A World of Difference Liz Cooledge Jenkins: From Marginalization to Equality and Her Journey to Reclaiming Women's Humanity in Evangelicalism
In a world where women's voices are marginalized, join Liz Cooledge Jenkins as she challenges patriarchal structures in evangelicalism and empowers women to reclaim their humanity. But will she be able to make a difference in a system resistant to change? Discover the shocking truth in this gripping journey of faith and advocacy.
My special guest is Liz Cooledge Jenkins
Liz Cooledge Jenkins is not your typical preacher and writer. With a BS in Symbolic Systems from Stanford and a Master of Divinity, Liz brings a unique blend of intellect and spirituality to her work. She is passionate about challenging patriarchal norms within evangelicalism and advocating for gender equality in religious communities. Through her writing, Liz fearlessly delves into the complex issues surrounding women's rights and roles in the church. Her book, "Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism," is a powerful exploration of her own journey and experiences within the evangelical world. With a mix of personal narrative and insightful analysis, Liz offers a fresh perspective on how we can create faith communities that are inclusive, just, and life-giving for everyone. Prepare to be inspired and empowered as Liz Cooledge Jenkins invites you to join her in reclaiming women's humanity and transforming the religious landscape.
Even if progress has been made, there's still work to do. We deserve full equality and we won't settle for anything less. - Liz Cooledge Jenkins
In this episode, you will be able to:
- Explore the journey of reclaiming women's humanity from the confines of evangelicalism and discover the power of personal liberation.
- Gain insight into the unique challenges faced by women in faith communities and uncover strategies to overcome these obstacles.
- Discover the transformative impact of women's perspectives in religious contexts and cultivate a more inclusive and diverse approach to theology and spirituality.
- Learn how to challenge patriarchal power structures within evangelicalism and foster a community that promotes equality and justice for all.
- Find inspiration and practical guidance on self-care practices to navigate the trauma and oppression often experienced within religious contexts.
Amplifying Women's Voices
The importance of amplifying women's voices is a primary factor in challenging and shifting age-old patriarchal structures, particularly within evangelical contexts. Women's experiences, insights, and perspectives can bring a fresh understanding and significant contributions to religious and societal discourses. Actively seeking and valuing women's voices is a crucial step toward attaining gender equality and smashing restrictive norms.
The resources mentioned in this episode are:
- Visit BetterHelp.com/difference today to receive 10% off your first month of therapy.
- Explore the different classes and lessons available on BetterHelp.com/difference, such as trauma, EMDR, and losing a pet.
- Sign up for therapy on BetterHelp.com and easily switch therapists if the first one isn't a good fit.
- Check out Liz Cooledge Jenkins' new book, Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism.
Read Liz Cooledge Jenkins' writings on Patheos at Always Reforming and on her personal blog at lizcooledgejenkins.com
Follow Liz Cooledge Jenkins on Feminism and Religion for her regular contributions. She has a Substack newsletter at: Growing Into Kinship: https://growingintokinship.substack.com/
- See https://lizcooledgejenkins.com/articles/ for a list of articles.
- Follow Liz on Instagram: @lizcoolj, @postevangelicalprayers
- Listen to more episodes of the A World of Difference podcast for inspiring stories and interviews with guests who are making a difference.
- Consider incorporating more narrative storytelling into your own writing and communication to engage and connect with others.
- Reflect on your own experiences with gender and faith and consider how they have shaped your perspective.
- Encourage women to define what is best for themselves and to reject patronizing attitudes that limit their potential.
When good people do nothing, that's when evil thrives.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction and Sponsorship
00:02:00 - Introduction of Liz Cooledge Jenkins
00:05:06 - Writing Style and Personal Narrative
00:07:48 - Dave's Comment on Women in Ministry
00:10:49 - Reflection on College Experience
00:15:20 - Neutrality and its Impact on Women in the Church
00:16:40 - The Threat of Speaking Up
00:18:22 - Marginalizing Voices of Change
00:19:59 - The Importance of Advocacy
00:21:54 - The Impact of the Barbie Movie on Gender Equality
00:30:47 - Rethinking Leadership and Gender
00:33:23 - Navigating Challenges in Evangelical Spaces
00:36:25 - Dealing with Silencing and Marginalization
00:37:58 - Reflecting on Experiences and Finding Empowerment
00:41:24 - Calls to Action for Male Pastors
00:47:14 - The Importance of Women's Perspectives
00:47:57 - Liz's Experience in Seminary
00:48:47 - Book Recommendation: "Nice. Churchy Patriarchy"
00:49:11 - Difference Maker Community and Deeper Conversations
00:49:50 - Self-Care and Taking a Break
Timestamped summary of this episode:
00:00:02 - Introduction and Sponsorship
Lori introduces the podcast and the sponsor, BetterHelp.com, which offers therapy services. She shares her positive experience with therapy and encourages listeners to take advantage of the 10% off offer.
