How do Christian women stand it?

Question

I honestly feel for you. I went to a church tonight with my family- a church full of nice people, and the women seemed to be happy.

But it was openly sexist- giving positions of authority only to men. I looked at all the women and thought- "they all believe that it's okay that men are allowed to be in charge at church and they are not".

I honestly wanted to cry. Don't you feel limited by your gender in the church? Are you like the ladies I saw tonight who were okay with it? If so, why?

Answer 1

You raise a good point. Alas, all three of the great western religions (Christianity, Islam and Judaism) are wildly mysogynistic. The Bible if full of anti-women propaganda. I've never understood women Christians anymore than I undestand gay Republicans or Black Mormons.

Answer 2

This is not true of every church. You hit on the key word, though. The women were "happy". The man is to be the leader of the family and in the church, but since this is not happening, the women are having to assume the roles. Jesus said that in the last days, His sons & daughters would have visions, dream dreams. I am blessed that I can speak, teach, preach, sing freely in our congregation. But, like I said, the women you saw were happy and that is a good thing.

Answer 3

The last church my father was vicar for was rather sexist when he arrived, since then four women have started training to become vicars, 2/3 of the Parochial Church Council are female, including the treasurer.

My attitude and my father's attitude is that if God calls women to ministry they should be allowed to follow that calling, as for women in positions of authority, choose the people who have the time, commitment and competency to fill those roles.

I often feel that many women are prioritising their family or job, which I have no objection to, or simply don't want the responsibility.

Answer 4

Then your going to the wrong church. The women in our church have positions of authority. There are certain guidelines but women are treated as equals to men.

You shouldn't judge everything by what you think is going on. You'd probably be surprised to discover women have very important positions in the church your in too. You just are seeing them with a preconceived idea and no understanding of the dynamics.

Answer 5

It depends on the denomination, whether it's true or not that only men can have positions of power. However, EVERY church I've ever been to had women in powerful positions. I've been in churches where there were female Sunday School teachers, and at my old church, we had a female associate pastor. So it all depends.
But it doesn't bother me in the least. Not too many women WANT to be pastors, and not too many women are CALLED to be pastors. That's what it all comes down to, really. If God wants a woman to be a pastor, there is no one who can stop her. If God doesn't want her to pursue that position, she really shouldn't.

Answer 6

Nope. I'm female and am going to be a pastor when I eventually finish studying! My current church has three female pastors and two males. At my previous church, there were plenty of females on staff.

Generally, this depends entirely on the denomination of the church, and there are debates about the ordination of women that go back centuries... the problems arise when people take the writings of Paul in Ephesians 5 on face value, without studying them carefully and properly.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience at church. I hope someday you find yourself at a church that recognises men and women as equal.

Answer 7

Men wrote down the bible, Men made the laws, and men rule the church. Maybe if women had shared those positions of authority
all through history, Men wouldn't go to war, Men wouldn't have owned slaves, and women wouldn't have been treated like property. Unfortunately until women get as big as men and can hit as hard, they will always be treated small. Sadly enough you do seem to get used to it.

Answer 8

I have never beenin a church where the men were only give positions of authority. God loves all of His children equally. Your church sounds very old fashioned, may I suggest a non-denominational church?

Answer 9

Your question in my opinion is well founded. Their are many old schools of thought and there are many in authority that have the opinion that women are inferior not just in church or postions of authority--but period. I believe the answer to your question is different per denomination, group, sect, religious identity and so on... in our church (of which I am the senior pastor), women have equal authority based on their individual calling, talents, gifts and maturity--not their sex.

Answer 10

I don't feel like less than a man. God honors women, He commands that we be respected, cared for, and honored. The man's job is much more difficult in Christianity. All responsiblity falls on his shoulders. He is responsible for his family and he will be held acountable for any wrongdoings. Men are the main teachers, but women are not forbidden. Just this week my pastor had his wife preach.

God just chose one gender to be in charge, but I see this as simply a way to avoid too much conflict. The woman is there as a helpmate, an advisor, etc. She has equal input, but the responsibility of the final decision is placed on the man. he bears the weight of all he chooses. Women are called to submit, but if you read the following verse, men are required to lay down their lives for their wife. That means that her needs are above his own. He has to lay down what he wants in order to serve his family.

I know we don't really see the living of this principle very often, but if you ever do, you'll like it. I hated it until I saw it lived out properly. I have since moved away from the church family that lived like this and I greatly miss the environment. When I was there I felt totally loved and cared for and safe. When left to fend for myself, it's scary. I much prefer the safety and security of having brothers and fathers looking out for my best interests.

to Dolores' response - those verses are taken out of context. They were directed toward a specific culture where the women were just out of control. They sat on opposite sides of the church and they were yelling out during the service asking their husbands to explain things. It's just common sense for Paul to tell them not to speak like that. In other places Paul refers to women that were leaders in the church, he had no problem with them. There were women prophets, and even judges (the main leader of the Israelites before they got kings)

Answer 11

Not all Christian churches are like that. I feel as equal as any man at my church.
I used to belong to the type of church you described. It's humiliating!