My Voice Matters

I've been away from this blogging thing for awhile.  Perhaps it has something to do with getting engaged only a few days after my last post and being thrust into wedding planning.  Perhaps it has something to do with writer's burnout after pouring my heart and soul into my Systematic Theology Credo last spring.  Or perhaps I wondered if there was any reason for this one particular voice to be heard.  Well, the wedding is over, the paper is turned in, and I've been hearing that still small voice recently whispering, "your voice matters."

I am a woman. While the number continues to grow, according to Barna, only 10% of Protestant pastors are female.  And while I have no plans to join those ranks, there is no doubt a shortage of female leaders in the church... ordained or not.  Our church recently had a female guest minister who was incredible, but the overarching response was negative.  It took me awhile to realize that a congregation who has only ever had older male pastors would expect females in the pulpit to act masculine, and she did not.  She was gentle, compassionate, loving, soft, nurturing, all woman - it was a breath of fresh air and I loved every minute.  Our churches will need to embrace the feminine if we want to be truly a place of equality. Your voice matters.

I am a mainline protestant. I am tired of the evangelical voice having the final say.  I am tired of having to explain myself at every turn... "No, I'm not that kind of Christian."  I am tired of people thinking I am uneducated, judgmental, exclusionary, hypocritical, and gay-hating just because I work in a church.  I'm not, and there are a whole lot of Christians like me.  (Don't get me wrong... I have my moments of judgment and hypocrisy.)  Hate and judgment do not have the last word in our churches though - love and grace always prevail.  We live in a "post-Christian" world and I am beginning to think that might be God's hand at work in our world.  People are rejecting Christianity - which today often looks like a being a good and moral person to avoid hell.  And I don't blame them.  I reject that thin view too.   Your voice matters.

I lean left and I am a Christian. I believe that killing another as a form of punishment is as wrong as the offense.  I believe we have a social and ethical responsibility to care for the poor even when it inconveniences our checkbooks.  I believe abortion is horrible, painful, and wrong, but women still have a legal right to make a choice based on their context and situation.  I believe that we should be less concerned about keeping people out of our country and more concerned with the reasons people are forced to flee to freedom.  I believe all people have the right to a legal marriage, regardless of who they love.  I believe that our existence is more about serving God and our community and less about our individual needs.  I don't believe Democrats have the only answer, nor do I agree with every democratic stance.  What I believe as a Christian shapes what I believe politically, not the other way around.  Your voice matters.

I'm just one voice.  I don't proclaim to be right about everything, or on most things... but I am who I am, complete with a faithful system of beliefs.  I have recently been inspired by others who are willing to stand and speak, even when it is unpopular.  I am humbled to think I might possibly resonate with others out there. I hope to be just one more voice in a long history of those who have faithfully proclaimed the Truth as they best discerned.  I hope you will join me in this conversation.  Your voice matters. 

Photo by kerry flynn 

Comments

[Laura Norvell]

Jen, great job. Yes, your voice matters. Thanks for feeding me this afternoon!

[Steve]

You go, Jen! A couple of observations, though, none of which disagrees with your points. (I *am* an academic, after all.)

I am a man. I heard the woman preach and I had no idea the overall response to her was negative. I do not dispute your overall argument that women are under represented in positions of leadership in the church, and all people are worse off because of it. Just know that not all men disagree.

I am also a left-leaning Christian. I respect my right-leaning brothers and sisters, and I learn from them. But Jesus was nothing if not a radical.

Your voice matters. I look forward to hearing it again.