Gender in the Pulpit
A female colleague was recently told by a leader of her congregation that he felt more comfortable with a male pastor. Unfortunately, that is not a highly unusual comment. I have heard something akin to it several times myself. We hear such comments, but we don’t really stop to consider what is behind them. It got me to thinking. Why would someone comment to anyone that they feel more comfortable with a male pastor? I came up with a lot of questions, but very few answers. Is it because men are more prone to be sexual abusers than women? Is it because men are more likely to view power and authority as weapons by which to control others? Is it because men are more likely to be seen in society as authority figures? Is it because our culture tells us that women should not be leaders? Is it because we tend to view the position of pastor as one of authority rather than the service of a shepherd? Is it because we are still reeling from a history in which...