How to Fight Sexism in the Church

Despite the real progress that has been made in recent years, women continue to be silenced, wounded, and relegated to the sidelines in our churches. Many churches—even churches that outwardly affirm and platform women—remain unaware of the patterns and cultures at play that set up unseen barriers for women.

This is a book for Christians who want to learn how to do better. Heather Matthews has experienced sexism in the church firsthand. In Confronting Sexism in the Church, she explores the history and culture of sexism in our contemporary evangelical world and describes the many ways—subtle and not so subtle—that it lives on in the church today. She gives simple, practical steps for how Christians can actively fight sexism in its many forms.

The mistreatment of women has been part of the human experience from the very beginning—but in Christ, women are set free to be all they've been created to be. This book invites churches to live out that reality in all its fullness.



Heather Matthews (DMin, Fuller Seminary) is the doctor of ministry program manager at Wheaton College Graduate School. She has also worked as a pastor, church planter, nonprofit leader, and global worker.







Scot McKnight (PhD, University of Nottingham) is professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary in Lisle, Illinois. He is the author of many books, including Reading Romans Backwards, Pastor Paul, The King Jesus Gospel, and commentarieson James, Galatians, and Colossians. He is also a general editor of the IVP Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, second edition.



Foreword by Scot McKnight

1. Naming the Problem

2. What Is Sexism?

3. Theology of Antisexism

4. A Brief History of Sexism in the Church

5. A Brief History of Antisexism in the Church

6. The Price Women Pay

7. Politics,Power, Pornography, and the Perpetuation of Sexism

8. Confronting Sexism in Relationships

9. Confronting Sexism in Christian Leadership

10. Confronting Sexism in a Church or Organization

11. Confronting Systemic Cultural Sexism

Notes