Mutuality Matters

(New Voices) How Complementarianism Just Makes No Sense with Terran Williams

In his new book, How God Sees Women, author and pastor, Terran Williams gives an extensive guide to navigating complementarian arguments against the inclusion of women. In this episode, Blake and Erin give listeners a preview of why this complementarian-turned-mutualist pastor is a wonderful resource for how Scripture and Christ see and empower women. Listen as he shares how complementarianism deeply impacts women in his own context of South Africa and all over the world and why that needs to change. You can find his book here: https://www.amazon.com/How-God-Sees-Women-Patriarchy/dp/B09QF82C23 

 

Bio 

After a decade of leading the preaching team and sermon content creation of a vibrant church, as it grew into the thousands, Terran Williams has now taken full time to writing books and creating video journeys to serve the wider church and world. He authored Biblica’s Reach4Life youth bible—with a print of two million in 30 languages. A seasoned church planter, he also created an intensive two-year church planter course that rolled out in the US, the UK and South Africa. Avid surfer, father of five and coffee-lover, his other passion is, for skeptics and believers alike, building a bridge from God’s Word to your world.  

 

Other Reading: 

How God Sees Women by Terran Williams: https://www.amazon.com/How-God-Sees-Women-Patriarchy/dp/B09QF82C23 

Men and Women in Christ: Adjudicating the Complementarian-Egalitarian Debate by Andrew Bartlett: https://cbeinternational.christianbook.com/women-christ-adjudicating-complementarian-egalitarian-debate/andrew-bartlett/9781783599172/pd/599172?event=ESRCN|M 

Spoiling the Beautiful Difference by Ian Paul and Andrew Bartlett:  
https://www.psephizo.com/biblical-studies/spoiling-the-beautiful-difference/ 

Book Review on How God Sees Women: The End of Patriarchy: https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/book-review/how-god-sees-women-end-patriarchy 

Global Impact: Jesus as a Transformational Model for Upending Gender-Based Stereotypes and Violence

This week on the Global Impact thread, hosts Mimi and Kim speak with Prabu Deepan, Tearfund’s Regional Director for Asia, who has over fourteen years of experience confronting Gender-Based Violence (GBV), HIV, and more. Listen as Prabu shares his own story of abuse as an ethnic minority youth and how his journey is bringing others to light. Learn about the statistical outcomes of decreasing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) throughout Asia and of the many stories of men and youth. Prabu has seen transformed through the model of Jesus Christ. Significantly for Prabu, what is most needed in upending GBV are leaders who model the transformation they teach as Jesus did! 
 

Guest Bio: Prabu Deepan is Tearfund's regional director for Asia, leading holistic relief and development across Asia. He has over fourteen years of experience on issues like HIV, gender, and Gender-Based Violence, especially with youth and community mobilization. Leading Tearfund’s gender and protection globally as a gender specialist, Prabu co-created their evidence-based transforming masculinities intervention in twelve countries with related resources in ten languages! Prabu has been part of a UN multi-country study on men and violence in Asia and the Pacific. Prabu addressed the impact of Christian patriarchy at a recent CBE Event. 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:  
 
Exploring the Humanitarian Impacts of Theological Patriarchy: https://youtu.be/fGW3OgvoDZU 

Other Resources:  

Created to Thrive: Cultivating Abuse-Free Faith Communities: https://www.cbeinternational.org/content/created-thrive 

(Women and Men Leading Together) Going Beyond Gender Roles in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Matt and Bekah Meyer

Join hosts Layla and Rob as they speak with Matt and Bekah Meyer as they share about their partnership as a married couple on staff with InterVarsity Link serving in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Meyers invite us into the dynamics of working in a patriarchal, cross-cultural context while holding an egalitarian conviction. How do they make that work practically? Listen to find out! 

  

Bio 

Matt and Bekah Meyer have been partnering together in ministry as a married couple for more than 10 years. Currently, they serve with InterVarsity Link in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, where they are raising their two amazing daughters, Hannah and Junia. In addition, Matt is a second-year PhD student in New Testament at the University of Aberdeen. 

