When I go on vacation and get out in the woods, what I want most is to hear from God. So last month I’m hiking in the Pioneer Mountains of Montana with my husband Scott, asking God to talk to me afresh.
As we make our way up the trail, we keep seeing trees with odd, arrow-like shapes cut into the bark. They are trail blazes made to mark the path for those who follow.
Trail blazes. Pioneer Mountains. I’m listening, Lord.
I reflect on how those who have gone before impact our lives by going places first so that we can get there, too. I think of the heroes in Hebrews chapter 11 “hall of faith.”
We get back to the cabin, and I dig into the book which I had randomly purchased just before we left.
It’s called The Liberating Truth: How Jesus Empowers Women, written by a major in the Salvation Army. In the foreword, I read that Danielle Strickland is “…a freedom fighter, blazing a trail with her lifestyle and message.”
Blazing a trail. Pioneers. Those who have gone before.
By now I’m really paying attention — but I’m getting a little nervous.
See, I don’t like conflict. I respect many leaders who hold to complementarism. And I’d pretty much told myself I didn’t care to be a flag-waving egalitarian.
Briefly, the complementarian view says women are equal to men in value, but are not free to fill ministry leadership positions except over women and children.
The egalitarian view does not see a functional distinction between genders, and says women are free to minister in the area of their gifting, including the gift of leadership.
To be honest, my hesitance to talk about this subject comes from two factors which really should not be in play at all.
First, I don’t like being a paradigm-shifting pioneer. Change does not come easy for people, and those who challenge the status quo are often viewed as trouble-makers.
Second, I have a bad taste in my mouth from listening to some proponents of egalitarianism.
In my opinion, there’s been some arrogance, bitterness and faulty theology (for example, the idea that it’s okay for Christian women to practice a lesbian lifestyle).
I’ve found myself reacting to the reactors, which is never a good plan.
So here I am, begging God for a fresh revelation, and he brings up this subject, of all things. And he gently opens my eyes to my selfish cowardice.
The more I read and pray, the more I catch hold of the heart of God in all this. And then the irony hits me:
When I speak at women’s retreats, I encourage women to rediscover their God-given voice, find their identity in Christ, and launch into his purposes for them.
If women are to walk out their callings in Christ, they must be freed from gender-based restrictions.
Gender difference is an important and beautiful thing — but so is equality. The Church must treat women with dignity and respect, and stop holding them back from ministering to the whole Body of Christ.
As long as we hinder fully half of the Church with old ways of thinking. our efforts to advance the Kingdom will be hamstrung.
I believe this break’s Jesus’ heart. And whatever breaks his heart should break mine.
To quote Danielle,
“Ive got a restoration longing deep in my bones….I’ve got a hunger for a different value system, a way of life that has at its core freedom and empowerment for everyone–women included.”
Ultimately, Jesus is the one who blazed this trail.
The only question is, will we follow?
Amen & Amen! This is a topic I’m quite passionate about, but I avoid discussing it with people who strongly object, because in the end I think it requires a revelation from the Holy Spirit. Bless you as you continue to teach and encourage other women and set them free in their giftedness!
You’re very wise in your response, Kristyn. It’s absolutely true that Holy Spirit revelation is required for this change to take place in people’s thinking — both men and women. Thank you for your encouragement, and may you be blessed in your ministry as well!