By Briana Bass, Christian Romance Author, Devotional Writer & Certified Professional Coach

There is a growing number of women who find themselves caught between two worlds. In church settings, they may be labeled as “too progressive” for questioning traditions or advocating for justice. In secular spaces, they may be dismissed as “too Christian” for holding onto faith in Jesus.

At first glance, living in the middle can feel isolating. But it’s actually a gift. This tension is not weakness but opportunity. These women are uniquely positioned to lead reconciliation, bridge divides, and embody a faith that is both authentic and transformative. They see both sides clearly. They understand the beauty and brokenness of church traditions while also grasping the hunger for meaning in secular communities.

Bridge-Building Leadership

In church, questions about inclusion or justice may be met with suspicion. In secular spaces, expressions of faith may be dismissed as outdated or irrelevant. Living in the middle is not about compromise; it’s about transformation, refusing to be defined by cultural categories and being defined by Christ instead.

These women shine as examples of hope and reconciliation. Being openly Christian in secular spaces can normalize faith as thoughtful and loving. You have the unique ability to show that Christianity is not about judgment but about love, integrity, and compassion. As Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden” (Matthew 5:14, WEB). Your willingness to listen, learn, and love equips you to lead others through difficult conversations. You can create spaces where faith and progress coexist, disrupting stereotypes and opening dialogue.

By refusing to abandon either side, you show that bridges are possible. You can model how to disagree without division, showing that unity doesn’t require uniformity. Your presence can challenge both sides to soften rigid boundaries and see shared humanity. So disrupt other people’s comfort zones! Create spaces for secular friends to explore faith. Encourage dialogue between faith leaders and community leaders. Your courage may inspire others who feel silenced or marginalized, creating ripple effects of empowerment.

Spiritual and Transformative Leadership

I’ll be blunt. The church needs women in the middle. Without them, we risk becoming echo chambers rather than communities of discernment. Listening, empathy, and reconciliation are powerful faith practices. Women in the middle embody these peacemaking leadership qualities in ways that can help bring everyone together and moves us into a more loving and productive future. They are, as Philippians 2:15 says, “lights in the world.”

that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without defect in the middle of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you are seen as lights in the world,

Philippians 2:15, WEB

It’s important to focus on shared faith rather than differences. Justice, mercy, and humility are not partisan values; they are kingdom values present across the theological and political spectrum. See, reconciliation doesn’t mean erasing differences. It means holding space for tension and modeling how love can transcend division. It’s about refusing to demonize others. That’s how women in the middle approach everything they do. They are willing to not only see both sides, but to also see the inherent worth of the people on both sides.

Faith can flourish in tension. There’s this fallacy that Christians must live in harmony with one another, or somehow we have lost the plot. That’s not true at all! There will always be a certain level of tension in faith communities, no matter how homogenous they are. It’s part of being human. We are naturally diverse. We are not all exactly the same. But when we intersect with other groups of people, that tension grows and becomes a pain point. That’s where women in the middle come in, building bridges, creating safe spaces, encouraging dialogue, and modeling servant leadership.

Embody’s Christ’s Reconciling Love

When approached courageously, the middle becomes a training ground for resilience and spiritual depth. It’s not a liability, but a calling. In a world fractured by division, women in the middle remind us that the in-between is holy ground. It is the place where bridges are built, where reconciliation begins, and where God’s love is revealed in new and courageous ways. Their lives testify that God’s kingdom is bigger than binaries, offering hope to those who feel excluded.