Sophia Network

If you have not read the Nashville Statement, please don't.

If you have not read the Nashville Statement, please don’t. It is a mean-spirited and hubristic assemblage of theological illiteracies and non-sequiturs—and those are its better features. Although pretending to be a defence of ‘biblical sexuality’, it carefully avoids mention of those sexual sins that are rampant in the authors’ own church contexts—easy acceptance of divorce; routine use of pornography; regular failures to condemn domestic violence—and so, like the Pharisee’s prayer in the parable, it becomes basically an exercise in finger-pointing. ‘Those people over there,’ it says, ‘are sinners—look at how evil they are!’ As Matt Lee Anderson has pointed out, this sort of self-righteousness is barely a step away from an outright denial of the gospel.

Even if it were more adequately framed, however, there would still be a puzzling question to ask about the Nashville Statement: why was it written? I mean, none of us were lying awake at night wondering whether the Council for Biblical Manhood and Womanhood were affirming of same-sex relationships or not. What does the Statement say or do that had not previously been perfectly adequately said or done?

Some have read it as CBMW re-focusing itself from its previous concern with defining appropriate gender roles to a new concern with sexuality. On this reading, it is not trying to say anything new, but instead is a corporate positioning into a new space. Of course we all knew what the CBMW folk thought of same-sex marriage, but they want to tell us that this is going to be what they are focused on from now.

On my reading, this is nearly right, but only nearly. A close reading of the Statement demonstrates that CBMW have not moved away from their concern with differentiated gender roles. Article 4 in particular demonstrates this: ’WE AFFIRM that divinely ordained differences between male and female reflect God’s original creation design and are meant for human good and human flourishing.’ The Nashville Statement entangles a traditional position on human sexuality with a complementarian account of gender roles; ‘if you want to maintain orthodoxy on sexuality,’ CBMW insist, ‘you must agree with us in our [extreme and novel] position on masculinity and femininity’.

This is a trap—but for many, a welcome one. The Statement was met with much outrage, most of it confected—people expressing shock and sadness that Piper, Grudem, et al. are not affirming of same-sex marriage are not expressing honest reactions. Brian McLaren was unusually, if characteristically, honest in welcoming the Statement (http://auburnseminary.org/applaud-fervently-deny-nashville-statement/). For McLaren, as for its framers, it provided a clear dividing line, demanding each one of us choose between what McLaren would call love and hate, what CBMW would call heresy and orthodoxy, and what truth compels us to call the modern American distortion of Christianity that McLaren represents and the modern American distortion of Christianity that CBMW represents.

The Statement is framed to try to make us take sides, and the loudest responses have been similarly framed. We should refuse. It is not just perfectly possible, it is in fact absolutely normal, to be generally traditional in theology and ethics and to support the ordination of women. In the UK, the Salvation Army have been doing it for over a century, and the Baptists for nearly as long. (It is also perfectly possible and rather common in the UK to be affirming on sexuality and to hold to a male-only priesthood—this has been the default position of many liberal Anglo-Catholics in recent decades.)

Questions of gender roles and questions of sexuality just do not determine each other, and our response to the drafters of the Nashville Statement, and to those who collude in their games by loudly criticising it, should be simply to refuse to be deceived by the rhetoric. The question of gender roles and the question of sexual ethics are answerable separately from each other, and attempts to pretend that they are not—from either side—are merely invitations to sloppy thinking.

 

 

Steve Holmes is Head of School of Divinity at St Andrew's University.

 

Sophia Network September 2017 Update

 

 

Welcome to the Sophia September Update

We had a wonderful summer working, resting and relaxing and we hope you did too! Continue that feeling of rest and relaxation by taking some time to grab a cuppa and maybe even a biscuit and flicking through this month’s offerings;

 

Tami Zacharias writes about the importance of remembering in leadership.

 

 

Dan Crouch reflects on the lessons he has learned about gender equality since becoming a father earlier this year. 

 

 

 

Did you see it? 
This is a new occasional feature that gathers a few recent interesting items from the news over the last month that may have Did you see it?.


Finally, please do pray for the trustees as we meet on 21 September. The meeting is crucial to developing our emerging strategy and we will also be discussing the process for analysing and interpreting the responses to our survey that was completed by over 1000 women.

Why not join us at the Sophia Network and add your voice whether male or female, to cheer on women in the church in the U.K.

Blessings,

Vicky Thompson

Chair of Sophia Network

 

 

 

Dan Crouch

Trustee and Editor

 

Reflective Leadership Corner

Remembering in Leadership

For the entire first year of my current role, I wanted to quit every day. I had just moved across the ocean to take on a new position in a field where I had no expertise. When I arrived, no one had communicated to the team that I was taking over leadership of the department. Even the department head I would replace was clueless! I felt deceived, incompetent and isolated. There was only one thing that got me through that long year: remembering.

The Israelites faced many obstacles in entering the promised land. After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and mourning the death of their venerable leader, Moses, they encountered something that seemed insurmountable: the Jordan River (Josh. 4). How would the nation be able to cross the surging waters safely?

