The amazing Beth Allison Barr joins us to share her contribution towards Need To Know: the historical prevalence of women leading in the church. We discuss her journey as a historian and a woman in the church herself, including the strong pushback she receives. You’ll hear some personal narratives that shape these discussions, as well as the challenges faced by those who speak out against patriarchal structures. We review the importance of allies in advocating for an end to women's subjugation within Christianity, and emphasize the need for male leaders to listen to and support women in ministry.

Show Notes

Link to order the book: Need to Know: Empowering Female Leadership and Why It’s Essential for the Future of the Church

keywords

Biblical Womanhood, Empowerment, Church Leadership, Allies, Personal Narratives, Future of the Church, Male Leaders, Women in Ministry, Patriarchy

takeaways

* Beth Allison Barr's books address the subjugation of women in the church.

* Personal narratives are crucial for understanding the impact of church teachings.

* Speaking up for women often comes with significant personal costs.

* Allies play a vital role in supporting women's empowerment in the church.

* The church's future depends on the inclusion of women's voices.

* Men in leadership should listen to women's experiences and concerns.

* Women have historically played significant roles in church leadership.

* The narrative of women's subjugation is deeply rooted in church history.

* There is hope for a transformative future in the church.

Sound Bites

* "The subjugation of women became gospel."

* "The devil hates women, and he should."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Book Discussion

10:03 Writing the Book and Facing Reactions

19:22 What Male Leaders Need To Do

27:13 Awakening in Men: Moving Beyond Defense

31:59 Marriage and Ministry: Challenging the Narrative

42:36 Exposing Patriarchal Power Dynamics in the Church

In this episode of the Right Side Up we welcome our good friend and frequent collaborator Jo Saxton, to discuss the critical gaps in women’s empowerment in a wide variety of church roles. We explore the growing disillusionment many influential women feel within the church, the importance of allies, and the need for diverse voices in leadership. Our conversation highlights the impact of cultural norms on women's identities and the erasure of women's contributions to church history. We also touch on the prevalence of abuse and toxic culture within church settings and emphasize the importance of listening to women's stories. This is yet another call for hope and restoration for women in the church, especially encouraging leaders to recognize and celebrate the gifts and contributions of the women right in front of them.

Show Notes

Link to order the book: Need to Know: Empowering Female Leadership and Why It’s Essential for the Future of the Church

keywords

women empowerment, church leadership, identity, allies, church history, listening, cultural norms, abuse, restoration, hope

takeaways

* The empowerment of women is essential for the future of the church.

* Allies play a crucial role in supporting women's leadership.

* Understanding women's identity in scripture is vital for church leaders.

* There is a significant disconnect between women and the church.

* Listening to women's stories is key to understanding their experiences.

* Raising women up in leadership requires intentionality and support.

* Cultural norms often limit women's roles in the church.

* The erasure of women in church history needs to be addressed.

* Diverse voices in leadership enrich the church community.

* Addressing abuse and toxic culture is necessary for healing and restoration.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and the Need for Women's Leadership

02:02 The Biblical Foundation for Women's Equality

08:16 Women Leaving the Church

14:30 Tools for Empowering Women

26:28 The Impact of Not Seeing Women as They Were Designed to Be

28:22 Addressing Abuse and Toxic Behaviors in Leadership

30:09 Redeeming Women's Identities and Restoring the Church

36:17 The Power of Listening to Women's Voices

39:52 Finding Hope in Embracing Our True Identities

In this episode we welcome Need to Know contributors Mariah Humphries and Carolyn Whatley, to discuss the role of gender empowerment and cultural awareness in building a flourishing future church. From an Indigenous and Indigenous-informed perspective, they share about the importance of lamenting injustices, the need for diverse voices in leadership, and how men can become allies in supporting women. We reflect on the necessity of personal spiritual transformation and the responsibility of individuals to engage wholeheartedly in these discussions. You’ll also find many resources and recommendations to continue your journey.

Show Notes

Link to order the book: Need to Know: Empowering Female Leadership and Why It’s Essential for the Future of the Church

keywords

Need to Know, empowerment, women in church, cultural awareness, allyship, lament, healing, diversity, inclusion, spiritual transformation

takeaways

* Empowerment of women is crucial for a flourishing church.

* Allies play a significant role in supporting women and marginalized voices.

* Lamenting injustices is essential for healing within the church.

* The future church must embrace diversity and inclusion.

* Spiritual transformation is a personal responsibility.

* Men need to actively support women in leadership roles.

* Diverse voices and perspectives are vital for a healthy church.

* Reading works by diverse authors can enhance understanding and empathy.

* The Need to Know book serves as a resource for leaders seeking to create equitable spaces.

Sound Bites

* "There has to first be lament over injustice."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to 'Need to Know' and the Authors

07:46 The Future of the Church and the Importance of Lament

14:12 Men's Emotions and the Healing of the Church

31:05 Prioritizing Growth and Change Over Comfort in the Church

31:37 The Beauty of Humility and Backtracking

32:15 Embracing Discomfort and Reflecting on Marginalized Voices

33:39 Addressing Fragility and Shifting Mindsets

36:00 Diversifying Reading and Amplifying Marginalized Voices

37:27 The Role of Male Leaders in Creating an Inclusive Church