When, this is a problem for the C of E, FIEC and R.C. churches. I meet with other believers once a week. (Sometimes atheists/agnostics/people of other faiths join us.) We don't have a hierarchical leadership and the women play an equal part with the men. I have many friends who attend church in the traditional way and I admire them, but I gave up trying to effect change from within some years ago and revel in the freedom I now have to work out my faith in the company of like-minded people. We argue things out, sometimes hold (agreeably) differences of opinion, share our doubts and difficulties - but the bottom line is a recognition that Jesus had/has no favourites.