ecclesia

 ἐκκλησία.

Gendered religion is as old as language. It's a projection of God made in our image, not the other way around. Hierarchy is human. A twisted byproduct of our initial command to bring order, we fixate on the KJV idea of dominion. Look at Genesis 1:26 in a different light:

"Then God said, 'Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness, so they may rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the cattle and over all the earth, and over all that move on the earth." (NET Bible (netbible.org))

I learned that man was made in God's image, and woman made in man's image. This extra-scriptural interpretation asserts unwritten oppression. This teaching continues to survive in the mainstream Church because it allows leaders (men, exclusively) to be the chosen gender, the firstborn of Creation. (Nevermind that title is already taken by Jesus Christ, Himself gendered as male.) In my subconscious Bible memory, this Genesis account is connected to Paul's directions to the out-of-hand church family in Corinth, too.

"For if a woman will not cover her head, she should cut off her hair. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, she should cover her head. For a man should not have his head covered, since he is the image and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of the man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man. Neither was man created for the sake of woman, but woman for man. For this reason a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. In any case, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman. But all things come from God." -(I Cor 11: 6-12 NET bible.)

Regardless of your personal opinions about the Apostle Paul, this passage is directed to a specific congregation. I am a member of the Church, not the first-century church in Corinth. In this way, I'm comfortable with mystery and confusion about some of the specifics. (Ex: "because of the angels" is a phrase that scholars can't even agree on!) This discourse section is over-applied and used to oppress worshippers in our modern time, when the passage itself was an encouragement to worship in the first place! Paul is explaining how neither gender is independent, neither is superior. God is superior! Women don't worship men, they worship God.

Speaking of Church, the title of this post is the Latin transliteration of the Greek work that evolved into "Church." It means a calling out. A group or gathering called out of their comfort. Called out of their homes. It's a feminine word in an ancient language.

The Apostle Paul extends the metaphor of the feminine Church with my favorite expose in Galatians 5. The Church is Christ's Bride throughout Scripture, culminating with the beautiful wedding described in Revelations 21. I continue praying for revival within the Church, to value those oppressed instead of contributing to the oppression. James wrote that "Pure and undefiled religion before God the father is this: to care for widows and the orphans in their adversity, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." (James 1:27-NET bible). Since her rocky beginning, the Church has needed reminders that the vulnerable should find solace among those called out. The Church is a mother with welcoming arms, the literal hands of Christ. When we attempt to masculinize the Church, we lose the tenderness God intended. When we weaponize the Church, we lose the very mission she was given.

The narrative begins with the birth story of Genesis 1:2 (read this article by Admiel Kosman for more) to the birth story of Luke 2,  concluding with the birth story of Zion in Revelation 22. I'm not sure we talk about birth enough in many church events. Most men I know are more like Nicodemus in their understanding of birth and rebirth, wondering if it's possible to climb back into your mother (see John 3). Rebirth of the Gospel is even more unlikely! That's what makes the Gospel so beautiful, at least in my perspective. 

I guess my point is that God is bigger than any gender you can assign. I was created female, and I'm grateful for my identity. I love my husband and my son, both created male. But our gender identities don't cause God to be male or female. Our Church is women and men and children choosing to live a called out life with Jesus Christ. Ecclesia has been controversial since her conception.