I am in Kerrville this weekend for a meeting of Presbytery, which is a level of church government in the Presbyterian Church. Our church is bringing a motion that would allow local churches to use non-sexist language in every aspect of their life together. If the motion passes it will go on to our national meeting for a vote.

I have no idea how this vote will go. I’m sure most Presbyterian Churches are against sexism in the abstract, but I also know most of them do not consider their own participation in patriarchal language to be sexist. They do not understand what an important role sexist language and theology can play in matters like domestic violence, or in simply giving women a secondary role in life.

I hope the motion will pass without much discussion, but I can’t imagine the good old boys giving up such an important part of patriarchy without a fight. Stay tuned.