This week we share the mic again with ChurchMag Senior Staff writer Rachel Blom as we talk about women in church tech.
While much of the tech world is facing a strong bout of sexism, where does the church stand? What can the church tech community do to not only help guide the church, but even move to the forefront of this issue and be an example to the tech community as a whole?
Let’s talk about it.
[Subscribe via iTunes | Stitcher | RSS | Proudly Hosted on Buzzsprout]
Links & Stuff
Some links for Rachel:
Also, if you could please, take a moment to leave us a review on iTunes or ask us anything here.
This episode is sponsored by ChurchStreaming.TV
Lauren Hunter says
Listening to your “women in tech” podcast – great discussion!
I’m one of the few women in church tech – founded ChurchTechToday in 2007 – nearly nine years ago – and come across very few other female experts/writers/business owners in this space. I would welcome some company and appreciate Rachel’s input into the discussion.
Great job, guys (and girls)!
Lauren
Eric Dye says
Keep being awesome Lauren!
Jeremy Smith says
You are definitely a forethought leader in this discussion and we’d welcome any and all experiences, thoughts, and perspectives you may have!
Esther M says
Hi Church Mag-
I know I’m a little behind, but I happened to recently find your blog and listen to your Women in Tech podcast on a road trip.
2 things that stuck out to me… (One on each side…)
1) I find it a little concerning when at a time when we are reaching for equality, we give permission to discriminate against any group of people… even White Anglo Saxon Protestant males… Why is it okay to have a negative acronym like WASP for one group of people but protect others? Why is it okay to say in exasperation… “Well, that’s what happens when you leave it up to men….” but it’s treason to say “That’s what happens when you let a woman do the work…” We should protect the reputation of both our brothers and sisters and not slander even if they are men/women. If women comment on unfair treatment to women it’s feminism, but if men believe they’re being treated unfairly and they say something, it’s whining? We should hear the concern and weigh it regardless of if the person is male or female – and judge the statement for it’s truth.
I think the church should be a place where both women and men have their God given value. That church could be a place where it’s okay to be a man that excels in technology, a woman who excels in Sunday school, a man who visits the shut ins, or a woman who is on the building committee if those are their gifts and passions. Can’t we trust our leadership that if a committee is all men/women that they’ve chosen the best/right people and not that they’ve been bias? Church shouldn’t be the place where the comments come of “Well, you’re a woman/man, you can’t be on the “x” team…” (With some grace given here for different views of eldership/pastorship)
2)That being said, I was challenged by the idea of providing opportunities for women to gain experience that they lack so that they have a chance to develop their skills to a point they could be one of the best qualified people. How can we have equality for women based on experience if women haven’t had the opportunity to gain that experience? Is that still the case or have changes and programs in the last 10-15 years changed that? When asking youth if they want to join the tech team, asking for hands may only get the extroverted kids, but taking them all to the sound board and making sure they all have a chance to touch the dials and …then… asking who might like to be a part of the training might get a few more unlikely volunteers. When the church is looking at training up the next set of leaders, perhaps step 1 should be sort of a blanket training such as a presentation to all in adult Sunday school before asking for volunteers.
This fall when looking for leaders on my student tech team, is fairness and equality having the most experienced people being the leaders (albeit both boys, upperclassmen) or is fairness and equality one boy and one girl? I don’t know.
Thanks for your conversation and time.
Respectfully,
~Esther
High school technology integrator
Jeremy Smith says
Feminism is the belief of fair treatment for all genders, so your first point falls in line perfectly. It’s taken on a strong connotation for women because there is such a huge vacuum with women, unfortunately. To the second point, changes have not been made in the last 10-15 years, but have in the last 1-3 years… As for given EVERYONE some exposure, I love that!
To your final question, it doesn’t have to be mutually exclusive. In fact, I wonder if having one boy and one girl could be more beneficial if it is at all possible.
Esther M says
Hi Jeremy-
Thanks for your response; sorry mine was so verbose! After I posted it I looked at it and said “Man, that’s long!”
I think a shorter summary might be, What’s fair and equal? Most qualified candidates get the job or a proportionate sample of the population?
Tough questions…
~Esther
Phil Schneider says
I think you’ve perfectly distilled the issue right there. That doesn’t solve, but it helps us see it more clearly.