The Untold History Of Women In The Assemblies Of God: Interview With Dr. Joy Qualls

Joshua Lewis sits down with Dr. Joy Qualls—Pentecostal scholar, Assemblies of God minister, and author to explore the history, theology, and lived experience of women in Pentecostal leadership. From early Scandinavian pietist revivals and Azusa Street to modern Assemblies of God policy, they trace how Pentecostal theology of Holy Spirit empowerment collided with institutional respectability, evangelical politics, and unspoken “invisible fences” around women’s roles in church leadership.Along the way, they unpack stories of forgotten Pentecostal heroines like Rachel Sislo, Amanda Benedict, May Eleanor Fry, and Blanch Elizabeth Britton—women who planted churches, prayed in revival, confronted injustice, and literally died on the road preaching the gospel. They also explore how AG policy has officially affirmed women in ministry since 1935, even while local practice has often lagged behind, creating dissonance for called women in Pentecostal churches.This episode will challenge both complementarian and egalitarian assumptions. It raises hard questions about ecclesiology, spiritual gifts vs. church offices, spiritual warfare over calling, and how movements lose their prophetic edge when they chase institutional respectability.This conversation provides historical context, theological categories, and pastoral wisdom for navigating the debate of women in ministry without capitulating to cultural pressure on either side.0:00 – Introduction2:27 – Book overview4:59 – The rhetoric versus reality for women in AG8:39 – Assemblies of God policy13:31 – National leadership changes16:54 – Growth in women’s credentialing and leadership17:00 – Women’s role before Azusa22:19 – Early female leaders36:46 – Institutionalization challenges43:03 – Pendulum swings51:47 – Influence of respectability and evangelical integration57:12 – Recent decades: education, policy, and hope for the future1:03:44 – Final thoughtsABOUT THE GUEST:📖BOOK https://a.co/d/ioTgWmbDr. Qualls is Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Associate Dean in the Division of Communication at Biola UniversitySupport the showABOUT THE REMNANT RADIO: The Remnant Radio exists to equip believers who are hungry for the radical middle of both Word and Spirit. Subscribe for twice-weekly content on theology, church history and the gifts of the Spirit.📧 SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER 📚 COURSES & CONFERENCES 🛒 SHOP MERCH 💝 SUPPORT OUR MINISTRY: • Leave a Tip• Become a Patron• Make a Tax-Deductible Donation  🌐📧 Check Out Our Church PagesJosh's ChurchMiller's ChurchRowntree's Church