Women Still Nurturers; Men Still Strategic

Of the 1,162 people named chairpersons of commissions, boards and committees in United Methodist annual conferences in the United States, approximately 490, or 42%, are women. In 1973 the figure was 20%. The Western Jurisdiction has the greatest percentage of women chairpersons in 2008, with 48%. The data come from the denomination's General Commission on Religion and Race and the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women. However, while the number of leaders is on the rise, there is evidence that women are pigeonholed for ministry and advocacy, racial-ethnic concerns and youth ministry, and are still largely excluded as leaders of trustees, boards of pensions, and conference finance and administration. Psychologist Carol Gilligan says men are socialized to be strategic. Women are still socialized to be nurturing. [The Flyer, Newsletter of the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women, January-March 2008]

People Need to Be Asked

One out of every 426 Americans is a millionaire. Some people have such large incomes that they can spend one-third, give one-third, and save one-third. For every 40 giving units in a church, there is one unit capable of making a one-time gift equal to the church's budget. If no one ever asks them, they are not likely to think of giving it to the church. Instead, they will think of giving it to a university, a hospital, or some other worthy cause. Why? Because those institutions will think to ask. [Eugene Grimm, stewardship consultant, Generous People: How to Encourage Vital Stewardship (Abington Press)]