Free Newsletters

on Kyria.com

« Live from Synergy 2009--Day 3 | Main | When Women Cling »

March 10, 2009

Emerging into Leadership

by by Julie Clawson

Over and over again in my conversations with women in the emerging church movement, I hear the story of women awakening to themselves. They realize that as women they too are created in the image of God and so in theory can serve their creator faithfully in whatever way they are called. Intellectually, they understand this. They want to engage theology, attend conferences, interact online, and visit discussion groups. They want to have a say in the direction of the emerging conversation and lend their particular understandings to shape the movement. They see in this emerging moment in time an opportunity for them to be fully alive as women, to grow their faith in new ways, and to be truly respected in the church. But at the same time they have difficulty actually doing those things.

The problem isn't so much women being told that they can't participate or lead, although there are churches in the emerging movement that still set limits on women, for the most part women are fully affirmed. The men in the conversations wish there were more women contributing their voices and stepping up into leadership. But while such stepping up might seem perfectly natural to these men, I've encountered numerous women who feel they just can't do that. Even if they believe they can be leaders, the message that the church and their culture has imparted to them over the years is that nice Christian women just don't do things like that. They don't assert themselves. They don't impose themselves on others. They don't show up where they haven't been invited. They don't make a scene.

So in the very open source emerging network this creates a problem. Women are affirmed, but with no one to officially invite them into the conversation, many women just don't join in. This of course creates a cycle where, because women don't see other women in the conversation, they assume that not only are they not invited they are not welcome in that world. So some women reject the movement in anger and others resign themselves to remaining on the outside simply wishing things could be different.

As a woman engaged with the emerging conversation, I hope to hear more women's voices represented there. But I do understand the psychological constraints many women face. I don't believe that they simply need to get over who they are and step up anyway. I think men and women need to work together, mutually making sacrifices, to ensure that the conversation is a welcoming place for all. Men should take the time to extend invitations to women. They shouldn't just assume that if women aren't showing up to the conversation that they don't want to be there. Taking the time to make room for women, going out of their way to extend invitations, and showing a willingness to learn from women are just the sorts of encouragements that many women need. But women too need to stretch themselves - not to lose themselves, but to examine what baggage is weighing them down and holding them back. Women can help each other leave behind such constraints and develop into the people we long to be. We can encourage each other and affirm to those who need the reminder that Christian women can be strong, engaging, and dynamic while exploring theology and stepping into leadership.

As much as those of us in the emerging conversation value natural and organic development, I think we all need a reminder that some things, like having women's voices heard, take deliberate planning. We must be aware of the needs of women who are struggling to overcome years of messages that convinced them not to step up. Including these women isn't something that will just happen, it will take work. Constant awareness, intentional invitations, repeated encouragement, and the courage to take risks. But these women are worth it. We will all benefit from adding their voice to the conversation.

Share thisshare this

Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on March 10, 2009 12:42 PM

Comments

Great post, Julie. I think we women have to remind ourselves (and each other) that we're not being selfish when we want to be included. The church is the people of God--all people. When we hold back (or are held back by others) the church loses out. Women need to lead, to share their God-given insights, to use their gifts, because the church--in which there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, etc.--needs those things. If we stay silent, then we are not "one" in Jesus, we are "half."

Posted By: Keri Wyatt Kent | March 10, 2009 2:44 PM

This is a wonderful post and articulates well what I've been thinking for some time now. I understand those women who complain that women aren't represented well enough in the emerging church, but I also believe that we as women need to step up and have the courage to insert ourselves into the conversation. Like you say, though, after years of being told our voices are not valuable, it's not easy to truly believe they are. Even though I've been in leadership for years now, I still find myself doubting my own value now and then. There's still a little voice inside me that reminds me what it felt like to only be allowed to be vice president in my Bible College student council (the position of president was reserved for a man).

Posted By: Heather Plett | March 11, 2009 9:15 AM

At long last being a Woman is not something to hold us back, and Yes we are created in God`s image, and he gives us experience to equip us for the future, many women do not have the courage to step out of the boat, because of not understanding, that God created Man, and Woman. in his own image, the same is said that man/woman creates God in their own image..we need each other we were not created to be alone..

