It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas - My Book

You know it's almost Christmas in SoCal when you bust out your favorite scarf to wear on a 60-something degree day. Today was that day. (Sorry to everyone else in the world.) With Thanksgiving in a couple days, I'm already in gift-giving mode. I'm making gift lists for my family, re-aligning the budget for the additional expenses, and my husband is beefing up his Amazon wish list for all interested.

Since this is the first Christmas as a published author, I thought we'd have a little fun for the holidays.

I'm giving away 4 autographed copies of my book for the first 4 people who comment on this post! 

It's my gift to you and your communities this Christmas. May I remind you that this book is not only - or even primarily for - youth workers. This book is for the church and those who love teenagers. The greatest compliments I've received on the book have been from parents of teenagers, college students, ex-youth pastors, parents of toddlers, coaches and teachers. My prayer is that this book captures the attention and heart of the CHURCH, not simply youth workers.

Additionally, if you'd like to order one or a hundred books, I will personalize and sign every copy ordered before the end of 2013. Shipping is on me.

You can simply send me a message through my CONNECT page and we'll figure out the details.

My boss and our lead pastor at Newsong may be a bit biased but here's Dave Gibbons' endorsement for my book:

April Diaz in her brilliant book, Redefining the Role of the Youth Worker, insightfully deconstructs the sacred cows of youth ministry with humility and candid honesty. April is a voice to be listened to. She is one of the next generation of leaders that embodies the fearless heart of Jesus. Don t mess with her! Get this book now or miss out on some proven praxis from the front lines! --Dave Gibbons, Founder of Newsong Church and XEALOTS.ORG

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. Hope my book finds its way into the stockings and hearts of people everywhere!

Reflections after Posting "A Lament on Women in Leadership"

It's been a few days since I re-posted my lament, along with the back story on how the piece was rejected. To say the response has been overwhelming is an understatement. Since Sunday morning my relatively quiet website exploded in response. Facebook messages, personal emails, hundreds of shares on social media, Twitter links, new followers and several "un-followed". This is not the typical response to one of my blog posts. I don't roll in that world. Up until now. It was clear. My lament instigated a corporate lament. As I've sought to personally respond to every single comment, email, and message, a few reactions and reflections are bursting forth.

1. I was immediately overwhelmed by the number of white men who responded...positively! I'm increasingly convinced that, specifically, white men have to get a part of the action for inequality. While men (of any color or race) need to be a voice and advocate for women's equality, white men have held the power, thus they need to help break down the walls other men have built. I've never before seen such a rising of men who've said "enough is enough", "how can I help?", "I'm sorry I haven't helped up until this point", and "I'm standing with you."
2. LifeWay and the publisher have reached out to me, and I've spoken to people in both organizations. I was very encouraged by my conversation with the publisher. In a 30-minute phone call they were fully supportive of my post and wanted to ensure I knew they were supportive of my piece in the project. They encouraged me to follow wherever God leads in the pursuit of justice and equality. I was pleasantly surprised by my conversation with LifeWay. Their Director of Communications sought to hear my side of the story and is committed to find out exactly what happened with my piece being rejected. I expressed my deep commitment to not polarizing the conversation but working with them toward resolve and progress. Time will tell if that can happen.
3. It would seem this is a pattern for LifeWay - silencing the voice of strong, women leaders. I've had countless accounts from men and women who've spoken of their reputation toward women. LifeWay denies this is the case. This is the point I'm addressing with them. I clearly told them that selling Beth Moore Bible studies - a popular, best-selling, Bible teacher to other women - is not the same as supporting female pastors and leaders.
4. I firmly believe that egalitarian churches must take a stronger voice in advocating for women. The complementarian voices are strong and vocal. Egalitarian leaders need to do a better job in this critical theological, justice issue. Merely modeling equality is not enough. We have so much more ground to gain for half of the body of Christ. Here I am deeply convicted...
5. I've never wanted to be a voice for women in leadership; I've simply wanted to be faithful in my giftedness. I've been afraid on many occasions that if I become a voice that I may lose all I've worked so hard to gain. So, I'm a reluctant voice, but I'm also a committed voice.
6. My church is very supportive of women in leadership and me, specifically. Some have wondered and assumed that my lament is because my own church has minimized my leadership. On the contrary, my church has celebrated and developed my giftedness for the past 9 years. My current role as Leadership Development Director proves that. My church has women in every layer of leadership and is publicly supportive of gender equality. However, I have lamented at my church at things I wish were different. I've had to fight on a number of occasions for change in our community. Which leads me to...
7. Just because a woman has a position doesn't mean she doesn't deal with a measure inequality, sexism, prejudice, and oppression. I know I have. In the past few days I've received note after note from women in places of position, power, and influence who regularly experience being silenced, excluded, relegated, and minimized. Even though the landscape of women in leadership is better than it was a generation ago, there are deeply embedded dysfunctions in our churches.
8. I'm deeply committed to unity, but sometimes it can only happen when we disagree and commit to working it out. Unity doesn't mean that we blindly agree. Unity isn't when we falsely nod in consensus. Unity doesn't mean not thinking, not fighting, not working toward reconciliation. Unity doesn't mean that we "agree to disagree" when an entire gender is marginalized. This is my commitment with LifeWay.

