Nikki Holland

Headship in Context

The single biggest question Brian and I had and that we hear in regards to equal partnership in marriage is: “What about the verses that say that the man is the ‘head’ of the woman?” There is something very, VERY important missing in the traditional understanding of the concept that men are meant to beContinue reading “Headship in Context”

Gift of Singleness

A common side effect of living in a world where “women should be serving husbands and children” is that single women are seen as broken. Incomplete. Not quite an adult. Following is a letter that a dear friend wrote to a loved one who was having trouble understanding why my friend was not working hardContinue reading “Gift of Singleness”

Follow the Leader

Last week I wrote about the main difference between complementarian and egalitarian marriages. I ended with a question – if no one is in charge, how do hard decisions get made? Somewhere along the way Christians started using terms like leader and follower to describe how marriages should work (though I cannot find this terminology for marriageContinue reading “Follow the Leader”

He Let Me Open the Door

This is a guest post written by Jean Kamps. Last week, my husband and I experienced a huge triumph for our personal marital equality. He let me open and hold a door for him. Not a big deal? Oh, it really is. I suspect he will laugh when he first reads this, but then he’llContinue reading “He Let Me Open the Door”

Does being equal make me in charge?

There’s a common misconception people have about marriages in which both spouses act with equal authority and submission. It’s that if the wife is not following her husband, she must be in front of him, pushing him around, telling him what he must do. This belief is especially pronounced around couples in which the husbandContinue reading “Does being equal make me in charge?”

Why Am I Here?

This is a guest post written by Jean Kamps. “Why am I here? What is the purpose of me?” These are normal questions we expect a lot of teens to ask, and I certainly did. But I didn’t begin by asking them from a broad existential point of view. I started by questioning my gender. No,Continue reading “Why Am I Here?”

RWC Part V: Conclusion

(This post will make more sense if you’ve read the first, second, third and fourth parts of this series.) Sooo… Is the role of women a secondary issue in the church? Well. I have a very narrow definition of core issues. To me, it’s literally only the Gospel. And the Trinity. Everything else to meContinue reading “RWC Part V: Conclusion”

RWC Part IV: Bible translations

(This post will make more sense if you’ve read the first, second and third parts of this series.) The Bible is of vital importance to me, as to most Jesus lovers, I think. I have been trained as a Bible translator and we are heading towards working with a Bible translation organization in Mexico, whereContinue reading “RWC Part IV: Bible translations”

RWC Part III: Marriage Support

(This post will make more sense if you have read the first and second parts of this series.) I would like to repeat my statement that I have loved the churches I’ve attended, and I have deeply respected all my pastors. They have, without exception, been seekers of the face of God, and they have,Continue reading “RWC Part III: Marriage Support”

RWC Part II: Backup Singer

(This post will make more sense if you’ve read the first post in this series.) Let’s start by talking about women’s ability to minister in our churches. We’re not going to talk about anything controversial, like a woman ministering as a pastor or an elder. We’re going to talk about music ministry. I have beenContinue reading “RWC Part II: Backup Singer”