When I look at the luminaries, from Emma Curtis Hopkins and Myrtle Fillmore to Louise Hay and Jean Houston, who have been an integral part of both the New Thought Movement and the development of Centers for Spiritual Living, I recognize that without them there may not have been a New Thought movement at all.

Within the Center for Spiritual Living Spokane, my wife Toni and I are in full partnership as co-pastors of the spiritual community. We were both friends with the Rev.Candice Becket who was instrumental in moving our former organization, Religious Science International toward merging with United Centers for Spiritual Living, bringing them back together as one organization.

My primary teacher, Rev. Andrea Asebedo, brought this teaching alive for me and opened me to recognizing and honoring the importance of the feminine wisdom within the world. I can only say that the presence of women teachers within my life has had a profound, positive and loving effect on me and how I bring this teaching into classes I teach.

I find it interesting that a number of religions still leave women out of leadership positions and yet honor their right to run their organizations in a way that represents their beliefs.

Join us for our next Coffee Talk at 10 a.m. on March 2 at Indaba Coffee, where we'll talk about how gender equality is handled in faith communities.