What the Church Needs to Know About Confronting Sexism | Heather Matthews
IVP
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.
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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 (https://www.ivpress.com/heather-matthews?srsltid=AfmBOooNZrgK8dXHCEvm6wA5aLOkzurEDXXwXR3xSOtniVLwSdHGn5bN)
✅ Read Heather Matthews’ book, Confronting Sexism in the Church (https://www.ivpress.com/confronting-sexism-in-the-church?srsltid=AfmBOoon5foGzwf9Uj3dLaJ6brLHEmMSQwgpIi1geuSeDQ24OwMPbkn3)
✅ Read The Vulnerable Pastor by Mandy Smith (https://www.ivpress.com/the-vulnerable-pastor?utm_source=ivpod25&utm_medium=ivp_hw), and learn more about her work
