When
I was preparing to write my second paper for World Religion I knew I
wanted to focus on Christianity. The one aspect of Christianity that
interested me were the smaller churches, or mission's. The people
involved in these Christian faiths purposefully speak of Christ, God,
and the Bible, in small venues of all kinds; they speak to persons
who seem to believe in God, and Jesus, but do not agree with the idea
of organized religion in a large church setting. I started talking
to these missionaries, mostly women purely by chance, and found that
these Christians subscribe to a variety of different faiths and
ideas. Some were born again Christians, some were evangelical in
nature, some considered themselves to be Baptist, or Presbyterian;
some are Catholic. I sat back and gathered my thoughts, information
and ideas. There were a few things that all these people, whom I
had observed and spoke with, had in common. One: they were all
women, two: they were frustrated with the woman’s role, in the
primary faith they subscribed and, three: they believe that everyone
should have a connection with God and Christ.
At
the present moment, no major Christian denomination has more than a
few women in top authority positions...what will happen to
Christianity when women do succeed in changing traditions so that
they are treated as the equals of men...representatives of
Christianity mirror the image of God by calling to mind the male
figure of Jesus Christ; and Christianity...can Christianity only
afford to have men in that role. (Goldenberg)
My
observation focused on two women. One, whom I will call Ruth, left
her church after being told that she could no longer preach.
Because she is a woman she was unable to engage in sharing the word
of God with out having been formally educated. Some religious
education was available to her, but she would still not be able to
perform certain clerical duties because she is a woman. At that
time she was holding woman’s group through the church; when she
left the church many women still attended the group; she now holds
these out of her home. These groups are held monthly, sometimes more
often. Women, of all ages and from a variety of different churches,
and faiths, all christian, come and share their thoughts, lives, and
ideas of faith. They hear of her through friends, relatives and
surprisingly, local church's will recommend her.
Christianity
has provided a place for woman for which she is fitted, and in which
she shines; but take her out of that place, and her luster pales
and sheds a feeble and sickly ray. Or, to change the metaphor,
woman is a plant, which in its own greenhouse seclusion will put
forth all its brilliant colors and all its sweet perfume; but
remove it from the protection of its own floral home into the
common garden and open field, where hardier flowers will grow and
thrive, its beauty fades and its odor is diminished. Neither
reason nor Christianity invites woman to the professor’s chair,
nor conducts her to the bar, nor makes her welcome to the pulpit,
nor admits her to the place of ordinary magistracy. (Coon)
The
second woman I observed and spoke with travels with her husband
around the world, but I met her at Biketober. This couple sets up
ministry’s all over the United States, and the world, sharing the
word of God and Christ. The first woman no longer participates in
the idea of a large church/organized religion, but has also
participated in setting up small ministry's all over. The second
woman attends a large church, when she is home, as part of her
individual faith, but openly admitted that she is frustrated that the
idea of organized religion seems to exclude a certain percentage of
the population, especially women; Ruth being a perfect example of
this.
...scholars
of religion say that Christianity can survive the very basic changes
that will have to be made when religions adapt to nonsexist
culture. Theoretically then, Christianity could exist without
Christ...as long as Christians thought of these departures from
tradition as being in basic harmony with their faiths. Texts
could be altered, female imagery could be added to the concept of
God, new rituals and doctrines could be invented without bringing
about the end of the faiths. Scholars who believe this is
possible point out that Western religions have survived changes
over the past centuries and can be expected to survive many more in
years to come. (Goldenberg)
My
journey begins with woman number one whom I will call Ruth. Ruth is
married, with adult children, one of which is married and about to
have a child. Her husband is also very active and shares in her
perspective of being Christian. Ruth lives in Florida now, but has
lived else where in the United States also. She is approximately 50
years old, a very educated, progressive woman, and in my observation
tends to be nurturing and open minded. She has taught, nursed,
managed, run youth groups, women groups, preached, and sets up small
ministry’s in a variety of places giving the opportunity for others
to gain happiness, contentment, and strength from God, Jesus and the
word of God. She shared that of everything that she has done doing
what she does now has given her the most satisfaction. They are not
wealthy, but they live comfortably and appreciate what they have;
never hesitating to share and help others. I was invited to one of
the woman’s group that she leads once a month.
When
I arrived I was immediately greeted warmly by everyone. There was on
this day six women total, including myself. It was shared with me
later that the groups have been as large as 20; attendance
fluctuates. These women were of different christian faiths. All
shared that they were their because, while they were loyal to their
denomination, they felt that women, as a whole, were not identified
as an important part of their church. A couple women shared that
they attend their church now more out of habit then anything else.
They all felt that they were expected to show up, dress nicely, and
give the impression of the perfect female christian role model.
