Congregational Discussion Women’s Leadership in the Church, State, and Academy

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(These questions are meant for individual pondering and journaling as well as for congregational adult education discussion forums.)

1.     Women preachers used the pulpit to argue for abolition and women’s suffrage. Some male preachers also used the pulpit in this way, while others preached to argue for slavery and women’s subordination to men.  Given this history, what do you think is the role of the preacher in discussing ethical and political issues today?  How does “virtual” church limit or expand that role?

2.     What responsibilities come with the right to vote?

3.     What are the responsibilities of the university professor to the church and to the nation?

4.     In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he speaks about how all the parts of the body are necessary for the body to function.  Using this metaphor, consider drawing a picture of the body of your community.  In that community how do you see the intersection of leadership of the academy, church, and state?  How do these work together best?

5.     Finally, this issue celebrated the inclusion of women’s voices in church, state, and academy.  Whose voices are still marginalized? What do we lose by not hearing those voices? How can you support the bodies and voices of the marginalized?