God instructed the priests to carry the ark of the Lord into the river. As their feet touched the water, God parted the river and the Israelites passed through without harm. An act of obedience was met with God’s faithfulness in a miraculous way. God quickly instructs the Israelites to create a pile of stones from the Jordan as a memorial. Whenever the people would see the stones, they would remember God’s actions and keep trusting.

In my own life, before I left my previous position, I spent time seeking God’s guidance for my future. I journaled my insights as I received various confirmations that this was the right move. God’s call was clear. Each time I wanted to quit, my journals became like my pile of stones. I would look back on them and remember how God led me to this point. Even though I didn’t know what was going on, I drew strength from remembering and persevered.

Challenges in leadership are inevitable. Conflict, miscommunication, lack of resources, spiritual attack, and many other things face us on a regular basis – sometimes all at once! Remembering God’s faithfulness and past action in our lives and throughout history is a rich resource to spur us on. How will we remember?

Questions for Reflection

· How have you experienced God in your leadership?

· What are practical ‘piles of stones’ you can build to remember? It could be a journal, wall hanging, phone reminders, or something else creative.





Tami lives in Canada and works for the Christian charity Operation Mobilisation. She recently finished studies in Adult Education, and enjoys conversations about feminism and tea.

Parenting Perspectives

Having been blessed through the arrival of our first child in February this year I was reminded that in the rhythm of life there are moments when we pause and reflect. Becoming a parent is one such moment, in amongst the nappies, feeding and interrupted sleeping, there is an unexpected amount of time to reflect!

Over the last six months, at various times of the day and night, I have had cause to reflect on almost every aspect of life (some of this is because I am currently training for ordained ministry in the Church of England!) Today I am more convinced than ever of the importance of working to champion the full equality of women and men in the church. While my daughter, Martha, has provoked my thinking, she is not the motivation for my involvement, she is a visible (and often audible) reminder of a future generation of women leaders for whom we work today.

Having completed a year of training for ordination at Trinity College, Bristol, I have also been struck by the insights, passion, energy, enthusiasm, leadership and skill of the women I am training alongside. I don’t see these friends as ‘female ordinands’, but ordinands, but I also realise that this is not the case for everybody and while this discrepancy in viewpoints exists ministry for some women is very hard. The chances are their experience of ministry will be very different to mine. I can’t even begin to understand what it must be like to have my calling and suitability questioned simply because I am XX not XY.

As part of my recent thinking, I have been wondering if I need to release some commitments and re-prioritise, but in doing so God has reminded me of his calling on my life which includes, for this season, involvement with Sophia. I’ve questioned why this is so important and central to my call and there are several things I felt God saying to me;

• The work of empowering and equipping women in leadership, and to champion the full equality of women and men in the church is a task for now and the future. Each time I look into the face of my daughter I am reminded of the future that I am creating for her, each time I look into the face of my wife I am reminded of the challenges of ministry for women today. I want to be able to say to my wife and daughter, and to God because he has called me to this, that I played my part with others.
• There is an important role for men in the challenge of achieving full equality in the church. The big challenge is knowing how to make use of my ‘platform’ as a man (and I do have one, simply because of my gender). I need to be open enough to repent when I get this wrong, because I do.
• So much of our values and behaviours are learned from our parents, our friends and the world around us. As a father, I have a unique role in the life of my daughter, and I am determined to ensure that I take this role seriously. I can influence the world in which my daughter grows up, and for me Sophia is a great way to begin to do this on a larger scale.

While this is my calling, yours will be different. But maybe, just maybe, you might also feel called to get involved with the ministry of Sophia as we continue to work to empower and equip women in leadership, and to champion the full equality of women and men in the church. If you do, please do get in touch. We’d love to partner with you.




Dan is an ordinand (trainee vicar) at Trinity College, Bristol and a trustee of Sophia Network.

Did you see?

Did you see the following this month?

If not, take some to catch-up now...

• Musician Pink! Pink speaks to her daughter in an acceptance speech at a recent awards ceremony.
  
   
• Comedian Robert Webb speaks about his autobiography 'How not to be a boy.' 
  
  
  
• The BBC programme 'No more boys and girls: Can our kids go gender free?' 
  
  

Come and join the Sophia Network team

We're looking for a secretary!

Created in 2007 and now a UK registered charity, Sophia Network is passionate about championing the equality of women and men in ministry.

Our volunteer Secretary plays a key role in assisting the Chair and helping our Board function. Key aspects include:
- Managing the record keeping for the charity
- Working with the Chair, managing the logistics of Trustee Board meetings like setting dates, creating agenda, booking venue & organising lunch
- Taking minutes of meetings
- Fulfilling other duties as a Trustee.

Our next Secretary will:
- be passionate about championing the equality of men and women in minstry
- have a vibrant, growing faith
- an administration gifting set, based in the UK and over 18
- have 2-3 hours a month to devote to this role (hours may vary according to month)

This post is open to a woman or a man. Reasonable travel expenses to meetings will be covered.

If you're interested and have prayerfully considered this role, please complete this online application here by 30 September 2017. Any questions? Please email Chair Vicky Thompson (vickythompson@fhcc.org.uk). 

