In this episode of SHEcclesiology, the SHE team sits down with Dr. Emily Hunter McGowin, professor at Wheaton College and author of Households of Faith: Practicing Family in the Kingdom of God. After Dr. McGowin shares her journey as a woman in theological education, the conversation focuses on various themes in her book including the purpose of family in Christian life, the place of improvisation in faith, community support in practicing family Sabbath, and the nuances of blended families. Emily also shares about her and her husband’s personal journey as priests in the Anglican Communion and balancing family and ministry life. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of the church in creating supportive community networks for building strong families in modern society.

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The SHE-Team discusses the documentary film "For Our Daughters," from Kristin DuMez, author of Jesus and John Wayne. The film documents stories of sexual abuse within the evangelical church culture. The team shares their reactions to the film with a particular focus on the church's inadequate responses and the abuse of power, particularly by men, and the silencing of women's voices. Rehearsing the stories they heard in the film, the team discusses themes of power dynamics, toxic masculinity, the church's inadequate response to abuse, the misuse of theology to justify male dominance, and the need for institutional change and accountability for crimes overlooked by church leadership. Finally, the Team offers advice to women on how to respond to abuse and how churches might address these issues.

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In this episode, the SHE-Team talks with guest Nate Bebout, lead pastor at Park Street Brethren Church about his sermon on Mark 7 when Jesus animates limbs and opens the ears and mouth of a deaf mute. Together, they discuss the parallels between idol-making practices in ancient times and today's challenging political climate marked by grievance politics. They also explore forgiveness as the counter to grievance and its significance to contemporary culture wars, providing practical insights on how to live out this message as Jesus followers.

Find the Episode Show Notes on our website with links to our sources referenced in the episode here.

In this episode, the SHE-Team welcomes Dr. Miranda Zapor Cruz to discuss her book Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters' Dr. Cruz, a professor of historical theology at Indiana Wesleyan University with a Ph.D. in religion, politics, and society from Baylor University, shares her vocational journey and insights on the intersection of faith and politics. The discussion covers nonpartisanship, the importance of Christians engaging in politics thoughtfully, and how historical context can guide current political engagement. The conversation also covers effective discipleship, the educational landscape, and the impact of political polarization on younger generations.

Find the Episode Show Notes on our website with links to our sources referenced in the episode here.

The SHE Team had such a great time talking with Holly Carey and discussing her book, Women Who Do: Female Disciples in the Gospels. Holly shares her vocational journey as a biblical scholar, the inspiration that led her to write Women Who Do, and the signficant yet unrecognized biblical witness of women in the Gospels. We also jump into a conversation on how women’s societal positions influenced their discipleship and explores the broader implications for understanding scripture and the role of women in the church. We wrap up the episode highlighting the power of storytelling in scripture and how these insights can impact interpretation of other propositional passages of scripture.

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In this episode the SHE-Team kick off a new series where they read a selected book and interview the author. Today is Jayne's pick, 'Ordinary Time: Meditations from the In-Between' by Sarah Wells. Sarah, an accomplished author, discusses writing as calling and a ministry, finding the sacred in the ordinary, and how suffering anchors faith but checks our set beliefs and doctrine. The SHE-Team reads select passages from Sarah’s book and listens in as she shares more about her life story behind the essays. Through personal anecdotes and reflections, Sarah shares her writing process and how faith is central to her work. The conversation delves into the power of storytelling, the significance of writing as a ministry, and the integration of liturgical seasons into ordinary moments of life.

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In the SHEcclesiology--Girls Talking Church podcast, host Jayne Wilcox and her co-hosts, Kim, Jennifer, Krisanne discuss Sharon Hoddy Miller's book ‘Control: Why We Crave It, the Anxiety It Gives Us, and the Real Power God Promises.’ They discuss various aspects of control as presented by Hodde-Miller, from controlling information and using emotional power to how millennials and Gen Z exert their autonomy. The conversation draws upon personal anecdotes, reflections on challenges when exercising control in ministry settings, and explores the balance between utilizing personal agency and surrendering control to God's sovereignty. The team shares their struggles and insights around control, drawing on themes from Hodde-Miller's book and their personal experiences.

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In this episode the SHE-Team discusses abuses of power and deception and vulnerability within the church. Inspired by Diane Langberg's 'Redeeming Power' and the 'Shiny Happy People' documentary on the Duggars, the discussion addresses the power dynamics revealed in the Duggar family's story and the broader implications within religious communities, especially concerning the Institute for Basic Life Principles (IBLP). Through a detailed examination of male headship, dominance, and the exploitation of vulnerable members within faith-based settings, the episode sheds light on the mechanisms that enable and conceal abuses. It also evaluates the role of accountability structures in preventing abuse, alongside the critical importance of empowering individuals within the church to promote transparency and justice. This episode not only critiques the existing power structures and abuses within Christian communities but also suggests a paradigm shift towards a more equitable and Kingdom-centered approach in church leadership and community life.

Find the Episode Show Notes on our website with links to our sources referenced in the episode here.

In this episode the SHE-Team delves into themes of power, deception, and vulnerability within the church. We discuss Diane Langberg's work on power dynamics, “Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church” and the documentary on the Duggars titled “Shiny Happy People”. The episode unpacks various forms of power, including verbal, emotional, physical, specialized knowledge, economic, spiritual, and cultural power, and emphasizes the responsibility of wielding power justly to avoid abuse. The team explores the definitions of vulnerability and deception, with insights from Langberg's work, highlighting how responses to vulnerability reveal truths about personal character and the potential for exploitation within power dynamics. Personal reflections and examples are shared throughout the episode to illustrate how power can be both a source of blessing and harm, depending on its use. The SHE-Team encourages awareness and literacy in recognizing power dynamics and vulnerabilities to foster healthier church environments.

Find the Episode Show Notes on our website with links to our sources referenced in the episode here.

The SHE-Team returns after a short furlough through the Fall season. We look back at 2023 and catch up with each other about our transitions in life and work. We ponder the weightiness of new titles and how much we haven’t changed even while we transition into new roles, responsibilities, and life stages. And the peculiar life of Ohio Amish get some air time as it piques our curiosity.

Find the Episode Show Notes on our website with links to our sources referenced in the episode here.