It was two weeks after my second Pfizer shot. So, to honor the end of the I-must-isolate-from-everyone and my-mask-is-my-only-defense phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, I did a thing. I did a thing with friends and my husband who were also just two weeks out from their second shot. First, we hugged. I’ve had millions of hugs from those who live…
Tag: empower
A Biblical Case for Women in Church Leadership: Name the Women
If I were to make a biblical case for women in church leadership, I would start with the stories of women in scripture. Women who acted independently of male authority. Women who did the work of God. I would tell you about Eve, the mother of the living, who was created fully in the image of God and charged to…
Let’s Sing Songs about Biblical Women!
I grew up on kids’ Bible songs. I walked and lept around the living room as we sang about the healing of the lame man. I hit hits my fists together to show how “The Wise man Built his House” and I joined my hands over my head to show that “His Banner over me is love.” Even today, my…
A Woman’s Journey
Just a few weeks ago, we celebrated our Initiation for the ninth class of Woman at Nyack College! Part of the Initiation involved the leaders sharing their stories of embracing their own womanhood. Our Alumnae Coordinator, Rebecca Cheung wrote hers out–BEAUTIFUL! She’s let me share it below: I didn’t know that I was fighting myself Woman revealed lies I didn’t…
New Woman Chapter!
Woman is Expanding! It has always been my dream to see this beautiful, empowering Rite of Passage offered to more than simply Nyack College students. On October 6th, my dream came true! Three members of my leadership team and I headed down to Fellowship Alliance Chapel in Medford, NJ, where we trained an amazing group of women in the philosophy behind Woman…
A Woman’s Authority
Does the Bible allow Christian women to have authority? Our patriarchal culture, our fathers and mothers, and our churches have often told us no. But what, in fact does the Bible say? Should we shrink back and silence ourselves, or does God allow us to break the silence? I tell a story in my Redbud post, and then I ask…
Wives Provide (Too)
Proverbs 31:15 has become a conundrum to me. The wife of noble character “. . . provides food for her family. . .” Wait. My Christian upbringing told me I needed a husband to be a provider—that’s not what a wife is supposed to do! Maybe the NIV is just getting it wrong, so I search other versions. . .…
Strong Woman? What Does That Even Mean?
“When I was a kid, I impressed the neighborhood boys with my ability to lift cinderblocks, climb trees, and run fast; I was strong. But when I played dolls, house, or school with the girls, it was never about demonstrating strength. Strength was domination, force, or power, not cooperation, design, or instruction. So I became a strong woman as defined…
Podcast, the First
Tuesday morning, I had the fantastic opportunity to chat with Nyack College Alumnus, Zachariah Hummer and Ryan Baker, both dedicated youth ministers. They encourage youth ministers to not solely look at their jobs as stepping stones to be a “real” pastor later, but to invest in youth with all their hearts. They are really funny and relevant to many–I laughed…
1993 And Why I Don’t March
It was a cold early morning in 1993 when I got on the bus leaving my college campus. I was excited. I had paid money to go on this trip, and we were about to March for Life, as so many did yesterday. We filled that coach bus for what we thought was a really good and clear-cut cause and…