What Message Are We Sending Our Female Students?

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A female colleague and good friend of mine, who attends a great seminary, passed this video on to me last week.

I have to admit, there’s A LOT that makes me laugh in this video… but there are also some sad realities that I think necessitate our attention and thoughtful response.

The biggest issue this video raises for me has to do with the message(s) we are sending our female students.

The college years are some of the most formative of life…

It’s a time when young women and men are learning more about how God has created them and what God might be calling them to do with their lives.

And we have the chance to play an incredibly important role in the lives of our students — as they are learning to discern God’s voice and direction.

I wonder though… are we implicitly, or even explicitly, sending our female students a message that is limiting, and potentially counter to, what God wants for them?

In our student leadership, are we placing women in certain roles, and men in others?

In our speaking, are we using gender exclusive, or inclusive language?

In how our staff functions, are we modeling a style of leadership that speaks to the equality between men and women, or does it elevate one sex over and above the other?

Do our thoughts, words, or even our actions resemble this video in any way?

I don’t know about your ministry context, but on the campus I serve, women tend to make up the majority of consistent participants, and reliable leaders, that I get to serve and serve alongside (and that’s a whole other issue in need of our thoughtful attention).

These young women exemplify a life fully devoted to Jesus, with a willingness to go wherever God might lead.

I don’t want to stand in the way of that.  I can’t!

So my challenge to those of us who serve college students, and have the chance to speak regularly into their lives, is that we would choose to dream BIG with our students about ALL of the possible ways God might want to use them — and NOT be a voice of limitation, divergence or inequality.

What do you think?

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About the Author

Guy Chmieleski

Guy is the Founder of FaithONCampus.com. He is also the University Minister, at Belmont University, located in Nashville, TN. FaithONCampus.com is designed with campus and college ministers in mind, and is here to serve as: a resource, catalyst for conversations and encouragement for our shared work with today’s college students.

  • http://twitter.com/JustSchneider Justin

    As usual, I’m a big fan. I’ve been having this discussion with anyone who is willing. We’re trying to bring it up in the Churches of Christ: http://halfthechurch.wordpress.com.

    • Anonymous

      Hey Justin! So glad you’re pushing the conversation! I know it can make you (and others) feel unpopular for bringing up what is, for some, a controversial subject… but know that there are others who stand with you! Fight the good fight my friend!!

      • http://twitter.com/jdrogers Jen

        Guy, I thought I posted the first time around, but apparently not. (And apparently your “from the archives” works.)  The video has been passed around in my circles countless times since the fall. I too have laughed but I have also lived many of the scenes in the clip – both in seminary and then in working with churches.  As a woman in the Churches of Christ tradition who is in ministry (imagine how the conversation went after I performed my first wedding) I find myself regularly having these conversations – both with men and women. But, I also find myself helping women who are getting to serve in new ways for the first time. How do I lead a small group, what about praying for over a group, how do I write a devo? One of the things that is emerging out of these conversations the Women in Ministry Network site (the group has existed for several years) – http://www.womeninministrycc.com . In its new format and new content, two of the goals are to provide a connection with other women in ministry and to connect them with resources in this unique journey. If you think it would help anyone, feel free to pass it on. Right now, our series is Around the Table: Voices from the Communion Table. It has been great to read the mediations written in a feminine voice. 

        grace and peace.
        j

    • Chris

      Great post. I am passionate about gender equality in our churches. As one serving a Church of Christ campus ministry, I feel the struggle. It pains me that churches really do send this video’s message to our women. I love seeing our ladies step up to the call when given the opportunities according to their gifts. I struggle with what they will be doing after graduation from our campus ministries.

      • Anonymous

        Hi Chris! How open is your ministry context to having this conversation? I know that main stream C of C does not believe in it… but what’s the feel at your specific location? Is this something that could potentially be addressed in smaller, or even bigger, ways?

        • Chris

          Sorry about the delay in replying. Our ministerial staff desires to see more involvement from our women in public worship. More and more in our setting are fine with it. The vocal minority who might threaten contribution stability get their way more than not.

          I do talk openly about it among those students I disciple, even publicly in our college gatherings. In our context, it seems like the students (of both genders) wonder why this is such a big deal for the church. As several students graduate and stay in town, I see more momentum toward having this conversation in our church context.

          Our staff is currently working slowly toward helping our congregation be ready and able to have a conversation on such a big issue. We’re generally immature right now, and that doesn’t bode well for focusing on an issue. I pray our leadership leads us toward Jesus…and that will force us to address even this conversation.

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  • http://twitter.com/wesleyanrudy Jeffrey Rudy

    Great post, Guy! I’ve always looked to Mary Magdalene and Priscilla as Biblical examples of women who were commissioned to preach the good news and serve in a teaching/leadership role in the Church. (There is considerable evidence that Junia in Romans 16 is female and is counted among the apostles…that speaks volumes!) My frustration with the folks who use those specific passages in some of Paul’s epistles is that they have done with those passages what the Pharisees and “Judaizers” had done with cultural customs/laws of the OT. There were cultural issues at play in Corinth and Ephesus that are often ignored. Anyway, I’m glad that campus leaders like you, Guy, are encouraging women to pursue their calling no less than men. Keep up the good work!

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