Theological and Practical Ministry Training for Women in Complementarian Higher Education: A Mixed Methods Study

Abstract

This explanatory sequential mixed methods study reviews the programs and academic courses for women at complementarian schools of Christian higher education. The literature review historically unfolds the egalitarian and complementarian debate. Choosing the complementarian path, I advocate theological or practical ministry training for complementarian women, and review other recent research pertinent to this field.

The initial quantitative phase utilizes content analysis from catalogs on institutional websites. In a second qualitative phase, twelve purposively selected directors were interviewed at exemplar complementarian schools such as Cedarville University, Covenant Seminary, Dallas Theological Seminary, The Master’s University, Midwestern Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, Reformed Seminary, Southern Seminary, Southeastern Seminary, Southwestern Seminary, and Westminster Seminary. The analysis includes quantitative and qualitative data revealing consistency and variation among these institutions in order to provide insight and example for other institutions and educators in Christian higher education.