John, thanks for this very good question, which I hope many will take up. "Given our theological non-negotiables (whatever they may be), how can we ensure that we otherwise maximize the ability of women to lead, shape, and engage with our culture, norms, and values?"
John, thanks for engaging this topic. It's so important and I appreciate the perspective you offer. There are countless examples of how evangelicalism has failed women -- probably more than we'll ever know. And we have so few examples of a better way: of churches and evangelical organizations honoring and respecting women and helping us to flourish within those "illiberal gender norms." I'm thankful to have found myself in a church that does that well, but I continue to lament that this is the exception, not the rule.
Have you read Michelle Lee-Barnewell's book 'Neither Complimentarian nor Egalitarian'? I think she offers a helpful way of reframing the gender and leadership conversation.
I really appreciate your efforts to address this issue. God has certainly blessed women with spiritual gifts and these gifts have been used to bless the Church. I also appreciate that differences exist in our understanding of the role of offices in the Church. Healthy and humble discussions are much needed.
I am very interested in the history, though, of using the term "illiberal" in such discussions. Labels have a huge impact on the ability to dialogue; prolife or antiabortion, for example. This article was the first time I can remember seeing illiberal being used to describe what often have been referred to as traditional practices or viewpoints. The Webster Dictionary definition of illiberal is a little troubling. Is it the best term to use in these discussions?
il·lib·er·al
adjective
1. opposed to liberal principles; restricting freedom of thought or behavior.
It's already within biblical norms to allow older women to teach younger women. I don't mean that that's all women can do, but that *only* women should be teaching younger women. Therefore, there's not only a venue but an exclusive venue for those women teachers. Another example of how to maximize the conceptual framework of women leading is to remember that caring for the home is more liberating than is suggested by the old vehemence against misogynists of another generation who required wives to mainly do housework and cook. Remember Proverbs 31, which is highly freeing for and a strong picture of the righteous woman, who is seen doing business among other things. Don't these examples begin to balance rightly segmented gender roles instead of only having an all-man, no-woman mentality?
American evangelicalism is failing believers and unbelievers, regardless of gender, ethnicity, language, from the 22 millionaires to the 37 million living below the poverty line. Why? The American Church in which I've pastured at every level of leadership and executive director on behalf of four marketplace ministries sees itself as an organization versus an organism. The only way the Church can remain a viable alternative to the rule of flesh is by the Holy Spirit's filling in any singer's heart.
John, thanks for this very good question, which I hope many will take up. "Given our theological non-negotiables (whatever they may be), how can we ensure that we otherwise maximize the ability of women to lead, shape, and engage with our culture, norms, and values?"
John, thanks for engaging this topic. It's so important and I appreciate the perspective you offer. There are countless examples of how evangelicalism has failed women -- probably more than we'll ever know. And we have so few examples of a better way: of churches and evangelical organizations honoring and respecting women and helping us to flourish within those "illiberal gender norms." I'm thankful to have found myself in a church that does that well, but I continue to lament that this is the exception, not the rule.
Have you read Michelle Lee-Barnewell's book 'Neither Complimentarian nor Egalitarian'? I think she offers a helpful way of reframing the gender and leadership conversation.
I really appreciate your efforts to address this issue. God has certainly blessed women with spiritual gifts and these gifts have been used to bless the Church. I also appreciate that differences exist in our understanding of the role of offices in the Church. Healthy and humble discussions are much needed.
I am very interested in the history, though, of using the term "illiberal" in such discussions. Labels have a huge impact on the ability to dialogue; prolife or antiabortion, for example. This article was the first time I can remember seeing illiberal being used to describe what often have been referred to as traditional practices or viewpoints. The Webster Dictionary definition of illiberal is a little troubling. Is it the best term to use in these discussions?
il·lib·er·al
adjective
1. opposed to liberal principles; restricting freedom of thought or behavior.
Similar: intolerant, narrow-minded, unenlightened, puritanical, fundamentalist
It's already within biblical norms to allow older women to teach younger women. I don't mean that that's all women can do, but that *only* women should be teaching younger women. Therefore, there's not only a venue but an exclusive venue for those women teachers. Another example of how to maximize the conceptual framework of women leading is to remember that caring for the home is more liberating than is suggested by the old vehemence against misogynists of another generation who required wives to mainly do housework and cook. Remember Proverbs 31, which is highly freeing for and a strong picture of the righteous woman, who is seen doing business among other things. Don't these examples begin to balance rightly segmented gender roles instead of only having an all-man, no-woman mentality?
American evangelicalism is failing believers and unbelievers, regardless of gender, ethnicity, language, from the 22 millionaires to the 37 million living below the poverty line. Why? The American Church in which I've pastured at every level of leadership and executive director on behalf of four marketplace ministries sees itself as an organization versus an organism. The only way the Church can remain a viable alternative to the rule of flesh is by the Holy Spirit's filling in any singer's heart.