SEVEN: Relating to Women (July/Aug 2019) - Issue 67

PK PODIUM

GOD'S DAUGHTERS

FEATURES

RELATING TO WOMEN IN A "ME TOO" WORLD

02 A Product of Grace

BY KIRK GILES

14 Men’s Role in the Abortion Decision

M

any of you will know the phrase “MeToo.” It began in the fall of 2017 when sexual abuse allegations were made against movie producer Harvey Weinstein.

Shortly after these allegations became public there was a flood of women on social media who shared their own stories of sexual abuse. Hence the phrase “MeToo.” Since this movement began, there has been a significant level of anger and angst. The sins of men are rightfully catching up with them.

There are also many other good men who feel criticized, attacked, and are not sure how to relate with a woman without the potential of being accused of something inappropriate.

In my 23 years of working in men’s ministry, I have never seen a time where the culture is as hurt, confused, and divided over male-female relations as we are now.

In this edition of SEVEN magazine, we are going to be talking about women and how we relate with them as men. I want to lay a foundation for this edition of the magazine by looking at a few ways we can relate with women in the midst of a “MeToo” and “Toxic Masculinity” world.

1. They are made in the image of God, so respond accordingly. Women have worth and purpose because they are made in God’s image. If you hurt her, you are hurting someone who is meant to give the world a glimpse of what God is like.

2. They are partners with us. Women

8 SEVEN JULY / AUGUST 2019

are not more or less valuable than men. In the Garden of Eden, male and female as image bearers were partners designed to work together for the greater mission God had given to them. Seek ways to work together.

3. They are God’s daughters. One of the most sobering principles I have been taught in marriage is the idea that God is my wife’s Father. In some essence, this makes God my fatherin-law. Honour, love, and cherish her the way you would want any man to relate with your daughter.

4. They are our sisters in Christ. Seeing a woman as a sister in Christ first should impact how you relate with her. If you have a sister, how would you want someone to relate with her?

5. Remember, many women have been deeply hurt by men. They may be naturally skeptical in relating with you. You may have to deal with the fallout of other men’s sins. Be like Jesus – gracious, kind, and caring.

I do believe we are living in a defining moment as a culture. As men who follow Jesus, let’s make sure we are setting the tone for how to relate with women in a way that brings life to her and to the world.

18 The Calling on Fathers of Daughters 24 A Haunted Marriage

COLUMNS 08 // PK Podium 28 // Sports Scene 30 // Out of My Depth 31 // Lives Worth Leading

DEPARTMENTS 10 // The Pulse 33 // Music Reviews 34 // Power Play

EDITORIAL Questions and comments regarding editorial can be sent to ssukkau@promisekeepers.ca, or mailed to Promise Keepers Canada at the address provided.

DESIGN DEVON WAGENAAR Devon J Andrew Design Inc. djadesign.ca PROMISE KEEPERS CANADA 210-3027 Harvester Road Burlington, ON L7N 3G7

/ KIRK GILES is the president of Promise Keepers Canada. However, his most important roles as a man are husband to Shannon and father to Carter, Joshua, Sydney and Samuel.

(905) 331-1830 info@promisekeepers.ca