Empowered To Lead

So many of us look for joy in fleeting places—success, perfection, or comparison—only to find ourselves feeling empty or disappointed. In this Advent reflection, we’re diving deep into the difference between happiness and true, lasting joy.

You’ll discover how joy isn’t dependent on circumstances but is rooted in something far deeper: the presence and promises of God. We’ll explore the angel’s proclamation of “good news of great joy” and unpack how this joy transforms the way we live, lead, and love—even in life’s most challenging seasons.

If you’re tired of chasing happiness and ready to experience a joy that sustains you, this episode will guide you there. Plus, I’ll share a simple yet powerful practice to help you cultivate more joy this Christmas season. Let’s slow down, reflect, and embrace the unshakable joy found in the presence of Emmanuel—God with us.

Tune in and reclaim the joy that’s always been yours!

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Join Jeanette Cochran, pastor and leadership coach, in this special Advent series episode. Explore the profound concept of 'peace' from a biblical perspective, specifically the Hebrew word 'Shalom', and discover practical ways to embrace Christ's peace amidst the holiday chaos and difficult relationships. Jeanette offers heartfelt advice for women to release control, set healthy boundaries, and focus on gratitude to experience lasting peace and joy this Christmas season.

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Christmas is meant to be a season of joy, wonder, and hope. But too often, it becomes a whirlwind of shopping lists, endless to-dos, and feeling stretched too thin. During the busyness, it’s easy to lose sight of the deep, soul-stirring meaning of this season.

But what if it didn’t have to be that way? What if this Advent, you could reclaim a sense of calm, purpose, and connection? What if you set aside time each week to refocus your heart, renew your spirit, and rediscover the beauty of Emmanuel—God with us? That’s exactly what this episode is designed to do.

This episode is week one in a 4-part series of Advent reflections to help us connect to the heart of Christmas. The journey begins with hope and offers a simple practice for inviting the Light into our personal struggles to connect with Christ our Hope in the darkness.

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In this episode of the Empowered Christian Woman Podcast, host Jeanette Cochran interviews author Liz Coolidge Jenkins about her new book, 'Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women's Humanity from Evangelicalism.' They discuss the subtle and overt ways patriarchy operates in churches, particularly those that are 'complementarian,' and its impact on women and community. Liz shares her personal journey in ministry, insights from her book, and the importance of diverse voices in the pulpit. They also explore how Christian teachings on humility and emotions differ by gender, and the necessity for reform in church leadership and gender roles.

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About Today's Guest

Liz Cooledge Jenkins is a writer, preacher, former college campus minister, and the author of Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women’s Humanity from Evangelicalism. She writes at the intersections of faith, feminism, and social justice, and her work can be found at places like Sojourners and The Christian Century—as well as her new Substack, Growing Into Kinship, and Instagram @lizcoolj and @postevangelicalprayers. Liz lives in the Seattle area with her husband and their black cat Athena, where she enjoys hiking, swimming, attempting to grow vegetables, and drinking a lot of tea.

Jeanette Cochran interviews Pastor Brooke Palmer, a pioneering woman leading a new church plant in Urbana, Maryland. Jeanette and Brooke discuss Brooke's unique journey from professional musician to lead pastor, the challenges and discrimination faced by women in church leadership, and the vision for Belonging Community Church. Brooke shares her insights on innovative leadership, the importance of health and rest for leaders, and the mission of creating a welcoming, inclusive church environment. This episode highlights the power of resilience, creativity, and the support of other women in leadership.

About today's Guest

Brooke lives in Clarksburg, MD. She is the lead and planting pastor of Belonging Community Church which launches fall of 2024 in Urbana, MD. Brooke has a Master of Ministry degree from Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, MN. She is a wife, a mom of five children, and is forever a Detroit Lions football fan. Connect with Belonging Community Church on instagram or Facebook. Check out Belonging Community Church online. 

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In this heartfelt episode, Jeannette reflects on her journey as a five-year breast cancer survivor and shares transformative insights on cultivating joy despite life's hardships. She delves into six practical steps to choose joy intentionally—setting an intention, practicing gratitude, engaging in contemplative prayer, managing technology use, indulging in joy-producing activities, and taking care of physical health. This episode provides perspective on finding joy beyond circumstances, learning from suffering, and fostering a joyful, empowered life.

Listen in on this important conversation with host, Jeannette Cochran, and special guest, Katie Ding, discussing the pivotal role of women in the ministry of Jesus.  The conversation delves into the significant presence and contributions of women at the resurrection of Jesus, highlighting the contrast between societal views of women at the time and their pivotal role as messengers of Jesus' resurrection. Katie and Jeanette examine the cultural implications of these narratives, emphasizing the empowerment and trust Jesus placed in women, challenging contemporary perspectives, and advocating for the full inclusion of women in all aspects of church life and leadership.

About our Guest

Katie Brenneman Ding is currently serving as Connections Pastor at Seneca Creek Community Church and pursuing a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. She and her husband have been married for 14 years and have the joy of parenting two girls, ages 9 and 12. Katie is a life-long learner who is passionate about empowering and equipping women to serve as leaders in the church and society. In her free time she loves baking, hiking, and playing games with her family.

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Author and Recovery Coach, Sally Hope, shares her journey from surviving domestic abuse to empowering others to heal and reclaim their identities. Sally discusses her specialization in aiding Christian domestic abuse survivors through the 'Always Hopeful' program, an 11-week recovery initiative designed for women healing from domestic abuse. This program, available locally and online for free, encourages participants to navigate their experiences from a faith-based perspective, addressing profound questions concerning God's role during their suffering. Sally’s personal story of escaping an abusive marriage and her ensuing quest for healing and understanding through faith highlights the profound impact of domestic violence on one's sense of self and the importance of addressing it both from a theological perspective and within the community.

Sally’s new book, '30 Steps to Finding Yourself' is designed for all women who want to strengthen their identity in Christ.  Sally advocates for greater abuse awareness and support within the church and society, suggesting practical steps for communities to assist survivors in their journey towards recovery and self-discovery.

You can learn more about Sally at www.alwayshopeful.org.uk

Check out the Always Hopeful Program and how you can participate or bring it to your church.

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In this episode, host Jeanette Cochran dives deep into the most important question we can ask ourselves as we move into 2024: How am I going to grow my potential? Join us as we explore the concept of potential, surrendering to God's spirit, and the power of becoming the person He created us to be. Discover practical tips, inspiring insights, and actionable steps to propel your personal and professional growth. Make sure to catch this transformative episode that will challenge you to tap into your extraordinary potential.

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Jeannette explores women's unique roles in Advent in this episode with special guest Jill Lin. Jill is a stay-at-home mom with an education and background in history, theology, and languages. An immigrant from England now living in the United States, Jill has been part of churches from several diverse denominations, each giving her a rich experience of the Christian faith.

In this episode, Jill delves into how Mary, a teenage girl from a patriarchal society, boldly says 'yes' to God's revelation, showing strength and courage. She discusses how Elizabeth supports and affirms Mary's unique calling and sheds new light on Anna, the first female evangelist. The conversation challenges prevailing complementarian views, underscoring that women's roles should neither be pigeonholed nor disregarded because God elevates women irrespective of societal norms and customs. The podcast ends with a message of hope and divine favor for all women navigating life's challenges. This episode is recorded during Advent, but it is a favorite to encourage and inspire any day of the year.

Checkout some of Jill’s writing for CBE International

Which Women Matter to God

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