If we can be carers, mothers, sisters etc, WE ALL have something of value to contribute in our Fathers name, keep listening to that still silent voicexx

I belong to two diffferent churches, one is my spiritual home and the other is more of a community, both are rewarding experiences, God knows I am not willing to take a back seat, The day of the Lord is coming and we have to prepare people for the rapture, what will happen to those left behind?

We women are worthy, and thank God for our sisterhood :) God bless all of youxxx

Posted By: Helen | March 11, 2009 4:47 PM

One thing that is seriously lacking for women is mentorship. This is where women would flourish,especially in places that are just beginning to break through. In ministry I searched for mentors for 5 years straight, but the men weren't willing to do it and there were no women outside of childrens ministry. I've had to change my whole career because of it but I still could use the guidance.
I think women won't speak out if they don't feel some kind of legitimacy and credibility. We need more women to build the foundation, for other women to grow on.

Posted By: april ibarra | March 12, 2009 10:09 AM

Also, the women who don't have the hang-ups about stepping up, leading, and participating should encourage and invite other women! That would help a lot, I think.

Posted By: Robyn | March 12, 2009 11:46 AM

Very good thoughts Julie!

I sometimes wonder about a system in which the loudest, most assertive voices are the ones that get heard, while those unwilling to engage in self-promotion are overlooked.

You make a good point about women remaining unsure of themselves and needing to grow in assertiveness. But I'm not sure that needing an invitation is always such a bad thing. I think that the whole 'conversation' will grow when more of us - particularly those whose voices are already being heard - become inviters rather than self-promoters. I appreciate you Julie, both for your many contributions to the conversation, and for your many invitations to others.

Posted By: Karlene | March 12, 2009 12:10 PM

I am the pastor of a small United Methodist Church. It has been a long road to get to this point after being told for years that the voice and presence I was discerning wasn't God "because He doesn't speak to women that way." In Christ we are all one, Paul tells us.

The church I serve is very conservative and I am their first woman pastor ever (in about 150 years). Yet, there is a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit blowing here. Is it because of my gender? NO. It is because God is using all of us here to accomplish his tasks to expand the borders of His Kingdom.

We must let petty jealousies, a sense of competition and the divisiveness of pride fall under the equalizing and empowering love of Christ. And then we must get to work being His hands and feet in the world.

Thanks, Julie for such a great and honest article.

Posted By: Kelli Sorg | March 13, 2009 7:33 AM

Hi, Julie,
Well said! I noticed some requests for mentors in the comments. I'm in my late 60s and have been in leadership for (seems like) EVER. Can I mentor someone?

Posted By: Pamela Urfer | March 13, 2009 11:28 AM

Thanks for an honest article, Julie. You hit the nail on the head! We do need to be invited by the men. Because when we are not, if we do assert ourselves, we get interpreted as being bitches in some instances, pushing our way in. i have also noticed on blogs, often when women interact, the men do not interact back. Let's hope this is a wake up call to all men involved in the Emergent/emerging conversation!

i was tired of complaining as a woman who is queer and a part of this conversation so that's why i found my voice, FINALLY, and started Queermergent. i have been embraced and now await my invitations to speak at events.

www.queermergent.com

Thanks Again for your wonderful voice!

Warm Regards,

Existential Punk

Posted By: Existential Punk | March 13, 2009 1:50 PM

How about - actually and really extending full equality to women, both inside and outside the church?

Posted By: Sam | March 13, 2009 5:01 PM

Thank you so much, Julie, for articulating so clearly what I have been feeling. Do you believe a time when women are actively invited will come any time soon?

Posted By: Sue | March 13, 2009 7:10 PM

I have becomse increasingly aware that I take on a different "persona" at church with the men then my regular "persona" at my workplace. At work I do my job , hopefully modeling Christ-like behaviour , but not afraid of judgement if I lead . At church I have to be very cognizant not to be too smart or too quick or appear to be self assured if the menfolk are present . It's tough .. but I have done it to myself. With this new self awareness I am going to be more authentic at church and have one "persona" It is time .

