Another round of listening to women's personal stories this week brought some new thoughts and perspectives to the attention of my mind. Becky and Jere are two people I really love and respect, as well as have be able to get to know on a personal basis. Monday night though allowed me to get to know them even more as they shared some personal experiences that have really affected who they are.
Becky's story was really impactful to me, as she described the hard times she has faced with the church. I connect with her hurt feelings, as honestly the church has hurt my family and I in different ways, but evoked the same type of response as it evoked in Becky. It's part of the reason I want to join the administration side of a church, to help prevent those feelings of hurt coming from a church. Instead, encouraging positive feelings to those who are part of the body is something I feel really passionate about. I really admire Becky's heart and passion for God, as well as her determination to continue with the calling God has given her in the capacity that man allows her to fulfill. I heard in her words a sense of determination, mixed with hurt, that I admire.
Jere was terrific, but I wanted to share some thoughts I had after listening to the last person speak. She mentioned a lot about the differences between men and women, something different than the main core of anything I have heard in this class so far. I've heard a lot about how men and women are equal and can do the same things, but she pointed out differences. If there are differences, which I agree there are, it's the beauty of God's Creation, how do those differences affect women in society and in the church? Should they? Or should they be ignored?
Sophia Muscutt’s Blog Post
ReplyDeleteThis week in class we got the opportunity to hear accounts from women about their work as a woman in a leadership position. The first lady shared about her involvement in the Friends Church. She explained that though her church supports women in ministry and is not opposed to women as head pastor there are very few functioning within this role. She became emotional talking about this because she is passionate about women’s involvement in ministry. The second lady talked about her interactions with males in the workplace. She said that sometimes comments she receives seem to be directed at her because she is a woman. The last lady talked about how her old Baptist church was not willing to help her move up in their church leadership team because she is a woman. Through these three accounts it became clear to me that we as women still face discrimination. It is interesting to think about the progress women have made in society and the workplace but how little has been made in the church. You would think that the church would be first to stop the oppression of women and allow them to be all that God has planned for them to be.