The Alabaster Jar

Tammy Melchien has served as a pastor on staff at Community Christian Church for 20 years. She is currently leading the teaching team and teaches regularly at one of Community Christian Church's online or Chicagoland campuses. Lynn Cohick and Sareen Musselman talk with Tammy to discuss her years of ministry experience. Tammy has a wealth of experience from her years leading and teaching. She is hopeful about so many young blossoming women and hopefully imagining the future ahead. Read more about Tammy's work on her blog at https://tammymelchien.com/

Women have always played pivotal leadership roles in serving the mission of the Church. The New Testament provides ample evidence of this important reality. Women depicted in the art of early church structures also support this historical fact. Since the First Council of Nicaea through the 12th century, there are depictions of women preaching, women marked as clergy, and even one carrying a Communion chalice. In this episode, Lynn Cohick talks with Dr. Sandra Glahn about her discoveries and the work she is doing to make this history more accessible to church leaders. More Information on Dr. Sandra Glahn's work: Dr. Sandra Glahn's Blog - http://aspire2.com/ Christianity Today Article "What Ancient Italian Churches Tell Us About Women in Ministry" - https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/november/women-ministry-art-italy-early-church-photographs.html

Register for LEAD BOLD in Chicagoland: https://www.leadingbold.org/chicagoconference What does a Vegas show have to do with learning what it means to follow God? Andrea Coli talks with Lynn Cohick and Kelly Dippolito about her experience in the cast of an improv show on the Strip and how God revealed Himself in an unlikely way. Andrea will help you discover spiritual truths hidden in the rules of improvisation. In the end, you'll agree that life, like improvisation, can be surprisingly remarkable when you're scriptless! Purchase your copy of Scriptless: https://www.amazon.com/Scriptless-Learned-About-Vegas-Strip/dp/1495937895

The topic of women's role in ministry can often be a contentious conversation. Sue Edwards and Kelley Mathews approach the topic with the goal of bringing more light and less heat to the conversation. They put together a straightforward Q&A guide to women in ministry. In this book they cover questions like: What did God mean by the woman as man's "helper"? How is it that Christians reach different conclusions about 1 Timothy 2:11-15? How did Western culture influence the role of women in society and the church? Lynn talks with Sue and Kelley about their new book and how it can be used by all. Purchase your copy of 40 Questions About Women in Ministry: kregel.com/ministry/40-questions-about-women-in-ministry/ Read More on Kelley Mathews' blog: http://patheos.com/blogs/theestuary

Life flows in seasons as summer fades into fall. As the heat of summer is replaced by cool fall breezes, seasons of our life change with the passage of time. Through acknowledging the dynamic nature of life, we can be more content in the present and better prepared for the future. Lynn talks with Andrea Robinson about her journey of working in chemical engineering to pursuing Biblical studies. Her life and career have focused her to pay attention to the beauty and importance of God's creation. Send Andrea an email: [email protected] Purchase Andrea's new devotional: https://www.amazon.com/Flora-Fauna-Faith-Devotionals-Flourishing/dp/1951252209/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Women have been leading in Christianity from the start. For centuries, discussions of early Christianity have focused on male leaders in the church. But there is ample evidence right in the New Testament that women were actively involved in ministry, at the frontier of the gospel mission, and as respected leaders. In this episode of Alabaster Jar, Nijay Gupta calls us to bring these women out of the shadows by shining light on their many inspiring contributions to the planting, growth, and health of the first Christian churches. He sets the context by exploring the lives of first-century women and addressing common misconceptions, then focuses on the women leaders of the early churches as revealed in Paul’s writings. Purchase Her Story by Nijay Gupta - https://www.ivpress.com/tell-her-story Other Suggested Resources: 15 New Testament Words of Life - https://zondervanacademic.com/products/15-new-testament-words-of-life Crux Sola Blog - https://www.patheos.com/blogs/cruxsola/

In this special broadcast of Kingdom Roots with Scot McKnight, we highlight the exceptional work by Lisa Bowens on the Apostle Paul. In African American Readings of Paul, she surveys a wealth of primary sources from the early 1700s to the mid-twentieth century, including sermons, conversion stories, slave petitions, and autobiographies of ex-slaves, many of which introduce readers to previously unknown names in the history of New Testament interpretation. Along with their hermeneutical value, these texts also provide fresh documentation of Black religious life through wide swaths of American history. African American Readings of Paul promises to change the landscape of Pauline studies and fill an important gap in the rising field of reception history.

Like a Kaleidoscope, when life shifts, new beauty appears.​ Karen Guess shares how Kaleid women are on a journey together, connecting our stories with stories God is telling in our city. Shifts can be messy, confusing, hopeful, or uncomfortable. Kaleid embraces shifts. They welcome God's work within them as they gain new perspectives about themselves, others, and their city. Kaleid Circles are a place to practice seeing and engaging reality so that we and our world will be changed. Through contemplation, learning, and action we pursue clarity, compassion, courage, and confidence. Learn more about the Kaleid Project: www.thekaleidproject.com

Christian theological education should reflect the rich diversity of the global body of Christ. Dr. Brittany Kim helped found and now leads Every Voice. Lynn and Sareen discuss with Brittany how Every Voice supports minority students and offers resources to help theological educators develop more diverse and inclusive learning environments. Learn more about this great organization at https://everyvoicekingdomdiversity.org/

The Bible exists as a narrative. Dr. Ruth Anne Reese has spent her life helping students of the Bible better understand the larger Biblical story. Misinterpretation runs rampant when Bible students don't place the Biblical texts in their larger context. Ruth Anne and Lynn talk through accessible ways to remember the Biblical narrative. They even work through some difficult passages that some have used to manipulate women into unhealthy forms of submission. Suggested Resources: 1 Peter Commentary - https://www.cambridge.org/us/academic/subjects/religion/biblical-studies-new-testament/1-peter?format=PB Paul Borgman. Genesis: The Story We Haven't Heard (IVP, 2001)