It\u2019s International Women\u2019s Day today \u2013 so why is Christian Vision for Men highlighting this?<\/p>\n
In lots of spheres across the world, people are working for equal opportunities for men and women. CVM is involved in this too\u2026<\/p>\n
The current average gender ratio in the UK Church is 1 man : 2 women (1)<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n How does this affect ALL Christians?<\/strong><\/p>\n The church needs to be reaching men and women equally effectively. CVM is a key part of the ENGAGE<\/a> network (Nathan Blackaby CEO of CVM is the Co-Chair), which is about \u2018making Christian marriage possible\u2019. Please note: that\u2019s \u2018possible<\/strong>\u2019 not \u2018compulsory\u2019! Biblically, singleness is good, and marriage is good. If people want to remain single, and that desire is coming from a place of emotional wholeness \u2013 great! At the same time we know that<\/p>\n Singleness<\/strong><\/p>\n Dating<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0For women<\/strong><\/p>\n For men<\/strong><\/p>\n For children and young people<\/strong><\/p>\n For mixed marriages<\/strong> (one spouse is a Christian and the other isn\u2019t)<\/p>\n Christian marriage in the future<\/strong><\/p>\n The ENGAGE vision<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cTo make singleness or marriage a genuine choice for all Christian women and men, through a church which is gender-balanced and teaches about healthy Christian singleness, dating and marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n For the purposes of Engage, \u201cChristian marriage\u201d is everything a marriage between a Christian man and Christian woman can potentially be, when God is at its centre.<\/p>\n The ENGAGE network<\/strong><\/p>\n For individuals, churches and national organisations<\/p>\n If we promote men\u2019s ministry, won\u2019t people think we\u2019re discriminating against women?<\/strong><\/p>\n ENGAGE is often asked a variation of this question, and here are some of our thoughts\u2026<\/p>\n We think men and women in the church should equally honour and encourage one another in all our varied lives and ministries.<\/p>\n Neither CVM nor ENGAGE partners want women to be discriminated against, but at the moment, one of the biggest ways that church is discriminating against women is by it not being possible for all those that want to get married to a Christian and have children to do so. That\u2019s injustice. That\u2019s what is causing heartache for many, many Christian women (particularly those aged 30\/35+). That\u2019s what we\u2019re working to overcome.<\/p>\n So\u2026<\/p>\n Interestingly, a well-respected national Christian female leader recently said (unprompted, and not to someone from CVM) \u201cI\u2019m an egalitarian feminist, and when Christian women are talking to me about the lack of men in church, I tell them to support Christian Vision for Men.\u201d<\/p>\n When we see the reality of the gender imbalance, we can see that promoting effective men\u2019s ministry doesn\u2019t mean discriminating against women or promoting stereotypes. Quite the opposite in fact. And obviously, men should be promoting women\u2019s ministry too!<\/p>\n The International Women\u2019s Day 2017 theme is #<\/strong>BeBoldForChange<\/strong><\/em><\/a> \u2013 so join ENGAGE, CVM and our friends in boldly making a difference for Christian women!<\/p>\n Annabel Clarke<\/strong><\/p>\n Chartered Psychologist \/ ENGAGE Co-Chair<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n For Reference:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
\nThe church also needs to ensure that Christian women and men have equal opportunities to marry someone who shares their faith. At the moment, that\u2019s not possible for half of all Christian women, which is something that most of the church isn\u2019t really aware of.<\/p>\n
\nAt the same time we know that<\/p>\n\n
Consequences<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Get involved!<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The FAQ<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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