My bookshelves are filled with books about women; their experiences, their stories, their struggles and their ideologies. Many of these books are not “Christian” and have titles that would make your pastor cringe. Needless to say, eyebrows are often raised and great discussions are started as people glance over and see what I read.

In my office, Betty Friedan sits beside Elizabeth Elliot, and Julia Kristeva and Germaine Greer are as accessible as Beth Moore. And I am totally comfortablewith that.

I think there is truth in all of these books. They are filled with the accounts of how women make sense of their world. Evenif we come to different conclusions, the thoughts expressed are validand important.

I grew up hearing about the evils of these women and the danger of
listening to their ideas. But honestly, I don't think the people who shouted the loudest had ever even read these authors. I doubt that they ever heard their cries; to be heard, to be understood and to be validated by a culture that marginalized them. When did they listen...really listen to their struggles and show compassion? What a freaking missed opportunity!

My heart swells when I think of these women and it is full of desire to really hear their truth. The church should be running to their injustice and pain. But where women's issues are concerned, we cower in fear hoping none of their evil ideas will rub off and stain us.

We must not think our God is very big.

I am highly interested in what women are saying, because I am interested in reaching them. Like Paul, I believe we must exhaust whatever means necessary to allow the good news to resonate with our culture. I am convinced that to work within our culture and not be a stumbling block to women coming to the faith, we have to get out of the stone-age with regard to the discourse about women. The Church has missed the mark by painting a distorted picture of God that includes a narrow view of women and femininity and crafted a story with little room for smart, strong, capable women. These portrayals are neither winsome, nor compelling and have served to further marginalize the church and alienate women. I see little intelligent discourse within our walls that includes and engages them.

I know this is not true for everyone. I have a great privilege to workalongside men and women for whom this is not an issue; where my presence doesn't threaten anyone and where my leadership and opinions are valued and encouraged. But I know I am fortunate. I have spent the last several years thinking through the issues of Christianity and gender at some length. While not abandoning my fundamental beliefs, they have certainly broadened and brought a
shifting of my identity.

Why is the church the last place that this is an issue? Granted, sexism and inequality still exist outside the church walls, where practices and attitudes are playing catchup to ideology. But much of the world has already figured this thing out.

So, back to the bookshelf. Do these authors intimidate you? Why or why not?

Also...
Have you been afraid of talking bout this issue out loud?
Why do we need to have this discussion?
What does the word feminist mean to you? What picture are we (church) presenting of womanhood?