Sophia Network July 2017 Update

 
                                                    Welcome to the Sophia Network July 2017 update


If you're a Whovian you will have been eagerly anticipating the announcement of the next Doctor Who. As Jodie Whittaker was announced as the 13th Doctor reactions were mixed. While many were delighted that this iconic role would be regenerating in this way it was clear from reaction across social media that for some the idea that this role could be played by a woman was unacceptable and many were vociferous in sharing their disquiet. This is a real reminder that there is still plenty of progress to be made in gender equality.

Another reminder of the work that still needs to be done came this week when Andy Murray, in an interview after his defeat by American Sam Querry at Wimbledon, challenged the sexism of a reporter by correcting their claim that his victorious opponent was 'the first US player to reach a major Semi-Final since 2009.' Querry was the first male to reach a major semi-final in the last eight years, but in that same time Serena Williams has won 12 Grand Slam tournaments. If you haven't seen the clip you can view it here. How often do our media dismiss or overlook the achievements of women and prioritise those of men?

The Sophia Network wants to give voice to women and to hear from them. Our survey seeking to hear the voices of women in the UK church today closes today with well over 1000 women having completed it. Huge thanks to all who took the time to share their experience and thoughts. We are excited to read and analyse responses as we think strategically about the future of the Sophia Network.
 
This month we are pausing and reminding you of some of the great content that has been shared on the Sophia blog in the first half of 2017. So grab a cuppa, make yourself comfortable, and enjoy.

In January Tami Zacharias shared some new year thoughts on deconstructing for growth.

 

 

 

In February we shared our favourite content from 2016 including this significant article from Gemma Ruth Brown on Calling.  

 

 

 

In March Natalie Collins shared an impassioned challenge to Christian events organisers to be more intentional in their commitment to gender equality. We also featured articles from our archives by Ian Paul and Ruth Dearnley.





In May we launched our Women in the Church survey



In June: Natalie Collins shared the experiences that prompted her to write her new Gender-aware Youth Work booklet for Grove Books.

Why not join us at the Sophia Network and add your voice whether male or female, to cheer on women in the church in the U.K.

Blessings,

Vicky Thompson

Chair of Sophia Network

Sophia Network - June 2017 Update

 

Welcome to the Sophia Network June 2017 update

Brenda from Bristol went viral last month as she passionately proclaimed to the nation “not another election!” Whatever your view on the outcomes of last week’s general election, we can certainly celebrate it as a win for the 207 female candidates who were elected into Parliament. Women now make up 32% of all MPs and while there is still a way to go, we can give thanks that a larger proportion of female voices will be heard in government debate. One place that such campaigning has never been necessary is before God. Throughout the Bible, God has heard and responded to the voices of both women and men, from Hannah and Deborah, to Priscilla and many others.   

Women’s voices are important and we must continue to make a way for them to be heard in government, in our workplaces, communities and in our churches. It is for this reason that the Sophia Network launched our Women in the UK Church survey.  Over 1000 women have already taken part and we hope that you and those you know will too. 

So we need you to do just two simple things:

1. Complete the survey before 18^th July – it shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.
2. Spread the word – whether that’s through Twitter, Facebook or email, we’d love you to encourage other women to tell us their thoughts, too.

You also have an opportunity to win a £50 voucher for Amazon in a prize draw.

We’re hoping that the results of the survey will also help to shape the future direction of the Sophia Network. We want to ensure we are focussing on the areas in which we are most needed.

Also this month:

Natalie Collins shares the experiences that prompted her to write her new Gender-aware Youth Work booklet for Grove Books.

 

 

Tami Zacharias shares a reflection on deep and wide leadership.

 

 

 

 

 

And there are still some places on this great event:

Join Esther Collective for a refreshing weekend of workshops, retreat and discovery as you journey through the story of Esther alongside other women. Taking place 20-23 July, Derbyshire. More details here.

Why not join us at the Sophia Network and add your voice whether male or female, to cheer on women in the church in the U.K.

Blessings,

Vicky Thompson

Chair of Sophia Network

Reflective leadership corner

Exploring leadership through a reflective lens

Deep and wide leadership

For many people today, thinking about Christian leaders is as likely to pull up images of scandal as it is of Christ. Whether it’s local pastors, leaders of parachurch ministries, or people with greater international influence, no one seems to be immune. Followers suffer dramatic consequences, and the watching world’s view of the Christian faith is tainted.

Before we rest assured this could not happen to us, Paul warns: “If you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12). As much as we believe we are immune, we are all vulnerable when our width outstrips our depth.

Leadership is often defined by influence, which is both conferred and sought out by individuals. In order to cope successfully with the demands inherent in greater influence, leaders must match it with a growing inner character and maturity. When this does not happen, and influence overcomes character, the potential for scandal increases, as the leader does not have the inner resources necessary to combat the challenge of power.

Jesus said in Luke 16:10: “Whoever is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much; and whoever is dishonest in a very little is dishonest also in much.” Character and maturity do not happen overnight; they are developed over time, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us we must start small, and aim at faithfulness, not greater power or influence. In my own experience, I have found when I focus in this way, my influence expands naturally, and in proportion to my character.

How do we know if our width and depth are in balance? Here are a few questions to think through to answer this question for yourself.

• Am I motivated by love and a desire to serve God, or a desire to serve myself?
• Am I investing in myself and my relationship with God more than I am expending in ministry?
• Am I relying on myself and my capacity, or on God and His strength?

