by Kelly Pelton (written 16 Aug 2024)

A woman's thoughts about God, the Bible, faith
are less important than a man's thoughts on the same;
this is the unmistakable, unspoken
message of some churches's ongoing claim

that women can't teach in the mixed worship service.
How then can the whole body of believers
be edified by the thoughts of Spirit-filled women
if only women and children are the receivers?

Thoughts that are valued are given a public hearing;
those disregarded are micromanaged, confined,
restricted in freedom of expression in the service,
as though God won't speak through the female mind.

Every church needs to show by their actions
that women's thoughts about God, the Bible, trust
are as important as men's; what treasures we'll find 
when we all repent of practices grossly unjust.