Sophia Network

Sophia Network Update - February 2015

Thanks for joining us for the next Sophia Network episode of 2015! We are glad you are here, alongside the thousands glaring at screens to catch up on Gender Justice around the world.

Before, I let you into the blog content, are any of you interested in sharing your stories here? We would love to hear stories of transformation from patriarchy/discrimination/prejudice, tales of your activism and the creative ways in which you are enabling women to reach their full potential. So please drop me a line if you want to write/film for future Sophia Network blogs at lizzietelfer@hotmail.co.uk. 

So, what's up this month:

• Tami Zacharias at OM Canada gives us three practical areas where we can focus on being active in Gender Justice in the everyday.

• We interviewed Chine Mbubaegbu, trustee of Sophia and who has recently entered into an exciting role at the Evangelical Alliance, as the first female, black Director on the leadership team.

• Natalie Collins introduces us to Project 3:28, which recently launched its report on the gender balance of platform speakers at Christian conferences in 2014.
  

• Gemma Brown shares her review of Undaunted by Christine Caine.

One way to be Gender Justice active, is to join Natalie Collins and co. at the Fifty Shades of Grey Protest in London on 12 February. You can find out more info here.

Also check out another campaigning organisation, #50dollarsnot50shades, where people donate the money they would have spent going to see the film to a domestic abuse service.

Enjoy!

Lizzie Telfer

Trustee

Everyday Gender Justice by Tami Zacharias

According to the United Nations Gender Inequality Index[1], gender inequality remains a significant problem despite numerous advancements. Women face more poverty and violence, less education and wages, and a reduced political representation. The situation is most definitely unjust, and can seem rather insurmountable. Even so, there are things each one of us can do in our everyday lives that can advance the cause of gender justice. We can shape up, speak up, and press on.

Shape Up

Contrary to the popular saying, ignorance is not bliss. It perpetuates inaccurate stereotypes, and can indirectly facilitate injustice. That’s why we need to shape up and get informed about the gender justice situation in our local area and around the world.

For statistics and general information, the UN Gender Inequality Index or the Half the Sky Movement are great places to start. Many organizations are developing great resources that are free or low-cost to use and share, including the Sophia Network, the Junia Project, and Christians for Biblical Equality (CBE).

Why not read a book? Some of my favourites include 7 Deadly Sins of Women in Leadership by Kate Coleman, Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg, The Liberating Truth by Danielle Strickland, and Half the Church by Carolyn Custis James.

Insight can also be gained from comparative justice struggles, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s autobiography. This is just a small sample of the excellent resources available to help us shape up.

Speak Up

Rosa Parks was a woman who most likely did not anticipate the outcome of her decision. In the segregated southern United States, she boarded a bus and sat down in the ‘coloured section’. Tired of the injustice, she refused to stand and allow a white person to take her seat because the ‘white section’ was full. This small act meant something big, and was a key point in the movement for racial equality.

By Rosa’s example, we see that our words and actions do not need to be big to make a difference. What are the ‘segregated buses’ in your daily life and how can you speak up? Maybe it’s questioning a double standard (e.g. single women are old maids and single men are bachelors). Perhaps it’s challenging the pervasive problem of gender shaming (e.g. real men don’t cry). It could be using your voice in other ways at work, at home, with friends, or online to raise awareness of gender injustice. The more we shine light on and in the dark places of injustice, the less power they have over us. Your seemingly small acts and words can influence and inspire others in big ways.

Press On

If you haven’t already noticed, advocating for gender justice is a long and difficult road with plenty of resistance. Compound this with our culture’s emphasis on immediate and easy gratification, and you can see why perseverance is essential to winning not only the battles, but also the war against injustice.

We need to gain inspiration from those who have gone before us, such as women in the suffrage movement, and those who are going now, recognizing that we are stronger together than we are apart (Ecc. 4:9-12).

Who is your inspiration, and who can work with you in everyday gender justice?

One of my favourite perseverance verses is 1 Corinthians 15:58, which says, “Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labour is not in vain.”

Gender justice is not primarily our work; it is God’s work. God is moving all of us towards redemptive justice not only as it relates to gender, but in all areas. It is precisely for this reason that we must pray. William Carey once said, “When we work, we work. When we pray, God works.” In shaping up, speaking up, and pressing on, we are joining God’s movement. Let’s get going.

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[1] http://hdr.undp.org/en/content/gender-inequality-index-gii

 

Tami Zacharias is the Human Resources Director with Operation Mobilisation (OM) Canada. Her free time is spent drinking tea, blogging, reading, and finishing her BEd in Adult Education. She blogs here.

Book Review: Undaunted by Christine Caine

The third book I had lined up to read in January was Christine Caine’s new book, Undaunted.

Caine has a fascinating life story which she draws from in the book as a means of explaining how it fuels the things she is involved in. Specifically, she founded and directs the A21 Campaign, a global anti-slavery charity which cares for victims in Greece and is also involved in awareness efforts worldwide.

I’m not going to focus too much on the trafficking stuff, rather, I was struck by how deliberately Caine uses her own suffering, sorrow and failures to enrich the lives of others. She seems unquenched in her desire to use things for good, to find meaning in disaster. Abused as a child, discovering in her thirties that she had been adopted, struggles in romantic relationships, a miscarriage – she has processed these things and channels the energy otherwise spent in anger or desolation into things she does for others.

5 highlights for me (though as you can see, I took a fair few snapshots!):

“It has never been my desire to be daunted”.

Caine displays a contagious zest for life and a daring spirit that is inspiring and heartening to read. She does, however, break down reasons why we may feel daunted and a strong sense of compassion runs through the book, which makes it an appealing and not-overwhelming read.

“When you’re not lost, it’s hard to understand the urgency of someone needing to be found.”

The book highlights the struggle for passion, or indeed for concern for others, to remain urgent or visceral: we get comfortable or we forget. But Caine also talks about relating our humanity and our experience of darkness to others’. She does this in a very humble way: I sometime struggle with people saying ‘they understand’ or they’ve been through something similar to someone else who has suffered much (when they really haven’t). She also writes about the need to be intentional, to pursue justice for others – especially when we don’t feel like it’s a popular or urgent idea.

“God doesn’t waste one experience of our lives”.

I love the idea of humanity reaching out to humanity; that someone can look past their own sorrow to someone else’s and resolve to help them, because they understand their suffering, though perhaps only a fraction of it.

"As long as you live, you will have something to lose.”

Caine talks about the risks she has taken in life so far: some have been very significant. Whilst she mentions the fact that often, risk-taking is unpopular and deemed slightly crazy, she also writes about those who have surrounded her and ‘jumped’ with her, highlighting the importance of relationship. I read the book as I was in London, in meetings with Stop the Traffik staff: and I was so grateful that they, and others, are the people I get to jump with.

“Waking up is rising ready with what we have, where we are.”

