"Blessed art thou, O God, for not making me a Gentile, slave, or woman." (Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Menachot)
According to The Barna Group, a recent survey of 603 "Christian" women over the age of 18 revealed that:
81% of the women polled, say that their church provides women with the same degree of leadership opportunities as Jesus would.
While I respect much of the work of The Barna Group, they have come under scrutiny and criticism regarding this particular survey methodology. Let me try to paint by number here to give an accurate picture of women in Protestant Churches in the US.
According to research by The Barna Group, there are up to 13 million more Christian women than Christian men in the United States.
Citing women as the "spiritual heavyweights," the Barna Group found they were:
57 percent more likely to attend an adult Sunday school class.
56 percent more likely to hold a leadership position. (not senior pastors)
54 percent more likely to join a small group.
57 percent more likely to attend an adult Sunday school class.
56 percent more likely to hold a leadership position. (not senior pastors)
54 percent more likely to join a small group.
70-80% of the Christian book market are...you guessed it...women (according to Michael Hyatt, Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers)
Now, compare that picture to the fact that, less than 5% of Senior Pastorate positions in Protestant churches are held by women. ("Why Men Hate Going To Church" by David Murrow)
So, to summarize, while women make up more than 50% of church volunteer staffs and Christian education students and more than 70% of the Christian book market, less than 5% of Senior Pastorate positions are held by women.
What's wrong with this picture? (aside from the fact that the survey methodology was biased) It does not fit the Scriptural example painted by Christ throughout his ministry. It does not match the New Testament picture of the Early Church (even given the fact that the culture at that time was horribly oppressive with regards to women).
Jesus came for one purpose: to reconcile lost humanity with a loving creator. He didn't do it the way the religious elite thought he should. Every single interaction he had with a woman ascribed value and communicated empowerment in a culture where women were constantly devalued and kept in subservience. His purpose was not to be a revolutionary, however his life revolutionized the world. Perhaps its time to color outside the lines. Perhaps it's time to paint a different picture.
If a movement of change is to take place it's not going to be led by men. The white race did not initiate equal rights for blacks, it began when courageous black people stood up and demanded their God-given rights. And so it must be for women if change is ever to take place.
ReplyDeleteYou ask what's wrong with this picture? The pews of most churches are filled with a majority of women, women who voted in their male pastors and male deacons. Until they speak up, withhold their vote, question the nominees, the picture will remain the same. And what if women speak up? At first they must be prepared to be escorted out by the men they voted in.
While Barna has received rightful criticism for its methodology, it is irresponsible to misrepresent the statistics they do report. After citing Barna that less than 5% of Senior Pastorates are held by women, you later assert that less than 5% of women are serving in pastoral positions. There are many pastoral positions that are not Senior Pastorates. Further, you commit a category error when you confuse the percentage of women who do something with the percentage of some role filled by women. One hundred percent of mothers are women, but not all women are mothers. The two statements are about different things entirely. You have some legitimate concerns, but you need to be more careful in presenting your arguments.
ReplyDeleteKen, thanks for the correction and let me make one for your comment as well: the statistic regarding the less than 5% of Senior Pastorates being held by women is not from Barna but from a book by David Murrow (which I reference in the blog). As for the category error, I stand corrected and have edited the phrasing to more accurately represent the statistic, so thanks for pointing that out! This was not an intentional misrepresentation on my part so I hope you'll forgive my "irresponsibility" Guess just a lesson for both of us that proofreading is a painstaking but important part of writing!
ReplyDeleteI'm on your side, and intended to be helpful. I have seen a lot of talented. God-gifted women whose contributions to the Kingdom of God will be noted in eternity, but could have been greater with more opportunities presented to them here. I am married to one!
ReplyDeleteLol! Glad you are on my side! Your comment was helpful! My phrasing of the statistical research, while an unintentional oversight, was totally inaccurate so I'm thrilled you caught it! Yes, you certainly are "married to one!" You should each start blogging!! All the best!
ReplyDeleteGreat comments Angel. You are echoing the words of Martin Luther King, who said: "We know through painful experience that freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."
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