{"id":2004,"date":"2015-11-17T15:47:39","date_gmt":"2015-11-17T15:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/?p=2004"},"modified":"2015-11-17T15:47:39","modified_gmt":"2015-11-17T15:47:39","slug":"the-century-of-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2015\/11\/17\/the-century-of-women\/","title":{"rendered":"The Century of Women"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a speech at the Women and Girls Rising Conference in New York, Deputy-Secretary General of the United Nations, Jan Eliasson, stated,<\/p>\n

\u201cI firmly believe that this is, finally, the century of women.\u00a0 I am convinced that this century will see a world where women and girls enjoy their rights and realize their potential as never before; a world where women and girls growingly live free from discrimination, violence, fear, ignorance and want.\u201d 1<\/sup><\/h3>\n

The phrase \u201cCentury of Women\u201d has since become a popular moniker for the 21st<\/sup> Century. Coupled with the IPHC stance on women in leadership (read it here<\/a>), it is undeniable that we are on the cusp of a major opportunity.<\/p>\n

But I find myself asking, \u201cso what now?\u201d We can all agree that women are being given more and more opportunities in our society to stand up and be the leaders that they were called to be. But while we as a denomination have made great strides, the Church as a whole is still sadly behind the curve in this call for equal leadership.<\/p>\n

In a recent study from Gordon College it was noted, \u201cboth men and women agree that women should lead in the workplace and broader society, but the opinions become more mixed when it comes to the church and home\u201d. 2 <\/sup>According to the Women in Leadership National Study, Women make up only 19% of paid positions within Evangelical organizations, and 16% of CEO positions. 3<\/sup><\/h4>\n

There is a definite lack of female leadership within the Church, and yet, ironically, congregations are predominately female. US congregations are typically 61% female 4<\/sup>, while in countries such as China and Japan the percentages are closer to 80 or 90%. 5<\/sup> While this statistic proves the dire need for a focus in church marketing for men, it also shows us a very interesting opportunity for women. As Carolyn Custis James says in her book Half the Church, <\/em>\u201c <\/em>\u2026maybe these high percentages of women should make us wonder what God is doing, for He often forges significant inroads for the gospel by beginning with women.\u2019<\/p>\n

So how do we see true progress? How do we see women take their rightful place as leaders within the church, to truly see a \u201cCentury of Women?\u201d I firmly believe that our best chance for success lies in the intentional inclusion and systematic sponsorship of women leaders.<\/h3>\n

We must be active in initiating the encouragement of women in their leadership capabilities. We must seek out women who are qualified and called to be leaders in our ministries and on our boards. This process will be a slow osmosis of change; as we place a value on women and encourage their abilities and gifts, women will slowly begin to realize their potential, and step into their rightful roles.<\/p>\n

After all, this is not just about gender equality. This is about placing leaders in strategic positions to allow the Church to function at her best.\u00a0\u00a0 In the Women in Leadership National Study, the researchers found that \u201corganizations are more successful when they have a greater diversity in their leadership.\u201d 6<\/sup> This success is not an accident; this is how God meant it to be! When both of His image bearers work side by side, encouraging and uplifting each other in their gifts and abilities, then the Church will run like a well-oiled machine, leaning on one where the other may be less experienced. Looking to one perspective when the other may not be fully comprehensive. As in 1 Corinthians,<\/p>\n

\u201cFor the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, \u201cBecause I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,\u201d that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, \u201cBecause I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,\u201d that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts,[e] yet one body.<\/h3>\n