00:02:00 - Introduction of Liz Cooledge Jenkins
Lori introduces Liz Cooledge Jenkins as a writer, preacher, and former college campus minister. She mentions Liz's educational background and her writing contributions to various publications. Lori also mentions Liz's new book, "Nice Churchy Patriarchy."
00:05:06 - Writing Style and Personal Narrative
Lori discusses how Liz chose to incorporate personal narratives into her book and why she believes stories are powerful. They also touch on the challenge of making academic writing accessible to a broader audience.
00:07:48 - Dave's Comment on Women in Ministry
Liz shares an experience from her college years when a church member named Dave made a patronizing comment about women in ministry. She reflects on how it made her feel and the importance of women defining what is best for themselves.
00:10:49 - Reflection on College Experience
Lori asks Liz how she felt during that jarring experience as a college student and what she would say to her younger self. Liz expresses her shock and the lack of words to respond at the time, but affirms that her feelings were valid.
00:15:20 - Neutrality and its Impact on Women in the Church
The discussion begins with the question of neutrality and its implications. The guest shares her experience in a patriarchal church and how it made it difficult for any change to occur. Speaking up for gender equality was often seen as causing trouble.
00:16:40 - The Threat of Speaking Up
The conversation delves into the fear that speaking up against the system poses for those in power. Drawing parallels to the Civil Rights Movement, the guest emphasizes the importance of raising questions and advocating for change, even if it disrupts the status quo.
00:18:22 - Marginalizing Voices of Change
The guest recounts the experience of a woman in her church who faced labeling and marginalization for pushing for gender equality. Many voices that advocate for change are squashed and silenced. It highlights the significance of those who can speak out about their experiences.
00:19:59 - The Importance of Advocacy
The conversation addresses the misconception that women should be content with their relatively better situation compared to others. The guest emphasizes the need for equality and justice, and how it is essential to dream and work towards a better world for women.
00:21:54 - The Impact of the Barbie Movie on Gender Equality
The guest reflects on the Barbie movie and its impact on addressing patriarchy directly. The powerful speech by America Ferrera's character resonated with many, highlighting the impossible expectations and the need for women to be empowered to be their
00:30:47 - Rethinking Leadership and Gender
The conversation explores the socialization of women and the need to redefine what a leader looks like in terms of gender and style. It emphasizes the importance of considering women's ambitions and assertiveness positively and reexamining assumptions about leadership and gender roles.
00:33:23 - Navigating Challenges in Evangelical Spaces
The discussion delves into the challenges faced by women in evangelical spaces and the difficulty of speaking up for equality. It suggests embracing agency, having conversations about experiences, and being open to the possibility of leaving if necessary to find spaces where women's gifts are valued.
00:36:25 - Dealing with Silencing and Marginalization
The conversation acknowledges the silencing and marginalization experienced by women who advocate for equality. It encourages women to find communities that take them seriously and honor their value. It reassures them that leaving an unsupportive environment is not walking away from faith and that God is present in the journey of change.
00:37:58 - Reflecting on Experiences and Finding Empowerment
Reflection on difficult experiences, even when women are aware that others have it worse, is deemed important. It highlights the value of processing and not being afraid to take seriously the things that feel wrong. Exploring resources from different thinkers and finding empowering expressions of faith is also recommended.
00:41:24 - Calls to Action for Male Pastors
Male pastors are urged to seek feedback from women in their congregations and
00:47:14 - The Importance of Women's Perspectives
The speaker acknowledges that exposure to new communities can sometimes stifle curiosity, especially in faith communities. She highlights the importance of women's perspectives, even those that contradict dominant viewpoints, in order to create a more equitable and wonderful world.
00:47:57 - Liz's Experience in Seminary
The speaker mentions Liz's book and her journey of trying to find her voice as a woman in seminary classes that were not always supportive. She emphasizes the need for women's opinions in churches, classrooms, and society at large.
00:48:47 - Book Recommendation: "Nice. Churchy Patriarchy"
The speaker recommends Liz's book, "Nice. Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism," and encourages listeners to read it for themselves. The book delves into issues of patriarchy and the importance of women's perspectives.
00:49:11 - Difference Maker Community and Deeper Conversations
The speaker invites listeners to join the Difference Maker community and announces that Liz will be a part of exclusive conversations there. The community offers additional content and a platform for deeper discussions on the topics addressed in the podcast.
00:49:50 - Self-Care and Taking a Break
The speaker emphasizes the importance of self-care, particularly for those dealing with trauma or working in challenging environments. She encourages listeners to do something nice for themselves and take a break as a way to recharge and prioritize their well-being.
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