Mutuality

Below are links to articles that I value. Each makes a case for mutuality (egalitarianism) in the Church. These articles, in my opinion, take an opposed view to patriarchy, hierarchy, and complementarian positions.

I have been a Christian for my entire adult life. Nearly all of the churches I have attended have taken a "soft" complementarian viewpoint. And I'm sorry to say, but being honest, I didn't think much about it because it didn't affect me. My marriage has been "egalitarian" even if David and I never put a name to it. (See here for definitions of complementarianism and egalitarianism)

But then... I was 'affected' and had to think about the issues. At the start of 2010 we made a church change and BAM! we were hit with what I can now define as patriarchy; this church has an unyielding hierarchical authority structure. We only stayed in that church for 18 months, but it has taken another 12 for us to get to the place of being able to say "Okay, that was awful, but what good has come from it?"

The good is that we can now say unequivocally that we believe God's purpose for men & women is one of equality on every level and every place. And now David and I can discuss the issues and the varying viewpoints with our son and daughter. What a wonderful place to be.

Week of Mutuality 2012 - Rachel Held Evans
Is God Male? - series by Dr. Mimi Haddad, President of CBE
What does it mean to be a Christian man? A Biblical Perspective. - Rev. Matthew Williams
It's not complementarianism; it's patriarchy. - Rachel Held Evans
My talk on Gender at Sydney Uni - Rev. Andrew Errington
Pentecost Makes a Difference for Women - Mike Mercer (Chaplain Mike @Internet Monk)
Blog posts in response to Week of Mutuality
List of Resources - both online and books

Who's Who Among Biblical Women Leaders