The Shadow Side of Complementarianism: A Threat to Women’s Safety

In the Audrey Keown Theatre at Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Sydney, a symbolic setting indeed, the Presbyterian Church of NSW and the ACT met to decide the future of women’s leadership within their institution. What transpired there last week was a stark reminder that even in the most revered halls of learning and faith, patriarchal attitudes can persist.

The vote to ban women from holding one of the church’s highest local leadership offices – elder – has been defended by some as an expression of complementarianism, a theological framework that posits men and women as equals but assigns distinct roles within the church and family. However, this framing conceals a more insidious reality: the concentration of power in the hands of men, with governance, doctrinal oversight, and pastoral leadership reserved exclusively for them.

This phenomenon is not new; it has been observed across various denominations, where homogeneous leadership groups are more susceptible to groupthink and blind spots. The result can be disastrous, as evidenced by internal research highlighting the risk of gender-imbalanced leadership structures in perpetuating domestic and family violence. It’s a pattern that repeats itself in evangelical and complementarian communities, where women are often pressured to remain in violent marriages under the guise of honoring God or keeping their wedding vows.

The implications of this decision extend far beyond the Presbyterian Church. In an era where domestic violence is increasingly recognized as a major issue, the church’s stance is particularly egregious. It sends a chilling message to women: that they are not trusted with positions of authority, that their voices are not valued, and that their safety is secondary to the interests of men.

Recent analysis by ABC News has exposed how insular evangelical structures can drive women into violent marriages. The church’s decision flies in the face of the alternative theological position of egalitarianism, which emphasizes the equal value and worth of both men and women.

The Presbyterian Church is not alone in its struggles with gender inequality and violence against women. Research from the Australian National University has shown that religious identity and participation are associated with more patriarchal beliefs about gender roles, and that these communities often fail to recognize domestic violence as an issue within their own ranks. This failure to acknowledge and address patriarchal beliefs is a critical oversight, one that Our Watch and other organizations have been warning against for years.

The Assembly’s vote was not taken in isolation; it followed extensive consultation and feedback from members of the church community. A recent internal report revealed deep fractures within the church on this very issue, with significant differences between male ministers and female congregation members regarding trust in elders to address domestic violence and sexism.

In Orwellian fashion, the Presbyterian Church has been engaging in a form of doublethink, proclaiming its commitment to equality while simultaneously restricting women’s voices and opportunities. It’s a paradox that is both astonishing and disturbing – one that undermines the very principles of faith it claims to uphold.

The decision will have far-reaching implications for women within these communities, perpetuating a culture where their safety and well-being are secondary to patriarchal interests. The stained-glass ceiling installed in the Audrey Keown Theatre serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges still ahead for women seeking leadership positions and equal recognition within the church.