 

Though many of her efforts have been toward very noble, grand goals like the abolition of slavery, I LOVE that Caine talks about the need to be mindful and present where we are, to do the small things well, to allow a thread to run through all we do. In my own life, trafficking enrages me because human beings are devalued through and within it. So I should be upholding human worth in everything that I do, not only in my anti-trafficking work. What is your ‘thread’?

Gemma Brown lives and works in Belfast as Development Manager for No More Traffik, a homegrown anti-trafficking NGO. She loves photography, beaches and her husband Dan. She blogs here. 

Q & A with Chine Mbubaegbu, Director of Evangelical Alliance

Tell us about yourself Chine.

I’m the oldest of three girls. We are from the Igbo tribe in the south-east of Nigeria and moved to the UK when I was four years old. I knew at a very early age that I wanted to be a journalist and spent most holidays at newspapers or magazines. I’ve always loved writing and meeting new people and thought this would be the perfect profession for me. I ended up studying theology at university, though, and working on the Cambridge student newspaper Varsity  when I wasn’t in lectures. Studying theology with people from lots of different faith and non-faith backgrounds enabled me to have an understanding of different points of view and the ideas, histories and values that go into shaping a society and its beliefs. I worked as a local newspaper reporter after doing a postgraduate NCTJ qualification in journalism before going on to be editor at the Crown Prosecution Service’s legal magazine. I joined the Evangelical Alliance in 2010 and have been thankful ever since of having a job I love. It’s completely fascinating. I get to be involved in so many different amazing things with people from all walks of life – it’s amazing to witness the power of faith to influence society for good.

You've recently become a director at the Evangelical Alliance. Tell us about your leadership journey.

At every stage of my ‘leadership journey’, I’ve felt I haven’t been ready – that there must have been some kind of mistake. This imposter syndrome started as far back as secondary school when I was picked as form captain on the first day of year seven, and netball captain shortly afterwards. In many ways, I still feel like an 11-year-old. But at every stage, even though I’ve felt ill-equipped, I’ve seen God do amazing things that have been beyond my capabilities. I realise however that a lot of these feelings are the feelings that many female leaders experience. We often feel like imposters when we are in the positions that we are in, because of hard work, skill and being given opportunities. Since joining the Alliance four years ago, I’ve been so thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given to step up into leadership. I work with an amazing team of passionate, highly-skilled people and there’s not a day I’ve ever come into work thinking I don’t like my job. In December, I became the first black female to join the Alliance leadership team as a director in its 168-year history. I’m thankful to the many women who have pushed me, inspired me and been a listening ear – especially my work mentor Helen Calder – who for many years has been the only woman on the leadership team. Glad to be giving her some company!

Often at Sophia, we discuss leadership styles. How would you best describe your style of leadership?

I think the best leaders lead like themselves. It’s the only way I know how to be. So I guess I’m approachable, friendly and try to bring out the best in my team. I think being a good leader is also about knowing your team and teammates well – and figuring out the best way to get the best out of them and for them to enjoy their work. I’ve been fascinated in recent years in thinking more about different personality types – I know each of my team’s Myers Briggs results! I recently went on a course for women leaders run by Next Leadership. One thing I took away from that is the realisation that conflict shouldn’t be avoided at all costs, but is sometimes a necessity to ensure you can achieve the goals you and your team are working towards.

As a recent Trustee of Sophia Network, please tell us about some of your personal experiences which have made you passionate about championing the equality of women and men in the church?

I’m fascinated by women and amazed by how much we can achieve when we work together and support each other. I have a few groups of close female friends who walk the journey with me. I find them such an encouragement and an inspiration. But working in leadership of a para-Church organisation, I’ve been frustrated by the way in which I see women held back – and how we often hold ourselves and each other back. Recent years have also seen an awakening of women’s movements and campaigns in wider society and I’ve reflected on what it means for us as Christian women. My particular area of interest is in how women’s self-esteem is so often tied up in a negative body image, which we don’t address enough in the Church, and which has implications for how we hold ourselves and how we view ourselves as people made in the image of God. I see the potential there would be for changing our world for good, if only women were treated equally to men in all spheres of society, including the Church.

What advice would you give to women who are struggling with disempowerment in their contexts of leadership?

I’d say that it’s good to talk. Talking to other women can be such an amazing help. If only for the fact that you realise that you’re not alone; that there are women going through exactly the same thing as you right now. I think we also need to look out for others who might be struggling. Often we assume that everyone has got it all worked out, apart from us. But it’s simply not true. And realising that alone can get you through the hard times.

Do you set yourself personal aims for a new year?

I used to make a list every year of what I wanted to do, but I’ve been a bit more relaxed about that in the past couple of years. Because I’ve seen God do the impossible – far more than I could have asked or imagined – so I’m pretty open these days to seeing what happens next.

Chine Mbubaegbu is a writer, journalist and director of communications at the Evangelical Alliance. She studied theology & religious studies at Cambridge University and is the author of ‘Am I Beautiful?’– a book exploring body image and faith. As well as being a trustee of Sophia Network, she is also a trustee of the Bible Society, the Church & Media Network and the Christian Enquiry Agency. 

Natalie Collins introduces us to Project 3:28

In 2013 Helen Austin and I collated the number of women and men contributing to the UK Christian platform.  What emerged was not surprising.  Only a quarter of those speaking at national events like New Wine, Spring Harvest or Soul Survivor were women.  The statistics we produced led to many conversations about women’s representation at events; if and how things should change and whether quotas were the way forward.  Some of these conversations have led to the formation of a project to continue producing data of events annually alongside encouraging and equipping events and organisations to take seriously the need to create a platform that is representative of the UK church.  

Project 3:28 is a collective of people passionate about seeing change.  As activists, academics, bloggers and those who have been involved in Christian events for decades we want to see change.  Proving there is a problem is the first step.  Before these statistics existed, it was easy for people to talk of “exaggeration” and to suggest “it’s not that bad really…” whereas now, we can show the disparity clearly and crucially, measure the change that takes place.

We are focussed on changing representation at events, not because speaking at events is of any greater value than the many other callings and gifting God has given people, but rather because within UK Christian culture, the representation at events gives us a snapshot into the wider reality of gender injustice.  Across the UK women are disadvantaged in many ways and globally the experience of women and girls is horrendous and all pervasive.  

Marie Wilson from the White House Project famously said, “You can't be what you can't see”.  If we want to see both women and men living to their full potential in Christ, then we need to ensure that both women and men are represented across all areas of society.  We need men to take greater responsibility for childcare and household tasks, for women to be given positions of influence.  We need to appreciate the gift of mutuality and hold onto the truth that the fullness of humanity is found in women and men together, not separated, boxed or reduced to stereotypes.  

