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The Myth of Gender Equality within Christian Leadership.


Is Gender Equality really a problem in the body of Christ?

Gender Equality is a hot topic at the moment from Hollywood to Westminster, people are talking about the disadvantages that women face in their jobs and careers. Should women be paid the same as men for doing the same job? For me I have no issue here the answer is, of course they should.

What about the church is there gender inequality in the church? Last week I came across a job advertisement for a pastoral position. In the advert there was a link to their statement of beliefs, there I found the following "...we do not believe that a woman can be an elder in the church or in a position of authority over a man..."

In my mind I found this a little old fashioned and outdated but understood where this particular faith group was coming from, having been brought up under a similar regime. I think they are wrong and here is why.

Early Christianity elevated the status of women to equality before God. Women's names are found throughout the letters of Paul in positions of authority, there is even the possibility that one woman could have had apostolic authority depending on ones reading of the last chapter of Romans and the names found therein. So to say that women cannot be in positions of authority in the church or over men I feel is wrong.

Today after many years of fighting the Anglican church of England has women priests and even has a woman bishop maybe one day there might even be a female Archbishop of Canterbury.

The main issue in the modern world is not women but the way men stereotype women and that even though this is a worldview, this stereotyping seeps into the church as the norm.  Men say that women are too emotional and focus on relationships, take less risk and are less assertive, on the other hand men focus on transaction rather than emotion they are more assertive and take more risks. The problem with this stereotyping is that studies have shown that this is not always the case.

When it comes to Christian Leadership we do not have a one size fits all development programme, if we did, it would in my opinion lead to some very unequal outcomes.

What is needed is the ability to build a balanced team around us, irrespective of the gender of the senior leader and irrespective of the genders of the team. It is ability, talents and leadership style that you are looking for, not the imperative to fill places equally between men and women.

Leadership style must be evident. There is no right or wrong style, only but within the context that you are working may you need people who have particular leadership abilities.

Look for people who are prepared to step up straight away and give 100%

Respect people for who they are, men and women of God.

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