Women’s Place in Baptist Life

Carolyn D. Blevins. Brentwood, Tenn.: Baptist History and Heritage Society, 2002. 47 pages (paperback). Call 1-800-966-2278.

This highly interesting and important book shows readers that women have been active participants in Baptist churches from the establishment of the first Baptist church in Amsterdam almost 400 years ago. In fact Blevins writes, “In early Baptist life, women outnumbered men in some churches three to one.”

Women have served as Sunday School teachers, mission study leaders, Vacation Bible School teachers, choir leaders and fellowship organizers. Some of those same women have been ministers, deacons and committee chairpersons and pastors. Basically, Blevins explores the biblical understanding and the historical roles of women in Baptist life.

The author is associate professor of religion at Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City, Tenn.