Releasing & Supporting Women In Leadership, Part 1: Listen Up
I passionately believe that the kingdom of God advances as women and men are released into their giftings and are able to serve, minister, lead, preach and teach as they are called. I believe that God anoints people according to character and gifting, not gender - yet all too often I see the Church largely missing out on the giftings of female leaders and marginalising women. Although for some parts of the Church this restriction has sadly been deliberate, for some there is a biblical belief that women can and should lead – yet a distinct lack of women in leadership in practice. This three-part series outlines some of the steps I believe we need to take to bring us closer to demonstrating equity in our churches and changing a culture which has historically restricted women from walking in their God-given callings.
If we want to see women flourish in ministry and develop leadership giftings, a great place to start is to listen to women. Here are three tips on listening to women:
1. Read and listen to women
I regularly hear Christians recommending books or posting on social media what they’re reading, or even sometimes their stacks of ‘to read’ or ‘just read’ books. So often these books are largely, or even solely, written by men. There are a wealth of female theologians and writers out there who have written excellent books that are to be read by women and men. Similarly if we say we believe that women can preach we need to actually listen to women preachers, speakers and podcasters. Some men seem to carry a bias (whether unconscious or not) that only women should listen to women. We can’t merely say we believe women’s voices are valuable; both women and men need to demonstrate it by reading books by women and listening to women speak.
2. Listen to the experiences of women leaders
Understanding the experiences of women leaders will go a long way to understanding where we are as the Church. In my experience of church leading I’ve been called “an abomination to God” for being a pastor; I have received comments on videos of my sermons stating that women can’t be pastors; I’ve had someone tell me they loved my preaching, which surprised them as they expected me “to be rubbish”; and I’ve been criticised for characteristics that are praised in men more times than I care to remember. I share just a few of my experiences not because they are rare - because sadly they are not - but instead because if we are going to change Church culture when it comes to women in leadership we need to understand the experiences of women who are in leadership. Ask women leaders you know if they’d be willing to share their experiences with you and then listen to them.
3. Build relationships with women
Women AND men need to read and listen to women, but they also need to build relationships with women. Listening to women has to include listening to women in proximity. Listen to women while you look them in the eye; listen to women for advice and guidance; listen to women for their views and opinions; respect women’s voices and value what they have to say. Don’t just bring a token woman into the room to tick a box - genuinely ensure that you have women who you are letting speak into your life and ministry beyond those that you are related to.
Women, as well as men, bear the image of God. If we only ever read or listen to men, if we don’t know the experience of women leaders, and if men only build relationships with men, what tends to happen is the whole cycle of men being mentored and appointed to leadership roles and men being invited to speak is perpetuated. Let’s ensure we listen to and value women’s voices.
1 of 3: Go to Part 2
Catherine De Souza, 1st October 2020
