Jim - I felt very encouraged when I saw that you had written the words listen in bold. I think a lot of the time women don’t felt listened to, or maybe understood? Very encouraging comments - thanks.

How can men help - I think to listen, encourage and comment, help us ladies feel part of the conversation. In a wider context it would be great to hear more female voices heard, such as in interviews, speaking at conferences etc.

But beyond the blogosphere, we (men) need to listen and include women more in all things, especially mission. Since mission is about helping others, then if women are supposed to be the more nurturing of the two sexes they have the advantage in that field. But even beyond that, in all things church-related we (men) need to shut up once in a while (a difficult task), turn to those women next to us and ask, “What do you think?” And then stop and listen to the answers, which may come out slowly the first time because the woman’s surprised she’s even been asked. I commit to making sure I do this more starting here and now.

I believe God is challenging us (men) with the model of the church as Christ’s bride. Sure, there is the male side of that - we belong to Christ, etc. But think about the very word used - we, the church, are His bride, a female image if ever there was one. Why? Because Christ wants us all to be loving, caring, accepting, friendly, nurturing - attributes I hesitate to blanket characterize as “feminine”, but most seem to accept them as such.

Also, don’t ever let some perceived lack of “theological training” hold you back. I am not formally trained - I just read, a lot, about everything. You may read as much or more than I do. The difference? Only that once a man’s read a book, he feels he’s an expert on its subject matter. So just push past our bluffery and state what you think. The men around you will listen, if they’re smart they will, anyway.

Good post!

I think women play a vital role in the conversation - it is together than men and women reflect the image of God and we need each other therefore to be able to have a fuller expression in our thinking and acting.

Personally I read as many female blogs as male ones - so i would say to anyone write what you think from where you are and you’ll get an audience. Women have a valid experience and expression of faith thinking and acting as men so i hope no one would feel that they are a second class citizen based in blog land.

But i also think that if that perception exists than their is an onus on men to actively encourage female bloggers - to link to their sites, to post comments, to engage in conversation and to humbly acknowledge how we are learning as a result. But that is just me, what I’d love to know is what else can I do? How else could I help? What do women bloogers want and need? Then i can make sure that i am being part of the solution rather than just imposing one…