Allies in Ministry: How Men Can Support Women in God's Mission, By Rob Dixon
Allies in Ministry
Paperback
  • Length: 176 pages
  • Dimensions: 6 × 9 in
  • Published: April 21, 2026
  • Imprint: IVP Academic
  • ISBN: 9781514012581
Other Formats:

Walking the Path of Allyship: Men Supporting Women in Ministry

For women and men to thrive equally in ministry, the church needs male allies who are committed to supporting women in their callings. Allies in Ministry provides a practical, research-based pathway for men who desire to support women in ministry but may feel uncertain about how to act or worried about doing the wrong thing.

Building on the foundations of his previous book, Together in Ministry, Rob Dixon presents seven proven steps to becoming an effective ally, grounded in qualitative research, real-life examples, and biblical insights. With action-oriented suggestions, reflection questions in every chapter, and inspirationaltrue stories, Allies in Ministry is a vital resource for helping the church become a community where women can thrive in ministry in equal measure.

In Allies in Ministry, Rob Dixon

  • articulates aunique Christian approach to male allyship;
  • provides a concrete, sequenced process for developing more men into more effective allies to women;
  • draws insight from biblical teaching, real-life examples, and original research; and
  • offers practical guidance to help transform good intentions into meaningful action for both women and men who want to create a culture of male allyship.

By exploring the Christian call to allyship and its role in spiritual formation, this book complements secular resources and fills a gap for ministry leaders. Building a ministry context marked by equal partnership takes intentionality and wisdom. Allies in Ministry points the way forward.

"Allies in Ministry offers a thoughtful, sober reflection and inspired pathway forward for men supporting women. I found myself longing for more of this kind of embodied partnership."Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young, author of Redeemer:God's Lovingkindness in the Book of Ruth
"I admire how Rob Dixon's work integrates Scriptural foundations with contemporary evidence. It is an honest conversation that prioritizes unity and hopeful possibility rather than casting judgment. Rob writes with an appropriate balance of tenderness and firm conviction, providing space for reflection and application. This book is a win for the kingdom, and the church will benefit when individuals read this book and implement the truths that are unpacked about God's original intent for women and men in ministry and the unique opportunity men are given to serve as allies to women."Carla Working, director of clergy care and development for The Wesleyan Church
"Rob Dixon has done it again with this mission critical, biblically grounded, and accessible guide to fostering equitable, hospitable environments where women and men can lead together, freely and fully. His seven-step pathway and stages of allyship meet men wherever they are on the journey, offering practical, Spirit-led steps that can be readily adapted to diverse ministry contexts. Rob's call to deeper partnership, accountability, and authentic transformation is both invitational and challenging—an essential resource for catalyzing liberating, Christlike change in the church today."Liz Testa, director of equity-based hospitality and women's transformation and leadership for the Reformed Church in America
"How can Christian men elevate and honor women, coming alongside them as egalitarian collaborators for a gender-inclusive church and society? Look no further than Rob Dixon's powerful Allies in Ministry. Dixon leverages evidence from Scripture and his own in-depth qualitative interviews with ministerial leaders to show men the pathway to stronger leadership, humble allyship, and Christlike partnership with women in the ministry."Brad Johnson and David Smith, coauthors of Good Guys: How Men Can Be Better Allies for Women in the Workplace
"Rob Dixon is a champion for women in leadership, and he has written another practical resource for churches and leaders. Every faith community should read and use this book."Heather Matthews, author of Confronting Sexism in the Church
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Read an Excerpt

CONTENTS

Introduction

1. Starting Position
2. Disruptive Encounter with the Notion of Male Privilege
3. Response to Disruption
4. Initial Attempts at Allyship
5. Pushback Experience
6. Continued Investment
7. Habitual Allyship
8. A Call to Action

Acknowledgments
Index
Scripture Index

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Author photo of Rob Dixon

Rob Dixon (DIS, Fuller Theological Seminary) is the author of Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships and the coauthor with his wife, Amy, of the picture book Penny Preaches. In addition to serving on InterVarsity Christian Fellowship staff for almost thirty years, he teaches at Fuller Theological Seminary and Fresno Pacific University.