What a theological twist and kick! The DCC wage justifications echo the same dusty hymn I heard while scraping mashed potatoes off a camp kitchen wall for $1.80/hour: “It’s not about money, it’s about ministry!” Ah yes—just like Jesus said: blessed are the underpaid, for they shall inherit… lifelong friendships and shin splints. The dance may be elite, but the exploitation is downright old school evangelical. Sisterhood is beautiful, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of economic dignity. Give them their wages and their glitter.
Takes me back to my "part-time" ministry days with InterVarsity for a monthly stipend of $1000 that I raised myself through asking friends to give me money. Sigh.
I hadn't seen there was a new season. So glad to hear that they're finally getting a raise. And yes, the connection to ministry work is TOO REAL. Ministries (like camps) are probably one of the few industries where men are subject to this same "bigger rewards= tiny paycheck" as women
Yup, the patriarchy is so very real, both in the DCC and in ministry spaces. And apologies for the spoiler that they actually got a raise - I realized afterwards that I probably should have written SPOILER at least once or twice in the post.
OMG I ALSO BINGED THIS SHOW LOLOL you can also see connection to pastors wives work and the writ large dependence on unpaid female labor to create community—one of its key selling points—in evangelicalism.
You are definitely a bigger person than I, I couldn't bring myself to watch those shows. Full disclosure here, my TV hasn't been on since Hurricane Mitch and that was only for our local coverage. Prior to that I probably a couple of years.
I understand your point, and thank you for this, but disparity of this kind shouldn't come as a surprise, or that could be just me. Perhaps these nice women could find a more useful way to enjoy their martydom. I know that's mean and if you want to delete my comment, I'm good with it.
No way I'm deleting your comment! This isn't what I usually write about on here, but every once in a while I get my reality television show on ...and well, it definitely doesn't make me a better person. ;) Back to books!
Ahhhh!!! I was so hoping I was the friend in the footnote 😂 I’m completely obsessed with the parallels between DCC and evangelicalism — and what an observation that these women don’t compete with others but compete with themselves! This aligns so deeply with my experience coming out of white evangelical female spaces, too.
The number of below-the-poverty-line jobs evangelical woman are voluntold to take are insane. For me, it’s every job I’ve ever had.
Yup! And how we so easily bought into that narrative for a thousand different reasons. There's so much to unpack.
That is a good point. I have yet to unpack the entire closet, esp. when it comes to moneeeyyyy
What a theological twist and kick! The DCC wage justifications echo the same dusty hymn I heard while scraping mashed potatoes off a camp kitchen wall for $1.80/hour: “It’s not about money, it’s about ministry!” Ah yes—just like Jesus said: blessed are the underpaid, for they shall inherit… lifelong friendships and shin splints. The dance may be elite, but the exploitation is downright old school evangelical. Sisterhood is beautiful, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of economic dignity. Give them their wages and their glitter.
Blessed are the underpaid ...for they shall get the glitteriest, shiniest crown of all in heaven! We really drank the Kool-Aid, didn't we?
Takes me back to my "part-time" ministry days with InterVarsity for a monthly stipend of $1000 that I raised myself through asking friends to give me money. Sigh.
I hear you! That's what it was for me with being on staff with Young Life for nearly a decade.
I hadn't seen there was a new season. So glad to hear that they're finally getting a raise. And yes, the connection to ministry work is TOO REAL. Ministries (like camps) are probably one of the few industries where men are subject to this same "bigger rewards= tiny paycheck" as women
Yup, the patriarchy is so very real, both in the DCC and in ministry spaces. And apologies for the spoiler that they actually got a raise - I realized afterwards that I probably should have written SPOILER at least once or twice in the post.
haha, no worries! At the rate my summer is going, I'll probably end up watching this in September
PS JADA FOR PRESIDENT that lady needs to run for office for real! Leadership skills out the wazoo!!!
100% Jada for president. I was about to kick Kelli and Judy in the face when they kept questioning her "too much" style of leadership. Nope.
OMG I ALSO BINGED THIS SHOW LOLOL you can also see connection to pastors wives work and the writ large dependence on unpaid female labor to create community—one of its key selling points—in evangelicalism.
There are SO many parallels. Do read Anne Helen Petersen's post from last year about it. She digs in deep.
You are definitely a bigger person than I, I couldn't bring myself to watch those shows. Full disclosure here, my TV hasn't been on since Hurricane Mitch and that was only for our local coverage. Prior to that I probably a couple of years.
I understand your point, and thank you for this, but disparity of this kind shouldn't come as a surprise, or that could be just me. Perhaps these nice women could find a more useful way to enjoy their martydom. I know that's mean and if you want to delete my comment, I'm good with it.
No way I'm deleting your comment! This isn't what I usually write about on here, but every once in a while I get my reality television show on ...and well, it definitely doesn't make me a better person. ;) Back to books!
Thank you for extending that grace.
Ahhhh!!! I was so hoping I was the friend in the footnote 😂 I’m completely obsessed with the parallels between DCC and evangelicalism — and what an observation that these women don’t compete with others but compete with themselves! This aligns so deeply with my experience coming out of white evangelical female spaces, too.
I LOVED this post and analysis
Between you and Kelley Nikondeha, I feel like we need to plan to watch season 3 together. The love runs DEEP!
And prob podcast about it?
Now that would be an EPISODE! But then I'd also have to start a podcast ;)
praying your church shows up on the news like IHOPKC or Gateway