6.7.23 - Acts 17:4
The best stories come from a myriad of perspectives. How might you invite new stories to change, challenge, or support your own?
Some of them were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.
This is the only scripture in the Bible with the phrase “leading women.” It is preceded by the phrase “not a few,” which at first sounds diminutive.
In truth, there were quite a large number of leading women who joined the disciples and led the early church. Their stories have been silenced and made small over time in the face of patriarchy and misogyny.
I deeply grieve the loss of the stories of these leading women. Both for my own sense of identity and belonging as a female clergyperson, and for what the Church could have been if these and other leading women were lifted up instead of erased.
Imagine what the Church could be if we supported God’s Call to ministry for all people, not just a select few. If we sought out the movement the Holy Spirit in every person? I imagine this is what heaven on earth might be like.
How might you support other people as they try to live out their faith, a Call to ministry whether ordained or not, the movement of the Holy Spirit compelling them to do a new thing, take a risk, be uncomfortable and perhaps unpopular?
Take one action today or this week to be someone’s sacred cheerleader.
--Jenny Whitcher