Gender Issues

To those in the know... I have the red book and blue book on my shelf next to each other. I believe men and women are different, different even beyond the obvious differences in reproductive organs. I believe in equality. I believe in allowing and celebrating our differences.

In our church we are taking steps forward in regards to "Men's Ministry" and "Women's Ministry". I'm not really gutsy enough to tackle what it means to be a Godly Man or Woman and I'm scared to death how some of the fragile, opinionated, and reactive voices in our community might respond to any of the curriculum being produced for these distinctive "small groups".

It seems right and approriate right now to create fun spaces... you know fellowship groups... time set aside to do little more that hang out, get to know each other, and maybe throw some darts or learn how to make flowers on a cake.

The planned activities for these groups seem to push me up against stereo-typical assumptions that I'm becoming less and less comfortable with. Maybe the ladies would enjoy a breakfast feast complete with wild game at Cabellas? Or maybe the guys would like to spend the morning knitting and drinking coffee? I doubt it. You know, usually stereo types are based on some reasonable generalities. Certainly there are many exceptions.

I think there is tremendous value in ladies hang'n out with other ladies and with guys hang'n out with guys. It seems like a healthy place to explore these differences and try to answer those questions about Godly manwood and womanhood together. When it comes down to it I guess it's who you are with and not so much what you do, but something to do is nice. You know, an excuse to be together. Any thoughts out there in Blog land?