Keeping the family together, being a good dedicated wife, serving
refreshments, helping out with raffles, teaching Sunday school, etc.
All these women wanted something more from their faith. They wanted
a female community, people whom they related to and whom they could
depend upon during times of difficulty. They wanted to be recognized
as valuable members of their religious community who had intelligence
and wisdom in their faith. Attending this group gave them this
strength and confidence.
The
matter of women serving the Lord has never been in question: Jesus
Himself encouraged the participation of women in support of His
ministry and that of His disciples. Likewise, churches of the
past several centuries have depended upon women to provide a wide
array of organizational and prayer support, to teach the Bible to
their children (and in many cases female adults as well) to
support domestic and foreign missions, and to serve directly as
missionaries. However, historically, woman’s roles have been
largely confined to those of supportive and not authoritative
responsibilities. (Rogers)
The
topic on this day was baggage. How everyone carry’s baggage with
them and how it is important to set it aside from time to time. This
was integrated into certain passages with in the Bible that pointed
out not only that this was the right thing to do, but how it was
necessary to lead a healthy full life. It also encouraged how, when
during times of carrying around a great deal of baggage, God could
pick some of it up for them.
Ruth
led by reading a personal experience, and using props (suitcases) to
reinforce her lesson. Turns were taken reading excerpts from the
Bible and some of the women shared personal experiences and how this
lesson spoke to them. There was something different in this
setting compared to a Christian church setting. Focus was put on
the women specifically. If a man was mentioned it was in context of
how they were either being supportive of them (the females) or not
being supportive of females. God was not a man, he/she was more of
a concept and idea that everyone could relate to equally.
The
Pauline literature and Acts still allow us to recognize that women
were among the most prominent missionaries and leaders in the
early Christian movement. They were apostles and ministers like
Paul, and some were his co- workers. They were teachers,
preachers and competitors in the race for the gospel. They
founded house churches and, as prominent patrons, used their
influence for other missionaries and Christians. (Kung)
The
lesson took place in Ruth’s home in the kitchen. The setting was
personal and comfortable. Everyone was there for approximately two
hours. Then everyone left and went about their day, but not before
discussing the next day and time to meet. Afterward I spent some
time talking with Ruth. She shared that all of these women also
had, or were having to deal with, some struggle. They had lost a
loved one, or were recovering from addictions of some kind, they were
alone, and/ or were dealing with physical challenges. They all
basically had experienced some kind of life event that was causing
them to change their perspective and seek out strength and support.
The church they were attending, or not attending any longer, did not
address any of their issues. Many of them felt that the church
predominantly held a male perspective in nature and therefore
addressed issues in the context of how a man would deal with them.
This was not helpful to them.
Ruth
also shared that many of the young adults and adolescents that she
had worked with felt that the church also did not address the needs
of the young person. Young people found the church to be
hypocritical in nature, hypocrisy being a normal stage in
development; the church was unsatisfactory in addressing their
questions.
These
young people still wanted to find strength and guidance in an adult
of faith who admitted, honestly, to them that the church could be
hypocritical; but their was still value in having faith in their
lives. Ruth shared a story of a time when she was involved in a
youth group; one of the questions posed to the youths was what is
your favorite appliance in the house. Ruth said many of the kids
said things like the spice rack. She was shocked however when the
Pastor said that his favorite appliance was his wife. Ruth addressed
this issue with the Pastor but basically was told that she was over
reacting. In short, what all the people Ruth has come in contact is
have in common, or are seeking, is emphasis on the relationship
between them and God, not them and the church.
Those
favoring more responsible and visible ecclesiastical roles for
women generally assert that women are capable of both commitment
and ministerial performance equal to that of men, given proper
endorsement and an equitable amount of support. They point out
that women are not biologically, emotionally, nor intellectually
inferior. To the contrary, they observe that women are in fact
physiologically, but not usually physically, stronger than
men...Emotionally and intellectually, women are at least equal
to men, as evidence by numerous studies over the years.
Likewise, their administrative and organizational abilities have
been demonstrated by such national heads of state as Golda Meir,
former prime minister of Israel, and Margaret Thatcher who served
as prime minister of Great Britain. (Rogers)
The
second woman I spoke with whom I will refer to as Sarah comes every
year to every bike event in Daytona. She and her husband set up a
small tent, with some tables, that hold a variety of religious
Christian reading materials in the same location, at the Hang Dawg
Saloon on US1, so that regulars may find them. They speak to whom
ever wants to listen, and converse, concerning God, and Christ, and
the importance of having them both in your life. They also hold
small intimate morning services for any whom are interested. I was
originally going to speak with her husband, but while waiting for him
to return I started speaking with her instead and found her to be not
only very interesting and intelligent, but very passionate about what
she does and believes.
