[Book Review] Live Anointed: How the Holy Spirit Sanctifies Men & Women to Lead Together by Rev. Katie E. Lance

In Live Anointed: How the Holy Spirit Sanctifies Men & Women to Lead Together, Rev. Katie Lance does a masterful job of weaving biblical concepts with personal anecdotes to present a compelling vision of “kingdom fullness” in which every believer is “filled with the Holy Spirit [and] empowered and equipped to build up the church in any and every way according to the gifting and calling of the Holy Spirit.” Unfortunately, the Church is not yet living in kingdom fullness, largely because of the disparity between men and women deployed in ministry. Lance explores the reasons why this lack of kingdom fullness goes unnoticed; some of the reasons for why Wesleyan/holiness denominations, in particular, have veered so far from kingdom fullness; and what can be done for them to return to that ideal.

Lance’s book is not as much a biblical apologetic for women in ministry as it is a compelling vision of what could be if Wesleyan/holiness denominations would fully embrace the egalitarian leadership ethic which they claim to hold. Moreover, she provides supremely practical steps for aligning ourselves with that ethic. At the same time, she provides insight into the plight of women leaders within movements which support women in ministry on paper only and encouragement for both men and women who would see the status quo changed. Live Anointed is fantastically insightful and helpful for anyone who wishes to see women empowered to preach, teach, and lead. It also offers a compelling vision of what should be, kingdom fullness, for those who are either not convinced that women should preach, teach, and lead, or not presently working to change the male domination of the pulpit.