Women and Church

Funny, beautiful quote

I am currently reading A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans. I'm a little behind in just getting to it but I'm enjoying it very much. She addresses the issues surrounding women and the Bible with an elegance that I appreciate. She is honest and funny, and it makes me want to have coffee with her.

While there are many serious things that I could and will talk about from this book, I found this quote charming. During her month of Silence, Rachel visited a monastary. On the first day there she had worn heels, which were loud in the hallways (during a silent retreat) and she had accidently left her door open the first night during supper.  She says this about her dreams that first night.

That night I dreamed I'd left my door opened again and that the Virgin Mary herself walked by, surrounded by a hazy white glow. In my dream she turned and smiled, and I noticed she wore a bright red pair of heels that, miracuously, didn't make a sound. (271)

 

This is a very nice post discussing how complementarianism and patriarchy have much in common.

http://rachelheldevans.com/complementarians-patriarchy

10 Reasons Men Shouldn't Be Ordained

Borrowed but awesome!

10. A man’s place is in the army.

9. For men who have children, their duties might distract them from the responsibilities of being a parent.

8. Their physical build indicates that men are more suited to tasks such as chopping down trees and wrestling mountain lions. It would be “unnatural” for them to do other forms of work.

7. Man was created before woman. It is therefore obvious that man was a prototype. Thus, they represent an experiment, rather than the crowning achievement of creation.

6. Men are too emotional to be priests or pastors. This is easily demonstrated by their conduct at football games and watching basketball tournaments.

5. Some men are handsome; they will distract women worshipers.

4. To be ordained pastor is to nurture the congregation. But this is not a traditional male role. Rather, throughout history, women have been considered to be not only more skilled than men at nurturing, but also more frequently attracted to it. This makes them the obvious choice for ordination.

3. Men are overly prone to violence. No really manly man wants to settle disputes by any means other than by fighting about it. Thus, they would be poor role models, as well as being dangerously unstable in positions of leadership.

2. Men can still be involved in church activities, even without being ordained. They can sweep paths, repair the church roof, change the oil in the church vans, and maybe even lead the singing on Father’s Day. By confining themselves to such traditional male roles, they can still be vitally important in the life of the Church.

1. In the New Testament account, the person who betrayed Jesus was a man. Thus, his lack of faith and ensuing punishment stands as a symbol of the subordinated position that all men should take. 

 

In addition, men are well known for their propensity to get directions mixed up. Hate to have a man leading the congregation to the wrong destination.

 

You can see an original post here: http://sarahkennedy33.wordpress.com/2006/11/29/daves-top-10-reasons-why-men-should-not-be-ordained/

Terror at the Beach (repost)

I read this article today and had to share it. This is very startling to me. Here we see an example of Islamic extremism not only oppressing their own women, but affecting the lives of ordinary women that live in the area.

As the growing Dagestani Islamic community in Russia has started to have more power, they have resorted to bombing and threatening women, cafes and restaurants. This isn't a movie or a made up tale. One woman had her leg blown off by a mine planted in a sand volleyball court.They have had to create a private beach that allows women to swim without fear of violence. What was normal is now being forced to be the exception.

In the nearby republic of Chechnya women that are not covered are experiencing increased discrimination and are being forced to cover their hair.

We need to be thinking about how we are to respond to this. How will we help to protect other women? How will we keep the freedoms that we have? What do we believe about who we are as women created by God?

Please take a few moment to read to this important article.

Terror at the Beach

Women's Equality Day

You may not know, but today is Women's Equality Day. This day was created to remind us that on August 26, 1920, women earned the right to vote. Today is a great day to search and learn about great women leaders and to learn about how women have contributed to our lives and culture.

Also today, new statistics were released about women's equality around the world. You can view the entire article here.  The United States ranks 19th out of 134 countries. 

However, one of the things that placed many countries at the bottom of the list were countries that have high populations of oppresive religious practice. It is important that we pay attention to this and question how our religious commitments impact equality.

We have been redeemed to give life and to live whole and complete lives. When we oppress others, we fail to live out the freedom that resurrection brings.

Empowering Women

In addressing the nation on Mideast policy, President Obama reinforced the importance of women's equality.

"What is true for religious minorities is also true when it comes to the rights of women. History shows that countries are more prosperous and peaceful when women are empowered. That is why we will continue to insist that universal rights apply to women as well as men - by focusing assistance on child and maternal health; by helping women to teach, or start a business; by standing up for the right of women to have their voices heard, and to run for office. For the region will never reach its potential when more than half its population is prevented from achieving their potential."

May the freedom that comes through Christ empower us to live as an example and let all people live out whole and complete lives.

Women as Senior Pastors: 2% - 28%

Check out these interesting statistics about women in ministry. "Women seeking positions in mainline Protestant denominations like Episcopal and Presbyterian have seen the doors widen: By 2009, 28 percent of senior pastors in mainline churches were female, according to a survey by U.S. Congregations, a nonprofit research group in Louisville, Ky. But a preference or firm requirement for male pastors persists among conservative churches (mainly evangelical), with fewer than 2 percent of senior positions held by women. "

You can read the whole article here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42207163/ns/us_news-the_new_york_times

Celebrate International Women's Day on March 8, 2011!

 

For more information go to: www.weareequals.org

Patriarchy - What does that word mean?