Only God truly knows our heart. Let us join the Psalmist in his plea: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts” (Psalm 139:23). Let us practise leadership that is both deep and wide, for God’s sake. 

Recommended Resource: The Making of a Leader by Robert Clinton. 1988, NavPress.

Tami lives in Canada and works for the Christian charity Operation Mobilisation. She recently finished studies in Adult Education, and enjoys conversations about feminism and tea.

Gender Aware Youth Work

I was reminiscing about the first year or so of marriage to my husband recently, as we’re soon to celebrate a decade of marriage! Apart from the inevitable challenges of two people (and in our case also two small children) coming to live together, there is much to celebrate from that season of our lives.  I began to reflect on the views about gender roles that I had brought to the marriage.  People who know me will be aware I’m a huge advocate for gender justice, both in my work doing consultancy about gender justice, in my home life as a feminist mother and in my calling as an agitator of the church and wider world.  What many people may be surprised about is that it was my husband and not me who pioneered gender justice in our marriage.

I’d been a single parent and so was used to doing all the childcare. In my first marriage, my ex-husband had been abusive and his tactics included exhausting me by refusing to take his half of responsibility for housework, childcare and paid work.  I been raised in a home where my mum’s roles revolved around me, my brother and my dad.  She cooked, cleaned and cared for us, and saw this as her primary calling.  It worked for my parents.  Yet, I carried those roles with me as a subconscious model for all relationships into my marriage to Baggy.

During his lunch hour one day Baggy called me to ask whether it was okay for him to go out for a drink with colleagues after work. I was taken aback.  Why was he asking me?  I was at home, he didn’t need my permission to go for a drink!  And his response has stuck with me over the last ten years, “Natalie, I will never assume you will be available to look after the children.  You may have made plans since the last time I spoke to you and the children are my responsibility too.”  It shook something inside me that I hadn’t even realised was there.  A subconscious belief that childcare and housework was “women’s work” and that made it 100% my responsibility.  On another occasion we were driving in the car and Baggy told me I could go out on an evening any time I wanted to.  I was shocked.  “Really?!  Can I?”  I then felt even more shocked to realise that I had been waiting for my husband’s permission. 

When it comes to gender, there are so many beliefs we hold that are subconscious or unconscious. For instance, THIS cartoon about the “Gender Wars of Household Chores” has been a catalyst for lots of couples talking about the ways household labour is unequal.  Youth workers are not immune from this, from the gender of the young people we ask to do different tasks, to the ways we might stereotype boys or girls when we talk about sex and relationships, to the expectations we have, there’s many ways that our unconscious assumptions and unintentional language can reinforce to young people that boys and girls are unequal and that God thinks that too.  That’s before we even introduce theology and gender, like the Christian Union that rearranged the chairs before a woman spoke, so that she wasn’t technically “preaching” to the gathered students.

To help youth workers navigate these challenges I have written a Grove Booklet entitled “Gender-aware Youth Work”. In my work, both as a youth worker and in equipping youth practitioners through the DAY Programme, there are lots of strategies that I have learned to raise my own (and other’s) consciousness about gender.  The Grove Booklet has a robust theological underpinning, gives immensely practical ideas and a wider socio-political framework for understanding what gender-aware youth work is and how to do it.  Grove Booklets are short and low cost, so useful for anyone short on time and/or money.  Hopefully it will enable youth workers to begin or continue on the journey to gender awareness, ensuring that future generations in the church will know that God did indeed create women and men in Their image and that mutuality and interdependence and core components of what it means to be female and male in the Kingdom of God.

You can buy the Gender-Aware Youth Work Grove Book from HERE.

Natalie Collins is a Gender Justice Specialist. She set up Spark and works to enable individuals and organisations to prevent and respond to male violence against women. She is also the Creator and Director of the DAY Programme, an innovative youth domestic abuse and exploitation education programme. She organises Project 3:28 and is a founding member of the Christian Feminist Network collective. She speaks and writes on understanding and ending gender injustice nationally and internationally.  If you’d like to support her work you can find out how to HERE.

Women and the Church: survey launched to capture barriers, hopes and everyday experiences

Many assumptions are made about women’s unique place within and relationship to the Church:

• What are women’s hopes and fears when it comes to taking up leadership roles within the Church?
• What are the unique barriers women face in the Church?
• And where are there causes for celebration – amazing examples of women and men working together in partnership for the gospel?

To mark our 10^th anniversary year, we at Sophia would love to know some of the answers to these questions. And this is where people like you come in.

If you’re a woman in UK or Ireland, would you take a few minutes to share your thoughts with us? We are embarking on an ambitious project to scope out the landscape of female leadership within the Church through launching a questionnaire.

We need wonderful women like you to honestly give us your opinions, to share your joys, your hopes, your concerns and your heartbreak. We believe that it’s only through getting an accurate picture of what it’s truly like for women in the Church that we can move forward, going on a full-on mission to address the issues that need addressing and to highlight best practice.

So we need you to do just two simple things:

1. Complete the survey before 18^th July – it shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes.
2. Spread the word – whether that’s through Twitter, Facebook or email, we’d love you to encourage other women to tell us their thoughts, too.

You also have an opportunity to win a £50 voucher for Amazon in a prize draw.

