True Woman
Several years ago, I was lounging around with Nancy Leigh DeMoss and a couple of her friends, sipping hot mugs of tea in her living room. Though the atmosphere was casual, the conversation was anything but. We talked about the history of the women’s movement and feminism… about philosophy, theology and doctrine. We cried about the lies women believed… and about the broken, fractured state of their lives. We marveled at the fact that just a few decades ago, a small handful of women started a “movement” that drastically changed the lives of the masses. If a small group of disgruntled women could so significantly impact a generation for ill, how much more could a group of righteous women, walking in the power of the Holy Spirit, impact a generation for good?
The Movement…
“I believe the time is ripe for a new movement – a seismic holy quake of counter cultural men and women who dare to take God at His Word and who have the courage to believe and delight in God’s plan for male and female.” – Mary Kassian
In 2006, Nancy and the Revive Our Hearts’ team agreed that now was the time to begin to plan the first-ever True Woman conference, in order to help women…
- Discover and embrace God’s created design and mission for their lives
- Reflect the beauty and heart of Christ to their world
- Intentionally pass on the baton of Truth to the next generation
- Pray earnestly for an outpouring of God’s Spirit in their families, churches, nation, and world
On October 9-11, 2008, over 6,300 women gathered in Chicago, Illinois, for Revive Our Hearts’ first-ever national women’s conference. It sold out months in advance. Thousands more joined via internet web cast.
As I prepared for True Woman 08, I discovered that forty years earlier, Chicago had hosted another “first”: the first-ever national Women’s Liberation Conference. Speakers challenged the 200 women in attendance to use the “radical weapon” of Consciousness Raising to spread bitterness and incite women to rebel. In contrast, True Woman 08 challenged 10,000 women to be captivated with the truth and beauty of God’s Word, and to submit.
With the impetus of Consciousness Raising, the ranks of those committed to Feminist ideology grew. By 1970, twenty thousand women marched proudly down New York’s Fifth Avenue, identifying themselves as part of the feminist movement. At the conclusion of the event Betty Friedan blazed, “After tonight, the politics of this nation will never be the same again… There is no way any man, woman, or child can escape the nature of our revolution!”
With the unveiling and signing of the True Woman Manifesto, True Woman 08 intentionally initiated a very different type of women’s movement. We are trusting God for a widespread move of revival in the hearts of 100,000 Christian women around the world. It’s a spiritual revolution that we seek… a holy quake of counter cultural revolutionaries who believe that the world has yet to see the impact of a generation of women wholly committed to the Lord.
The Motto…
“Symbols are the natural speech of the soul, a language older and more universal than words.” -C.S. Lewis
I’ve been to hundreds of women’s events, and at many of these, attendees received canvas tote bags of free stuff like books, hand cream, kleenex, trinkets, chocolates, promo items…(women, you know the routine. Gotta love those tote bags!) I figure I’ve seen just about all there is to see when it comes to the contents of these bags.
There were two items in the tote bags of the True Woman 08 conference that I’ve never seen before, and that uniquely symbolized the heart of the event. The first unique item was a kneeling pad – a soft, rectangular, vinyl-covered sponge to keep knees from hurting when kneeling on the ground. It’s like the one my mom uses when she’s kneeling to weed her garden or wash her kitchen floor.
The kneeling pad wasn’t meant for doing household chores. First off, it was white – an impossible color for doing dirty work. Second, it sported the “True Woman 08″ Logo with the motto, “Now is the Time,” as well as the question Mordecai posed to Queen Esther when he challenged her to courageously act…“Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” ( Esther 4:14). Esther fasted, prayed, and then boldly intervened to turn about the sinful direction of her nation. The kneeling pad challenges us to do the same. It reminds us that the battle for the hearts and lives of women and our culture is one that must primarily be fought on our knees in prayer.
The second unique item in my conference bag was a white cloth handkerchief. Now I’m not much for women’s hankies. I remember receiving several lacy embroidered ones from my grandmother, who thought I’d appreciate their dainty feminine look. But I was a tomboy. I hated them. They did come in handy when I needed to polish my rock collection. In my mind, that’s the only thing they were good for. My five brothers would have mocked me relentlessly had I ever pulled a lace hankie from my jeans. So, as you can well imagine, I wasn’t overly impressed by this tote-bag treasure. Though it wasn’t lacy, it was white… and was embroidered with the True Woman 08 logo and the motto, “Yes, Lord!” When Nancy challenged us to wave it in the air before the Lord as a symbol of surrender, I must confess that “Hooray!” wasn’t the first thought that came to mind. Quite honestly, the idea sounded a bit silly. But then I began to ponder why I emotionally resisted this simple symbolic act.
