Seminary Sisters

Sandra Glahn joins us for a rich conversation about reading the Bible as one unfolding story—and what changes when we pay attention to the women within it. From Miriam and the daughters of Zelophehad to the woman at the well, Sandra explores how these stories reveal a God who sees the vulnerable, welcomes outsiders, and meets people at their deepest point of pain.

Books By Sandra Glahn:

The doctrine of the image of God becomes radically practical when you trace it from Genesis to Jesus and compare it to the forces shaping modern life. Cheryl Luke joins Amy Seiffert and Jami Nato to show why identity, dignity, and belonging are not self-help ideas, but deeply biblical truths that confront consumerism, individualism, and narcissism head-on.

Cheryl is on the back side of seminary, where she earned her master's in biblical and theological studies and used that work to build frameworks for identity in Christ and discipleship. In this conversation, she opens up about the thesis she wrote, the slow-burn process of shaping it, and how tracing one theme through Scripture changed the way she sees God, people, and the church.

If you've ever wrestled with shame, felt pulled into self-protection, or wondered what it really means to bear God's image in a fractured world, this episode offers both clarity and hope. Essential listening for anyone who wants a bigger, more biblical vision of who we are and what we're made for.

Don Payne joins Jami and Amy for a conversation about priesthood, gender in ministry, and the biblical storyline from Genesis to Revelation. They trace how God's people are called to represent him, teach one another, and mediate grace in ways that are not gendered, but shared across the whole community.

In this episode, the big question is not who gets access, but how God has always been expanding access through Christ. The conversation moves from Old Testament priesthood to the church as God's temple, then into marriage, singleness, and why the New Testament family reshapes how believers relate to one another.

Key Topics

• In this episode, Don explains why Revelation 5:10 and Exodus 19:6 point to a shared priestly vocation for all of God's people, not a divided one.
• He unpacks priesthood as more than sacrifice. Priests also taught, preserved knowledge, and mediated for the people of God.
• Jami connects that theme to Genesis 1 and the expansion motif across Scripture, from the garden to the new heavens and new earth.
• The group discusses how Jesus fulfills and expands the tabernacle and temple pattern by bringing God's presence among his people.
• Don argues that the New Testament presents the church as the temple of the Holy Spirit, a stunning shift from restricted access to shared access.
• They revisit Paul's household codes and note how radical it was for him to open mutual responsibility in marriage and family life.
• Amy highlights the practical beauty of interdependence in church leadership, where women and men help one another teach, discern, and correct.
• The conversation keeps returning to the church as family, where sibling language matters and spiritual kinship outruns modern assumptions about the nuclear family.
• They connect this to the kingdom vocation given in Genesis and Exodus. God's people are called to be a sign to the nations, not just to themselves.
• The episode closes by pressing the question of whether women can contribute to the church's faithfulness in priestly, teaching, and mediating roles. The answer implied throughout is yes.

Fear, shame, and mental health struggles are often hidden behind faith-filled platitudes, leaving many feeling inadequate or judged. But what if these emotions aren't signs of spiritual failure, but opportunities for deeper formation? Jess Connolly, a biblical scholar, author, and seminary sister, shares her courageous journey of exploring fear in Scripture, especially in Matthew, revealing that Jesus doesn't rebuke fear but invites it into growth. You'll discover her groundbreaking thesis: in Matthew, fear is an invitation, not a failure, and how revisiting Greek words like oligopistos unlocks a richer understanding of Jesus' gentle formation, not rebuke.

Jess, Jami, and Amy break down how our fears often mask shame related to parenting, health, and spiritual perfectionism. You'll hear practical insights on how to differentiate between spiritual silence and honest conversation about mental health—empowering you to live with nuance and authenticity. We also explore how biblical stories—like Peter's sinking in the storm or Jonah's anger—show that God's pursuit is always toward our growth, not our shame, and that Jesus' sign acts point us toward love, presence, and transformation even in chaos.

Expect to leave with fresh tools: how to study Scripture with nuance, how to embrace the storms that shape us, and how to recognize God's gentle leadership in our fear, not His condemnation. This episode is perfect for anyone tired of shallow answers, seeking compassionate truth, or longing to see their struggles as part of divine growth. Whether you're wrestling with anxiety, shame, or spiritual doubt, Jess's insights will inspire hope and freedom—because you are not alone, and Jesus is not mad, He's forming you into something miraculous.

Join us for an honest, biblical conversation that will challenge your assumptions about fear, deepen your understanding of God's love, and remind you that our most formative moments often come through the storms.

Most of us are unaware of how deeply our understanding of God's image—Imago Dei—shapes our views on justice, identity, and equality. Amy, Jami, and fellow Seminary Sister Pricelis Domiguez peel back the layers of this overlooked theology to reveal its transformative power in dismantling systemic marginalization. They share compelling insights rooted in scripture, personal stories, and scholarly reflection, demonstrating how the original purpose of Imago Dei was distorted through history—impacting everything from women's roles to racial justice.

They break down practical ways to live out this theology: recognizing every person's intrinsic worth, promoting unity amid disagreement, and fostering respectful dialogue—especially in church communities. If you're passionate about faith, justice, or personal growth, this conversation offers a fresh lens on the biblical foundation for human dignity and equity. It's essential listening for pastors, activists, students, and anyone craving a deeper understanding of God's heart for the marginalized—and how that shapes our own response.

