A thread on being a white man trained in pastoral ministry and theology by other white men: (1/7)

Let me caveat first: most of the pastors I worked for (Methodist and Baptist primarily) were good, godly men for whom this thread doesn’t apply. Nonetheless, my experience or examples below are neither rare nor isolated in the circles many of us were trained in. (2/7)

Regarding women:

I was told often that women are the primary enemy of a man’s ministry. They are mostly temptresses and gossips. The Billy Graham Rule primarily exists, then, to protect you from them, not vice versa. Even those who seem innocent are likely tricksters. (3/7)

I was told that men are lustful, but the real issue is that women exploit men’s propensity to lust. Also, beware the “loud” or “shrill” ones. They may not want to sleep with you; they’re just jealous of male authority and want your job (citing Gen 3:16, for example).(4/7)

So, I was taught that the best way to avoid losing your pastorate due to female temptresses or “feminists” is to exclude them from leadership, tell them to “go home and ask their husbands” if they ask any questions, and silence any who get too loud or challenge leadership. (5/7)

On racial reconciliation:

It was told that the Black church in particular is “liberal” both theologically and politically. Anyone who’s naive enough to think racial reconciliation and diversity initiatives are possible need to brace for a “liberal” invasion. (6/7)

This a brief summary, but my stories are endless. So, if you wonder why people feel the need to bash women and minorities, especially vocal ones, those are just a few of the sad realities many folks believe or were trained to believe. I pray we raise up better men. (7/7)