Making Room for Women’s Voices
I wanted to point out an intriguing post Rose Madrid-Swetman put up recently. As part of a reception Off the Map hosted related to the Seeds of Compassion event, she interviewed Rob Bell on the subject of women in ministry. She summarized the interview on her blog – here. But there were a couple of parts that really stood out to me.
First I liked the response from Rob (as summarized by Rose) about how he has come to view the whole women in ministry issue – He said that he used to hear the old argument that there are two sides to this theological position but now he says there are not two sides, if you hold to the position that oppresses (probably my word) women you are just wrong. I think this gets at the heart of the issue for many women. This isn’t about theology or esoteric debates, this is about oppression. And oppression is wrong. End of story. But most people really don’t get that.
The other part of the interview that stood out to me was Rob’s reaction to the question of how he uses his influence to help give voice to women. He apparently didn’t understand the question or why such a thing would be necessary. A small handful of “celebrity christian” speakers (like Brian McLaren) have made a point of not speaking at events that don’t give women a voice. They use the little power they have to help equalize the playing field and provide opportunities for those that are often overlooked. This isn’t about getting second rate speakers up there (as is often assumed), but making people aware of an issue that usually doesn’t cross the radar of conference planners. But Rob’s response was the more typical one – why is that needed?
I was interested in the comments around the web to Rose’s posing of this question. Some really didn’t get why having the voice of women present mattered at all (and of course others directly opposed such a thing altogether). Others wondered why important men like Rob should be forced to waste their time on the women’s issue. Others proposed that there are far greater issues in the world to pay attention to than than equality for women. Generally the same of excuses the church have given for years to avoid the issue. Sure they might think women should be in ministry and treated fairly, but why bother actually doing anything about it?
So I’m am grateful to women like Rose who are asking the hard questions (to prominent leaders at that) and who aren’t afraid to keep pushing for so-called beliefs to be actualized as reality.
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julieclawson(at)gmail(dot)com 
julie,
quick questions.
so, do you personally choose to avoid opportunities where the organization doesn’t “fully” support women in all levels of ministry or is it if there isn’t any female representation? what if you are the lone rep of a huge boatload of speakers? or is it a case by case situation?
Eugene – good questions.
The basic honest answer is – I’m not in a position to be picking and choosing opportunities. I don’t do much leading or speaking beyond my own church setting. So it’s kinda hard to speak to a non-existent issue. The few opportunities I have had to speak have been in settings where efforts were made to represent a diversity of voices (of genders, races, denominations).
I have started having the courage to ask event planners about disparity of voices when I do see it (as opposed to just complaining with the women about it). Often I find that they never thought that women should be included or that that they assumed that if women wanted to be involved we would have asked to be (which is so not how things work, but that’s another issue).
I think the “big names” are in a special position to help push for change. They are being invited to speak, they have power (whether they want it or not), and have the opportunity to use that power for the sake of others.
Julie,
I agree with you, the “big names” are in position to help change the structures. It is one thing to agree, it’s another thing to use your influence and place of privilege to make space for others.
so, i guess the natural question would be…”how?”
for brian, is it better for him to not participate at these gatherings or to go and “speak” and highlight injustices and oppression?
it’s a rhetorical question. i don’t think there’s one way but something i think about.
Once when Jim was leading an Off The Map event in Ft Wayne, Indiana he had invited me to speak. The church hosting the event did not allow women to speak from the pulpit. We did not know this until the night we arrived, the day before the conference was to begin. I was told by one of the elders that I could not stand behind the pulpit and do anything that resembled preaching, I would not be allowed to quote Scripture. He said what would be acceptable is if I said I was a “missionary from Seattle and I was here to give my report from the field” to which Jim told me he was very sorry and I did not have to do participate at all…I decided to do it, I began my talk with, “Hi I am Rose and I am a missionary in Seattle, WA…” it appears the main elder that was opposed to me speaking was struck by my talk, he was the only one of the elders arguing that their church needed to take a look at what it would mean to begin intentionally turning their (mega) church toward a mindset of missionality. All this to say, I think there are ways for women to participate even when there is not a space…I think Brian would find a way to include a women’s voice even if it was totally not acceptable.
I agree with Rose that there are ways to make it work. It seems strange in a way to have a man get up and talk about the need to include women but not actually include them. I understand that the steps may be small at first, but an ongoing commitment to pursue a balancing of voices is needed. A one time message or speech won’t do much long term good unless the structures are actually altered.