Jeanie Miley’s topic—reconciling the gender war—addresses a history of gender prejudice both in the church and the secular world. With characteristic spiritual empathy, Miley insists now is the time to put preconceptions to rest and celebrate strengths unique to each individual.

Within each person, a complementary balance of masculine and feminine strengths exists, she asserts. Indepen-dence, power and logic are masculine strengths, as intuition, empathy and compassion are feminine, but they are not limited to either sex. Instead, these gendered strengths support one another and when used in cooperation, allow a wider scope of relationships and creativity.

Miley resists militant feminism; she broaches a volatile subject with sensitivity but without apology. She applies her conclusions to the individual—the relational and the communal—asserting that for social reconciliation to occur, joining forces must begin within.

Issues of oppression, fear and misguidance surface as Miley uncovers the roots of shame, and she mourns the still-active perpetuation of gender prejudice in the church. But for her, “spirituality is about waking up, becoming aware and fully alive.” Joining Forces makes a convincing case for civil dialogue within the church to understand one another, following Jesus’ call to bind and to heal.

— Carrie Joynton,
Communications intern