Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity

Missie Branch currently serves as the Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Graduate Life at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is married to Deuce and they have 4 children. Missie is passionate about women seeing themselves as disciples and theologians. She’s a published author, chairwoman of the trustees at Lifeway Christian Resources, and of course, one of our beloved podcast hosts!   In this episode, Missie discusses: ✨Her journey from owning a successful cake business to becoming the Associate Dean of Students at SEBTS.  ✨Women and leadership and some of the messaging women hear  ✨Women leaders in the black church and the positive influence that has had on her. ✨Being in predominantly white spaces and what she has learned about being in a culture that is different than her own. ✨A kingdom-minded vision of all peoples living reconciled.    And so much more. Missie is so wise and we are so thankful for her contributions to our team and to the broader evangelical culture.  We loved this episode and getting to know her more and hope you were as encouraged as we were. 

Dr. Sarah Rainer has her Masters and Doctorate degrees in Clinical Psychology. She specializes in child and adolescent mental health and development. Sarah is also the co-host of the Parenting & Pennies podcast on the Christian Parenting podcast network. Sarah serves in leadership at her church for women’s discipleship and enjoys discipling other women. She enjoys being a guest writer, speaker, and podcaster for different organizations.   In this episode, Sarah shares about her career as a Clinical Psychologist, caring for parents and caregivers, navigating a demanding career and family, and viewing all work as ministry.

On this episode of the Women & Work podcast Courtney Moore and Missie Branch interview Melissa Kruger, Director of Women's Content at The Gospel Coalition. This episode was recorded live at Cultivate Conference in March of 2022 at The Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.   Besides serving at The Gospel Coalition, Melissa is also an author and podcast co-host. Her books include The Envy of Eve: Finding Contentment in a Covetous World and Walking with God in the Season of Motherhood. She serves alongside Jackie Hill Perry and Jasmine Holmes as co-hosts of the Let’s Talk podcast, produced by TGC. Melissa is married to Mike, the president of Reformed Theological Seminary, and they have three children.   In this episode, Melissa shares about her role at The Gospel Coalition, how her work has changed in different seasons, on discerning the Lord's call on their lives, how to form a Kingdom perspective on work, and so much more.

Jess Barefield is an interior designer and business owner, wife and mom of 3. She has a love for beautiful and practical spaces that comes from years of executing her own interior design dreams. Jess grew up in Pittsburgh and made stops in Philadelphia, Washington D.C, and Atlanta before settling in Dallas. Living in so many different houses helped her to appreciate the impact a well-designed home can have on family life. After doing it so many times for herself, Jess wants to help other families create a home that reflects who they are and beckons them home after a long day.    Jess is married to Christian hip-hop artist Trip Lee and mother of three. Jessica understands the importance of balancing style with functionality. She firmly believes that our homes should not only be beautiful but also serve our needs. And even with kids, it is possible to have both. Ultimately, Jess wants to help you love where you live.   In this episode, Jess discusses:  Her work as an interior designer The danger of comparison Serving to the point of exhuastion and believing that we as caregivers must also care for ourselves

Ashley Marivittori Gorman serves as an associate publisher at B&H Publishing Group, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources. She holds an MDiv from Southeastern Theological Seminary and has been trained under The Charles Simeon Trust. Her passions are biblical literacy, women’s discipleship, foster care, theology, books, the local church, and teaching the Bible. Ashley and her husband, Cole, live in Nashville, Tennessee, with their daughter, Charlie. You can find her writing in various Lifeway Women Bible studies, books like World on Fire, and on digital venues like The Gospel Coalition, Lifeway Voices, ERLC, Relevant, Lifeway Women, and Christ and Culture.   In this episode, Ashley discusses:  Her experience working in publishing  Helpful questions to ask yourself before taking on a new job  Imaging God by viewing work as providing light, life, and order wherever God places you Advice on how to tactfully approach your supervisor when asking for a raise How to broaden one’s self awareness and move towards institutional awareness in the workplace   Resources mentioned:  World on Fire: Walking in the Wisdom of Christ when Everyone's Fighting About Everything.  To Change the World by James Hunter  

