This isn't a promotion of the July National NOW Conference and
it's companion Young Feminist Summit, but you need to know about
it.
Churches and their women's ministries are struggling to attract
and keep the attention of the 20-30 somethings. But NOW is
having no problem as they are focusing on the issues that this
group of reproductive age cares about, issues of contraception,
abortion, women's health, just to name a few. And the reason
these issues take center stage is because these are issues that
focus on the self. To borrow a famous slogan, this is a "have it
your way" philosophy of life.
As we understand from Ecclesiastes, there is nothing new under
the sun. That would be the case as well with the "have it your
way" philosophy of our culture. Otherwise known as
self-idolatry, this is a theme that permeates the pages of
Scripture. It is this that we read about in Genesis that tempted
Eve; motivated by the idea that she could be like God. Today it
results in a sense of entitlement for instant gratification in
most if not all areas of life. In fact, the message we hear
today is that we should do acts of kindness because it will make
us feel good. Is it possible to be motivated to do something
without interest in personal benefits?
Having it all our way is a significant motivation behind
contemporary reproductive technologies. Today women can have
babies when they want them - or not. This is also the basis for
abortion, contraception, and is even foundational to such
technologies such as preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) and
human cloning and stem cell research. We often think of in vitro
fertilization (IVF) as the miracle cure to infertility, and for
many it has been a blessing. But today, it is a means for women
to have what they want when they want it - to elect to be a
single parent - a fully conscious decision. Having a healthy
child or prolonging life without consideration of the means - as
is the case with the desire to pursue embryo-destructive
research - is a re-enactment of the Garden experience.
What is the church doing to reach out to young women on these
issues? What are the alternatives to the Young Feminist Summit
and similar programs? At this year's Young Feminist Summit,
there will be workshops that include discussions on emergency
contraception, women's health, lesbian rights, abstinence-only
education...and at the conference will be discussions on faith
and feminism.
Consider these issues as you begin to plan for the 2006-07
education program in your church. Other ways in which you can
begin the discussion on these issues include discussion groups,
involvement with high school, college, or church youth groups.
Think about who is attending your women's ministry events - and
who is not. It's possible that by continuing to do things the
way they've always been done is preventing younger women from
getting involved. Mentoring younger women today means knowing
what issues they are facing and assisting them in developing a
Christian worldview so that they can think christianly about all
areas of life and faith.