There've also been a number of others who've written on the subject that have been of great encouragement as we stand together.

• Mark Oestreicher, a good friend, wrote THIS post that resulted in streaming tears down my face.
• Jeff Caliguire, my spiritual director's husband, wrote THIS incredible post as a response. He's interviewing me via video on his blog this Thursday about what I want men to know about this issue.
• There were also deeply hopeful, beautiful posts this past week from old friend, Shauna Niequist, my Newsong friend, Sarah Markley, and Jesus Feminist author, Sarah Bessey.
• Kathy Escobar wrote this passionate post called "equality is a bumpy road (and sometimes it makes me want to stand on tables & scream)". Her story of rejection from LifeWay was so painful to read.
• Bill and Lynne Hybels wrote a beautiful reflection of their 30 years in the trenches with this issue.
• Rachel Held Evans was moved by the lament and is planning to sharing the post and my story on her blog.

After an intense 48 hours, I'm hopeful and crazy prayerful that as this conversation takes on a new life that God is awakening his bride to be more of what we were meant to be. Let us not become weary in doing good. And may the greatest of these things be love.

A Lament for Women in Leadership

A while back I was asked to contribute a piece, a lament, on the struggle for women in leadership. I was asked to write my own psalm, a reflection on Psalm 40, which speaks to an ache in David's heart. As I wrote this lament, the words flew off my fingers as I asked God - once again - HOW LONG we would sing this song of injustice, sexism, oppression, and inequality? A few tears even fell for myself, for my daughter, and for all the women in leadership I know who have to fight for their place at the leadership table.

These were the words I wrote. You won't believe what happened after I submitted this lament...

Waiting. No one likes waiting. Maybe least of all me. I’ve waited for my entire life to see your Church reflect your heart to see men and women lead your people. Equally. With skillful hands and integrity of heart [Psalm 78:72].  I’ve waited for your Church to wake up and get it that we have as much to contribute to the Kingdom as men do! I wish your Word was painfully clear about our contribution equality!

Too many times I’ve seen women in the pit of despair because they have not been allowed to use their voice, their gifts, their experiences, their very calling to build the Kingdom. You have not stopped them from leading and teaching, Lord; your people have.

My sisters and I have cried when we’ve been told “no”, “be quiet”, “this is not your place”. We need your rescue, God. We desperately need you to bring good news in places where we are pushed down, snuffed out, and negotiated around. Your Kingdom suffers when we are relegated to roles and ministries and places where we are not gifted or passionate. How long?

Our circumstances may not change, our culture may never fully reflect your heart for your Church, but you never change. You are solid and steady and trustworthy. When your Church may fail me, I can still be amazed by who you are. I will find my hope in who you are, not in an outcome – a promotion or a platform or power. I will receive a new song that you give me and sing to the rooftops of who you are and what you’ve done.  I will serve you fully and contribute my best to your Kingdom, even in the midst of broken systems and unjust theology. Give me the courage I need to be faithful today.

How long will we sing this song? When I grieve for what your Church is not yet, I must remember that you are a God of justice and have called ordinary people like me to bring justice on earth as it is in heaven [Matthew 5:10]. Help me not be afraid to speak out and speak for those who do not have a voice.

You have written your calling upon my heart and I will not forsake you. I will take joy in following you no matter what anyone else says.  Help me listen to you more and more and follow you obediently. Thank you for my calling, even if it’s not honored among others.

The author who asked for my contribution with this specific piece was thrilled with what I wrote. The publisher was too. The distributor, Lifeway Christian Bookstores, was not.

In fact, Lifeway refused to carry the product with my piece included. REFUSED! My piece was a very small part of the overall project, but they were adamant my piece had to be REMOVED from the project or they wouldn't carry the product.

So it was removed. The author was very upset, but it wasn't his decision. The publisher caved because they couldn't afford Lifeway NOT to carry it. In the end, my piece was axed from the larger project because of money and Lifeway's power.

Even more, this piece rings true in my spirit... HOW LONG will we have to sing this song of injustice, sexism, oppression, and inequality?