 

(Intersectionality) Diversity as God’s Design: A Conversation with Rev. Michelle D. Williams – Part Two

In this week’s episode, host Angela continues her visit with Rev. Michelle D. Williams, co-author of Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations. They discuss how the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion fits into God’s divine plan for reconciliation. Learn as Michelle shares practical insights on how to care for yourself in the midst of bridge-building. Rev. Williams can be reached at https://www.shalomconsultants.com/ or www.diversity-playbook.com. 
 

Bio 

Rev. Michelle D. Williams, MTS, CDE, is a writer, speaker, preacher, and entrepreneur. For over 20 years Rev. Williams has worked with people during some of the most formative and stressful seasons of life. Beginning as a social worker with at-risk populations; serving as a pastor walking through life's transitions; working as an advisor/mentor to undergraduate college students (Anderson University); navigating tumultuous racial/cultural conflicts, and most recently as a dean at a graduate seminary (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary). Having served in various pastoral ministry roles, Rev. Michelle appreciates the legacy of Godly women and men in her family that have richly impacted her life and ministry. Whether it is within a church setting or within the hallowed halls of academia, shepherding people, programs, and policies requires wisdom and grace. These two attributes are the cornerstone of Michelle’s leadership approach. Rev. Williams is co-author of "Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations." She is a Certified Diversity Executive and CEO of Shalom Consultants 

  
Further Reading: 
 
The Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations: 
Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations: Michelle R. Loyd-Paige, Michelle D. Williams: 9781684263714 - CBE International with Christianbook.com 
 
Confronting Wonder Women Syndrome: Female Pastors and the Pandemic: Confronting Wonder Woman Syndrome: Female Pastors and the Pandemic | CBE (cbeinternational.org) 
 
How to Build Bridges: 4 Strategies for Reconciliation: How to Build Bridges: 4 Strategies for Racial Reconciliation | CBE (cbeinternational.org) 
 
Women in Ministry, Reclaim Your Time!: Women in Ministry, Reclaim Your Time! | CBE (cbeinternational.org) 
 
Who Is Pulling Your Strings? Wisdom for Clergy and Leaders: 
Who Is Pulling Your Strings? Wisdom for Women Clergy and Leaders | CBE (cbeinternational.org) 
 
On Being an Ally:  
Beyond Hashtag Activism: Compressive Justice in a Complicated Age: Beyond Hashtag Activism: Comprehensive Justice in a Complicated Age | CBE (cbeinternational.org) 

Speaking of Justice: 10 Terms Christian Gender Justice Advocates Should Know: Speaking of Justice: 10 Terms Christian Gender Justice Advocates Should Know | CBE (cbeinternational.org) 

(New Voices) Exploring the Fullness of Galatians 3:28 in Mutuality Magazine’s Latest Issue

On this week’s podcast, hosts Erin and Blake give a sneak peak of CBE’s upcoming conference, “Exploring the Fullness of Galatians 3:28”, and the summer issue of Mutuality Magazine. Listen as they give their initial thoughts on the issue that addresses topics such as, do egalitarians take Galatians 3:28 too far and cheapen the Gospel? How does Galatians 3:28 shape our identity as adopted children of God? And much more! 

Read the Issue Digitally at CBE’s Website: https://www.cbeinternational.org/publication/mutuality-blog-magazine/current-print-issue 

Conference Website: https://www.cbeinternational.org/content/cbes-2022-international-conference 

Keynotes and Workshops: https://www.cbeinternational.org/content/conference-speakers 

Conference Scholarships: https://www.cbeinternational.org/content/conference-scholarships 

Conference Sponsorships: https://www.cbeinternational.org/content/sponsors-and-exhibitors 

(Global Impact) Diverse Religious Beliefs and the Humanitarian Impact on Women

On this week’s podcast, hosts Mimi & Kim speak with Katherine Marshall, a distinguished humanitarian. Katherine’s vast humanitarian experience worldwide infuses wisdom into conversations on the complex puzzles of religion as it hinders or furthers women’s equality and human flourishing. Marshall cites personal stories and those from the field to illustrate, from her perspective, the ways humanitarians handle faith and faith actors in raising the status of women and girls which improves life for their entire community.

