By Andy Hale
This week on the CBF Podcast Conversation, we’re joined by the Rev. Dr. Heather Matthews—pastor, scholar, and author of the new book Confronting Sexism in the Church. In this powerful and timely conversation, Dr. Matthews names what many churches have long ignored: sexism is alive, pervasive, and deeply embedded within Christian theology and practice. Drawing on both personal experience and theological reflection, she unpacks how complementarianism, gender-based double standards, and cultural silence have conspired to suppress women’s full humanity in the church. Her work isn’t just a critique—it’s a call to action. Dr. Matthews invites churches, leaders, and congregants to name the sin of sexism, confront harmful theological systems, and create spaces where women can flourish as full image-bearers of God.
We dive into everything from unconscious microaggressions in “woke” churches to the harmful silence around pornography and the lack of a robust theology of sexuality. Dr. Matthews also offers hope, reminding us that history is filled with bold, faithful women who led and preached against all odds—and that same courage is needed now. She challenges both women and men to have hard, honest conversations with those closest to them, building the kind of trust where feedback can be given, received, and acted upon. If the church is to embody the Kingdom of God, it must confront the systems that diminish women. This episode is an urgent, compassionate, and courageous invitation to begin that work.
You can listen to the episode here.
Subscribe or Livestream
CBF’s podcast shares stories from across the Fellowship and innovative practices of those working to renew God’s world. The vision is to share ideas, stories, and innovations from ministers, authors, and practitioners.
Join this audio Podcast by subscribing on iTunes, SoundCloud, Google Podcasts, Spotify, or Facebook.
Sponsorship
This podcast is presented by:
- Baylor’s Garland School of Social Work: Social workers can be found addressing the full scope of the human experience in churches, schools, prisons, government agencies, senior living centers, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies.
- Baptist Seminary of Kentucky: BSK equips leaders through their Homegrown Initiative, offering ministry leaders training and growth that fits into their busy schedules.
- The Gardner-Webb School of Divinity: The Gardner-Webb University School of Divinity aims to equip, nurture, encourage, and support men and women for their very best service in the Kingdom of God.
- The Center for Congregational Health: Strengthening congregations through consulting, leadership coaching, and intentional ministry.
- The Baptist House of Studies at Union Presbyterian Seminary: Exists by God’s grace to educate, inspire, and support generations of bold, faithful servant leaders as they seek actively to participate in God’s mission in the world.
- Community Transformation Center: Through educational opportunities, community conversations, and research initiatives in collaboration with universities and local leaders, PBACTC is at the forefront of integrating spiritual care into holistic community development.
Listener Support
We invite you, the listeners, to join us in connecting with the Podcast. Become a monthly listener supporter and receive some perks, including name recognition, questions for upcoming guests, free books from the Podcast, joining the Podcast for an interview, and a VIP experience with the General Assembly Podcast guests.
There are five levels of listener support, starting at $5 per month…learn more and become a supporter today at www.cbf.net/podcastsupport.
Andy Hale is the creator and host of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Podcast. Hale is the Associate Executive Coordinator of CBF North Carolina. He’s also served as CBF’s Church Start Specialist, the founding pastor of Mosaic Church of Clayton, and the senior pastor of University Baptist Church of Baton Rouge. Follow on Twitter @haleandy.