ministry and recognize that God shows no partiality, bias, or prejudice toward female ministers. It will become undeniably clear to the reader that Jesus consistently broke social norms by engaging with women and that the words of the apostle Paul have often been taken out of context, misinterpreted, and even distorted for malicious intent.
In
Hold Up Her Hands, readers discover a biblical foundation for women's leadership in ministry and the reality that God calls and equips individuals for His purposes without regard to gender, as proclaimed in Joel 2:28-29 and Acts 2:17-18. These passages affirm that God's Spirit is poured out on both men and women, enabling them to prophesy and serve in ministry.
