We were never meant to build systems that favor one group at the expense of another. And yet, from boardrooms to pulpits, from paychecks to policy, systemic sexism weaves through the fabric of our society—limiting opportunities, silencing voices, and distorting the image of God in one another.

It’s easy to think of sexism as something personal—an offhand comment, a discriminatory hiring decision, a condescending tone. But systemic sexism is deeper. It’s not just in individual choices; it’s in the structure of things. It’s in the assumptions we make about leadership. It’s in the way certain work is undervalued because it’s often done by women. It’s in the underrepresentation of women in decision-making spaces and the overrepresentation of their pain in unaddressed trauma, abuse, and inequity.

And here’s the truth: everyone loses in a system built like that.

When women are excluded, the Church loses ministers, prophets, and peacemakers. When women are dismissed, the workplace loses innovation, wisdom, and collaborative strength. When girls are raised to doubt their voice, the world loses the sound of half its song.

The Cost to Society

Systemic sexism is not just a women’s issue—it’s a human issue. It robs our families, churches, communities, and institutions of their fullness. When half the population is constrained by ceilings, closed doors, or coded expectations, our collective potential shrinks. We settle for less when God made us for more—together.

Studies have long shown the societal benefits of gender equity: stronger economies, healthier families, more effective leadership teams. But Scripture pointed us to this long before the data did.

A Biblical Vision of Shared Dignity

The Bible begins with a radical declaration for its time: male and female He created them… in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). From the first page, we are shown a God who made both men and women as image-bearers—equal in worth, distinct in form, and designed to work in mutual partnership.

Throughout Scripture, we see God lifting the voices and gifts of women: Deborah, a judge and prophet. Mary Magdalene, the first witness to the resurrection. Priscilla, a teacher of theology. The Samaritan woman, the first evangelist in her town. These are not footnotes—they are frontline examples of God’s liberating power and affirmation.

Jesus consistently elevated women in a culture that did not. He spoke directly to them, dignified their questions, welcomed their leadership, and received their presence as essential—not optional—to His ministry.

Systemic sexism is not just socially damaging. It is theologically dissonant.

The Call to the Church

If the Church is to reflect the heart of Christ, then we must reckon with the systems—both secular and sacred—that have marginalized women and perpetuated harm. This isn’t about tokenism. It’s about transformation.

It’s about repenting where we’ve misunderstood Scripture to uphold hierarchy instead of humility. It’s about reimagining leadership structures that reflect the full Body of Christ. It’s about listening deeply to the stories of those who’ve been silenced—and believing them.

We must remember: we don’t honor Scripture by protecting our power. We honor Scripture by reflecting its Author—who came not to be served, but to serve; who welcomed women as disciples; who called us all to steward our gifts, not bury them.

A Kingdom of Wholeness

God’s Kingdom is not built on domination, but on shalom—wholeness, restoration, right relationship. That vision cannot be realized while systemic sexism remains embedded in our culture and institutions.

So we speak up. We examine the systems we’re part of. We make space at the table. We name what’s broken, not to shame, but to heal.

Because when one part of the Body suffers, we all do.
And when one part is honored, we all rejoice.