Equality of the sexes? where?
Here's a bit of 'holy-discontentedness':
Whats the deal with having an Army that supposedly supports equality of the sexes in Ministry, yet has a stand-alone Women's Ministry Department????
What about the men? Is there no Men's ministries? (don't try to argue the brass band line! Thats no longer acceptable!) Don't we care that men aren't being built up and discipled outside of 'banding' and leadership?
I propose that if we truly believe in equality of the sexes, we have equally-sized (staffed and funded) Men's and Women's Ministries departments (departments at THQ-level and positions at DHQ-level).
OR
We change 'Women's ministries' to 'Family ministries' and get some guys in...
Better yet, put Men's, Women's, Child Sponsorship, Playgroup ministries etc. into the Corps Programme Department (its logical!).
Then give the higher ranked Women Leaders positions that allow them to contribute to the leadership of the territory without a 'shadow' responsibility for Women's ministries.
I'm all fired up! how did we get to this place where the inequality was so blatantly obvious?
It's just not acceptable.
Come on women, step up and address this, and guys - get things happening!
Labels:
Action,
Army,
Equality,
Frustration,
Leadership,
Ministry,
passion
4 comments:
Nearly 20 years ago I put this same thought in writing to the then Chief Secretary. I gave him the figures which I can remember fairly well that if you get a child involved in church then you get at 33% of their families involved also. If you get women involved you get about 66% of their families connected to your corps. If you get men involved you get about 95% of their families connected. I asked the question, if this is true then why do we have a huge youth department, a slightly smaller women's department and nothing for men. It seems to be back to front. He agreed, but said that now wasn't the time. Maybe 20 years on the time is right. The Corps Programme model should allow for equality in resourcing and access to good leadership and planning and skill sharing. Silo's don't work !
A seperate women's ministry department does not advance women in the army.
Why should the Mrs Commissioner automatically have to lead the Women's Ministries department, maybe she would make a great Candidates, Personnel or Business Secretary. Maybe she is the best person for the job that's OK but it shouldn't be the default.
Dare I suggest that sometimes we are poorer because we stick to tradition for traditions sake instead of asking is this best practise ? Are we giving our best to God.
In some territories this needs to be the case for cultural reason's but not in Australia and in many other Western countries in 2007.
maybe eve shouldnt have taken the apple then hey?lol
thats a joke by the way!
I agree with u jo, something needs to change...
In New Zealand we have a real lack of mens ministries, I reckon us men should standup and fight the oppression and burn our undies (Ewwww) well maybe not, but I think men are just so dang lazy when it comes to doing something? What's kinda funny cause over here mens ministries comes under the umbrella of womens ministries... oh well at least we're all being discriminated against equally
I couldn't agree with you more Jo. Mens ministries are very important but often overlooked by our Corps, centres and even headquarters.
I wonder, what would happen if we had a Married female General? Would the male be in charge of International Womens ministries? The more I think about it the more I think the positions are created to give the female partner something to do. It's wrong and should not be. If we preach equality we need to start practicing it to.
Grace to you. Almost a year down. Congrats.
Andrew S
Sydney StreetLevel Mission
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