297. TNE TALKS: “Nice Churchy Patriarchy”

Summary Tim and Liz Cooledge Jenkins discuss her book, Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism, and her journey unpacking the toxic aspects of conservative evangelicalism. She explores the concept of patriarchy and how it manifests in imbalanced power dynamics and restricts women's agency. Takeaways Patriarchy is any structure or system that involves imbalanced power between genders, particularly men and women. Patriarchy restricts women's agency and discourages them from embracing their full humanity. The concept of patriarchy is often disguised as complementarianism in conservative evangelical contexts. The biblical mandates used to justify patriarchal norms are often based on American cultural norms rather than biblical principles. Mainline churches, despite their traditional appearance, often have more progressive and inclusive theology compared to white evangelical churches.  Patriarchy is deeply ingrained in both the church and broader society, but it is not impossible to dismantle. Valuing characteristics traditionally associated with femininity, such as empathy and collaboration, is essential for building more inclusive and equitable spaces. Honest conversations, diverse perspectives, and a reevaluation of traditional interpretations of scripture are necessary for challenging and changing patriarchal systems. The intersection of patriarchy and the church requires a critical examination of leadership structures and a commitment to empowering women and other marginalized groups. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:01 Unpacking the Toxicity of Conservative Evangelicalism 10:02 Challenging Patriarchy and Reclaiming Women's Humanity 14:35 Examining Biblical Interpretations and Cultural Norms 24:21 Merging Contemporary Vibes with Deep Theology 26:26 Effective Ways to Fight the Patriarchy 28:12 Initiating Conversations with Women in the Congregation 29:33 The Need for Women in Leadership 31:11 Reflecting the Diversity of the Body of Christ 33:27 Challenging Traditional Leadership Models 39:19 Perceptions of Church Diversity 41:21 Sharing Power and Embracing Feminine Characteristics 46:45 The Sin of Empathy 48:19 Conclusion Liz's Website | lizcooledgejenkins.com Liz on Instagram | @lizcoolj _______________________________ Come to the LIVE EVENT in Austin, TX | Democracy at Risk REGISTER TO VOTE If you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here! Get Tickets to Beer Camp (PROMO: TNEHOBBIT) Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you’ve been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We’ve built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices