Empowering Women to Lead: Rippling From Pew to Politics
Hey friend! I'm back to dish about a captivating podcast episode on confronting sexism in the church. Host Lori Adams-Brown interviews Reverend Dr. Heather Matthews, who draws from 20 years of ministry experience, lots of academic research, and a new book releasing in August. Want the inside scoop? Heather unpacks little-known history about women church leaders - they've been around far longer than you'd think! Still today, women pastors face surprising obstacles, even in progressive churches. You'll learn insider tips for identifying hidden bias, plus ways male allies can pave the way for women in ministry. From Billy Graham rules to abuse scandals, no stone is left unturned. Beyond the church walls, the episode explores how political sexism intersects with religion. Sound familiar in light of recent events? They tackle tough subjects with grace and nuance. Ultimately, Heather and Lori empower listeners to create more equitable environments for women to use their talents and thrive. Tune in to gain knowledge, challenge assumptions, and make positive ripples however you can.
In this episode, you will be able to:
Recognize and Address Sexism in the Church: Uncover the hidden barriers and learn how to advocate for gender equality within your church community.
Empowering Women's Leadership in Churches: Discover how to embrace and amplify the unique perspectives and contributions of women in church leadership roles.
Understanding the Impact of Political Beliefs on Church Culture: Gain insights into navigating the intersection of political beliefs and church dynamics to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.
Engaging Male Allies in Promoting Gender Equality: Learn how to support as male allies to champion women and change systems to consider her differences in church leadership where mostly men have led and built work around their ways of working.
Navigating Leadership as a Woman in Male-Dominated Spaces: Explore strategies for overcoming obstacles and thriving in leadership roles within traditional settings.
My special guest is Heather Matthews
The Rev. Dr. Heather Matthews is the Doctor of Ministry Program Manager at Wheaton College Graduate School. Dr. Matthews has also worked as a pastor, church planter, non-profit leader, and missionary for over twenty years. Heather has a D.Min. from Fuller Seminary, an M.A. in Educational Ministry and an M.A. in Counseling Ministry from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Heather’s area of expertise is women in church leadership. She is the author of Confronting Sexism in the Church: How We Got Here and What We Can Do About It published by InterVarsity Press which will be available August 27, 2024.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction to Confronting Sexism in the Church
00:02:26 - The Influence of Religion and Politics
00:08:44 - Role of Male Allies
00:11:10 - Personal Journey and Motivation for the Book
00:13:44 - Broad Examination of Sexism in Evangelicalism
00:14:40 - The Impact of Complementarian Culture
00:16:29 - Unconscious Sexism and Hidden Patriarchy
00:19:10 - Women's Stories of Sexism and Discrimination
00:21:43 - Lack of Equity in Church Leadership
00:26:07 - Shaping Perspectives through Diverse Backgrounds
00:31:21 - Impact of the Last 50 Years on Women in the Church
00:33:19 - Gender Biases in Leadership
00:35:20 - Visibility of Women's Contributions
00:38:00 - Sexist Tropes and Gender Expectations
00:43:58 - Creating Supportive Environments for Women in Churches
00:46:53 - The Reality of Abuse in the Church
00:47:33 - Sexism in the Church and Abuse
00:48:21 - The Church's Problem with Sexism
00:49:29 - Confronting Sexism Everywhere
00:50:35 - Creating Gender Equalities in Leadership
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
Pre-order Heather Matthews' book Confronting Sexism in the Church: How We Got Here and What We Can Do About It
Join the Difference Maker community on Patreon for exclusive content and deeper conversations with guests: https://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference
Send a voicemail or message about what the A World of Difference podcast has meant to you for the upcoming 200th episode: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com
Create a psychological safety with others to have conversations about confronting sexism and misogyny in society.
Spread kindness and love wherever you are to make a difference in the world.
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