Sheila is a businesswoman, entrepreneur, and communicator with thirty-plus years of experience. She was President/CEO of a multi-million dollar company that twice made the INC 500 list of America’s fastest-growing companies which has brought her national recognition and various awards. Sheila served as President of the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce after serving on the executive committee for seven years. She was the first woman to serve on the Archery Merchants and Manufacturers Organization Board of Directors, serving three years as Secretary-Treasurer.    Sheila has experience as a platform, seminar, and panel speaker nationwide, both within the business and Christian community. She is the author of Beyond Chaos: Stress Relief for the Working Woman published by NavPress and founder of Real Living Ministries.    In this episode, Sheila discusses:  Her personal story of growing up with a single mom  How she came to know the Lord and how God restored her marriage and family The challenges and blessings of building a business alongside her spouse How to lead well and work alongside other people with different personalities and strengths How caring well for customers and clients reflects God’s character What it means to live a synchronized lifestyle as opposed to trying to seek a balanced lifestyle  Encouragement for women to not see their identity in their work but to see their work as an opportunity to honor the Lord and point others to Him  Resources and Links mentioned:    Beyond Chaos: Stress Relief for the Working Woman by Sheila West  https://amzn.to/3KLjzGJ   Real Living Ministries https://www.reallivingministries.com  

Joanna serves as Denver Institute’s Director of Public Engagement and oversees the Women & Vocation Initiative. Prior to coming to the Institute, she worked in global telecom, nonprofit consulting, and campus ministry with Cru. She served as associate faculty at Denver Seminary and as a sewing instructor at Fancy Tiger Crafts. She has an MA in Social Entrepreneurship from Bakke Graduate University and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Tara has loved Jesus for as long as she can remember. She was saved as a child at a Billy Graham crusade, and then surrendered to the ministry as a teenager. A few years later, she married her high school sweetheart, Dr. Jamie Dew, who is now the President of  New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and Leavell College.    Together, they have 2 sets of twins: Natalie & Nathan (14 years old) and Samuel & Samantha (12 years old). Tara loves spending time with her family, trying out new restaurants in New Orleans, and teaching women to know and love the Word of God. She is the Director of Thrive: A Ministry Wives Certificate Program as well as an Adjunct Professor of Ministry to Women at NOBTS. Tara is also a contributing author to the book: The Whole Woman: Ministering to Her Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength published by B&H Publishing.  Resources Mentioned:   The Whole Woman (published by B&H, 2021)

Rachel is the Founder of Ministry Desk, a remote executive & administrative assistant agency for Christian leaders of churches, nonprofits, and businesses. Rachel has been serving in administrative roles for over ten years and currently serves as the executive assistant to the President of Reaching & Teaching International Ministries. Prior to this, she served as the assistant to Dr. Albert Mohler at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary for several years.  Rachel graduated from Texas A&M University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Development and a minor in Business Administration. Rachel and her husband, Nathan, live in Louisville, Kentucky and have four children.   In this episode, Rachel discusses: Her story of how she came up with the idea of Ministry Desk and launched her own business The important role of administration in the church and workplace  The positives and negatives of working remotely  Practical tips on how to work more efficiently  How the gift and work of administration reflects God’s image Resources mentioned: Ministry Desk  

In part 2 of this episode, Elyse and Eric discuss:  How to place our confidence in the Lord when we fall into the lies of pride and self-loathing. Responding to people who fear that discussing the value of women is a slippery slope to egalitarianism. Women in the new covenant are not to be quantified based on their relationship status but recognized for their partnership in the gospel. How fearing women leads to dehumanizing and objectifying women which leads to pornography and abuse. The meaning of having a “gentle and quiet spirit” in 1 Peter 3:4 and how it does not mean women are to be quiet and not have an opinion. Encouragement for single women and affirmation of their value and work in the kingdom of God   Resources mentioned:    Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women https://amzn.to/3IMt3AG   How I’m Learning to Honor Vocations of Women in My Congregation by Eric Schumacher  https://www.madetoflourish.org/resources/how-im-learning-to-honor-the-vocations-of-women-in-my-congregation    Worthy Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/worthy-celebrating-the-value-of-women/id1497732229