They remind us that understanding our divine image unfailingly leads to self-acceptance, compassion, and courageous action. Whether you're exploring new visions for justice or seeking spiritual renewal, this episode illuminates how Scripture calls us to embody dignity in every interaction and systemic change.

In this episode, Adie Camp, our fellow seminary sister, joins us. We dive into the depths of God's covenant love, trusting in His goodness, and the relevance of these themes in our lives today. Adie, shares personal insights from her seminary thesis on Malachi, highlighting how God's faithfulness is a constant thread through scripture and history.

Main Topics:

• The core message of Malachi: trust, covenant, and God's unwavering love
• How distrust and cynicism developed among God's people then and now
• The significance of covenant as God's divine initiative rooted in His love
• Practical applications of remembering God's faithfulness during hardships
• The importance of cultural and historical context in understanding scripture
• How the pattern of God's faithfulness spans across biblical history and personal stories
• The role of dialogue, questioning, and engagement in biblical worship
• Modern implications: rejecting indifference and embracing heart devotion

Connect with Adie:

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Adie's Book:

As For Me: Life Through the Lens of the Psalms

Most churches avoid the truth about women in ministry because they're trapped in harmful doctrines that divide rather than unite. Jeremy Jones, executive pastor at Soma City Church, pulls back the curtain on how bad theology fuels toxic practices, and most importantly, how to rethink your church's mission and team dynamics to reflect the full body of Christ.

You'll discover why scripture and church history reveal a much richer, more inclusive view of women in leadership than traditional doctrines admit. Jeremy shares his journey from being skeptical to seeing the undeniable evidence for women in ministry—proof found not only in scripture but in the stories of faithful followers like Lottie Moon and countless underserved communities.

We break down practical ways to foster healthy teams—where everyone's gifts are used, no one feels diminished, and safety is prioritized over outdated rules. Jeremy emphasizes the importance of clear, mission-driven boundaries that protect and empower, not shame or exclude. He discusses the significance of shared leadership, the biblical vision of brothers and sisters working side by side, and how authentic friendship and vulnerability grow when churches embrace all God's people fully.

In an age where loneliness and disconnection are rampant, this episode offers a bold call to reshape how we see and practice community, leadership, and the Gospel. If your church is serious about making disciples and truly loving your neighbor, this conversation is essential. Whether you're a pastor, a ministry leader, or a believer longing for biblical integrity and relational depth—this episode will challenge your assumptions and inspire you to lead with grace, courage, and humility.

Unlock the ancient patterns shaping modern faith and discover how prophets like Jesus, John the Baptist, and even you are repeating a divine cycle that's unchanging through centuries. This episode dives into the prophetic blueprint behind their ministries, revealing why understanding these repetitive stories is the key to making sense of today's chaos—and finding purpose within it.

Jami shares her eye-opening research, showing how the political and religious landscapes of Jesus' time mirror our current struggles with power, oppression, and systemic injustice. You'll discover why the prophets' fierce challenge to corrupt systems is more relevant than ever—calling us to live differently, love fiercely, and embody the upside-down kingdom Jesus preached.

We break down:

• How John the Baptist and Jesus mirrored Old Testament prophets to confront empire and religious corruption.
• The significance of biblical patterns—like wilderness journeys, the calling out of vipers, and the prophetic critique of power—that repeat across generations.
• Why the prophetic act of social justice isn't separate from repentance, but deeply intertwined through the call to love, serve, and reverse injustice.
• The importance of God's unchanging character—consistently advocating care for the poor, marginalized, and oppressed—and why this should inspire collective action today.

Get ready to see the Bible with fresh eyes—recognizing that the stories of prophets and kings are not just ancient history but the blueprint for our spiritual resistance.

Most churches approach evangelism and discipleship through a guilt-driven lens, but what if the key to transformative faith is rooted in a robust theology of the image of God? Amy Seiffert reveals why starting from a foundation of love, goodness, and belonging changes everything—and how this shifts the way we share the gospel today.

In this episode, we dive into the profound impact of understanding ourselves as made in the divine image. Amy shares her research on how early church views, modern theology, and fresh insights into diversity, disability, and gender all point to an inclusive, grace-filled picture of humanity. You'll discover why emphasizing God's love and the inherent worth of every person offers a more compelling, hopeful approach to evangelism than traditional notions of sin and judgment.

Amy and Jami explore why the church's focus on apologetics and winning debates often misses the heart of the gospel. They break down how reclaiming a holistic view of humanity—centered on safety, connection, and the identity of being loved—can radically reshape our churches and communities. You'll learn how Jesus repeatedly prioritized intimacy and welcome over condemnation, illustrating the true reflection of God's reign: justice, mercy, and grace expressed through tangible love.

This conversation challenges you to question current church culture and invites you into a more expansive, compassionate understanding of Christ's mission. Why does it matter? Because a life rooted in the truth of being made in God's image unlocks the door for healing, inclusion, and authentic discipleship. You'll see that when we focus on who people are—beloved, valuable, made for goodness—our entire approach to faith and life is transformed.

In this conversation, Amy and Jami explore the challenges and joys of winter living in the Midwest, transitioning into a discussion about Jami's experiences in prison ministry. They share insights on the importance of building relationships, the power of names, and the impact of addiction on identity. The conversation emphasizes the role of Jesus in the lives of marginalized individuals and the significance of community support. Jami encourages listeners interested in ministry to seek opportunities and highlights the transformative experiences that come from engaging with those in need.