Sarah
is also approximately 50 years old; she and her husband met in New
Orleans while they were both involved in different areas of their
faith. To make a long beautiful story short, they met, worked
together, found they had a lot in common, fell in love and married.
They have since traveled all over the world for reasons all to do
with their faith. They worked in New Orleans after Katrina for four
months, have been to South America, and Africa, to name just a few.
Sarah
shared that while she does still attend a very large church back home
she recognizes, and understands, that there is a very large section
of the population who does not like attending church. Many people,
she shared, find the idea of dressing up, and participating in the
church community not only intimidating, but judgmental. Many
persons attending church have the relationship to the church, and not
God. In her experience those who do not attend church put more
emphasis on their relationship with God, or they want to. She and
her husband help people find that relationship.
Most
important of all, however, from the beginning Christianity was not
just a movement made up of men; its history also includes the
women who followed Jesus. Jesus' practice of calling women, too,
to follow him was unconventional and undermined the existing
patriarchal structure. (Kung)
This
husband and wife team have ministered to all kinds of people. Sarah
gave an example of hard core old school bikers, who if you are not
cautious, have no problem pulling a gun out and shooting you. She
also ministers to addicts, abused women, and all kinds of people who
are lost. She admits openly that her past has been less then
perfect, but she feels that it is her past which makes her, and her
husbands ministry, so worthy and popular. It is easier to relate to
someone who has been where you have been. It is also these early
life challenges that makes her spirituality more passionate for her;
that passion is easily translated to real life and easily observed by
anyone who meets her.
Sarah
shared that her role in the church she attends at home is not as
active. I sensed, with out her sharing, that perhaps this is why
she still attends church, so that she can be in a social situation
with others of her faith, but take a break from ministering to
others. I gathered that the environment was different from the one
we were meeting in and that for her it was a necessary change for her
spirituality. She does not struggle with her relationship with the
church, her relationship is with God.
Sarah
also shared that while she didn’t agree with how organized
religion, as a whole, did not recognize the importance of women in
faith she also supported women being supportive to their husbands.
I did not perceive this as an antiquated idea of women being
subservient to the male, but more that women have the right to work
side by side with their husband; there fore, they should also be as
praising and supportive as the man should be to the woman.
While
we were sitting and talking a man, who had been drinking heavily came
up, he looked over the information on the tables and said, “God
wouldn’t like me.” (referring to himself.) Sarah s husband
smiled, gave direct eye contact to the man and replied,”God likes
those who none of us like.” The man smiled and walked away. Such
a simple brief interaction but you could tell that it genuinely made
the man feel what he needed and wanted to feel. It was that
statement that summed up what both these women, their family's and
many like them out there are trying to convey.
Jesus
dissociated himself from the customary exclusion of women. Not only
does Jesus show no contempt for women; he is amazingly open
towards them. The church of the Jewish-Christian paradigm could
have been called democratic in the best sense of the word (at any
rate it was not aristocratic or monarchical): a community in
freedom, equality and brotherhood and sisterhood. (Kung)
In
this day and age of the information era; where we watch too much TV.
Play too much computer, or console games, have phones glued to our
ears, or are constantly text-ing; always listening or watching
something on a screen, rushing like mad people from one place to
another, one activity to another, with little interaction with each
other; these women, and their family’s, are a reminder that God is
still alive for many.
Churches
have become, for many an extension, of the information era. Hurried
and sharing what is written, but not backing it up with the spirit
that is behind the word. These Christian women of many different
faiths have one common thread. They not only talk the talk, but walk
the walk. They pride themselves in gaining strength from being a
realistic faithful role model for everyone around them. They
recognize that the world, the churches, and the people of today are
imperfect. They have set about teaching, and sharing, that there are
many ways to have faith. The funny thing is that this idea is not
anything new, this idea of Christian faith is very traditional in the
eyes, and ideas of Jesus. Their passion in faith reminds us of this
and is making a difference; isn’t that what life is all about in
the end?
Citation
Page:
Coon,
Lynda L., Katherine J. Haldane, and Elisabeth W. Sommer. That
Gentle Strength; Historical Perspectives On Women In Christianity.
United States of America: The University Press of Virginia, 1990.
Print.
Goldenberg,
Naomi. Changing
of the Gods.
Boston, Massachusetts: Beacon Press, 1979. Print.
Kung,
Hans. Women
In Christianity.
London, England: Continuum, 2001. Print.
Rogers,
Wyatt M. Jr. Christianity
and Womanhood.
Westport CT: Praeter Publishers, 2002. Print.
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