(Women & Men) Drawing the Circle Wide: A Conversation with Rev. Liz Testa

In this episode, hosts Layla and Rob talk with Rev. Liz Testa, coordinator for Women’s Transformation and Leadership with the Reformed Church of America (RCA), who shares her own experiences building mutual partnerships between women and men. She gives practical insight into the struggles churches currently face and offers biblical advice for how women and men in church leadership can move forward together towards unity. Listen as she casts an inspiring vision for churches welcoming everyone to the table and celebrating the diversity of gifts that God has placed in a community.  

 

Bio 

REV. ELIZABETH (LIZ) TESTA, M.DIV is a pastor, ministry executive, community builder and sister in Christ, who is passionate about biblical hospitality, multi-cultural worship arts and encouraging others to embrace their God-given gifts and callings. Since 2014, she has served the Reformed Church in America (RCA) as the visionary leader for Women’s Transformation and Leadership and Equity-Based Hospitality. Liz and her team encourage, equip, and empower women of all backgrounds and callings, and equip diverse faith communities to do the same and intentionally create healthy environments where mixed-gender ministry partnerships can flourish and thrive.  

  

Prior to joining the RCA, Rev. Testa spent 12 years on staff at Marble Collegiate Church in NYC. Her first career was as a professional actress and spokesperson, and she delights at how God uses those experiences to enhance her calling in ministry. Rev. Testa holds a BFA in Drama from Syracuse University and an M.Div from Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ.  She is on the Board of Trustees of New Brunswick Theological Seminary and the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race. Raised bi-culturally in New York and Spain, Liz loves travel, international cuisines and culture, and is a natural bridge builder across diverse contexts. Her family includes her husband of 25 years, Nick, a NYC high school teacher and daughters Sofia, a psychology student at University of London, Goldsmith’s College and Juliette, a high school junior and softball player.  

  

For more info, contact women@rca.org 

 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode: 

Building God’s Church Together Bible Study: https://learn.faithward.org/courses/building-gods-church-together-bible-study 
 
She is Called: Women of the Bible Study Series: https://www.faithward.org/women-of-the-bible-study-series/ 
  
Lavish Hope Podcast: https://www.faithward.org/lavish-hope-podcast/ 

 
Other Reading: 

As you’ll hear in the episode, Liz exhorts men to “do their work” on their gender brokenness and uncovering their unconscious biases. We’ll recommend these resources: 

• Man Enough by Nate Pyle 
• Malestrom by Carolyn Custis James 

• Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes du Mez 

 

(Intersectionality) Diversity as God’s Design: A Conversation with Rev. Michelle D. Williams – Part One

In this week’s episode, host Angela visits with Rev. Michelle D. Williams, co-author of Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations. They discuss how the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion fits into God’s divine plan for reconciliation. Learn as Michelle shares her own experience within the church as a daughter and a survivor, and how God used painful experiences to shape her into someone who leads others into the diverse body of Christ. Rev. Williams can be reached at https://www.shalomconsultants.com/ or www.diversity-playbook.com. 
 

Bio 

Rev. Michelle D. Williams, MTS, CDE, is a writer, speaker, preacher, and entrepreneur. For over 20 years Rev. Williams has worked with people during some of the most formative and stressful seasons of life. Beginning as a social worker with at-risk populations; serving as a pastor walking through life's transitions; working as an advisor/mentor to undergraduate college students (Anderson University); navigating tumultuous racial/cultural conflicts, and most recently as a dean at a graduate seminary (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary). Having served in various pastoral ministry roles, Rev. Michelle appreciates the legacy of Godly women and men in her family that have richly impacted her life and ministry. Whether it is within a church setting or within the hallowed halls of academia, shepherding people, programs, and policies requires wisdom and grace. These two attributes are the cornerstone of Michelle’s leadership approach. Rev. Williams is co-author of "Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations." She is a Certified Diversity Executive and CEO of Shalom Consultants 

  
Further Reading: 
 
The Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations: 
 Diversity Playbook: Recommendations and Guidance for Christian Organizations: Michelle R. Loyd-Paige, Michelle D. Williams: 9781684263714 - CBE International with Christianbook.com 
 
Confronting Wonder Women Syndrome: Female Pastors and the Pandemic: Confronting Wonder Woman Syndrome: Female Pastors and the Pandemic | CBE (cbeinternational.org) 
 
How to Build Bridges: 4 Strategies for Reconciliation: How to Build Bridges: 4 Strategies for Racial Reconciliation | CBE (cbeinternational.org) 
 
