What the Church Needs to Know About Confronting Sexism | Heather Matthews

Sexism in the church isn’t limited to headline-grabbing moments—it’s often quiet, persistent, and too easily overlooked.

In this episode of Hear Women, hosts Tara Beth Leach and Nijay Gupta are joined by Heather Matthews to take an honest look at the overt and covert ways women are held back in ministry. Matthews is a pastor, church planter, author, and educator who has worked in various ministry contexts in the US and internationally for twenty-five years. From subtle exclusions and lost opportunities to direct limits and unpaid work, her journey reveals both the personal pain and the collective loss experienced when women are undervalued or discriminated against.

Yet the biblical story offers a different perspective. Drawing from her own story and her book, Confronting Sexism in the Church, Matthews challenges us: What does the overarching story of Scripture teach us about women?

As Matthews describes her journey of understanding Scripture and shares her personal story, she offers how anti-sexism might become a reality instead of just a slogan. Listen in for practical insight, encouragement, and a compelling invitation to become the kind of ally that women in the church desperately need.

This episode highlights the following themes:
✅ The pervasive forms of sexism in the church
✅ How theological reflection on Scripture can empower women to embrace their God-given gifts
✅ Practical approaches for confronting sexism in faith communities

Links from this episode:
✅ Discover more about Heather Matthews (www.ivpress.com/heather-matthews)
✅ Read Heather Matthews’ book, Confronting Sexism in the Church (www.ivpress.com/confronting-sexism-in-the-church)
✅ Read The Vulnerable Pastor by Mandy Smith (www.ivpress.com/the-vulnerable-pastor), and learn more about her work (thewayistheway.org/)
✅ Read Allies in Ministry (www.ivpress.com/allies-in-ministry) by Rob Dixon
✅ Read the transcript here (drive.google.com/file/d/1BQtZGty45ryaHnvhobbtZ9hRSfVq4eha/view)
✅ Learn more about Hear Women (www.ivpress.com/hear-women-podcast)
✅ Learn more about your hosts, Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young (www.ivpress.com/dorina-lazo-gilmore-young), Nijay Gupta(www.ivpress.com/nijay-k-gupta), and Tara Beth Leach (www.ivpress.com/tara-beth-leach)
✅ Read Redeemer (www.ivpress.com/redeemer) by Dorina Lazo Gilmore-Young
✅ Read Tell Her Story (www.ivpress.com/tell-her-story) by Nijay Gupta
✅ Read Emboldened (www.ivpress.com/emboldened) by Tara Beth Leach

SPECIAL OFFER | Visit ivpress.com (ivpress.com) and use the code IVPHEAR40 for 40% off and free shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

SPONSOR | Hear Women is sponsored by Northern Seminary, where thousands of women have been equipped to serve as pastors, practitioners, church planters, and ministry leaders across the globe. Explore your calling and visit seminary.edu (www.seminary.edu/) to learn more.

Credits:
✅ Producers: Christine Pelliccio Melo, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton
✅ Research Assistants: Abby Lee and Jazmin Rose
✅ Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts (honestpodcasts.com/)
✅ Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne
✅ Podcast Art: Kate Lillard
✅ Theme Song: "Organica" by Artax

==== Time Stamps ====

00:00 – Introduction
02:03 – About Heather Matthews
05:13 – Barriers and Overlooked Gifts
06:56 – Wrestling with Scripture and Sexism
09:31 – Why This Book, and Why Now?
12:47 – What Is Sexism in the Church
17:54 – Jesus, Paul, and the Heart of the Gospel
22:03 – Culture, Critique, and Microaggressions
22:44 – Anti-Sexism and the Role of Allies
24:59 – Women Who Paved the Way
34:04 – Becoming a Church Where Women Flourish
36:56 – What Needs to Change Now

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.