What Does It Mean To Be a Christian Woman? Sustaining and Empowering the Female Christian Faith in Light of Sexism in Christian Communities

What helps young Christian women sustain their faith in the face of sexism within Christian communities? Are there practices or traditions that leaders of these Christian communities need to consider to better support young Christian women? Do young Christian women find value in studying theology, history, and hermeneutics from female perspectives, and if so, why? These are the guiding questions this project seeks to answer. This project involves a qualitative research study with a group of students within a “Women in Christianity” course at Seattle Pacific University. Participants were interviewed twice during the course and also forwarded their written reflections to the researcher. Participants were asked to reflect on their experiences of being a Christian woman, experiences of sexism within Christian communities, and experiences within the course. The process of the research is a grounded theory study, in which the participants’ process throughout the class was used to narrate the progress of what is helpful to support and empower ones’ faith as a young Christian woman. Participants affirmed that there is deep value for young Christian women in studying theology, history, and hermeneutics from female perspectives. The knowledge gained helps young Christian women feel empowered, supported, and encouraged in their faith. This knowledge also performs a disruptive role, helping these women question the patriarchal culture they have previously experienced as “normal.” However, in order for any practices, traditions, or strategies to be effective in helping young Christian women sustain their faith and navigate sexism, Christian communities must become an active participant in working through methods of reconciliation to and for these women. Christian leaders would benefit from representing, including, and following methods laid out by women and for women, which are elaborated on within this project