Going forward we hope that Project 3:28 will continue to provide evidence on whether Christian events are pro-actively working towards a more balanced space. We recently released data for 2014, and positively, events are 9% more balanced than in 2013.  We are also in the early stages of creating a female speakers database which will resource event organisers and prevent them stating that there simply aren’t any women available.  There will be costs in developing such a resource and so we may begin crowdfunding quite soon, watch this space.  As we progress, hopefully we will find new and creative ways to support events and organisations in taking gender justice seriously, while championing the work of the many individuals and organisations who are working to see change, including  Sophia Network, Christians for Biblical Equality and WATCH. 

To find out more about Project 3:28 visit www.project328.info and connect with us on Twitter or Facebook.

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 - January 2015

Happy New Year to all our members and readers! 

We hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year. Here ay Sophia Network we are very excited about what 2015 holds for us and look forward to all that God is going to do in the Network throughout this year.

Firstly, we want to say BIG congratulations to Chine Mbubaegbu, one of our new Trustees for her new role as Director of Communications at Evangelical Alliance – we will be praying for her as she takes up this role in 2015. Together with Gavin Calver, who has been appointed as the new Director of Missions, they are the youngest Directors in the history of the EA – so well done to both of them. We also want to congratulate the Rev Libby Lane who is the first woman to be appointed as a Bishop in the Church of England. We thank God that there is so much to celebrate this month!

For more inspiration and challenge, check out our January web update:

• Leadership reflection by Sharon Prior - A reflection on what you want to achieve in your leadership for 2015. There are just five questions; one for each week of January. We are going to put one of the questions on our Facebook page and twitter page (@sophianetwork) each Monday and we would like you to share your answer to that week's question. We hope that this will encourage you all to get involved and also will help to develop us as a Network. You do not need to write loads – just a few words or a couple of sentences – it is up to you.

• History Makers Europe Summit - Trustee Dr Claire Rush reports on her experience of how global leadership movement History Makers is unlocking the potential of Millennial Generation women leaders across Europe. It is so exciting to see women from all different countries get together and share resources. Find out how you can join the next UK equipping week in September here.

• Book review - Charlotte Hendy shares her thoughts on Carrie Lloyd's new book The Virgin Monologues (published by Authentic Media on 23 January 2015). 

• The effect of domestic violence - At Sophia Network we believe it is so important that we look beyond ourselves to other people who are struggling and so this month we have a poem inspired by accounts of domestic abuse survivors from Laura Neil (21). Mandy Marshall from Restored also shares how we can advocate for people who are caught up in this cycle of abuse.

So please enjoy the update this month and we look forward to hearing from you on social media as together we encourage each other in our leadership.

May you know God’s blessing for 2015

Sharon

Chair of Trustees for Sophia Network

Reflection for 2015

It is so important for those of us in leadership positions that we take time to step back and reflect on what we have done and what we are going to do. So why not take a question a week through January and commit it to God in prayer and see what he brings to mind for you. We will then follow this up on our Facebook page each week during January and we can share what God has been saying to us – in order that we can encourage each other.

1. What one thing could you do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
2. What is the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year in your leadership?
3. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
4. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make your leadership this year different from last year?
5. What single thing that you are going to do this year in your leadership will matter most in 10 years? In eternity?

Is this what my life is meant to be? The effect of domestic violence.

This month, poet Laura Neil (21) from Durham has written a poem that has been inspired by stories from survivors of domestic violence. Sophia Network believe that it is unacceptable for women, men and children to be abused and we support organisations like Restored, who are seeking to address this issue both here and overseas.

When you have read the poem and reflected on it perhaps you will consider advocating on behalf of those who are abused, by taken some of the actions shared by Mandy Marshall from Restored below.

Is this what my life is meant to be?

Should I be abused?

Is this normal?

Should I live in fear of my husband?

Do you know the impact his has on me?

Should I be afraid to stand up for myself?

 

What have I done to deserve this?

Is it because I’m a woman?

Am I to blame?

Am I the only one?

Does this define me?

 

Why did I let this happen?

Is this what love is?

Why don’t I protect myself?

Why don’t I speak up?

Why do I stay with him?

 

When will this nightmare end?

Will it end?

Does anyone know this is happening to me?

What can I do to stop this?

Can anyone help me?

 

Violence can result in physical scars, mental scars, sexual scars and more.

It can happen privately where no one knows what’s going on.

 I am one of 35% of women worldwide who face violence 24/7.

There are organisations to support me.

There are people who can help me.

 

But I’m scared.

I don’t know what to do.

I need help.

I just want to run away.

 

This should not happen.

This should not be the norm.

This does not just happen to me.

This does not define me.

 

I am a woman but… I do have rights.

I can have a better future.

I will be rid of this nightmare.

 

Will you help me?

Will you stand up for me?

Or will you ignore my plea for help?

Will you turn a blind eye?

Will you let others go through this?

I CAN ESCAPE!!

I WILL BE FREE!!

 

Mandy Marshall from Restored challenges us to be advocates for ending domestic violence.

1. Check your own attitudes and actions. Have you believed some of the myths around abuse? See Restored's short film here.
2. Speak up and speak out: break the silence, shame and stigma around abuse. Start by downloading Restored's church pack and passing it on to your church leader.
3. Pray for and give to organisations addressing the issue. It's tough going and organisations need to know they are supported in what they do. 

If you are currently experiencing domestic abuse, you can find help here.

 

Book review: The Virgin Monologues by Carrie Lloyd

When you're a 20-something woman trying to uphold certain Christian values of sex whilst navigating the sexually liberal 21st century, it isn't always easy. So I was super excited to get my hands on Carrie Lloyd's The Virgin Monologues and take a modern look at this whole issue of relationships and sex. Within just a few pages I was nodding my head in agreement with Carrie's words: 'Dating becomes even harder if you are a Christian trying to be understood while holding moral values that match that of Queen Victoria.' Yup, I hear you!

Carrie's natural chatty writing style made the book so easy to read; I was rapidly turning the pages, feeling like I was talking to or hearing from a friend. It was witty, honest and fun. The 'Carrie's Practical Pointers' at the end of each chapter were a useful way of summarising what I had just read.

But, in part two, my eyebrows raised and alarm bells started to go off at talk of men's 'pursuit and chase' of women. Carrie's views that, since the time of caveman, men are wired to hunt and gather, and women pursuing men is 'emasculating' for them doesn't quite sit well with me. I had been hoping for something a little bit more modern and feminist than an appeal to 'let men be men'.

However, don't let this detract from some of the great messages that the book is built on. Carrie herself says:

'The reason why I wrote this book in the first place was not to give advice on how to find Prince Sebastian in all his royal military regalia. It was actually to encourage each one of us to learn to be whole in ourselves, to learn the joy of self-love.'

And to this end, she succeeds, reminding all of us women that we are not 'Eve the helper', made whole only when we find our Adam. But instead we have our own identity, and God has plans for our own lives. The whole book has this principle of self-value woven throughout the pages, and what better message than that of knowing your God-given identity?

