Preach Woman: A Response

It was almost not worth my time to say anything. To promote such poor and unintelligent theological assumptions about women. (For the many of my pals not in my nerdy church world a prominent leader shared that women cannot lead or preach last week.) I’ve been grateful for the men that have spoken up on behalf of women they love and know. I’ve been thankful, personally, for those who have given me space to lead. To grow. To speak. I am thankful for the many many examples that outweigh such flippant remarks from a man I don’t know and don’t follow. His bold claims are rightfully annoying, but not alarming.
But what has stirred in me the past few days (and really years) is a growing concern for the complicit majority that arise only when extremism bubbles up the cultural surface. “Oh, we are not like that! Of course we support women!” -the majority seems to whisper
What concerns me are the many men and leadership structures who believe they are supportive when in all actuality, they are not.

If you are going to support something you are going to have the bear the weight of it. Have you -felt the weight of it?

Representation is only the first step towards true partnership. Sure we can stand on your platforms and in your offices but are you actually listening? The work of justice will always mean sacrificing something. Perhaps, this is a part of what it means to give up our lives so we can gain it. To sacrifice our well earned rights for the sake of the other.
I’m thankful for the support. The texts. The Facebook profile stickers. I’m glad it’s a conversation. I really am.
But goodness church, we have a long way to go. -And that’s okay-
We all start somewhere. Shame isn’t going to motivate any of us towards true change.
Let’s not settle on misogynistic rethoric becoming our “well we are not that bad” bar in order to pacify our own shortcomings.
We all have them, after all. We’d be better off talking about them than ra-raing each other across fake finish lines.
Men, I don’t just need you to believe in me I need you to know I believe in you, too.
That we have far better work to press on towards, together. May grace lead and wholeness follow.

Love you.