We’re hoping that the results of the survey will also help to shape the future direction of the Sophia Network. We want to ensure we are focussing on the areas in which we are most needed.

Thanks in advance for all your help. We look forward to sharing the results with you.

Sophia Network - March 2017 Update

International Women's Day: #beboldforchange

Today (8 March 2017), we celebrate International Women's Day (#beboldforchange). On 12 March 1994, the Church of England ordained the first women priests in its long history and 11 years later, the first woman Bishop. In the decades preceding these changes these women would have been considered very unlikely leaders in the church. This month we are going to consider one aspect of the discussion we began during our last equipping day the issue of 'who am I?'

Do you ever wonder how you would respond on the day that you meet God face to face? Perhaps we imagine throwing down our crowns before Him, or we see ourselves lost in wonder love and praise, maybe in our mind's eye we can imagine nothing else but bowing down before Him? In the middle of the desert Moses has a powerful encounter with God and his response has much to teach us on our own leadership journeys.  In this single moment, in the wilderness, simply living out his daily life, Moses is called. He is chosen for a noble task; to fulfil the purposes of God amongst His people the Israelites. At the moment of this awe striking encounter with almighty God what springs forth from Moses is not awe and praise but all of His insecurities.  The first of these being but God 'who am I?'

In this question Moses is stating that he used to be in a powerful position but is now a shepherd, a no one with nothing to offer in terms of worldly status. Moses understands that he grew up in a powerful family who exploited the very people who God is now asking Him to rescue. He also remembers that he is a murderer and a defector from the Egyptian people. Moses is an asylum seeker living in the back side of the desert afraid to ever return to the place of His birth because of the political ramifications. Moses recognises his position and the unlikely choice of leader that he appears to be. God too understands full well who Moses is, his strengths and weaknesses and on that day calls to him. In the calling of Moses God reminds us that He is not looking for powerful, self sufficient have it all together leaders but rather those who would ask with all humility 'who am I?' . It is from this place that Christian leaders both men and women can lean all the harder upon an all powerful God and lead as the apostle Paul did with full knowledge that it is 'in our weakness that His power is made perfect.' The following chapters see Moses the unlikely leader being 'bold for change' as he time and again appears before Pharaoh  to demand that the people be set free.

So, have you ever asked the question 'who am I?' 

You are in good company!  Let us continue to encourage and equip women in leadership to 'be bold for change', trusting in an all powerful God who calls us and equips both men and women for the task of faithfully following Him wherever He may lead us.

This month, our articles include some great articles from our past:

• Should women be ordained? by Rev Dr Ian Paul
• Baggage reclaim by Ruth Dearnley 

Both articles remind us of those who have been 'bold for change' and contributed both theologically and pragmatically towards seeking the equality of men and women within the church.

We also have an excellent article from Natalie Collins, founder of Project 3:28 on the need for Christian conferences to be more intentional about including female speakers - this would certainly be being bold for change.

Blessings,

Vicky Thompson

Chair of Sophia Network

 

Be more intentional: a challenge to Christian event organisers on women

I spent the early part of 2017 gathering data on the number of women and men speaking on national Christian platforms in 2016. This is the fourth year I – and a few others - have done this, and it forms part of the work I do with Project 3:28, a collective of people committed to improving the representation of women in UK Christian culture.

The Pursuit and Ichthus Network’s Revive event achieved 50/50 representation of women and men and The Pursuit told us this was an intentional decision on their part. Alongside this, seven events had improved the number of female speakers alongside men compared with 2015.  In spite of this, there has been no overall improvement in 2016, with women comprising 36% of the national Christian platform. In previous years, we have seen gradual improvements, so it is disappointing that no such increase has been seen within the last year.

Our rationale in collecting this data is that there is a level of ambivalence among Christians about the representation of women in Christian culture. Neuroscientist Cordelia Fine has evidenced that we are primed to see women in male roles as more dominant than they actually are. One female and eight male speakers will leave us assuming an event is pro- women. Whereas eight female speakers and one male speaker would lead to assumptions it is probably a “women’s event”.  By making visible the representation of women at events, it allows event participants to make informed choices about attending events that are perhaps pro-equality in word more than in deed. I hope it also encourages event organisers to be more intentional about seeking out women speakers. 

Though across the board there hasn’t been a move towards equal representation for women, we have had anecdotal feedback from Christians involved in event planning that the annual statistics and the work of Project 3:28 has resourced them in challenging event organisers to be more intentional in seeking women to speak. It has also given people the ability to challenge events in a more evidence-based way. And I’ve been impressed at the commitment of events like the Premier Digital Conference who have been working year-on-year to improve the number of women speaking. So, these are all things to celebrate!

Sadly, as we look forward through 2017, new event Naturally Supernatural (from the egalitarian organisation Soul Survivor) has few women announced as speakers and the HTB Leadership Conference is heavily male-dominated. There is so much still to be done. We’re unlikely to see events with complementarian theology seeking to improve their platform balance, however events that have an explicitly egalitarian stance have a responsibility to do better. We have to remain hopeful that the work of committed individuals and organisations, including Project 3:28, will see long-term change happening. F

or until the fullness of the people of God is reflected in all areas of Christian culture, the people of God will continue to be short-changed.  