Women in Ministry, Reclaim Your Time!: Women in Ministry, Reclaim Your Time! | CBE (cbeinternational.org) 
 
Who Is Pulling Your Strings? Wisdom for Clergy and Leaders: 
Who Is Pulling Your Strings? Wisdom for Women Clergy and Leaders | CBE (cbeinternational.org) 
 

(New Voices) Subversive Grandmother & Tenacious Widows: Kat Armas’ Abuelita Faith

When was the last time you read a book that told your story through the personal story of the author? Add in biblical scholarship, intersectionality, decolonization, history, and current events and you have Kat Armas’ book, Abuelita Faith. In this episode, Blake and Erin have a lively discussion with Kat Armas about the “protagonistas” in Scripture, history, and Armas’ own family who help us see a God who loves us and is revealed through the lived theology of women of color, indigenous voices, and cultural diversity. 

Be sure to check out Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us about Wisdom, Persistence, and Strength (just released in Spanish!) 

Follow her on social media: @kat_armas 

Subscribe to her newsletter from her website: https://katarmas.com/ 

Listen to her podcast, The Protagonistas: https://katarmas.com/theprotagonistaspodcast 

 

Bio 

Kat Armas is a Cuban American writer and podcaster from Miami, FL. She holds a dual MDiv and MAT from Fuller Theological Seminary, where she was awarded the Frederick Buechner Award for Excellence in Writing, and is currently pursuing a ThM at Vanderbilt Divinity School. https://www.cbeinternational.org/persons/kat-armas 

Her first book, Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us About Wisdom, Persistence and Strength, sits at the intersection of women, decolonialism, the Bible, and Cuban identity. She also explores these topics and more on her podcast, The Protagonistas, which centers the voices of Black, Indigenous, and other women of color in theological spaces. 

 

Other Reading: 

YHWH and Marginalization: Israel’s Widows and Abuelita Theology: https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/article/priscilla-papers-academic-journal/yhwh-and-marginalization-israels-widows-and 

3 Simple Rules for Egalitarian Couples: 
https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/article/mutuality-blog-magazine/3-simple-rules-egalitarian-couples 

Priscilla and Aquila Model Marriage: “More Accurately”: 
https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/article/mutuality-blog-magazine/priscilla-and-aquila-model-marriage-more-accurately 

Is Complementarian Interpretation of 1 Corinthians 14 Consistent with Practice?: https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/article/mutuality-blog-magazine/complementarian-interpretation-1-corinthians-14-consistent 

(Global Impact) A Lifelong Call to Medical Missions with Dr. Aletta Bell

This week on the Global Impact Thread, hosts Mimi and Kim interview Dr. Aletta Bell about her lifelong medical work in North India.  They discuss the unique opportunities that allowed her to become one of four women in her medical school graduating class of 60, and her Arabia experiences that revealed the need for women to provide medical care to Muslim women. You will hear about how she established a hospital in North India, passed leadership onto Indian Christians of the newly formed Emmanuel Hospital Association, began a pioneering work of Community Health and Development to reach the root causes of disease in North India, and inspired others to follow in her footsteps. 

Within the interview you will hear references to:  

Emmanuel Hospital Association https://eha-health.org/  

Vellore Christian Medical College https://www.cmch-vellore.edu/, and 

Dr. Ida Scudder’s Biography in Dr. Ida by Dorothy Clarke Wilson     

Dr. Aletta Bell, a Canadian, has devoted her life to medical work in North India.  One of four women in her medical class of sixty, she identified a healthcare gap for Muslim women. In 1964 she established a women and children’s hospital in rural North India, in an underserved Muslim population. Later she handed the hospital over to Emmanuel Hospital Association (EHA), where she continued to serve in leadership roles. Now, in her 80’s, she is sharing her life stories, with a biography soon to be released. 

Other Reading: 

Listen to this podcast to more fully understand the health issues of women in “India: Public Health and Women’s Equality in the Church”
https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/audio/global-impact-public-health-and-womens-equality-church

Read about other brave women doctors who overcame serious life obstacles to learn and serve others in “Our Heritage Part 4”: https://www.cbeinternational.org/resource/article/mutuality-blog-magazine/our-heritage-part-4