I concluded that it’s one thing to say, “Yes, Lord” with my mouth – and quite another thing to say “Yes, Lord” with my actions. Participating in such a visible symbol was just so…. visible. Others would see. And therein lay the rub. Was I willing to stand and say “Yes Lord” when doing so was uncomfortable or challenged my pride? Was I, like David, willing “to become even more undignified than this” in worship of the God I love? (2 Sam. 6:20)
I know that in and of themselves external symbols hold little merit. They’re only worthwhile inasmuch as they point to an inward, spiritual reality. The symbols of this conference represented a willingness to kneel and surrender – an attitude that the women’s movement has derided and all but purged from women’s hearts. The kneeling pad and handkerchief represented the desired spiritual reality. They illustrate that True Women choose to say “Yes, Lord!” in their words, actions, and most importantly, in their hearts.
The Manifesto…
I regard the True Woman Manifesto as a faithful, clear, true, wise—indeed—magnificent document. What an amazing thing it would be if hundreds of thousands of women … signed on with their heart to the True Woman Manifesto. —John Piper
Throughout history, particularly in times when the Church was in danger of departing from doctrinal faithfulness, Christians have stated, clarified and verified what they believe through various creeds and confessions. I believe that the feminist movement has created such a crisis point. Given the encroachment of popular culture, it’s imperative that Christians state, clarify and verify what the Bible teaches about man, woman, and male-female relationships. That’s the motivation behind the True Woman Manifesto. In the first wave of the woman’s movement, feminists signed a “Declaration of Sentiments.” The True Woman Manifesto counters and corrects the errant direction that was set in motion at that time.
I believe the time is ripe for a seismic, holy quake – a genuine spiritual awakening. If you see biblical womanhood as a gift from God, and agree with the True Woman Manifesto, sign it by following this LINK. We are believing God for 100,000 people like you to launch this movement!
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Just wanted to say that I enjoyed getting to see you on the True Woman live feed
You were radiating Christ, as always.
My accountability partner and I are also doing “Names of God” together, and of course are enjoying it.
Blessings to you–and prayers for your mama.
Mary,
I just heard you online speaking at the True Woman’s Conference from Chicago. I wanted to thank you so much for what you said. I grew up as an only girl with 3 younger brothers. My husband and I have been married 34 years and have 4 grown married daughters. What you are teaching women is exactly what we taught our daughters. It is so much needed today and I’m so thankful that you shoot straight from the hip and don’t mince words.
Two of our daughters work as youth counselors in their churches and see the looseness in the lives of Christian girls. It is very sad to them and both of them are very up front and straight forward with the girls.
By the way, I lived in Alberta for 2 years! I thought you had a Canadian accent when I heard you today!
Thanks again for following God’s call in your life!
Dear Mary,
I just got home from the True Woman Conference and wanted to thank you for your part there. I learned a lot from your speech to the general assembly, and I took many notes at your breakout session, “Girls Gone Wild”. The Lord has blessed my husband and I with twin girls, 8 years old. With God’s help and your practical 21 points straight from His Word we will teach them the difference between the Wild and Wise Woman. And we pray that they choose the wise way.
God bless you, Mary! You blessed all of us at the conference and on-line.
Mary,
Thank you so much for your teaching at the True Woman Conference this weekend. I found both your talks very eye opening and thought provoking. You had mentioned you were going to place on your web site a copy of your 21 points on the Girls Gone Wild session. Can’t wait to have that to share with my friends.
Thanks again and God Bless.
Dear Servant of God, Mary…I bless my God, my Lord and Savior for the opportunity and the privilege of hearing you speak at the True Woman ‘08 Conference. I must confess I had never heard of you and, as I sat and listened to you share with us the history of the feminist beginnings and movement in America, I sat in shock. I watched my life, my thoughts, my attitudes unfolding in front of me. I was so intrigued and led by the Lord to attend your break-out session “Girls Gone Wild”. In that session I found my intrigue quickly turning to dismay as I recognized ALL 21 points of the “wild” woman as having been a part of my life in my not too distant past.
I am a prodigal child having just returned to the Lord after 30 years of shutting Him out of my life. During that time God gave me the precious gift of a son…he is now 26. We used to be best friends, but since I rededicated my life to Christ, he has mostly shut me out of his life. Now I am seeing the consequences and effects of a “Girl Gone Wild” reflected in my son’s life…in his attitudes toward God, toward woman, and my heart breaks.