Natalie Collins set up Spark and is an independent consultant working to prevent and respond to violence against women and enable others to do the same. She is also the creator of DAY, an innovative youth domestic abuse education programme. Natalie speaks and trains on understanding and ending domestic abuse and gender injustice nationally and internationally.

Sophia Network Update - February 2017

Welcome to the Sophia Network February Update.

It is February already! If you’re anything like me, it may have crept up on you a little! January seems to have flown past in a flash.

February is an exciting month for my wife and I as we anticipate the arrival of our first child. With this change in my personal circumstances in mind, I am indebted to my fellow trustees Claire Rush and Chine McDonald for their willingness to oversee the blog and monthly news update for the next few months. You’re in very capable hands!

This month we are searching our archives to share with you our favourite six blogs of 2016. We’re so blessed to have such a wide range of authors from the network who are prepared to share their thoughts with us and these articles.

Over the next few months our posts are going to be based around the teaching Anne Calver shared with us back at our equipping day as we think further about what it means to lean in.

Look out too for some exciting news from the Network in the next couple of months as we seek to engage more effectively with members and establish more accurately how we can serve you all.

Thank you for being part of the journey with us. It is our privilege to serve you.




In February 2016 Gemma Ruth Brown shared with us a piece exploring calling and encouraged us to never stop learning, find our tribe, and step forward with courage.









In April, the super-talented Carolyn Whitnall shared one of our favourite creative elements of the blog in her poem ‘Reheard.’ The creativity and imagination of our network members never ceases to amaze us.









In June, regular contributor Tami Zacharias shared with us some thoughts on Wrestling with Identity and Security in Leadership which were an excellent reminder and challenge to us all. We hope Tami will continue to contribute to the blog in 2017 because we believe her insights and experience are superb.

 

In July Sarah Chestnutt shared in a Vlog her thoughts on Alli Worthington’s book ‘Breaking Busy’ that some of the networkread together.







In October, we profiled 5 UK Initiatives Turning Up The Volume Of Hope For Girls & Young Women part of our commitment to work in partnership, promote and support other organisations who share our aims and values.

 

 

In November, Rev Sarah Whittleston offered her perspective on our equipping day and the importance of gathering together as women and men striving to champion the equality of women and men in church together.

 

Enjoy!



                                                                                                    


Vicky Thompson                                                                               Dan Crouch
Chair of Trustees                                                                              Editor and Trustee

Sophia Network Update - January 2017

Welcome to the Sophia Network January 2017 update

Happy New Year!

You’ll notice a few changes to this update in the coming months as we continue as a board of trustees to discern our future direction.

The main change to this update is the decision to streamline the content to serve you more effectively. We will now be including just one or two new items each month and ocassionally directing you towards our rich back catalogue of articles. We hope that by doing this we will create more space to creatively consider how we might be serve our members.

We know that 2017 is going to be an exciting year and we will be sharing with you more of our plans as the year unfolds.

Thank you for your support of Sophia Network.

Our first update this year includes the following articles;



Tami Zacharias shares some thoughts new year thoughts on deconstructing for growth.











Rev Deirdre Brower Latz writes on women in the bible who inspire her.





Enjoy!


 Dan Crouch
 Trustee and Editor

Women in the Bible

Photo Credit: Tami Zacharias

Women in the Bible.

The reclaiming of women as evangelists, in the person of Mary, carrying good news to others is probably one of my favourite scenes in all of Scripture. John paints it well, this edenic moment, where recognition and identifying, witnessing, sending and relaying truth are all powerfully packed in. The invitation into the story of resurrection-life shifting the whole world on its axis as we see the first true man, the first truth-telling woman rightly relating in a hair-raising, spine-tingling moment of deepest acknowledgement. Whatever else came before: Jesus is Alive and the witness of that sparks a righting into a new imagination of life. I love John 20 and 21 for all its strong stories of all things being made knew, but the role of Mary in John 20 makes my heart leap. The mystery and hope embedded in these moments of connection, the possibilities of her mad rush (my interpretation of ‘went’) to the others, where the declaration of her encounter is the first heralding of what the others discover to be truth.

When I think about the framing and oppression of women as inconsequential to the story, or as incapable of speaking, preaching, leading, I draw my attention back to Mary and Jesus.

But, I’m equally struck by another women who leads the church into new territory. The encounter with the God-fearing, open-hearted woman Lydia, a ‘leader’ in her won right, a savvy dealer, a ready hearer for good news. With strength enough to lead her whole household into the faith: a hospitable, persistent woman. Her home becomes a place of faith and refuge- a sanctuary for the fledgling faith and the place of peace after the prisoners Paul and Silas were set free: a centre of hope for a community of believers. The new European trajectory for the church begins with the receptivity of a woman who leads.

Why do these two stories resonate with me? They intertwine in my mind as setting the direction for the church to hear and acknowledge women as godbearers, good-news carriers, recognised by name, open-hearted and declaring and living out the truth of their experience of encountering God. Both are storied for us, different women, different experiences, one, powerless without Jesus, yet a speaker-for-him, the other powerful, yet hospitable enough to shape her power for Christ’s sake.