Posted By: Rita | March 14, 2009 12:22 AM

Thank you so much for this article, Julie. Well said, my dear girl. I find that the males generally speaking, put women down, and have the kind of mentality that they were born just to reproduce. I am an Evangelist, who have pastored, and continue to preach the Word of God, minister to men and women. No one can keep a leader down whether man or woman. A leader is always in front. Men may not acknowledge the fact, but who does the anointing and the calling anyway? God anoints the spirit of a human whom He has called. He speaks through the spirit-man; In other words, God gets the message out through not a man or woman's body, but He communicates throught the spirit of the human whom He has called to Leadership. As the Bible states that the spirit of humankind is the candle of the Lord. We as women must not allow the Old Testament culture to control our thoughts. We must know who we are. We are who God thinks of us, and to Him we belong, and as Leaders, we receive a mandate from Him. Too many women accept at times false teachings by some in our pulpits, and believe and receive, what they are told by the controllers. Manipulation sad to say is practiced in some of our churches, where only men are invited a place of leadership. Are we to follow mere men or are we to follow the Lord Jesus Christ? Women need to step up to the plate, and not allow ourselves to be put down. We need to take our stand. In Christ, there is no male or female. God says in His word and I quote "Let them have dominion over the earth" Genesis 1: 28. He did not say "Let him". We are the weaker sex, not spiritually, but physically. We are affected by our belief system. We must not believe "lies" that originate from the enemy of our souls. Abigail

Posted By: Abigail Taylor | March 14, 2009 2:59 PM

Your article is very insightful, Julie. It sounds like you have had experiences that were surprising and left you feeling confused. Join the club! I have felt at times like there is an invisible veil around me. I know who I am and what I know but receiving respect enough to "sit at the table" in equality in the church is a chore. We'll keep working towards the goal of not noticing WHO is at the table but listening intently on what is being said.

Posted By: Pam Anderson | March 16, 2009 9:55 PM

I wrestle with where I fit in the church. I have an advanced degree, teach at two universities, serve on a board of directors, have negotiated three union contracts, and lead in many other areas. But there is no place for my leadership skills in the church. Maybe I shouldn't look for that in the church. I am happy to make cookies and serve on committees. But the secular world has plenty of opportunities for strong women like myself, where I am expected to act as an equal to men and my counsel is sought and heeded on divisive issues that impact my community. But in the church little is expected of me and so it gets little in return.

Posted By: Laura | March 20, 2009 9:42 AM

A well articulated article Julie.

What a long time to come to the place we are now as women. Even so, I think that we need to not think of ourselves as women in the work of the Church. It is my opinion that in a marriage, in the world at large, in all places where my gender is a factor, I function as a female; but in the Church, according to Paul, we have no gender, either the males or the females. As I see it, our only barrier, whatever the gender,is the opinion of the leadership. Male or female, if the leadership does not recognize the gift resident in the individual, nothing is going to be set free for the gift to operate. So, I look for places, churches, that do allow my gifting to operate. I have come to an understanding with myself that if I am not permitted to work the work assigned by the Holy Spirit to me, I won't be long in your fellowship. I really do not consider that statement to be one of arrogance; rather, I consider my attitude to be that I have only one life and the longest of them is short, so I want to work as much and as hard and as long as I can to do the work the Lord wants done. I am after all responsible to the Lord for me and for making the most of the talents He has entrusted to me as is possible.

One other note I'd like to interject is that too often we think that we are only serving the Lord IF it is in the Church. I think that is a fallicious idea. There are hospitals, jails, nursing homes, civic organizations, etc. that need our gift to operate with them as well. Wherever we carry the love of the Lord for people and make their lives a brighter and lighter existence, we are ministers. This is true even in the work place where we hold standards, order, justice,and encouragement for employees. The Lord is also concerned about the work place. I think of Nehemiah as a shining example of Godly workplace oversight.

Posted By: Ramona | March 24, 2009 9:17 AM

I have been working in the field of politics for more than ten years now (and continue to do so as I paid my way through seminary). On my first church placement I was horrified to realise that the discrimination that women face in the church was worse than in politics itself. Even worse, I realised that, before going to seminary, no one had really told me that as a woman there were things that I was 'unable' to do and it took my involvement in church to realise that there were some who would regularly verbalise their opposition to my calling.

That said, I am not part of the emerging church. However, many leaders within my denomination would consider themselves progressive and they would also consider their ministries as mirroring the EC.

It has taken me a long time to feel comfortable with my calling and I am one of many women who bought into the lies that have been whispered (and sometimes shouted) to me over the past couple of years - lies that nearly saw me walking away from my calling. Needless to say, I am now clinging onto it and I don't plan on letting go!

Posted By: Wanida | May 11, 2009 6:35 PM

Post a comment:





Verification (needed to reduce spam):

Tags

resources