Male Advocates
Male Advocates Use Their Influence to Open Doors
The BWIM Male Advocates Program mobilizes men in Baptist life to create visible opportunities and lasting structural support for women in ministry. This work is not primarily symbolic or educational. It is behavioral, relational, and structural.
If advocacy does not result in opportunity, it remains incomplete.
Signature Action: Invite Her
Research demonstrates that one of the most impactful advocacy actions is inviting a woman to preach or lead in visible ways.
Every Male Advocate is encouraged to commit annually to at least one visible action that expands opportunity for a woman in ministry.
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Invite a woman to preach or teach
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Recommend a woman for leadership
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Include women on panels and committees
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Open doors for speaking opportunities
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Nominate women for recognition
Core Advocacy Actions
Invite Her
Extending an invitation to a woman to preach, teach, or lead is one of the most effective ways to be a Male Advocate.
Open Doors
Use your influence to open doors and create opportunities for women to preach, teach, and lead, even when it means stepping aside yourself.
Mentor and Sponsor
Offer guidance, networking, and use your influence to create opportunities for women leaders.
Challenge Sexism and Bias
Respectfully speak up against discriminatory remarks or practices. Ensure women’s voices are heard in discussions.
Engagement Opportunities
FALL BOOK CLUB
Each fall, BWIM offers a Male Advocates Book Club designed to encourage thoughtful conversation, deeper understanding, and meaningful action around women in ministry and advocacy in Baptist life. Through shared reading and discussion, participants are invited to reflect on how they can use their influence to create visible opportunities and lasting support for women in ministry within their own congregations and communities.
BWIM also encourages Male Advocates to continue these conversations locally through book discussions and learning opportunities in their own settings each spring.
2026 Book Club information coming soon.
MONTH OF ADVOCACY
BWIM’s Month of Advocacy is an opportunity for Male Advocates to take visible action in support of women in ministry through leadership, invitation, and public affirmation.
Examples include:
- Inviting a woman to preach or lead
- Recommending women for leadership
- Leading conversations in your congregation
- Publicly affirming women in ministry
BWIM also encourages local book discussions each spring.