The other factor that makes me pause is that Jesus names Mary. He sees her. Acknowledges her. And, we hear Lydia’s name: Paul and Silas trust her. She’s acknowledged. Seen. She’s a central figure in receiving and empowering the church. I think that these samplings from the earliest texts that shape us should encourage us. To meet Jesus and hear our names on his lips, folded into the story of new life that we prophetically declare. We’re also to announce good news whether others believe we can or not (Mary’s not heard well necessarily), to creatively receive the good news and then create spaces of sanctuary so that the essence of hospitality, inclusion, welcome can be repeatedly expressed to those who are in trouble.  I think these stories can worm their way into our deepest places and form us, confident that the pattern of Scripture is one that has women firmly woven into it.

 

Revd Dr Deirdre Brower Latz is Principal of Nazarene Theological College, Manchester. She loves thinking alongside others and engaging in the area of social justice: exploring theology, hospitality, mission as justice, engaging with poverty and deepening our call to be fully Christ-like in relation to others.

Reflective Leadership Corner

Deconstructing for Growth

I recently watched a TED talk entitled The Danger of a Single Story by Nigerian author and speaker, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Adichie describes the diversity inherent in humanity and culture that cannot be contained in one perspective. Singular perspectives are somewhat like a blurred black and white photograph: they may reveal some truths, but they limit and distort reality. As I watched, I was somewhat challenged, but also self-assured. I already valued diversity and made a consistent effort to challenge my perspective. I thought I was well aware of the danger of a single story, and at least somewhat beyond its grasp.

Some weeks later, I found myself sitting in a room filled with young leaders from around the world. As we explored various topics surrounding leadership, I became increasingly frustrated by the lack of depth to the point where I could no longer engage. As I sat alone, reflecting on the situation, I realized that I had been nurturing a single story about depth that had blinded me from seeing the richness all around me.

We spend our lives constructing our stories, otherwise known as our worldview. It happens consciously and unconsciously, influenced by our culture, family, personality, history, and geography, among other things. We think that growth happens through a matter of addition, or continuous construction. This is only partially true. Certain kinds of growth can only happen through deconstruction.

It seems to be a natural human tendency to reject what does not fit with our stories. In order to move beyond a single story, we must deconstruct our ideas and assumptions about something or someone. This allows us to have multiple perspectives that are all true as they reach beyond our own limitations to bring colour and complexity to our photographs.

I am still on a journey of deconstruction. I need to spend time reflecting on my life and leadership to see my single stories. I need mentors and friends who will ask me difficult questions. I need to engage with books, articles, and experiences that purposefully challenge my assumptions. I know it will be difficult, and I will continually be tempted to retreat to what is comfortable. But I know the danger of the single story, and the price of change is worth it.

Questions for Reflection

• How would you describe the value of having multiple stories?
• How are you challenging your perspectives on a regular basis? What sorts of people, movies, books, etc. do you engage with that are different from you?
• What will you start doing this week to help deconstruct your assumptions?
  

  
  
  
  Tami Zacharias lives in Canada and works for the Christian charity Operation Mobilisation. She recently finished studies in Adult Education, and enjoys conversations about feminism and tea.
  
  

Sophia Network Update - December 2016

Welcome everyone to the final Sophia Network Update for 2016!

What a year 2016 has been! Unpredictable is one word you could use to describe it.

So grab a hot beverage of your choice, find a comfy seat, and treat yourself to a mince pie as you feast on this month's slightly-more-predictable-than 2016 content.


Natalie Collins wrote an excellent piece for us to mark International Day to eliminate violence against women on 25th November. We share that again with you here in case you missed it. 




Natalie is also part of a group who are working to develop an online database for Christian women who do public speaking. Natalie says 'This has been a vision myself and others have been working towards for a number of years.  As we started to think through the practicalities of making this happen, we realised we would need professional input and that would cost money. We have raised almost  5/7 of the full amount of £7000 we need.  You can find out more about the database here.   If you, or anyone you know would be interested in partnering with us in making the project happen, there is a GoFundMe page set up for people to contribute.  If you (or women you know) are interested in joining the database when it is complete, or if you just want to be kept informed about it you can sign up to get updates HERE.'

We also asked several network members for their dreams for 2017 and their responses are enlightening, encouraging and challenging.

 

 

Charlotte Hendy shares with us five things she has learnt as a woman in leadership in 2016.

 

 

 

Rev'd Dr Deirdre Brower Latz shares her personal experience of being a woman in leadership and the challenges she has faced.





We hope this festive season is filled with God's love, joy and peace, whatever the circumstances with which you find yourselves in.

Dan Crouch - Trustee and Editor

5 things I learnt as a woman leader in 2016

5 things I learnt as a woman leader in 2016

2016 has been an interesting year for us all, but not least for us women. Reflecting on the numerous news stories of the last 12 months, with their highs and lows, here are 5 things that I’ve learnt as a woman leader in 2016…

• You can win 4 tennis Olympic gold medals but, if you’re a woman, people may not remember

 In August, BBC presenter John Inverdale praised Andy Murray for being the first person to win two Olympic tennis golds. Murray swiftly reminded him that both Venus and Serena Williams have won four gold medals each. Doh! 

