Gender bias issues may be discussed in this way: "Gender bias is a topic about which people of outstanding character may disagree. However, interpreters with integrity need to take responsibility for the theological trajectories of their conclusions and those of the network with who they associate. For the Christian population, Jesus said that we will know people by their fruit. The mandate to subordinate women and bar them from positions of authority has been applied in the congregation and in the academy, in some cases with various forms and degrees of disrespect, marginalization, suspicion, mistreatment and rejection of women, usually in an effort to maintain control, enforce a standard, or deflect a responsibility. Many authors, men and women, are advocating for the elimination of gender bias and in its stead, allow the flower of gender equality to take root and blossom in the home, Church and society. Regardless of your position on women ordained for the ministry, there are more women pastors than ever before. Primarily confined to the Protestant denomination. More and more women are standing up for their inclusion in roles of responsibility and authority. 'Jesus was the "light of all people," that "through Him all might believe."' (Jn 1:4,7). Scholars agree that Jesus ministry of salvation, restoration and transformation included both men and women, without distinction. As their Creator, Jesus treated women as intrinsically valuable. He respected them as intelligent and faithful and as disciples and laborers along with men. Since we are all agreed on these points, Ronald W. Pierce's question is why are some churches not following the example of Jesus?" I pray that all of the aforementioned writers in this book can see time is too far spent for the Church to maintain an institutionalized systems of gender bias. Bias that keeps women in places of second-class membership contrary to Jesus' will.

It is interesting, and at the same time disconcerting to recognize that my "boomer" generation utilizes a model for the Church that is actually the by-product of ancient cultures and by-gone centuries, the vision of men who did not value women. Men, whose culture saw women as inferior, not worthy of education, the property of men with no rights or esteemed roles in society except the birthing of male children, targeting most women for gender bias. Today, women in many churches within Christendom remain locked in the struggle over gender bias in the Church. This intra-congregational conflict over age-old institutionalized rules and rituals has led to the forced submission of women by many Christian Church men. This forced oppression of women is supported by archaic gender-based barriers excluding women from leadership or authority in the Church. The debilitating nature of gender bias and the many centuries women have been forced into submission by men can put one in the mind of the forced slavery of African families where women were forced to do what men (their overseers) demanded they do with absolutely no say in the matter. But happily, I see many women around me endeavoring to rise and begin their journey up, to the higher ground. Surprisingly, secular society is ahead of many Christian Churches in implementing the necessary changes to make women full partners in roles that many are qualified for and desire with all their hearts. The journey up, to the higher ground in the Church, must move forward with haste to match the gains of our progressive secular society. The mission of this book is to shed light on the plight and struggle of many women for gender equality in their homes, churches, and communities. In addition, as each reader journeys through this book from the first page to the last page, I pray that each reader will become immersed in the strong current of change and unification engulfing Christendom today by joining like-minded women and men as partners and equals in the Kingdom-building call of the missional Church. It is my opinion that the gender bias issues our sisters face in the Church today center around two major questions: First, when will men in leadership of the Church acknowledge the true role God designed for women, which is to be coequal helpers and warriors and not servants? Second, when will women who are called, anointed, and naturally gifted be ordained into positions of leadership with authority to move the Church forward according to the Holy Spirit's mission for the New Testament Church? Offering their answers to these two questions, there are at least five major movements of thought associated with solving this seemingly eternal theological dilemma. Each of these groups feel as if they have the higher ground with their answers as to the role and mission of women in family, Church and society. We will examine each briefly for applicability to today's culturally diverse and multi generational Church setting. Unfortunately, many churches remain in struggle over gender equality issues and as a by-product of the struggle itself, the Church has created constitutional hermetical grids and standards for women's roles that seem to forever prolong the struggle and servitude faced by many women today. Some church leaders are reticent to allow progressive change in the congregations they lead, continuing instead to maintain the struggle for the "old" path instead of the progressive path for the women in their midst. One of the more profound learning experiences for me in writing this book was obtaining a clearer understanding of the "root cause" of gender bias that is directed toward women. This was achieved by embracing a fundamental grasp of the Hellenistic and Jewish cultural impact on women and was absolutely necessary for me to bring to light the varied causes as to why historically, women have descended into the Valley of Submissiveness to men.