"Evangelical grammar is the grammar of the scandal of faith, of the last being first and of the worker who turns up late being paid equally--things against reason. Identifying with evangelicalism also made sense of my ongoing interest in the interface between science and theology, an engagement that has kept me rooted in a critical realism somewhat at odds with some forms of liberalism and irrelevant to many in mainline churches. But with all of this I also had the increasing sense that the tradition was marred by a deep patriarchy." (18, Hoggard Creegan and Pohl)

The first time I really encountered the P word was in a debate round. I wish I could tell you which round. Most likely it was some of the gals from Cedarville - they would have loved to complain about this.  I had no idea what Patriarchy was.

I also dealt with it some as a Sociology major but I remember the feeling that while I understood the words people were saying in trying to explain it to me, I still didn't really get what they were talking about. I knew it had something to do with the fact that most cultures were run by men and that only a tiny few were run by women, but I didn't really see what the big deal was. Why did it matter?  So what that men were in charge - that's just the way it is.

As I continued to study and learn, I soon experienced the sword of patriarchy as I responded to my call into ministry. I had never faced such opposition, even in a debate round against the University of Michigan.  But here I was, doing what I thought God wanted, and getting fired at from all sides. Not just people who carried the banner of patriarchy in the church, but also one of my bridesmaids, and the more subtle, but very present patriarchy that exists in the church in quiet ways.

While I won't say that I'm an expert in all of the theory, I can tell you that patriarchy is very real, it is something that you encounter every day, and it is something that shapes your life experience as a women. Men are in control.

Let me be clear. I don't dislike men at all.  I don't think they are evil. I'm married and I have male mentors and male friends. Thankfully, many of those people in my life work at understanding the power that they inherit through gender selection, and try to make the world around them better and more equal.

But there are many men that do not. There are many women that buy into the lie that serving this system is equal to serving God (which it is not). There are many people that put their heads in the sand and don't do anything - which leaves the structure undisturbed and unchallenged.

The reality is that patriarchy will probably not go away in my life time and I understand that. Where I have a real problem with it is in the church; especially in denominations that claim equality and have a heritage of equal service of men and women but fail to live it out in any meaningful way.

• 2% of all pastors being women is not equality.
• The resistance of church boards to even consider women candidates is not equality.
• The unspoken resistance to women leaders - when no real reasons can be given for it - is not equality.
• The failure to engage and learn about the issue is not equality.
• The failure to see that it matters - is not Christian.

If we are really going to live out life in the resurrection, then we have to start thinking about what that means in terms of our personhood and how we address this issue. We have been made new and God desires for us to have an authentic, whole and restored relationship with him.  That means that we are made in his image, as are all humans, and that we can live in the promise of the full restoration as given through the resurrection.

We already have this, and we do not yet have it fully, but one way that we can work toward that restoration is through:

• the acknowledgement that patriarchy exists in our churches.
• the acknowledgement that much of the information that we receive about this issue does not tell us the whole story.
• that there is a long tradition of women and men serving together throughout the ages of the church.
• that if we want to live out the freedom of the resurrection then we have to address this issue.
• that if we want to experience the full healing of God in our lives, then we have to learn how gender enters into that discussion.

Patriarchy is a big word that carries a bigger stick, but it is not the way the world has to be. As we continue on this journey, lets be aware of the structures around us and learn to speak up for those without the power - including standing up women.

Experiences of the Church

Women have many different experiences of the church.

For some the church becomes a second family or the family they never had. The unconditional love, fellowship, and relationship that the church can provide brings life into the existence of single and married women alike. The friendships forged there can be the basis of a lifetime of growth and development.

For others, the church becomes a place to raise a family. The idea of raising a family alone and far from home or simply without family support can be scary. But for many new moms, the church provides a place where they can find the help, support and encouragement they need during the growth and development of their children.

For many women, from all types of situations, the church is a place of service. From more traditional experiences of helping in the kitchen and in potlucks, to the broader applications of visitation and running off-site services; visiting others in the hospital and providing support for those in needs are ways that women interact with the other people around them.

The role of the providing for the needy has often been carried on the backs of women. At the turn of the century this had more to do with women who had time (because they weren't working) and had money from their spouse, to carry out their charitable works. However, over time, women have chosen to continue to serve as empathy and care are often an outflow of other parts of their life experience.

The church is a place of rest. The reality is that the church is and has always been made up of more women than men. While there are many sociological and economic explanations for this phenomenon, Sunday morning for some women means taking a break from the weekly schedule. Finding a space for true Sabbath from the rest of life, no matter how short that may be; it is a time to relax, worship, and fellowship.

The church is also a place for women to lead. From pulpits around the world, to Sunday School classes and choirs, women fill every kind of open space that is available in the church. The diversity of women to fill these roles is growing and the willingness of people to experience this tradition is expanding as well.

For women that choose service in the church as a full time commitment it can be challenging. There are some denominations that are very opposed to women in leadership. However, most churches are open to women's leadership and to allowing the voice of over 50% of there membership to be heard on a regular basis.

The diversity and creativity with which women experience church is a testament to the creative nature of our God; the God that created us is the God who made us to serve each other, lead each other, help each other, and walk with each other through all the journeys of life. May we be so lucky as to experience this in our own church journey.