• Even the Queen takes guidance from God 

90 years is an impressive age for anyone to reach, and many joined in with the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations earlier in the year. For me, a highlight was reflecting on the Queen’s faith when I read ‘The Servant Queen and the King she serves’. What an outstanding example of a woman of influence humbly proclaiming that her life and leadership is anchored in her faith. 

• Mary, Mel and Sue may have broken our hearts, but integrity has won the day 

RIP Great British Bake Off, or at least GBBO as we know it. This year brought mixed emotions – joy and jubilation as a new batch of contestants stole our hearts every Wednesday evening, and tears and tantrums when we learnt GBBO would move to Channel 4 – minus three of the original four presenters and judges. Mary, Mel and Sue decided not to follow the money, and instead to quit the show – and it is this act of integrity that has shone brightest among all my 2016 Bake Off memories. 

• The sisterhood is strong 

From the reboot of the Powerpuff Girls to the all-female re-make of Ghostbusters, this year has shown us that we women, different though we may be, are strongest when we are united. 

• Some glass ceilings are yet to be smashed

Regardless of what you think of her politics, Hillary Clinton’s defeat to Donald Trump means that the USA have still never had a woman in the top position. Clinton perfectly summed up the hopes and frustrations of many in her concession speech when she said, "I know we have still not shattered that highest and hardest glass ceiling. But someday, someone will, and hopefully sooner than we might think right now."

This year has held a lot of lessons – we are making progress, but we still have a way to go. We hold on to hope, integrity, and faith above all else. We all have the potential to be trailblazers, and together we will achieve so much more.

In my day-job for Girls’ Brigade Ministries, I lead a discipleship and leadership initiative for women called The Esther Collective. Together we dare to ask the big questions, to lean in to God, and to respond to His call ‘for such a time as this’ (Esther Ch.4:14). We cultivate the values of integrity, influence and faith as we explore what it means to live and lead for Jesus today.

As I reflect on the lessons of 2016, I am expectant about what God will teach me, and many other women through life, through leadership, and through The Esther Collective next year.

Charlotte Hendy is The Esther Collective project leader for Girls’ Brigade Ministries, and loves seeing women discover who God made them to be and what He is calling them to do ‘for such a time as this’ (Esther Ch. 4:14). Originally from Plymouth, she studied Theology at Oxford and now lives in Sheffield. Charlotte suffers from seaside withdrawal symptoms and dreams of one day owning a house by the sea.

I have a dream...

 

We asked some of our network for their dreams for women in leadership -inside and out the church - in 2017. Here is what they had to say;

 

 

'My dream is that women will be leaders in innovation. As we dare to dream even bigger for our communities, and as we work to end injustice, despair and isolation, I believe we will inspire others to see that with God all things are possible.' 

Rachel Gardner - Youth Worker. Relationship Lead at Youthscape. President of Girls' Brigade E&W. Founder of Romance Academy. Trustee of Cinnamon Network & Home For Good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 'My dream for 2017 is to have a database of Christian female speakers to resource event organisers in achieving equal representation of men and women at Christian events across the UK.  In order to make this dream a reality, we at Project 3:28 have started a GoFundMe campaign!  If you'd like to get involved or invest in this go to: https://www.gofundme.com/project328database'

Natalie Collins - Gender Justice Specialist. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 'I would like it to be seen as normal to have women in leadership positions. And for those women in leadership to be commented on about their attributes and qualities and what they are doing and not their appearance (this feels especially true in the media).'

Helen Young - Youth Worker.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 'Let's face it, it seems that in some ways, 2016 seemed like a triumph for patriarchy, sexism and misogyny. My hope for 2017 is that we cultivate a culture of worth for everyone acting on the Gospel truth that each of us has equal worth and value regardless of what we look like, gender, age, race, ability etc. This is the hope-filled message that Jesus brought to us and he is calling us to follow in His footsteps today, particularly to turn up the volume of hope for girls. So let's turn hope into action and act together to support great initiatives like IC Change UK [http://icchange.co.uk/] who are ending violence against women.'

Dr Claire Rush - Participation and Advocacy Co-ordinator for Girls' Brigade Ministries, Vice-President of Girls' Brigade International and a trustee of Sophia Network.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 'As 2016 draws to a close the possibilities of what lies ahead becomes for us all a great opportunity.
An  opportunity to dream together of a different future. I  dream that all women would be free to be the people that God created them to be.
I dream that all women would be free to follow the call of God on their individual lives.
I dream that all women would be encourage, supported and cheered on to follow Christ into the places that He leads them.
I dream that men and women would be free to lead the church together according to their gifts and call.
I dream that gender would become a point of celebration instead of a place of division.'


Vicky Thompson - Pastor of Farnhams and Hedgerley Community Church and Chair of the Sophia Network. 

'I’ve always dreamed big. I’m not really one to put limits on myself or on God. My hope for the following year would usually be that we would be trailblazers or something equally epic. But this year, God’s telling me to keep it simple. My hope for 2017 is that myself, those around me, and perhaps you too, will become more in tune with God. That we will listen to Him more, rely on Him more, and discover more through His incredible Word. It’s pretty simple, but it still has the potential to be a game-changer!'

Charlotte Hendy - The Esther Collective project leader for Girls’ Brigade Ministries.