If you are doing a new member’s workshop course at your church, you may want to think about adding a section on gender roles in the church. Whether you are a conservative church or a more progressive church, it is likely that your new members will have questions, preconceived notions, and ideas about gender roles.
This most certainly comes from our culture which believes that any distinction between men and women is immoral. As a conservative Christian, I have a slight problem with this because I believe that God has made my daughter and son to be unique. I must also confess that I am a big fan of women. I actually married one believe it or not, and I am so glad that she is not like me! God has made her unique so that she and I compliment one another, and that also my theological position.
You may want to think about addressing this issue in your new member orientation so that you are upfront about what roles women and men are expected to have at your church. If you do, it will be fair to everyone who comes in your door, and no one should be surprised when your pastor preaches a message out of Ephesians. But more importantly, it sets a standard for everyone at the church and allows there to be less confusion.
Need some help with this issue? Check out this post from Mike Seaver’s Blog Roll Calling. I think you will find it helpful.
Tags: complementarianism, Egalitarianism, men's role in church, women's role in church
