(Editor’s Note: This is the intro to highlighting some CRBC women’s stories throughout the month.)
Women and Church. That particular string of words may conjure strong opinions. If not in yourself, definitely in others. If your opinion is determined in part by what is seen in media and culture, it has likely been shaped by loud, perhaps even extreme, voices which may not always represent the majority.
Living in the cultural phenomenon of constant media access can cause a skewed view of reality if we don’t see those inputs for what they are - just one perspective that might inform any particular topic.
It is always healthy to take a step back from broader cultural views and consider what other inputs should influence beliefs, and to what extent. Allowing your perspective on any topic to be wholly, or even significantly shaped by negative headlines or social media posts is to be shaped by a partial reality. This is not to say that those sources don’t have a place to be heard. It is to say we must set these inputs in their proper place.
For shaping a truer perspective on women and their place in the local church, here are two things that must influence our worldview most.
First, Scripture. God’s Word must inform what we believe about any topic. The Bible is truth, and to shape our beliefs on anything in opposition to the Bible is to believe a lie. To accept the Bible’s teaching on any topic means we must first know scripture. It also means we must walk in obedience to those teachings, even if it feels inconvenient or costly.
Second, a healthy local church. The Church is the bride of Christ. To be walking in service and relationship with Christ, we must be engaging in a local church. Biblical community helps us work out our theology and live it out practically through life together.
Beyond studying scripture, being engaged in my local church has been formative in how I understand women and their role in the Body of Christ. I’ve vacillated between being overly critical and shaped by the headlines, and being overly positive and defensive of anyone who criticized the church. Through it all, I’ve benefited from the gift of longevity in a healthy church context which has provided me the benefit of watching women steward their impact in their church community at every season of life.
Seeing women in my current context steward their lives to further God’s kingdom is powerful. The rootedness I feel from knowing women leading in various capacities in my own church has often counteracted the despair I might feel after reading headlines of those who are quick to criticize and want to throw out the church entirely.
Women in our church are doing beautiful things. Those that formally work in church ministry, as well as those whose work is outside the church walls. Yes, women have unique challenges. But women also have amazing opportunities in our context.
In my own church context, I see women stepping into those opportunities and thriving in too many ways to count. Women hosting groups, leading in worship, discipling others, teaching scripture, shaping ministries, getting formal theological education, being sent out on mission, and more. I see women in our church who are investing in their marriages, discipling children, leading businesses, starting podcasts, moving up in their company, serving on boards, leading in the community, and more. Truly, there are amazing women around me, making a difference with their season and stewarding the gifts, talents and resources God has given them.
If you are looking for encouragement in ways women are impacting our community, this month the Council Road Women blog will highlight just a few stories in a month-long series on how women in our community are stewarding their story and lives for His kingdom. There were many to choose from, but I hope you enjoy the few you will hear from this month!
What women do you see leading and thriving at Council Road? We would love to hear about them in the Comments section of this post!
Meet the authors!
Lauren McAfee is a PhD student in ethics and public policy from Southern Seminary. Lauren is author of Not What You Think, Only One Life, and Legacy Study. She also works at the Hobby Lobby corporate office as a project coordinator. She grew up in Oklahoma City and loves her church community at CRBC. Lauren and her high school sweetheart, Michael McAfee, have been married for over ten years and have one daughter, Zion. Connect with Lauren at www.laurenamcafee.com or on Instagram @laurenamcafee.
