Written by Emma McDaris
The spring 2024 breakout chapel decision to split up male and female students brought me back to fifth grade. In my hometown, that is when the puberty talk is given. Most American students have the experience of being split up by gender at about the age of 9 and having separate puberty talks. Students were given a basic idea of what would happen to their hormones and bodies in the upcoming years for their gender and were left guessing about the other half of their class. This idea and feeling translated into the spring breakout chapels.
This article is not meant to hurt the speakers and their testimonies given over the semester, as I think they did very well with their topics. However, the topics chosen for both groups felt basic and stereotypical for a university that claims to want to deepen all students’ theological perspectives and thoughts.
The chapels openly catered to stereotypes for their specific gender, which raises another concern: Are we catering to gender roles and needs in the church more than the health of our souls? God consistently shows both masculine and feminine traits, which naturally makes sense because all people are created in his likeness. Separating genders to speak about God is denying both sides a complete perspective of who the Lord is. The women’s chapel covered the topics of mentorship, self- confidence, friendship and how to submit pride to follow the Lord, all of which are foundational topics that everyone should be reminded of. Men’s chapel revolved around how men of God should behave as husbands and fathers.
These talks were given without a female perspective or testimony, which feels, yet again, like male students were given an incomplete narrative. Both types of messages and presentations have a place in the church and chapel; however, my concern lies in the fact that the teaching styles and topics were vastly different and gave a partial understanding to students. If men are having conversations about fatherhood and how to be a husband who emulates Christ, shouldn’t women touch on topics of motherhood and marriage too? If women are discussing surrendering pride to be a better follower and friend through Jesus, don’t men deserve and need to hear these messages?
I want to challenge the student body and those in charge of chapel to allow a full perspective to be seen and heard in chapel. Allow disagreements, for they bring critical thinking and conversation. Without a fresh perspective, growth is a battle. We stay stagnant in our faith and thought without discourse and discussion. If the tomb is open, then why are we closing doors to the ones who need it most?
