Pastoral Care 101: Vol 4
March 13, 2006
"I am convinced that congregations are diminished by hierarchical structures. One goal of Christian feminists is to develop and work in less hierarchical structures. We murder people’s relational capacity if the critical and depth relationships are seen as only between clergy and congregation, or if the clergy’s primary concern is with vertical versus horizontal relationships. We need a relationship perspective to influence the very church structures that often interfere or hinder relationships built on mutuality, reciprocity, and equality."
(Brita Gill, in Women Ministers, 104-5)
Posted in Ministry
Adam Walker Cleaveland: 
March 14th, 2006 at 9:05 am
Amen. Thanks for posting the quotes from Brita Gill. They are fantastic!
March 14th, 2006 at 10:44 am
What does “Christian feminism” have to do with hierarchy or lack thereof?
I agree totally that hierarchy and the privelege of position within that hierarchy is a hindrance to certain types of ministry but:
a) hierarchy can sometimes be a good and useful thing.
b) there are a lot more people that would like to see improvements along these lines than “Christian feminists”.
March 14th, 2006 at 1:35 pm
I’m not sure that Christian feminism is the driving force behind a longing for a less hierarchical view of ministry. Genuine and deep caring begins to take place when the church begins to live like the body of Christ that it is and is called to be… not just for itself… but to care and minister to the community around it.