The Virgin Monologues didn't quite live up to my (admittedly high) expectations, and did have me shaking my head in disagreement at times. However, the underlying message of loving yourself is one that I think all Christian women need to hear. So if you're going to read this book, just make sure you do so with a pinch of salt!

Charlotte Hendy is The Esther Collective Project Leader at Girls' Brigade Ministries. The Esther Collective equips women leaders to serve the world.

The Virgin Monologues will be published by Authentic Media on 23 January 2015.

Unleashing our potential at History Makers Europe Summit

Last month, Trustee Claire Rush attended the History Makers Europe Summit with 30 other 18-30s leaders. Part of the International Leaders’ Institute, History Makers is an leadership equipping experience focussed on 8 core biblical leadership principles. It is currently delivered in over fifty countries worldwide. Claire shares her experience here:

Every so often, you come across an experience that changes your life! In 2011, I joined a group of passionate Christians for my first History Makers discipleship journey in a tiny Spanish village outside Seville. It was a week of intense study, reflection and discussion which helped me understand my God-given purpose. Now, I’m thankful to have the opportunity to be on the faculty team teaching aspects of the History Makers course in the UK and throughout Europe. One of the things that I love about History Makers is that it equips women and men to be leaders. In some of the countries, this is very revolutionary for its cultural context.

Last month, History Makers held Summit for its key leaders in Europe and it was wonderful to meet other passionate Millennials and hear how God is moving across the Continent. During Saturday lunchtime, we were able to gather the women leaders together for discussion and fellowship. Sitting around the table where women from UK, Germany, Ukraine, Lithuania, Switzerland, Poland and Czech Republic. Over lunch, we discussed the opportunities we have had to develop our leadership skills and the people who have championed us. I was inspired by their example – many of these women were pioneers in their jobs, leading social action initiatives and teaching on History Makers equipping weeks. However, it was also quite clear that many also faced obstacles because of their gender such as cultural conditioning and conservative theology.

Charlotte, part of the History Makers UK team (who also works for Girl’s Brigade Ministries), reflected:  ‘The time with women leaders at the History Makers summit opened my eyes to the different situations that women find themselves in across Europe, and the limits that sometimes prevent them from fully being who God made them to be. It highlighted the importance of Girl’s Brigade as an advocate and champion for the full equality and empowerment of women - we have a real opportunity to help the girls and young women that we work with discover exactly who God made them to be, and help them to unleash their full potential.’

Desiring our time together to be constructive, after lunch we gathered together to discuss our women in leadership tool box. It was great to share books, initiatives and projects which we had found useful in developing our leadership skills. Personally it was a privilege to talk about Sophia Network as well as our In the Image of God Bible study resource. Rebekka from the History Makers Swiss team shared: ‘It was such an inspiring moment to be together with women from more than 7 different European countries. To hear what God is doing in their nations and how he uses women to do his work was fascinating! To share the successes as well as the struggles in serving God or doing ministry as women was a great encouragement. Personally, all the resources that were presented were a great help and I am so thankful that I had an opportunity to be part of this. It will shape my future as I do ministry as a woman in my country.’

It is evident that there is a need for an online community championing the equality of women and men in Church and beyond across Europe. I’m excited to see Sophia Network stepping into this role. Please continue to pray for these young women as they seek to use their God-given gifts for God’s glory.

Are you 18-30s and interested in attending History Makers UK outside London in September 2015? Click here for more information.

Dr Claire Rush is Participation & Advocacy Co-ordinator for GB England & Wales and Chair of Girls' Brigade Europe. She also serves on the international faculty team of History Makers.

 

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Sophia Network Update - December 2014

Emmanuel – God is with Us – we are reminded of this amazing truth as we head towards the Christmas period and as we take some time out over the Christmas holidays may you know this truth in your life and in the life of your family.

We want to take this opportunity of thanking all those who prayed for our Trustee meeting on 21^st November. We had a great time of planning for the next three years of Sophia Network and we will be sharing more of this in our January Update – so thank you for being partners with us at this exciting time.

This month there are a series of different things for you to read:

• Q & A with Lizzie Telfer – Lizzie runs Creatively Empowering and has just become a Trustee of Sophia. She shares her thoughts on leadership, equality and Christmas Day shenanigans.  

• Book Review - Claire Rush reviews Row for Freedom, Julia Immonen's inspirational story of overcoming adversity to complete the Atlantic rowing challenge to raise awareness about human trafficking. 

• Books that shape - Sophia Network Trustees help you find the perfect gift by recommending books that have influenced them. 

Remember, you can be part of the Sophia Network on Facebook and twitter too.

The Trustees and Steering Group of Sophia Network would like to take this opportunity of wishing you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Thank you so much for your support over 2014 and we are excited about what God has for Sophia Network in 2015.

Happy Christmas

Sharon Prior

Chair of Sophia Network

Book Review: Row for Freedom by Julia Immonen (with Craig Borlase)

So what do you do when God breaks your heart for the global injustice of modern day slavery? If you are Julia Immonen, you rise up to the challenge of doing your part in eradicating this evil.

Row for Freedom tells the inspirational journey of Julia and a team of British women who took on a challenge completed by fewer people than have climbed Mount Everest or gone into space; row three thousand miles in a 7 metre by 2 metre rowing boat, unaided from Canary Islands to Barbados in 2011/12. The Row for Freedom crew broke the record for the fastest women’s crossing and established a record for being the first female crew of 5 ever to row the Atlantic. What was their motivation? To raise money for and raise awareness about the thirty million victims of the modern-day slave trade.

In Row For Freedom, Julia also shares her own personal journey dealing with low self esteem, spiralling debt, family problems and broken relationships. There is no doubt that God is at the core of Julia’s story of restoration and transformation. Julia speaks unashamedly about how God transformed her life and gave her the courage to persist with this challenging vision of rowing the Atlantic. A less assured author would have eliminated God-references to appeal to a wider readership.

I bought Row for Freedom in an airport book shop as I prepared to get on an early morning flight. Rather than sitting dreary eyed (as usual), Julia’s story reinvigorated and challenged me. It’s definitely the most inspirational flight I have ever had. It made me reflect on a number of God-truths in my own life, especially how I face challenges.

Human trafficking is a mammoth beast – it is worth more than $150 billion every year, more than Google or Big Oil. When we face a challenge like that, it is easy to ignore it, become disillusioned or believe that it is for someone more equipped and more courageous to do something. Row for Freedom dismisses this small, individualistic and defeatist thinking. When she agreed to the Atlantic Rowing Challenge, Julia barely rowed before yet she knew that she was called to think big and make a stand for justice.

Is there an issue which God is breaking your heart for? How can you think ‘BIG’ and play your part in transforming your world? In the words of Julia, let’s

DREAM IT.

DO IT.

END IT.