If we truly desire, as I believe that we do, to see a world \u201cwhere women and girls growingly live free from discrimination, violence, fear, ignorance and want,\u201d where Christians work together as one body, then the Church, the whole Church<\/em>, must take her place at the forefront of the equality movement. We must seek out and utilize every tool that our Heavenly Father has given us, each equally valuable in the body of Christ.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Eliaason, Jan \u201cThis Is the Century of the Woman\u2019, Deputy Secretary-General Says, Urging Conference to Strive towards Full, Equal Participation in Society\u201d United Nations Media Coverage and Press Releases<\/em>. 23 September 2014, 13 October 2015. http:\/\/www.un.org\/press\/en\/2014\/dsgsm802.doc.htm<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Starbuck, Margot \u201cStudy Reveals Missing Influence of Women among Nonprofit Leaders\u201d Christianity Today<\/em>. 17 November 2014. 13 October, 215. http:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/gifted-for-leadership\/2014\/november\/study-reveals-missing-influence-of-women-among-nonprofit-le.html?start=<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Hughes, Kelly \u201cNational Study Finds Evangelical Nonprofits Lagging in Leadership Opportunities for Women, but Bright Spots Show Possibilities for Change\u201d Gordon College <\/em>19 September 2014, 13 October 2015 http:\/\/www.gordon.edu\/womeninleadership\/sept19release<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Church for Men Quick Facts on the Gender Gap<\/em> Murrow Media, 13 October 2015 http:\/\/churchformen.com\/men-and-church\/where-are-the-men\/<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. James, Carolyn Custis, Half the Church; Recapturing God\u2019s Global Vision for Women<\/em>, Zondervan, 2010, Print<\/li>\n
  6. Starbuck, Margot \u201cStudy Reveals Missing Influence of Women among Nonprofit Leaders\u201d Christianity Today<\/em>. 17 November 2014. 13 October, 215.\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.christianitytoday.com\/gifted-for-leadership\/2014\/november\/study-reveals-missing-influence-of-women-among-nonprofit-le.html?start=2<\/a><\/li>\n
  7. https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=1%20Corinthians%2012<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    \"150x150\"<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Kaleigh is a graduate of Southwestern Christian University and a born-and-bred Oklahoman. Since 2011 Kaleigh has worked in the Discipleship Ministries Department of the IPHC, specifically in Student Ministries. Her areas of expertise include graphic design, social media marketing, writing, promotional design, typography, and event planning. Kaleigh currently occupies the Logistics and Communications Portfolio under the Student Ministries Advisory Team.<\/em><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"excerpt","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":2005,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","slim_seo":{"title":"The Century of Women - IPHC Discipleship Ministries","description":"In a speech at the Women and Girls Rising Conference in New York, Deputy-Secretary General of the United Nations, Jan Eliasson, stated, \u201cI firmly believe that t"},"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_slim_seo_primary_term_category":0,"_slim_seo_primary_term_post_tag":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4,1,171,15,305,37,3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2004","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-discipleship-ministries","category-general","category-leadership-2","category-mens-ministries","category-student-ministires","category-womens-ministries","category-youth-ministries","entry"],"title_es":"","content_es":"","author_name":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4T9u2-wk","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":3236,"url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2017\/08\/08\/state-ministry-girls-ministries\/","url_meta":{"origin":2004,"position":0},"title":"State of the Ministry- Girls’ Ministries","author":"Lindsey","date":"August 8, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Girls\u2019 Ministries reached a major milestone this quadrennium as she celebrated her 70th birthday. The celebration spanned the twelve months of 2016 and was based on the praise concept of Psalm 145. Verses 4-7 are a fitting description of the mission of Girls\u2019 Ministries. \u201cOne generation commends your works to\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Children's Ministries"","block_context":{"text":"Children's Ministries","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/category\/childrens-ministries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/08\/Girls-Ministry-STATE-OF-THE-MIN.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/08\/Girls-Ministry-STATE-OF-THE-MIN.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/08\/Girls-Ministry-STATE-OF-THE-MIN.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2017\/08\/Girls-Ministry-STATE-OF-THE-MIN.