Holding the Line: Men, Marriage, and the Feminist Tide in the Church

Jerry Eicher, retired Mennonite minister and author (65), host of Anabaptist Theological Perspectives, reflects on the cultural and theological challenges facing conservative churches today. He draws on decades of pastoral experience and writings. See jerryeicher.com. Feminist influence is reshaping congregational life, marriage, and male spiritual leadership. The episode traces Bible-based arguments about pastoral roles and public ministry (citing passages such as 1 Corinthians and 1 Peter), offers candid stories from Jerry’s own congregation — including a recent church division and a gifted Sunday school teacher working through 1 Peter 3 — and explores why many men cede moral authority in home and church to the detriment of family and community health. Key takeaways include practical counsel for men about reclaiming God‑given authority, a critique of cultural niceness that substitutes for true manhood, and a discussion of how churches respond (or fail to respond) when women publicly contradict ordained ministers. Jerry also cites Pat Stedman’s insight that men who cede moral framing cannot effectively lead or mend relationships. In the news this week: Jerry comments on the Southern Baptist Convention’s recent struggle to hold a biblical position on women in pastoral office and praises conservative leaders such as Albert Moller Jr. for standing their ground. He also critiques the Episcopal Church’s installation of Reverend Sarah Fisher as the first openly lesbian woman bishop, viewing such moves as symbolic virtue signaling amid declining membership. Expect a frank, pastoral, and reflective conversation about authority, submission, and spiritual responsibility — for men, families, and congregations seeking to navigate cultural change without surrendering core convictions.