Dr Claire Rush is Participation & Advocacy for Girls' Brigade England & Wales, International Vice-President of GB International and a Trustee of Sophia Network. She tweets at @drclairerush.

Books that shape: Sophia recommends...

This month Claire Rush has written a review of Julia Immonen's Row for Freedom, which she would like to recommend to you for your Christmas reading. We asked the rest of the Trustees to suggest an inspirational and challenging book which would make a perfect Christmas gift...

So here we go:

Aline Xavier recommends Rob Bell's The ZimZum of Love: A New Way to Understand Marriage.

'It's a short and fairly easy read, which seeks to bring the ideal of marriage and the reality of marriage closer together. Whilst there may not be anything profoundly new revealed about marriage, it is refreshingly real and balanced - particularly as it's written through a conversation between Rob and his wife Kristen who share stories in way that made me think 'I totally get that!'

Martin Hardwidge recommends Plan B: further thoughts on faith.

'This is just a great book, witty, passionate and grounded in the reality of life as it is lived. If you are someone coming from a youth work background Anne Lamott’s essay on adolescence, chapter 7, is honest, moving and laugh out loud funny. This book is full of real life, real faith and lived out theology. Grab a coffee and read this because “Rest and laughter are the most spiritually subversive acts of all.” (p308).

Karen Openshaw recommends Roman Catholic Franciscan friar Richard Rohr's Eager to Love.

'Thi s is a study into the way of living (and loving) modelled by St Francis of Assisi.  It’s an easy and enjoyable read but nonetheless thought provoking – a way of being to aspire too.  My practice is to begin each day with prayer and reflection; it is a discipline without which I feel a little afloat.  It anchors me and sets me up for the day – a salutary reminder that each and every day we are not alone but accompanied by God.' 

Steve Holmes has suggests Nancy Duarte’s Slide:ology: The art and science of creating great presentations. 

'Presentation software is a wonderful communications tool for any leader or speaker - but 98% of the time it is used astonishingly badly. Nancy Duarte (who designed the presentation for Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth tour and film) is one of the best teachers on how to use it well, really well. This book is packed full of excellent advice, and will change the way you think about using slides.'

Lizzie Telfer suggests The Tortoise Usually Wins – biblical reflections on quiet leadership for reluctant leaders by Brian Harris.

'This is a great book demonstrating the variety of leadership styles and explores what servant leadership looks like. Brian Harris argues that many people become leaders somewhat reluctantly, and do so because there is a need for leadership in a context where no leadership would be a worse option – and over time learn to lead effectively in a quiet, undramatic way. He calls these people: “quiet leaders” - and likens them to the tortoise of the old story, whereby through taking one step after another and persevering the tortoise eventually reaches the goal.'

Sharon  Prior recommends Reverse Mentoring – How young leaders can transform the church and why we should let them by Earl Creps. 

'This book helps us to think about how older people in the church can learn from the young. It challenges us to be quiet and listen to the younger generation and spend more time with them, so that we can be encouraged and challenged by them. Creps is a very good communicator and argues his point well in an easy to read book.'

So – you just have time to order one of thee books as part of your Christmas reading or as a gift for someone else.  Enjoy!

Q & A with Lizzie Telfer, Creatively Empowering

Tell us about yourself Lizzie.

I currently work as a Youth Participation Consultant with my business Creatively Empowering and I also do some freelance writing. I live in Aylesbury with Pete, my husband, who works part time as a youth minister in Uxbridge and part-time as a Field-work Tutor/Lecturer for Oasis College. We both live in Aylesbury on a new housing estate and are on the leadership team of a pioneering church there. All of this allows me to think outside the box and approach life creatively!

Tell us about your leadership journey. What projects and work are you involved in?

Leadership for me started when I was a teenager in my church context, where I was part of a team that started a regional youth event. Throughout the years I have led as a mentor, youth worker, church leader and thought leader.

One example of a project which I am involved with is the Alchemy Project, where I am on the global management team. The Alchemy Project is a community of practice aiming to reshape Bible engagement with disruptive innovation.

Youth participation as an area is getting quite exciting as it involves the next generation of digital natives. There are many more ways to create opportunities for their empowerment.

You’ve recently become a Trustee of Sophia Network. Please tell us about some of your personal experiences, which have made you passionate about championing the equality of women and men in the church?

I didn't think that there was an issue with gender equality in the UK until I was in my mid-twenties because I was nurtured by a family (especially my father) to believe that I could choose to do anything, the only restriction was merit or skill-set and not my gender that would influence. So when I was in my mid-late twenties I experienced situations where others thought gender was an issue and also saw some of my peers go through  similar situations.

One of my ancestors was a suffragette and I have always admired the stance that took to ensure women had the vote and  now I am pleased to join her legacy as a Trustee to continue to champion the equality of men and women in the church.

There have been many ‘glass ceilings’ broken this year. What do you think has been the most momentous breakthrough this year in terms of gender equality?

From my perspective, it would have to be the synod passing through women bishops. It was long overdue and is one huge step in changing the ecclesial culture. However, every glass ceiling is momentous for the women affected by the glass in the first place.

Looking back at 2014, who has been your gender equality ‘hero’ of the year? Please share why?

From a personal perspective, I will have to say two heros, who also happen to be the founders of Sophia Network; Jenny Baker and Sharon Prior. Both have influenced the networks which I am part of in terms of actively advocating gender equality in the church on a local and national scale but also walking alongside me and my peers in the challenges we face and inputting into my personal life as a leader.

The Sophia Network Trustees recently met in London for a Vision Day to dream and plan for the future. Can you share some of the exciting ideas for the future of Sophia?

I am really excited about the direction in which Sophia is heading and the first meeting with the new team of trustees demonstrated what a wealth of experience and skills the new trustees have.

We had alot of ideas for the future and two areas we are interested in developing is advocacy and  support for women in difficult circumstances. In particular, we hope to work with individual churches to create strategies which achieve gender equality contexts.

Another area we hope to action is to provide HR and legal expertise to individuals with work place issues in terms of gender inequality. Therefore, maximising on Sophia as a key network of gender justice.

In your view, what are some of the simple ways that we can all promote the equal value of women and men in our daily lives and relationships and be actively part of this change?

I believe social awareness is key. This brings several opportunities to our relationships; the first is that awareness, which allows us to be concious of one another's skills, which can encourage skill growth and the creation of opportunites for skills to be used.

The second is awareness that enables open discussion and dialogue between those who hold differing opinions on gender equality. I look at how Jesus was in community and dialogue with those who thought differently to him and sometimes we have to be committed to a long term incarnational dialogue to demonstrate to others about gender equality. That is never clean or simple but is a daily commitment.

The third and most important is prayer. Praying for the cause of gender equality, those affected by inequality and centring on God's strength in these circumstances.

Fourthly, being socially aware enables our vision and action to be put into helping others affected by gender inequality and by working to change the cultures which encourage gender inequality.

