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Dr. Lois Olena: AGTS faculty, alumni contribute to recently published textbook

Published on Dec 5, 2016 by Mallory Johnson

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Volume 21 of the Global Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies Series, Women in Pentecostal and Charismatic Ministry: Informing a Dialogue on Gender, Church, and Ministry, was released on Nov. 17 featuring participation by seven faculty and alumni from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and Evangel University.

Dr. Lois Olena, AGTS faculty and Doctor of Ministry alumna, served as a co-editor of the volume, along with Dr. Margaret English de Alminana, associate professor of theology at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Fla.

“In 2013 at the annual Society for Pentecostal Studies meeting, Dr. William Kay, co-editor of the GPCS series, invited me to serve as co-editor of a volume devoted to women in Pentecostal ministry,” Olena said.

2016-12.05 AGTS Dr. Olena cover
“Women in Pentecostal and Charismatic Ministry,” co-edited by Dr. Lois Olena, associate professor of practical theology and Jewish studies; DMin project coordinator at AGTS. // ART BY: Steven Félix-Jäger (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

The book is divided into 4 parts: Biblical and Historical Roots, Historical Exemplars, Global Exemplars and Distinctive Concerns of Female Leadership and Ministry.

“The process of dialogue, not only with the volume’s contributors but with the ‘global exemplars’ of the past, through the volume’s research, has enriched my life personally, spiritually, and academically and offers a means of strengthening the future of the Pentecostal movement,” said Olena.

About the book

The Global Pentecostal and Charismatic Studies series as a whole focuses on large cultural zones so as to display contextual influences upon the Pentecostal and charismatic movements and on broad cross-cultural themes.

The volumes within the series treat different themes within the Pentecostal-Charismatic movements with a combination of historical, social scientific, and theological approaches. Volume 21 offers a variety of responses to the opportunities and limitations that women have experienced in their commitment to religious service.

Women in Pentecostal and Charismatic Ministry: Informing a Dialogue on Gender, Church, and Ministry introduces the way the Pentecostal/charismatic movement has been shaped by and has shaped women from its beginning.

“The variety of responses presented in the book to the question of how women have both influenced and been influenced by the Pentecostal/charismatic movement despite various limitations placed upon them provides for readers important voices too often missing from the conversation,” Olena said.

Of the 15 chapters, four are authored by AGTS or Evangel-related scholars:

  • “The Holy Spirit and Hospitality: Pentecostal Empowerment for Building Relationships with the World’s 800 Million Muslim Women,” by Dr. Lois E. Olena (’06)
  • “Merchandised Women: Priceless, Called, and Empowered,” by Dr. Beth Grant (’80)
  • “Women as Assemblies of God Church Planters: Cultural Analysis and Strategy Formation,” by Loralie Robinson Crabtree (’14) and Dr. Joy E.A. Qualls (EU faculty 2007-2015).
  • “Living a Theology of Co-Gender Ministry,” by Dr. Stephanie L. Nance (’09 & ’13) and Dr. Ava K. Oleson (’11)

In addition, Dr. Barbara Cavaness Parks (’75), former AGTS adjunct, served as a contributor to the appendix.

For more information contact Dr. Olena at lolena@agts.edu

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