I thank God upon my every rememberance of you and what He has laid on your heart to share with women everywhere. I especially bless my God and the Holy Spirit for opening my eyes through what you shared with us at the conference. It is my prayer and fervant desire to truly become a True Woman of God, moment by moment, step by step, day by day!
God Bless you Mary!
I look forward to the day that I can meet you, talk with you, and I pray God will use me to share your same message with other “Christian” women who unknowingly are still caught up in “feminist” thinking and actions.
I am home from the TW08 Conference. Wow!!! Praise God for women who are bold enough to speak forth truth. As a mother of 4 sons, I am passionate about/for young women. I am asking God to show me what my next move needs to be to promote all this information to my church ladies, both young and old.
Thank you Mary for your beautiful boldness to speak the truth. May God bless you.
Dear Mary,
God used your teaching in such a mighty way today and tonight with my 17 year old daughter. She loves the LORD and is a wiser young woman than I realized I was in the moment. Thank you for your submission to the LORD and for teaching all of us with such passion and truth. God filled that conference this weekend with His Spirit and I can still feel it now. Bless you and your family and the ministry that you do….your work for the LORD is like gold.
Mary…I went to your “Girls gone Wild” breakout session (AMAZING) and you mentioned you would put up the notes for the 21 points on your website. It was an amazing list but I couldn’t keep up writing it all out! I have a chance to share some of those notes with some college girls tonight. How can I find the list on your site? Thanks for your heart for the Word and women, both young and old!
Mary, I too, attended the TW08 conference and was able to write down the 21 points as well as purchase the CD for both the general and breakout sessions. I am also interested in obtaining the the 21 points from you website to send to my daughter. You referenced you would put these your web site. I look forward to receiving them shortly.
Blessings !!!
Julie
Mary,
Thank you so much for the Girls Gone Wild Breakout Session. I was in that big room with you and I loved it. I was trying to write all of the 21 points down but I could not keep up. I know you said you would put them on your web site so I was just checking in to see if there were on here yet. I am glad you put the questions on here because I was wanting a copy of them also.
You were wonderful.
Thank you!
Hi Mary!
Your Girls Gone Wild session at TWO8 was great! I, too, would like to get a copy of your 21 Wild vs. Wise points. I tried to get them all, but I may have missed a few! I’d like to share these with my 21 year old son, so he can know what to look for in a future wife! Thanks for sharing your desire to bring about a counter-cultural revolution of women founded on the truth of God’s word!
Mary, I to attended the Girls gone Wild breakout. It was wonderful. I would like to get the 21 points. I tried to copy them but missed a couple. I was convicted to come back to my church and teach the younger women from the Bible and your book what God wants true women of God to be. I am coming to my 70th birthday and was diagnosed with breast cancer last year. I had a total masectomy but decided to trust God and did not do the Chemo and the drugs they suggested. I changed my diet and went on organic suppliments from the rain forest and am one year cancer free. God is not done with me yet and my heart yearns to teach this course. It is needed. Thanks so much for the book and your encouragement at the seminar.
Mary- Thank you for an amazing session Friday! I wish I would have heard this information when I was in my 20’s!
I can not recollect a time when I have felt so enlightened and changed from a single lecture. You have forced me to look at the choices I have made in my lift and ask why?! Being born in the 70’s I did not know of a world without the feminist world view. As a christian woman I thought I was following God’s plan, but the drip drip drip of society and our culture have seeped into my life. Thank you for making me SEE it, so I can confront and change it!
I went to your Girls Gone Wild break out session, thinking this would be great information to take back to my husband’s youth group. Wow…I think I needed to hear some of the things in that sesssion more than the girls in our youth group! This weekend has convicted me that God has a plan to use me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Mary, I am from Singapore and now am in USA, I attended the True women conference. I must say it was truly inspiring to see such godly bold woman again. Since I was a volunteer at the convention center helping out during the breakout, I was not able to attend the breakout sessions. I manage to copy all the 21 presentation pointers except for #9 Speech Habits. I also do want to impact the younger women in my small group as how you have impacted me. Is there a way I could get the pointer #9 or to view the presentation again on this website? Is there a dvd on “Him Tarzan, You Jane” that I may purchase for our young women to view during one of our study.
Again THANK YOU for bring out the WORD so boldly to women and for women.