And finally, if we came round to your house at 6pm on Christmas Day, what would you be doing?

One of three things; probably chasing after my nephews with their new toys, blobbing in front of a Christmas film, or snoozing after the Christmas meal.

As well as being a new Trustee of Sophia Network, Lizzie runs her own business called Creatively Empowering and is involved in The Alchemy Project.

Sophia Network Update - November 2014

It is a very exciting month for Sophia Network this month as we have our Vision Day with the new Trustees on 21^st November, so please pray for this event. We are going to look at the way forward for the Network – taking on board some of the issues raised at our last Equipping Day in September.  It would be great if you could pray for us to have a clear vision of where God is leading us over the next 5 years and that there will be unity as we move forward. One of our biggest issues as a Network is funding and so pray that we will get a clear sense of how we might take this area forward too.

This month we have some great articles for you:

• Iceland's Barbershop conference - Natalie Collins and Peter Grant give their views on a ‘men only’ conference following the announcement that Iceland are having a gender equality conference focussing on Violence Against Women, but only men will be invited. What do you think?

• Book review - Annie Stewart reflects on Gary Haugen's book The Locust Effect which explores the link between violence and poverty in the developing world.

•  Q & A with Steve Holmes – Steve is a lecturer of theology in the University of St Andrews and one of our new Trustees. He shares his thoughts on egalitarianism, theology and why he has become a trustee of Sophia Network.

• Reflection on teamwork - Lizzie Telfer, another new trustee, writes a devotional on teamwork and how important it is to have gender equality in a team setting.

So there are lots of good things for you to read and comment on this month.

We also need your help this month.

Emma Whittaker – a member of Sophia Network – has asked us to advertise the following:

Best Beginnings - Baby Buddy are looking for women who are prepared to go on film to talk about their experience of low level post natal depression or maternal mental health issues. There is very little support for women suffering from these illnesses and so the films made will help support other parents, and also train midwives and health professionals. It is important that anyone interested in helping has the permission of their health care professional or a support network who will help them if needed during the process of talking about their experiences. If you would like more information or would like to sign up to help then please contact Anna Marriot, anna@heirloommedia.co.uk or by phone 07525 422 308, or Tim Dowse, by email to tim@heirloommedia.co.uk or by phone on 07949 656 447

Remember, you can be part of the Sophia Network on Facebook and twitter too.

God bless

Sharon

Chair of Trustees

Q & A with Steve Holmes, Lecturer in Theology

This month Claire Rush caught up with one of Sophia Network’s new Trustees – Steve Holmes and asked him some questions about his thoughts on leadership, faith and gender equality.

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself Steve.

I’m a Baptist minister, in my mid-forties, married to Heather, who is a clinical scientist by profession. We have three daughters aged 6-13 and we live and work in Fife on the east coast of Scotland. I’ve been employed teaching theology at St Andrews University for the past ten years; I write a lot (15 books so far; a blog; lots of shorter pieces online and in print) and talk a fair amount in university lectures and at academic and church conferences.

 2. You’ve recently become a Sophie Network Trustee. Why did you want to support us?

I believe in the aims of the Network, and was convinced that I had things to offer that could help to fulfil those aims. That simple, really.

3. Sophia believes in championing the equality of women and men in all spheres of leadership. Have you always been an egalitarian?

I was converted to Christianity as a student in Cambridge; before then I’d grown up – through an all-boys state school, as it happens – as, I suppose, a fairly typical 1980s teenage boy, with no thought that any role ought to be closed to women, but also with all the unconscious assumption of male privilege that comes with that background.

Student Christian Union life then, as now, occasionally got exercised over gender issues, and fairly soon after coming to Christ I became aware that there was a debate. I recall looking at it; I don’t recall ever being convinced of a ‘complementarian’ reading of the Bible, although I explored it as seriously as I could. I joined a Baptist church that had women on the leadership team and that was part of a denomination (BUGB) that had been ordaining women since the 1920s; I thought we had sorted the issue.

I went to train for ministry to Spurgeon’s College in 1992; there I had the first experiences that led me to begin to understand that the issue wasn’t sorted; the denomination had changed rules, but not hearts or structures. For the past two decades, I have been on a journey of understanding more about structural realities, and also more about the reality of male privilege; I don’t suppose that journey is over.

4. From a theological perspective, what convinces you that God intended both women and men to use their gifting in leadership?

‘This I know, because the Bible tells me so’! It is, actually, that simple at heart; the basic promise of Pentecost is that sons and daughters will both prophesy; the NT knows and names any number of female church leaders – so many, in Paul’s lists of greetings in Romans 16, that there are scholarly articles wondering why the Roman church was so female-led. Yes, there are a couple of texts that, taken out of context, seem troubling, but the evidence seems to me fairly overwhelming when it comes to church leadership. (I think the evidence on family headship is more finely balanced, although I still prefer an ‘egalitarian’ reading as the best.)

That said, I think I find it easier to see this because of a lot of historical study that shows that radically Biblical movements throughout church history have almost always welcomed women into leadership; male only leadership generally happens through cultural accommodation, when a movement wants to become respectable. Living in a culture that is aggressively egalitarian in its rhetoric – far less so in its structures and practices, of course – it can be hard for us to understand how this could have been the case, but it really was.

Again, the more I think about ministry, and read others arguments, particularly historical arguments, about why ministry should be male-only, the more I see that these arguments are not primarily exegetical, or rather that the exegesis is being driven by a set of assumptions about gender that we now know are not true. All the history and theology here just helps to see what really should be obvious in the Bible.

5. Has there been a female leader who has inspired you and/or helped you grow in your own leadership journey? Please tell us more about her.

Many. My early Christian formation in Cambridge came through the Baptist Student’s Society,known as the Robert Hall Society; there were several inspiring female leaders there who were a central part of that (I married one of them…). At college I trained alongside a number of women (and men) whose friendship and example shaped me in extraordinarily important ways. There were a couple of nuns who I met only once each on retreats, but whose wisdom still shapes my prayer life, and who I still quote regularly. There are people I know only through reading their words, or about them, but who I find deeply inspirational – Phoebe Palmer and   Mother Julian of Norwich, for example.

To pick a couple of very significant names, though: Ann Holt mentored me in several important ways when she was at Bible Society (I did some consultancy work for them, and worked with Ann on some conferences). Wendy Beech-Ward has been a wonderful – and at crucial moments, a very forgiving – friend, and a powerful example to me of what real leadership looks like: not self-promoting, but effective in making things happen, and marked by deep integrity. I also owe my entrance into wider church ministry largely to Wendy’s championing and trust when she was at Spring Harvest.

6. Women have been using their leadership gifting to serve God for centuries. Tell us about The Alabaster Jar Project which is shining a light on some of their stories.

