Where Are the Young Women

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.



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	Where are the Young Women? 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.
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