Published by Baker Publishing Group, Baker Books on January 21, 2025
Genres: Non-Fiction, Christian Life, Leadership, Social Justice
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If the past few years have taught us anything, it's that by and large the church has failed women. From sexual abuse scandals involving high-profile pastors, to decades-long systemic cover-ups of sexual harassment and mistreatment, to harmful theology that has driven women to leave the church and find community elsewhere, it's clear that something is broken. If we want to fix it, it's time we start listening.
Drawing on new, firsthand research and in-depth interviews, Safe Church allows women to voice the pain they have suffered at the hands of insecure leaders who were often unaware of how their words, actions, and attitudes were harming their sisters in Christ. With practical advice on how to create more equity and less sexism and abuse in the church, this honest look at how misogyny masquerades as biblical truth is a vital resource for pastors, church leaders, and anyone who wants to make a meaningful difference in their own Christian community.
Former pastor and licensed therapist Dr. Andrew J. Bauman conducted research about women’s experiences in the church, and this book unpacks his findings and explores topics related to sexism and abuse. Bauman outlines the problem, explains why it is important to listen to women’s stories and take their experiences seriously, and reflects on the women’s subjugation throughout history, and how Jesus treated women in contrast.
After that, Bauman addresses some Scripture passages that churches often misuse in ways that hurt and sideline women, and he addresses common teachings that enable abuse in church environments and marriages. He then shares more stories from women who participated in his research survey and interviews, and shares some reflections for other men who recognize how they’ve been part of the problem and want to help. At the end, he shares some practical tips for how churches can cultivate safer communities, but this chapter is very brief and basic, covering obvious things like running background checks on volunteers.
This is more of a “why” book, and it’s not much of a “how to” book. In addition to this, the “why” mainly preaches to the choir. The author doesn’t make much of an effort to persuade anyone who is on the fence, or who has different beliefs and convictions. This book would be stronger, for example, if the author had relied more on Scripture to support his points, instead of using so many politically correct social arguments for things. Also, Bauman regularly paints people with a broad brush, as if everyone with complementarian beliefs is characterized by the worst, most negative problems he’s encountered in his research. His sweeping generalizations and occasionally harsh tone are likely to alienate readers who share his sincere concern for women, but who do not share all of his same convictions.
Safe Church: How to Guard against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities is a well-researched, thoughtful book that addresses a variety of issues affecting women in the church. Bauman shows sincere concern for these problems, and reflects on ways that churches can better support women in everyday life, and in the midst of marriage struggles and other personal crises. However, because of this book’s tone and limited use of Scripture to defend debatable points, this is best for people who already share the whole package of the author’s ideology and convictions.