There has been some wonderful academic work recovering the lost or forgotten stories of   female church leaders from past ages – several who, you can’t help thinking, would be very    well-known names if they had been male; I wanted to try to make some of those stories accessible outside the academic sphere. (I have read several popular-level books on inspiring Christian women; far too many were inspiring for being someone’s wife or mother.) My target reader was, I suppose, my own teenage daughter, or someone very like her, sensing God’s call to a leadership ministry but not knowing of any role models. I set up a website to tell some of these women’s stories with, I hope, accessible and inspiring tellings, and then enough academiic detail available at the back to convince a critic or to help someone else to follow up. It’s at www.alabasterjar.org.uk.

7. Recently there has been a lot of press about Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg wearing 'This is what a feminist looks like' t-shirts. Would you describe yourself as a feminist? Why? Why not?

Probably not; I think the title is others – women’s – to give, not mine to claim. I can never pretend to be an expert on systemic sexism and its effects; my six year old daughter has more direct experience of that already than I will ever have. (I remember an evening holiday walk with our two older girls, then 12 and 9, who as we talked deconstructed the gender assumptions of a set of TV adverts in ways that I would have been proud to publish.) And I already know and respect the argument that would restrict the title ‘feminist’ (and other similar terms) to people – women – with such direct experience. I am content to be an ‘ally’, to acknowledge that I always need to learn from those who know the truth first-hand, and to encourage, support and publicise their efforts…

 …that said, I remember once Alan Storkey being asked what it was like, being married to a feminist; he answered ‘I don’t know; you’ll have to ask my wife.’ I’d shamelessly steal that line tomorrow if the opportunity arose.

8. This month, Peter Grant and Natalie Collins has explored the involvement of men in supporting women’s rights in a Sophia article focusing on Iceland’s recent announcement of hosting a conference on VAW without any women attending. Do you have any thoughts about how men can helpfully champion women’s rights?

In the particular case of VAW, of course, it is basically a male problem; almost all violence against women will end just as soon as we men decide collectively that it is not OK to beat up or rape our partners or other women, and not OK to stand by whilst others do these things. Men can champion women’s rights first by respecting them, and then by refusing to be silent or complicit when they are not respected. Because of this, I love what Peter has been doing through the First Man Standing programme of Restored.

More widely, we have to be prepared to listen and to believe what we hear without immediately becoming defensive; we also need to be ready to acknowledge where we have got things badly wrong, because we did not understand. I’ve learnt more from Natalie than almost anyone else. In the last couple of years; it’s not always been comfortable, as I have come to understand structures and systems and seen my complicity in them, or understood how damaging things I have done have been. When we begin to understand, we can begin to speak and act – and, because of the gender injustices in our world, our speech and action can be powerful, if rightly directed. But we can never lead here, we can only follow and support those who really know what they are talking about.

The other thing I would say is that my experience of this journey has been repeatedly of being overwhelmed by the graciousness and generosity of so many women. When I have tried to speak into this or that situation, and sometimes done it really badly, the warmth, encouragement, and forgiveness I have received, in some cases from women I have never met, has been astonishing.

Iceland's Barbershop Conference: What's your thoughts?

In early October, Iceland announced it was hosting a 'barbershop' conference on gender equality specifically for men. However, no women will be invited to speak or attend. The Icelandic Foreign Minister said:

'Iceland and Suriname will convene a "Barbershop" conference in January 2015 where men will discuss gender equality with other men, with a special focus on addressing violence against women. This will be a unique conference as it will be the first time at the United Nations that we bring together only men leaders to discuss gender equality.'

Sophia Network asked two social activists to comment on this idea. Is a positive development or is it a regressive step in the battle to end Violence Against Women? We'd love to also know what you think!

Natalie Collins from Spark:

So this is an actual process that has happened in recent weeks:

“A specific oppressed group is continually being oppressed.  This is terrible!  What we should do is organise an event to work towards supporting that oppressed group.  The genius thing about our event though is that it will exclude any of those oppressed people.  What an amazing plan!”

This is the thinking of a UN conference that is due to take place in Iceland.  It comes after the launch of HeForShe, a UN initiative focussing on engaging men in working to end gender inequality.  The campaign itself has been both celebrated and criticised after well-known actor Emma Watson articulated powerfully some of the issues women and girls face as she launched HeForShe.  The Icelandic conference will be an opportunity for men to discuss the challenges facing women and hopefully will lead to action being taken.

I will be the first to acknowledge the challenges in engaging men in ending violence against women and addressing gender injustice.  I have spoken at many conferences, covering domestic abuse, exploitation and wider power issues, and without fail the vast majority of the audience will always be female.  Violence against women is not a women’s issue.  It is a men’s issue.  On every level men are almost always the perpetrators of the violence, the gatekeepers to justice and the decision makers for policy change. 

Yet, a male only space to discuss violence against women is wrong on so many levels.  If the only way we can get men to discuss this issue is to feed their entitlements and giving them a special “man-only” space to do it, then we are perpetuating the issues of male privilege and entitlement, which cause abuse of women in the first place. 

Some will counter my views by suggesting that women-only spaces have been important throughout the decades in which violence against women has begun to be addressed.  However, the purpose of women-only spaces is about safety, physically, psychologically and emotionally, in which women and girls can explore their oppression in a meaningful way.  The oppressed do need safe spaces to do that; the oppressors do not. 

This is not to say that all men are intentionally oppressing women, I know many men who contribute to the liberation of women, both in the UK and globally.  And yet every man benefits from the system of gendered oppression, their physical and emotional safety, greater financial security and the opportunities offered to men are set against the stark backdrop of women’s and girls’ ongoing lack of safety, lack of financial security and lack of opportunity.

We need to find ways of getting men to engage with ending violence against women, but that must be through a genuine commitment to the cause and to doing the deep work of owning the innate and unfair advantages they have as a result of being male - not through entry into yet another special club.

Peter Grant from Restored:

When Iceland and Surinam announced an all-male conference to address gender, equality, women’s rights and ending violence against women, they met with a predictable chorus of disapproval. Comments included “men taking over” and “like having a conference on racism with only white people”.  It now appears that the organisers will indeed invite women, although “not to all the sessions”. This feels a rather awkward compromise. The question remains as whether it is right to have all-male discussions on gender issues.  My answer is Yes and No.

There is no doubt that there is a deficit of men engaged in addressing violence against women. I often go to meetings where there are one or two men amongst a large number of women.  Restored believes that violence against women is not “a women’s issue,” it is an issue for all of us.  Women and men need to stand together to address it.  Restored has two Co-Directors, a woman and a man, and a gender-balanced Board of Trustees, in order to model this approach.  Ultimately, it is the attitudes and actions of men that have to change if violence against women is to be ended.  This means confronting perpetrators of violence and holding them to account.  But it also means mobilising non-violent men to be aware of the issues, and to speak out. 

