The sermon for Sunday will get us into an area we rarely travel; "male spirituality". The church has had a terrible history in terms of its treatment of women. We have failed miserably until recent years to recognize the important contribution women are making in the field of religion and have consigned them to roles that are subservient.
It wasn't that long ago that we ordained women into ministry. It wasn't that long ago in the Rocky Mountain Conference that Bishops were willing to appoint women to churches as sole pastors.
The church has worked really hard to correct its oversight. It has encouraged women to go into ministry and they have responded. Over half the seminary students presently are women and that has been true for the past decade or more. There are more women than men clergy in the Rocky Mountain Conference. Our Episcopal leader is a woman.
We have been encouraged to have "Women's Ministry Sunday" so that our churches could experience women preachers.
Overlooked in all this is male spirituality. What does it mean to be a man and a Christian these days when we have so much focus on women?
Using some of the thoughts of Robert Bly and the story of Abraham and Isaac I want to explore how it is for men to be spiritual and what is the difference between male and female spirituality. As much as I understand the equality of the sexes I also acknowledge the differences. I am hoping the sermon will reveal some important issues so that the "war of the sexes" will become more of the dance it is supposed to be.
What do you think the difference between men and women is spiritually?
If you have thoughts on this subject write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts with the readers of this blog click on the "comments" box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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