When I was looking at the worship life of the American church, I noticed that lament, and something like the book of Lamentations, was absent in so much of our worship life…Why is it that in our typical American churches we don’t want to engage in a very important spiritual practice that we find throughout […]
In Support of the Female Pastor: Practicing Our Theology
I am thankful to have a church heritage that affirms and values women in ministry, women in leadership, and female pastors. Yet, I have been embarrassed that this affirmation is often times more in theory or history than current practice. As I work with congregations across Indiana, I find that some have imported a bias against women in leadership from other tribes. I hear search teams say they are not open to a female pastor.
Women and Church Politics: Living Outside the Bubble
I never thought I would ever write a book about politics! But as my husband (and co-pastor) and I led our congregation through the election season of 2012, we were confronted with the fact that there is no way to NOT be political. We have to live with people and in communities and what happens to those people in our communities, big and small, matters. That’s why we wrote Kings and Presidents: Politics in the Kingdom of God.
Churches have political structures as well. These structures are intended to care for the people and communities living in the Kingdom of God. They ought to look different than the structures of this world. But too often we see the same kinds of power dynamics at work within the church that we see on the campaign trail.
And this is bad news for women in leadership in the church. Advocating for women in ministry has never been more important. Here are my recent reflections on women in church politics:
On Being a Daddy’s Girl
Today we’re sharing some delightful reflections on the impact of fathers by guest author Sarah Schwartz. Happy Father’s Day!
“Throughout my childhood, people asked me, “So you’re a Daddy’s girl, huh?”
I love my Dad with everything in me; he’s my role model, my confidante, my Pops. But the phrase “Daddy’s girl” has always conjured up images in my mind of a girl who has her Dad wrapped around her little finger.
3 Reasons to Be a Feminist
From the editor: We had so many wonderful submissions that we’ve extended our series of personal stories of Christian women who identify as feminists. Up today, a post by Kim Hunt, Communications Manager for The Micah Challenge, a movement of Christians inspired by Scripture to undertake effective advocacy, passionate prayer, and lifestyles of justice to see an end of extreme poverty.
“My adventure to becoming a Feminist was kind of like one of those silly love stories you read where people say they were halfway there before they even knew they had begun. My mum is a Feminist, though she hardly ever uttered the actual word.”
The Anointing of Jesus at Bethany
This week we are pleased to bring you three Easter reflections on women disciples who were an integral part of Jesus’ live and ministry. Like them, may we follow close despite the cost.
The symbolism of his anointing by Mary of Bethany just days before his death was not lost on Jesus. He understood and said her act “will be told in memory of her.” She poured the oil to memorialize him, but he says to remember her. It is significant that a woman serves as the anointing agent. In this moving account of the anointing of Jesus by Mary of Bethany we have the chance to reflect in new ways on this prophetic act.
3 Third World Jesus Feminists You Should Know
Today the average Christian looks like a poor Nigerian woman rather than a European well-educated male as in the past.
In 2050, 72 percent of the world’s Christians will live in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and a sizable share of the remainder will be immigrants from one or more of those continents. [1] Because of this, the Western church must be honest with the reality that Christianity is now a globalized religion, and its Euro-American roots have ceased to be the solely relevant voices.
“Feminist” Is Not a Dirty Word
On Mondays we’re sharing personal stories of Christian women who identify as feminists. We hope that hearing these stories will broaden our understanding of this important social movement and give us a fuller context for our conversations about equality in the Church.
I was having a casual night in with some friends when one of my male friends said something (I can’t remember what), and I responded, “Sexist!”
He responded, “Feminist!” to which I said, “Proudly.”
That was the end of that but our short exchange was oddly similar to two small children hurling insults at each other on the playground.
Why Women Matter: The Church as the Face of God
Though there are probably as many conceptions of “primary issues” for the Church as there are churches, a typical list is easily constructed.
We often think of things like missions, poverty alleviation and discipleship as forefront for the Church. Women in church leadership doesn’t seem like a dire need or a “salvation” issue and so it is often pushed to the side or is presented as “optional” depending on one’s interpretation of Scripture. Caring for the widow and the orphan and carrying the Good News to the ends of the earth are mandated and thus, such things should be our focus, we might think.
But evangelism, social justice, and spiritual formation are all blooms from the same seed: the heart-desire of God for reconciliation all of creation.
We spread the Gospel because God’s love-longing is for all of us.
We strive for justice because it is only when people are at peace in all levels of life that they can find, practice and sustain reconciliation.
We pursue spiritual growth out of desire for closeness with God, which comes as the gift of faith from God.
If the heart of God is yearning for reconciliation, then this should be a central focus of the Church.
One necessary ingredient in reconciliation is the abolition of hierarchy, including gender hierarchy.
Thoughts on an Unsuccessful Job Interview: Jesus Loves Women (and People Who Disagree with Me)
“It says that your area of study is Women’s Literature and Feminist Theory. How is that compatible with teaching at a Christian university?” [Insert answer here.]
Really? You Listened to a Woman?
When my friend Melissa asked the discussion question, I wanted to shrink into the floor. “What do you need to confess?” she said. There was a long silence while we all considered our answer.
A Complementarian View of Justice?
Last week, I attended The Justice Conference that was held here in Los Angeles. I have to say up front that it was incredible. I truly appreciated The Justice Conference for presenting a great line up of speakers who, unlike those at many Christian conferences, didn’t all look exactly the same. The gender, race, and […]
I Didn’t Go to Church Today…
I didn’t go to church today. I didn’t go to church because…my church is still asking “what should women be allowed to do?”
So God Created Man: Battling Gender Microaggressions
“Sam, when you say, ‘May the best man win,’ you imply in a small way that the best person in whatever situation will automatically be a man.” With this gentle instruction, my big sister became the first person to point out a microaggression to me.