Women-in-Leadership Scale

Which position do you take?

Through history society has variously assigned roles to women based on their experience, their sacred texts and cultural traditions. Islamic fundamentalism, the Jewish people and Christianity all have a range of positions on the roles of women, particularly regarding their role in leadership. Historically these roles have shifted toward the higher numbers over time but even in today’s world there are advocates of all ten of these positions. Which is your number and why?

___ 1. Women are unequal with men and can be procured or disposed of like any other property or chattel.

___ 2. Women are more valuable than property or livestock but they are still less valuable than men.

___ 3. Women are like children: they should be loved and protected by men, and men should decide for them.

___ 4. Women are fully equal with men but they are different; no woman is gifted at any kind of leadership.

___ 5. Women are not natural leaders but occasionally one arises who is equal with a man—as an exception.

___ 6. Women can lead others but they are suited to lead children and women, they should not lead men.

___ 7. Women can be leaders in a business, but not at church (except for leading women & children).

___ 8. Women can be leaders at church but they should not be ordained, ordination is reserved for only males.

___ 9. Women can be ordained but they should not be a senior pastor if there are men in the church.

___ 10. Women can have any position anywhere—gender should not determine leadership but calling and gifts.

At what number do you stop along this continuum? Where is your denomination’s position? Has your own position changed through life? Your denomination’s? Why?

So what do you think?

During the first few weeks, click here to comment or read comments

Keith Drury January 26, 2010