Mary, I also just returned from the True Woman Conference. Thank you for your amazing presentations. I bought and am going to show the Friday general talk DVD at a girls retreat I am doing in November. I also bought the CD for the Breakout Session. Is there any chance I could get/buy a copy of the slides/powerpoint you used for the Girls Gone Wild (it may have been called Him Tarzan, You Jane – those 21 points) to use for the same retreat. This will be for a large group of 16 year old girls who are currently meeting weekly, working their way through Lies Young Women Believe. Thank you again for your commitment to the Lord and His kingdom. You blessed so many this past weekend.
I’ve posted the 21 Questions and copies of the powerpoints. I wanted to do it last night, but yesterday was Canadian Thanksgiving, and after a day of preparing and celebrating, I just didn’t have any gas left in the tank. It was such a joy meeting all of you at the True Woman 08 Conference in Chicago. “Now is the time!!”
I so enjoyed you at True Woman 08. I bought the DVD of your presentation. I didn’t realize how much the woman’s movement changed the world and how deeply I my life was affected in very negative ways. Thank you!
Mary,
I was at the True Woman conference. My dad, Ron Johnson, was one of the Project Mangers so I got to go and volunteer! It was absolutely amazing. Thanks for your encouraging words, and for helping us to discover the truth of our own feminity.
Blessings,
Renee Johnson
Devotional Diva
Could you help me please, I can’t seem to find the 21 questions of the power point of Woman 08?
The link to the handouts can be found on the Girls Gone Wild post. On the home page, it’s the next post down just after the True Woman post. If you can’t find it, click here.
Here are direct links to the slide handouts and 21 questions:
Girls Gone Wild 21 Questions
You may need to download the latest version of adobe reader in order to view them. You can do that here.
Hope this helps.
I enjoyed your talk somuch I have heard an read it three times! It touched my hart. I used to be on of the Virginai Slim woman, now I am old 76 years frial woman with an Alzhaimer husband and I with so many pains and aches that many times i have said Lord I can’t anymore. But the true women conference in Chaicago really made me focus more on God and that I am where He wants me to be. I heard it all and even pulled out a white handkerchief of my husband! Many sisters of the Dominicna Republic, where I am from went and also shared one afternoon with the rest who could not attend. May God continue to bless you ministry, your soul and your family. All Glory be to Him!
Kneel and surrender before God is also my motto. I pray daily, all day long, wherever I am- in the train on the way to work, while I am washing dishes, lying in bed at night, or sitting in silent meditation.
But I have a question for women from my old denomination, Southern Baptists, who also say that women should be submissive to their husbands, as though this is the essential way to show submissiveness to God.
I think this belief is based on scriptures in books such as 1 Tim, 1 Peter, 1 Cor, yet in these same scriptures we are also told not to adorn ourselves with pearls, gold, braids; to always have our hair covered when we worship God. When I read these scriptures, I am also reminded of the 613 mitzvot laid out in the Old Testament that the Hebrew people were instructed to follow. All of these have to do with lifestyle, practices to follow to help us to feel the presence of God in our lives. But so often it seems to me that we are focusing on the wrong thing- lifestyle- instead of the essential message of Jesus Christ, which is a message of love, acceptance of everyone exactly as he or she is. I think it is pointless to argue about lifestyle. This is something we can come to in the quiet of our own heart in prayer and in studying the Bible. But how we live in the world, what we project in the world should be based on Christ’s message of love. I am reminded of the old hymn, “Just as I am.” We must love and accept others just as they are. I don’t want to be part of any counter-revolution that sees itself fighting feminists. The only revolution I want to be part of is a revolution of love, trying to love as Jesus did. That’s all that matters.
Thanks for your note Jacquelyn! I completely agree with you that the Lord is after is a change of heart – and not merely a change in behavior. And it’s the heart that must be at the core of any “revolution” among Christian women. It’s pointless to come up with a “list” of behaviors. In my mind, we’ll see “revolution” among believers when we see a generation of Christian Women who love the Lord and his Word above all else – and who draw their source of identity and purpose from their relationship with Jesus Christ, and not from the world’s ideals. I don’t want a counter-revolution that “fights” feminists or anyone else for that matter. What I long to see is a “counter-revolution” in which the hearts of Christian women are collectively and passionately revived for the gospel – so that God’s Word and God’s Ways and the Good News of the Kingdom are upmost in our hearts and lives.
Because I’m not unaffected by culture, I need a “counter-revolution” in my own heart. When our hearts are right, lifestyle will follow – and will undoubtedly look different from person to person, culture to culture.