It’s settled y’all. We at Streetlight are going to leave space for people on both sides of the issue of men and women in the Church to belong here and disciple one another in love. We do this politically- we’ve got democrats and republicans. We do this theologically in the sense that we’re somewhere in between being pentecostal and baptist without being either, and are a “Word and Spirit” sort of Church community where we love the Bible and passionately seek the Holy Spirit! So now, I’m clearly defining for us that we’re doing this with the issue of men and women in leadership and ministry. This diagram should assist us:
What I’m saying is that we’re going to have a community where people can be on both the inclusivist/egalitarian side and the complementarian side.
However, if you’re the kind of hard inclusivist/egalitarian that hates all complementarians, or most complementarians, this probably isn’t the place for you, because we have some wonderful complementarian brothers and sisters here who are doing amazing work of discipling Christ followers and doing mission in this rough neighborhood. And we’re not going to drive them out because you think they’re chauvinists and have refused to allow the Lord to soften your heart.
On the flip side, if you’re the kind of hard complementarian that hates all egalitarians/inclusivists, or most egalitarians/inclusivists, this probably isn’t the place for you, because we have some wonderful egalitarian/inclusivist brothers and sisters here who are doing amazing work of discipling Christ followers and doing mission in this rough neighborhood. And we’re not going to drive them out because you think they’re aggressive feminists and have refused to allow the Lord to soften your heart.
If you’re in that mid range place of being an inclusivist, you firmly believe that women should be empowered in all their giftings and Church leadership callings, and have a bit of hatred for the patriarchy, then I’m simply asking that you begin to scoot over to the right a bit and soften (yes- I said “right” democrats don’t freak out! 😉 ). Don’t soften your convictions, just soften your posture towards complementarians. Be in community with them. Love them. Share meals, coffees and backyard cookouts with them. Let your kids play together. Share your convictions with them by speaking the truth in love, so we all can grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. (Eph. 4:15)
If you’re in that mid range place of being a complementarian, you firmly believe that men should be leaders in the home, Church and society, and have a bit of distaste towards aggressive feminism, then I’m simply asking that you begin to scoot over to the left a bit and soften (that’s right- I said “left”- don’t get alarmed if you’re a republican ok?! This is theology not politics! 😉 ). Don’t soften your convictions, just soften your posture towards inclusivists. Be in community with them. Love them. Share meals, coffees and backyard cookouts with them. Let your kids play together. Share your convictions with them by speaking the truth in love, so we all can grow in every way into him who is the head—Christ. (Eph. 4:15)
If you’re in that soft place of being an inclusivist then you’re like me. You firmly believe that women should be empowered in all their giftings and Church leadership callings. You may have read extensively on both sides of this issue. You’re aware that convictions can differ. What you really want to see is women and men leading and flourishing in their full capacity in Christ. You may desire that women carry the title of pastor or elder, but are willing to put that aside for the sake of the discipleship and mission of Christ to go forward in our community and this neighborhood.
If you’re in that soft place of being a complementarian then you’re like I was for years. You believe that women should be empowered in all their giftings, but want men to lead strongly in the Church also. You may have read extensively on both sides of this issue. You’re aware that convictions can differ. What you really want to see is women and men leading and flourishing in their full capacity in Christ. You may desire that only men carry the title of pastor or elder, but are willing to put that aside for the sake of the discipleship and mission of Christ to go forward in our community and this neighborhood.
So that’s why we want to propose that we simply adopt an approach of “titleless leadership”. And what I mean by that, is that at Streetlight we’ll simply have leaders and coordinators over certain areas. I, Ben White, will retain the title of “pastor”, because I simply think people in 2024 Akron, Ohio Christendom can’t get past it. I could get into how that title is barely used in the New Testament, and roles like “elder”, “deacon”, “servant”, and “co-laborer” were more common, because the New Testament was and is a very movement-oriented, missional collection of texts reflecting the gospels and early church. But I digress… That’s another conversation for another time!
However, as for our Direction Team leaders and coordinators of specific ministries, as well as all other staff (who are currently part-time, I’m the only full time Streetlight staff at this point), we are going to simply call people “leaders”. We’re not going to call them “elders”, we’re not going to call them “deacons”, we’re not going to call them “pastors” (and I’d be fine with not being called “pastor”- as you can tell).
However, if you’re a soft complementarian, feel free to think of our Direction Team leaders and coordinators as a collection of elders and deacons. If it helps you, think of the men as elders and the women as deacons- that’s fine. Just understand that we’re viewing the elders and deacons as equals working together for the betterment of this church. We want men and women, Priscillas and Aquilas (see Acts 18, Romans 16:3, 1 Cor. 16:19, & 2 Tim. 4:19) to be seated at the table and prayerfully, collectively, humbly, lovingly, deferentially come up, in the power of the Holy Spirit, with all that is the very best for this Church and this neighborhood for the sake of Jesus Christ!
And if you’re a “soft inclusivist” (if there is such a thing), feel free to think of our Direction Team leaders and coordinators as a collection of equal leaders. And understand that they are just that- equal leaders- men and women- working together for the betterment of this Church.
We care about our leaders living up to scriptural standards and leading the way in Christ’s character, prayer, integrity, holiness, and more! Understand also that the Direction Team leaders are held to a higher standard of leadership, akin to 1 Tim. 3:1-13, and the coordinators are held to a basic standard of leadership and have demonstrated a call to a specific area of ministry that we have decided to honor and equip them in!
