by Kelly Pelton (written 19 Sept 2020)

The big church in a college town made a declaration:
No women in leadership as per what is "biblical."
We'd hoped 2020 would be a year of clear vision, 
but pushbacks to feminism remain illogical.

The students were stunned, both male and female, in the awkward
silence that followed in the wake of the announcement,
women sitting woodenly in the pews enduring 
their lifelong humiliation of female denouncement.

The churches with "grace" in their names may be compensating
for a distinct lack of it, their grasp of God's mighty reign
contaminated by human notions of hierarchy,
though they give lip service to servanthood while power they gain.

Let's make a fresh declaration fueled by humility
and Spirit-led desire for God-honoring equity,
that godly love means putting aside carnal power plays
to lift up those who have been trampled by church polity.

The tramplers mean well, thinking they follow God's holy law,
forgetting the spirit that underlies regulations;
if they'd discern the rationale behind rules for the time,
they'd discover principles, not all-time prohibitions.

To love is the fulfillment of all biblical law
and by love should we interpret the Bible's instruction;
rejecting our sisters from full church participation
is anti-new covenant religious corruption.

Kelly Pelton

by Kelly Pelton (written 15 Sept 2020)

The better way is harder but not harsh,
the healing of our insecurity
rather than ordering everyone else 
to tiptoe around our insanity.

The better way is to open deeply
our hearts and minds to praying through the pain,
letting God re-imprint harmful memories;
seeing differently is powerful gain.

Men and women then can work together,
not avoiding triggers, not retreating,
holy in affection for each other,
sharing power not based on defeating.

The better way takes Holy Spirit work
to heal all gender bias from our past,
overcoming fearful, willful reasons
to reject, exclude, or assign as last.

The better way is the gentlest journey,
so hard to discern that few will find it,
following the Spirit in to freedom,
loving without restraint, hearts by God lit.

by Kelly Pelton (written 16 Sept 2020)

The word of God penetrates our hearts
to judge the thoughts and attitudes;
wielding the Bible to harm someone
reveals our motives and hurtful moods.

The way we interpret the scriptures
shows whether or not we're gracious;
if we obey God's highest rules,
the record will show we're sagacious.

If our reading of the Bible 
does not lead us to be good to all,
the word will condemn our actions
and show how short of love we fall.

by Kelly Pelton (written 09 Sept 2020)

Let's put a hedge of protection around this law,
this old rule dating back to Levitical priests.
It feels safer, keeping women out of power;
the ones who stick around are not a threat at least.

We know of tons of Bible research on both sides
so why not go with the more restrictive reading?
Keeping all women out omits the crazy ones,
demanding ones to whom the weak keep ceding.

We've all been burned by those controlling females who
surely represent their gender as worst cases;
were we to allow women in to ministry,
male power would end as girls take all the bases.

We can't allow our church to become feminized,
latent ambitions awakened by new access
to our all-male roles of responsibility;
the men might capitulate, go on a recess!

It's simpler this way, the only threat being from males
who want to dominate, no females in the mix
with whom we must share the decisions for the church;
we'll call our prohibition of women "God's nix."

by Kelly Pelton (written 09 Sept 2020)

What's natural is to compete,
boy against girl, girl against boy,
the subtle aim being defeat,
when self-elevation trumps joy.

Humans always want to be first, 
greater then, better than, esteemed;
someone must be less than, or worse, 
for us to know where we stand, deemed

"above average," "exceptional...."
Isn't that how God measures all,
comparing who's most capable 
against those with a lesser call?

This view of God fuels "gender roles,"
a euphemistic term for men
dominating their sisters's souls,
misusing scripture so to win

the seats of honor in God's church,
the roles of church authority,
insulated on their high perch 
from lack of godly equity.

What's supernatural is to share
clergy power more evenly;
collaboration, love, and care
mark Holy Spirit unity.

by Kelly Pelton (written 08 Sept 2020)

We could be friends, you and I, similar
in personality type, temperament,
our asking-seeking-knocking quest for God
revealing our equal faith commitment.

We could be friends, with you recognizing
our brain and soul compatibility,
enjoying anointed conversations
if you could value our equality.

Equal regard makes a man take notice
(intellectually, with purity)
of a woman's life calling and purpose;
she is to be taken seriously.

Then, with mutual respect and endearment,
you and I having deep camaraderie,
we work together on God's kingdom team,
discarding the sin of gender hierarchy.

by Kelly Pelton (written 02 Sept 2020)

Do men have to rule over women to feel manly?
Or is it just an enemy lie, the default way
since the Fall from co-ruling creation happily
to Adam dominating Eve in work and play?

Accompanying male sex is masculinity:
immutable, undiminishable, except
should one believe the lies, it feels in jeopardy,
which hinders enjoyment of oneself. Being adept

at being male requires no effort; it's a given.
Men often think life's about performance and strength;
pound for pound, men are much stronger than women,
and yet they compare with others their penis length.

They forget Paul's words that "when I'm weak then I am strong,"
that God showcases His power through weak human beings,
that all people are fragile, their lives not that long;
He wants us to enjoy these complex body machines.

Let us treat our brothers with respect and compassion,
never demeaning or slighting their personhood,
working kindly for gender reconciliation,
treasuring one another as God thinks we should.

by Kelly Pelton (written 30 Aug 2020)

It's a treacherous world out there, ladies;
even men who support your equal roles
can view you as a sexual commodity,
respecting your mind while lusting, poor souls.

Then you know the men whose minds are more pure
but who think of you as otherworldly,
creatures whom God has created to serve
the male leadership with talents more girly.

The worst are the men who both subordinate
and objectify you with roving eye,
quoting scriptures to keep you in your place,
the place of pleasing men if you'll comply.

But the breath of fresh Holy Spirit air
is the man who calls you colleague and friend,
who values your thoughts with genuine care
as an equal team member - God's sweet mend.

by Kelly Pelton (written 23 Feb 2020)

We all are God's children, brothers.
Adulthood should mean we're not childish;
Jesus wants us to be childlike
in trust, the antidote for "selfish."

When adult men restrict their sisters's
freedom, as in parent to child,
the result is condescension,
boys dominating girls, with guile.

Then the ladies must call out these boys,
respectfully, on their power play,
teaching them how to be God's children
as equals, not the worldly way

of might and strength ruling the weaker.
As children of God, we can be sure
He'll guide us with the Holy Spirit,
male and female, in Him secure.

Let us play fairly with each other,
mutual respect a basic key 
to harmony in God's household,
modeled for the whole world to see.