[{"id":10131,"order":0,"imagePath":"https://admin.ezystream.com/static/images/article/c2b783cf-ab95-4f82-8974-dc65b7787462.png","type":"image","content":"https://admin.ezystream.com/static/images/article/c2b783cf-ab95-4f82-8974-dc65b7787462.png"},{"id":10132,"order":1,"contentText":"u201cImagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world thatu2019s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge womenu2019s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.u201d
These are the words casting a wonderful vision that are found on the International Womenu2019s Day website. Today, as I write, is International Womenu2019s Day (Tuesday 8 March 2022) and I am still buzzing from the way God spoke to us at our worship gathering on Sunday that was almost entirely facilitated by the content provided by Ngu0101 Wu0101hine Iriiiri o Aotearoa, Baptist Women New Zealand through their Baptist Womenu2019s History Sunday.
As a part of the service, our faith community was invited to share stories of women who God has spoken or moved through. The sharing continued for at least 10 minutes, and it was incredible to hear stories of leadership, expertise, generosity, sacrifice, graciousness, love and gospel proclamation which I would never have heard without that space being created. We heard stories of a mother nursing children whose mothers had died during childbirth; women whose faith in Jesus was so obvious that people couldnu2019t help but take notice; a preacher whose sermon still impacts even years after she preached. The stories of the Spirit moving and working through so many women were wonderful.
The only reason we stopped the sharing time was to move to the sermon. It was preached by Grace Doak, who eloquently and expertly unpacked the story of Deborah, Jael, Sisera and a tent peg (and is on YouTube hereu2026). I had a number of people comment about the challenge she issued to not run from confrontation or uncomfortable situations and were invited to get involved in working towards equality in our local churches and our union of churches throughout Aotearoa. In Graceu2019s words:
u201cWomen, in confronting this uncomfortable battle, in stepping up to leadership, in fighting for opportunities, I want to reassure you of this: you are the head and not the tail; you are above and not beneath; and when God opens a door, no man or no woman can shut it. You have a gift that this world needs. Please donu2019t let the narrative of society silence that.
And men, please donu2019t flee from the battle, just because it doesnu2019t affect you as much. Confront it with us. Let us share the power equally, and intentionally change the stereotypical ideas of who women should be and what they should do.u201d
As a man in the church, it would be easy for me to leave my head in the sand and hope for the best. Graceu2019s words, and the inspiring stories of two women in scripture that she highlighted, reminded me that doing so is not working towards the thriving of all people. Iu2019ve heard it said, u201cEquality for women is progress for allu201d and I believe it.
This is gospel work, and we have a long way to go as a union of churches, as we do in our local churches. I am grateful for the work and the service of Ngu0101 Wu0101hine Iriiiri o Aotearoa, Baptist Women New Zealand and long for the day that oneu2019s gender has no impact on whether, where, when and how all people are able to use the gifts that God has given us. As the International Womenu2019s Day website says:
u201cTogether we can forge womenu2019s equality. Collectively we can all #BreakTheBias.u201d
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