Do I Stay or Do I Leave? A Dilemma for Women in the Church
Earlier this year we shared a guest post titled "Why I'm at a Church That Doesn't Support Gender Equality". The post led to…
The Burden of the Exceptional Female Pastor
There is a phrase that continues to be repeated by those in leadership when asked how local churches might be encouraged to be…
No Words: A Lament for Women
When I was looking at the worship life of the American church, I noticed that lament, and something like the book of Lamentations,…
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…
On Being a Female Chaplain in the Military
I just spent six weeks with a group of 21 other Air Force chaplains. All 21 were male. I’m a female chaplain in…
For Brown Girls Who Considered Leaving the Church When the Sexism was Too Much
A lot of Black women occupy pews in churches that privilege maleness, and even teach and uphold certain cultural norms from an ancient…
We Need You, Brothers
I used to work for a church that went through the tedious process of changing the church bylaws to allow for the full…
Mentoring in the Church: Apollo had Priscilla, Phoebe had Paul
Empowered by higher education and the willingness of thinking people to judge others on their merits rather than their plumbing, more women are…
10 Ways Men Can Fight Sexism
Are you a man who is discontent with just believing women should be treated fairly? Are you ready to do something? Here are…
Midwifing the Church
I’ve found that metaphors for leadership and church planting over the last few decades have arisen dominantly out of male narratives. Much of…
I Don’t Believe in Men in Ministry
There’s a curious little story in the book of Acts about a man who wanted to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit.…
“No Representation & No Invitation”: To Be Asked the Question
She was lovely, a school teacher for impressionable third-graders, and every bit as gracious as you would hope for the person caring for…
Confusing “Equality” with “Sameness”: A Complementarian Misconception
Time after time, I’ve read complementarian literature that seems to misunderstand what is meant by biblical equality for women and men. The heart…
They Say the Church is “Too Feminine”
The claim that the Church is "too feminine" has come around again recently, from both the Evangelical and Catholic camps, and it makes…
5 Reasons Not to Use Gender-Based Jokes in the Pulpit
Recently, a friend mentioned his pastor's habit of occasionally peppering his sermons with gender-based jokes. You know what I mean, the quips about…