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10033,"url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2023\/09\/14\/rest-for-you-soul\/","url_meta":{"origin":2004,"position":1},"title":"Thriving with IPHC Women","author":"sdavidson","date":"September 14, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Thriving with IPHC Women IPHC Women\u2019s Ministries is THRIVING! We are seeing the fruit of women Abiding in Christ this year (John 15:5). Women\u2019s Ministries exist to help women become more like Jesus. We inspire, equip, and support women on their journey so that they can thrive in their walk\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Discipleship Ministries"","block_context":{"text":"Discipleship Ministries","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/category\/discipleship-ministries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Womens-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Womens-1.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Womens-1.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Womens-1.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Womens-1.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/09\/Womens-1.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2101,"url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2016\/01\/12\/girls-ministries-celebrates-70-years\/","url_meta":{"origin":2004,"position":2},"title":"Girls’ Ministries Celebrates 70 years","author":"Kaleigh","date":"January 12, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"As we kick off a new year, we in Girls\u2019 Ministries are kicking off a year of celebration. It was 70 years ago, in 1946, that the fairly new IPHC Women\u2019s Ministries launched a ministry to girls. Because of their vision, countless girls have been mentored by godly, caring women.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Children's Ministries"","block_context":{"text":"Children's Ministries","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/category\/childrens-ministries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/01\/GM-70-years-banner-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/01\/GM-70-years-banner-copy.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/01\/GM-70-years-banner-copy.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2016\/01\/GM-70-years-banner-copy.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":424,"url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2014\/08\/28\/womens-ministries-director-tame-lambert-to-resign\/","url_meta":{"origin":2004,"position":3},"title":"Women’s Ministries Director Tame Lambert to Resign","author":"Kaleigh","date":"August 28, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"\u00a0 The Discipleship Ministries Division would like to congratulate Rev. Tam\u00e9 Lambert as the Lamberts are returning to South Carolina to be involved in pastoral ministry. \u00a0\u00a0Tam\u00e9 has resigned her position as Director of Women\u2019s Ministries effective October 1. At the 2009 General Conference, Reverend Tam\u00e9 Lambert was elected as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Discipleship Ministries"","block_context":{"text":"Discipleship Ministries","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/category\/discipleship-ministries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"tame","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2014\/08\/tame.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":930,"url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2014\/10\/29\/samantha-snipes-named-new-womens-ministries-director\/","url_meta":{"origin":2004,"position":4},"title":"Samantha Snipes named new Women’s Ministries Director","author":"Kaleigh","date":"October 29, 2014","format":false,"excerpt":"Discipleship Ministries and the National Women\u2019s Ministries Board are pleased to announce that the position of National Women\u2019s Ministries Director has been filled by Samantha Snipes. \u201cWith over 20 years of experience in ministry, marketing and management, Samantha will bring a unique perspective and entrepreneurial spirit to the Discipleship Ministries\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Discipleship Ministries"","block_context":{"text":"Discipleship Ministries","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/category\/discipleship-ministries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"samantha snipes","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2014\/10\/samantha-snipes.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":9305,"url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2022\/09\/16\/womens-convention-recap\/","url_meta":{"origin":2004,"position":5},"title":"Women’s Convention Recap","author":"sdavidson","date":"September 16, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"Women of the IPHC, The FLOURISH Women\u2019s Ministries General Convention in Jacksonville, Florida was incredible! \u00a0We gathered on July 26th, 2022, for the 18th quadrennial convention for Women\u2019s Ministries of the IPHC. \u00a0Melanie Wayne and her team led us in a powerful time of worship, and Beth Taylor challenged us\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Discipleship Ministries"","block_context":{"text":"Discipleship Ministries","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/category\/discipleship-ministries\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/WOMENS-CONVENTION-RECAP.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/WOMENS-CONVENTION-RECAP.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/WOMENS-CONVENTION-RECAP.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/WOMENS-CONVENTION-RECAP.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/WOMENS-CONVENTION-RECAP.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2022\/09\/WOMENS-CONVENTION-RECAP.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/11\/century.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2004"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2004\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}