Book Review- Unladylike: Resisting the Injustice of Inequality in the Church
Talking about gender issues in Church typically gets one of two responses: either it is declared a “secondary issue” that is a matter of personal opinion and interpretation, or the very idea of “women in ministry” is viewed as a threat to the underlying fabric of the Christian faith. Both of these responses are wrong. after reading Pam Hogeweide‘s first book, Unladylike: Resisting the Injustice of Inequality in the Church, I am convinced that the place women occupy in our churches is a deep issue of justice and not (primarily) a doctrinal issue. I appreciate that Pam shares her story with passion. It is the story of a journey from an egalitarianism to polite complementary and finally to a place of advocating for equality in word and deed. Through her story, Pam begins to discuss topics like women in church leadership, the way we view girls/women in the church, patriarchy, and over all our idea of what it means to be created as man and woman in the image of God.
Honestly, this book has given me much to think about… and I think that’s the point. Women do deserve to have a voice along side their brothers. If we are going to see that happen in our Churches today, we have to think, talk, and act deeply about these complex issues. While it may not be a quick fix or an easy “new fad”, it is a reformation that is happening in hearts and minds. Don’t read this as a feminist book; read it as a call to equality in Christ for everyone who shares the Imago Dei.
What would you invest in?
Would you invest time, resources, money, etc… into someone who might become a church planter?
What if we helped identify peoples gifts, trained them to use them in a local context, mentored them, gave them a laptop full of resources and ideas… all before they they were ready to “launch” a new church plant? Like years before. Like so far in advance, they may not even be sure they want to be a missional Church planter…
What if we (prayerfully, as local communities, with the support of a larger network of congregations) chose to invest in every way in the gifting/calling/work of God in someone’s life, rather than a single project (Church plant).
at the death of Bin Laden
A few links from around the internet today regarding the news of Osama Bin Laden’s death:
Jenni Clayville wrote out a few thoughts here: Bin Laden’s Death.
My good friend Brandon wrote this piece: Grieving for Bin Laden: Why the Death of the Terrorist is a Cosmic Tragedy.
Schmutzie (schmutzie.com) posted this a few hours ago:
The Gospel Coalition has a piece up on why rejoicing might be appropriate: Grieving, Rejoicing that Osama bin Laden is Dead. Good read.
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All of these people are expressing much of what is on my heart regarding the news of Bin Laden’s death. While we rejoice for justice, we must not celebrate the death of a fellow human being. I am in no way trying to argue that Bin Laden didn’t deserve an appropriate response for his actions. I am not suggesting that anyone is wrong for feeling relief that he is no longer a threat.
As a Jesus follower, as someone who is learning to truly love, I can’t find it appropriate at all to celebrate in any death, no matter how great the evil of the person who has committed those acts is. Rejoicing in the defeat of an evil is one thing; rejoicing in the death of a human being is another.
I weep that all is not well… yet. And yes, part of me mourns for the person who has died, even though I praise God that justice against evil has been served.
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Father, Husband, Theological Dreamer, Web Designer, Photographer, Coffee Chugger... It's kind of like listening to a cross between guerrilla radio and a street corner prophet with a bad case of tourettes.
