So what got you, the brilliant Gladiator spoof? The age old reinforcement of the conflict between men and women? Or the fact that we can live in harmony on a sunday? Or not as it would often seem if you are a woman and have anything to do with a church or indeed any other time of the week either when you lead, speak, do - don't believe me that it happens in the emerging conversation, well check out this starkly uncomfortable post from Julie.
Now I can understand why people like David argue that they are not egalitarian when they set out how the term has been subverted so it is less about equality and much more to do with sounding noble whilst continuing with the oppression. But it is very hard (for me impossible) to disagree with the literal presentation/meaning of the word and what it means as Makeesha so articulately, succinctly and credibly sets out.
Of course rather than playing word games and claiming badges, important as they can be, i firmly believe it is what we do in practice that reflects whether we are really serious about treating each other as full equals and partners in the conversation. My blogroll is full of woman who I think are worth listening too, not because they are woman but because I think they are wise, they are leaders in the emerging church and I want to have their voices in my life, influencing my thinking and my acting.
In my walking around life I have the pleasure of having women lead and teach me, I am blessed that I go to a church which actively promotes and encourages women and men to exercise all of their gifts using the personalities and abilities that they have been given to do so.
Where I have an influence to do so:
- on my blog (in linking, blogroll, respect for commantators),
- on others blogs by actively seeking out and learning from voices in the conversation
- or in the blogs I support by chosing guest authors and supporting them
I proactively chose men and women, in fact my bias is slightly for the female as I think it is not enough to say there are woman leading the emerging church conversation or who have the potential too - i want to limit some of my rights and freedoms so that they can be heard, highlighted and receive the recognition they deserve.
I'm also aware that on the one hand this sounds like so much patronising crap (for which i apologise) and on the other a tiny drop in the ocean of indifferent acceptance or competition (again for my part in that I also aplogise).
Church is no where near where it should be, yet I have a hope...
I have a hope, it is in the eschatological reality of the Kingdom of God which for me is a vision of complete liberty, equality and humanity.
I have hope in the very nature of God, in whose image we are created and in the fulness of Christ we will one day find ourselves fully dwelling in. Where in the trinity (which is neither male nor female with the exception of the risen incarnate Jesus Christ) equality is not something to be grasped but something to be used to serve each other, as each member of the Godhead deliberately chooses to turn the spotlight off themselves and onto each other - other centred mutual submission bringing glory to the whole Godhead.
I can hope, I can pray and I can act and I invite you to join me...
for liberty...
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don't use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that's how freedom grows. For everything we know about God's Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That's an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?
for equality...
You should think in the same way Christ Jesus does. In his very nature he was God. But he did not think that being equal with God was something he should hold on to. Instead, he made himself nothing. He took on the very nature of a servant. He was made in human form. He appeared as a man. He came down to the lowest level. He obeyed God completely, even though it led to his death. In fact, he died on a cross.
for humanity...
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. And now that you belong to Christ, you are the true children of Abraham. You are his heirs, and God’s promise to Abraham belongs to you.
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