Restored runs a men’s campaign called First Man Standing which asks men to respect all women, to challenge each other’s attitudes and actions, and to sign up to the White Ribbon pledge never to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.  Through this we have seen a range of men speaking out about ending violence against women, intervening to prevent violence and working to improve the quality of their own relationships.

I speak to a number of all-male gatherings such as men’s breakfasts and meetings organised by Christian Vision for Men including their annual conference where over 1500 men gather for a weekend in a field near Swindon. The atmosphere at such events allows for an honest discussion of issues such as masculinity, violence, pornography and prostitution in a way that does not take place in mixed groups.  It has led to the mobilisation of several hundred men to the cause of ending violence against women and has always been on the basis of speaking together as men in order to then engage more positively with women.

Why then would I have concerns about such men’s meetings?  Firstly, you cannot have a debate on these issues without hearing women’s voices and particularly the voices of survivors of violence.  Secondly, there is a danger of men taking over and feeling that they have the answers, while not acknowledging the leadership of women or having the willingness to work with existing female-led initiatives.  The key question is what is the objective of engaging men? If it is to exclude women’s voices then I am against it.  If it is to engage men so that they can then better relate to women and work to end violence then I believe it has value. So half a cheer for the Iceland meeting and let’s see where it leads.

So what do you think about this conference: should it be men only or are they missing the point?

Reflection: Team work

Think about the teams that you are involved in. Which team sprang to mind? Was it the team you manage or lead, your marriage, your family, a sports team or the church, which you are involved in?

Read Ecclesiastes 4:8-12

Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes and when we read it; his words are very pessimistic and questioning. However, I find it quite refreshing as we are most likely to experience similar questioning and times that are not optimistic.

This particular section of Ecclesiastes explores the value of living in community. The writer describes community as a choice but emphasises the benefit of mutual support and love of one another, where self-interest and individualism is laid aside.  It can be extremely hard to be concerned with the needs of others instead of our own but Solomon encourages us subtly that if we ground our relationships in God, they are stronger. We have the best role model; our God as the Trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

“Though one may be overpowered,

Two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (v12 NIV)

Take a few minutes to explore these questions, as you think about your team;

1. How are the relationships within your team? How can you support one another more?
2. Is there equality within the team – is every member free to use their gifting and skills?
3. Are there opportunities for each member to reach their full potential?
4. As a team, how can you enable others outside of your team, reach their full potential?

Prayer:

Father, Son and Holy Spirit - continue to open our hearts and minds to the needs of others beyond ourselves and beyond our teams. Be the strength of our relationships and give us opportunities to participate together to help others grow and reach their full potential. Amen.

Lizzie Telfer is a freelance writer, youth worker and consultant as well as a trustee of Sophia Network.

Book review: The Locust Effect by Gary Haugen

The year was 1875. Trillions of locusts swarmed through nearly 200,000 square miles across the American Midwest and literally ate everything—from gardens and fields to fence posts and the verywool off of live sheep.  Entire livelihoods of families were destroyed, leaving them completely impoverished. Even though this plague of locusts happened in a time and era that seems long gone, there is a new plague of locusts that has invaded our modern world—the everyday plague of violence.

You are probably very aware of the poverty in the world. What you may not be so familiar with is the violence that exists across the developing world. Have you ever considered that these two injustices are directly correlated to one another?  In the compelling, even revolutionary book The Locust Effect, Gary Haugen (CEO and President of International Justice Mission) argues that the end of poverty will also see the end of violence. Threat of violence is part of everyday life for the poor—just as much as hunger, disease or malnutrition.

Consider this scenario: you are walking to your car after dinner with a friend and are attacked. Your attacker demands all the money you have on hand.  You see a gun appear and the attacker says you will be killed if you refuse. What do you do? The truth is, the developing world has functional justice systems that are aimed to protect the people. Certainly, these systems are not perfect and there are occasions where they do not function at their best. However, in the developing world, the justice systems do not protect the people at all.  In fact, parents often teach their children to run from the police, rather than run to them for help.

There are many powerful stories described and appalling statistics conveyed in The Locust Effect. Perhaps the most powerful statistic being that there are 4 billion people in the world that live outside the protection of the law. Let that sink in for a second. That is 4 billion individual human lives that do not have the security of being protected from violence; 4 billion people, each with their own friends and families, are being held back from reaching their full potential due to fear.  This staggering statistic has many implications. This means that 4 BILLION PEOPLE are at greater risk of being trafficked for labour or sexual exploitation, at risk of having their land confiscated, at risk of being wrongfully imprisoned. Injustice is birthed out of the law not doing its job—protecting the people. On the other hand, peace, justice, security and a good livelihood flourish when people are protected by the public justice systems.

This book is a call to arms, a wake up call for anyone who is passionate about ending injustice. Haugen takes the reader on a harrowing journey into the depths of poverty.  Once you begin this journey - travelling into the darkness that is poverty and violence - there is no turning back.  Haugen recounts the history of poverty and violence, while in the end also gives us hope and direction for the way forward.

It must be noted that this book is not for the faint hearted. At times, it may devastate you, break your heart but then embolden you to bring about change the world that we live in. As heavy as this read is, it does not leave you overtaken with grief. It leaves you with a sense of urgency and hope.  Essentially, every justice worker wants to bring about structural change: to change the very structure of societies so that injustice can be obliterated even before it has a chance to begin. And structural change can only happen when public justice systems protect their people from the threat of every day violence. This book truly supplies us with the education we need to bring about this sustainable change that is desperately needed throughout the world.

Annie Stewart is an intern with International Justice Mission.

You can find out more about The Locust Effect here.

Transform Her Future #IDOG2014

Today is the third International Day of the Girl (supported by the United Nations). In many communities, girls face challenges and literally have to fight to survive simply because they are born a girl.

Many girls around the world are missing from school... simply because they are a girl. Yet, research has shown that educating girls transforms families, communities and societies. It has the power to break the cycle of poverty and transforms futures.

The hard facts...

What can I do?

1. PRAY - Pray for girls around the world. Pray for a more just society. Ask God to show you how you can play your part in His mission of restoration.

2. SPREAD THE WORD - Big change starts small. The first step toward success is simple: pass it on. We know that educating girls will change the world. The more people who share that message - through social networks, at the dinner table, in boardrooms, in rural villages - the more support we build. By spreading the word, you are changing minds. Share this blog post with your friends. Start the discussion.

3. HELP NGOs - There are a number of charities working to transform girls' lives. Plan has created the Because I am A Girl campaign (including a petition to make girls' education a worldwide governmental priority) and Girl Rising is a movement to see all girls educated. Sophia member Girls' Brigade England & Wales is a part of a GB Worldwide family - it is helping to transform lives in over 50 different countries (providing informal education in Tanzania, Kosova and Cambodia and many more countries).

4. INVEST IN GIRLS – Are you mentoring a young woman in your community? Perhaps God is calling you to invest in her so her true potential is unleashed.

Remember... global change starts with individual action. Let's transform futures for all today.