Women in the Mission of the Church: Their Opportunities and Obstacles throughout Christian History
A Reflection by Theresa Babbitt
Get a copy of this meaningful work!
In writing, Women in the Mission of the Church: Their Opportunities and Obstacles throughout Christian History, Leanne M. Dzubinski and Anneke H, Stasson, hope “to highlight that women have not only played a big role in the history of the church but that is was a part of God’s very design… [and that these stories] act “like “balm” for the soul…” (preface). Balms are an agent of healing. I believe that in giving a broad overview of women’s involvement in the church throughout history, that Leanne and Anneke have done just that. They have given a generation of women a balm of healing for their wounded souls.
For me, reading Women in the Mission of the Church: Their Opportunities and Obstacles throughout Christian History by Leanne M. Dzubinski and Anneke H, Stasson was like discovering a family heirloom or uncovering a compilation of journals from generations past. It was a broad view, the big picture of women’s historical involvement in the Church up to present, but it somehow found a way to pierce deep places inside of me -- to reawaken and to validate my experiences as a woman in the church, in both western and non-western contexts. There were many times when I found myself breathing deep in a pause of resonance. I could picture myself in their shoes. I could see how the scenarios were playing out. It was as if I were there. There were other moments of reflection, moments of shock, moments when I wished for better, and moments when I sat in awe and admiration of the courage and devotion of those gone before me. Countless women have paved a way for me. For you. For us.
As I read story after story, one thing that really struck me was the profound creativity and innovation of these women in our ecclesiastical genealogy. Many were simply meeting the needs they saw in their communities. They noticed gaps in society and embodied the person of Christ through their care as they built hospitals, orphanages and schools. Others were pushing the boundaries of what was culturally acceptable for their gender. Still others, compelled by Christ, did whatever they could within the bounds of their given day. Their paths looked different but, each of them expanded the church in their own way. Each carried the torch and penned their journal entry for me to read. For you to read. For us to read.
I had heard several of these stories before, but still, I have a way of forgetting. Of letting discouragement sink in to redirect my hopes, dreams, and dare I say, heavenly assignments from time to time. Yet, just as for many of the sisters of whom I read, the calling has not shifted. The mission of the Church and Christ's ever-increasing Kingdom has carried on and is, in fact, expanding even at times by what may have been called a "forced redirection". For example, at first glance, a redirection out of the Church and into the secular realm may feel like a loss -- but oh, how the leaven has grown!
Today, I still see women intentionally, or unintentionally, pushing the Church forward, moving beyond the barriers of their context and the given definitions of what their roles should look like. Some creatively use the spaces they already occupy, such as their home, their workplace, or their church. Others are expanding the reach of the church by participating in industries where women experience less resistance than they do in the church. The most obvious example I see is the rise of women preachers turned bloggers and youtubers. Some, whom I’ve met, did so intentionally because they didn’t have any opportunities in their church setting to grow in preaching, teaching or writing. Others felt generally accepted in their church contexts but felt a pull or a desire to explore those platforms. I personally know women who kept hitting walls in their church or parafaith organization and noticed that they had more opportunity for growth if they moved into a more secular setting. I’ve also seen stay-at-home moms start and grow internet businesses praying for, and with, their online communities. These women see their businesses as giving them an opportunity to not only add to their household incomes, but to disciple those to whom they would otherwise not have access. All of the women in these examples are, in their own ways, for their own reasons, continuing to make a way for other women and furthering the mission of the church.
We have a way of forgetting. The beauty of this work is that it helps us to remember. Like pulling out the family photo book and seeing images of ancestors who came long before. In these snap shots we notice the resemblance and are reminded that we are intrinsically, tied to a larger story. If we take time to remember, we will recall those who came before us and paved a way. So, let’s lean in and learn from their stories, from their wisdom, and even from their failures. What if we chose to see our lives more and more like a journal entry in a larger volume of stories woven together? What if we practiced the art of remembering? Would we be more courageous? More faithful? More hopeful? Thankfully, it’s not entirely up to us.
“I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus..” Phil 1:3-6
Thank you, Leanne and Anneke, for writing this important book. You have paved a way for us.