Later today I'll put up a new post, but my friend, Ryan, sent me this link and I think it's really interesting and important. Where are all the female communicators in the church?
I have some theories I'll share tomorrow, but I'd love to hear your thoughts today...
oh my goodness! SO i am have not gotten past the first paragraph of this link, but am excited to!!!
ReplyDeleteas soon as i hopped on over here to Speakopolis i thought to myself "hmmmm i should tell my friend Bianca about this nifty little blog Bo has got going on" And then i thought, "well maybe i should tell Bo about her, being that they are my two main inspirations!"
and looky there, i open a link you post on here and there is my dear sweet (never met in real life) friend Bianca Juarez!
Where are all the female communicators in the church?
in my opinion,they are in the church. Silent. Unheard. Under appreciated. Scared. But mostly, silent.
So often it is common thought that a woman's place in the church is not behind the mic or the pulpit, but rather in a rocking chair or playing legos. Neither of these tasks are bad, wrong or out of order, however i feel there is a certain stigma about woman preaching. Even in church/denominations that encourage women in leadership.
I think it has a lot to do with the common, age old thought that as leaked and sifted down through the generations that women "cannot" (or are not allowed to) pastor, therefore they "cannot" preach, therefore they cannot communicate in the church.
And so they sit in Silence. Many, i believe with a desire to be heard, a story to tell and a calling to be lived. Yes, not all are called to preach or teach or speak, but i do think there is a vast number of women in the church whose calling and voice has been squashed or silenced because of bad perspective, thought or teaching.
So many of the women I know are simply observing. They are silent rather than taking the risk of rocking the boat or taking the risk of being misperceived. And who can we turn to with our questions, doubts, and fears? Women speaking from the pulpit to a mixed group is such a hot topic that the moment it's brought up defenses rise and passionate opinions come spewing out. In the heat of the moment not many helpful or comforting words follow. Arguing in the heat of the moment brings hash words and extreme statements In turn leaving the vast majority of women sitting silent and scared. Everyone has a story, some are incredibly gifted in sharing that story but have no opportunity.
ReplyDeleteSome of my female heroes are found on the mission field abroad leading hundreds and thousands to Christ including Amy Carmichael, Mary Slessor, and Lillian Trasher. These women didn't listen to the voices telling them that they weren't qualified, capable, or simply that they would fail. God remained faithful to them and produced much fruit out of their faithfulness to speak to whomever would listen.
Oh my, I love your new blog.
ReplyDeleteAnd I've spent more time than I really can spare poring over the thoughts this brings up.(I'm sure that will keep happening!)
I wrote a long comment but decided not to post it and I guess that's exactly what has happened to most of the woman communicators in the church.
I think most of them have had a really brutal wrestling match with Paul and his "I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." The ones who overcame the insecurities left from that piece of scripture went on to face an even crueler wrestling match with the trusted leaders in their lives who informed them that their desires to preach and teach came out of power-hungry arrogance, rebelliousness and (personal favorite) a Jezebel spirit....yes I've been called all of these to my face by Godly men whom I admired at the time.
Among the ones who are still standing after that, (and not many are left standing, voice intact) only a tiny fraction are ever given even small opportunities to practice their craft, and as you know, practice is everything.
Where are all the female communicators in the church? They took jobs teaching and selling real estate and working for local non-profits because the church doesn't want their voice and those places do.