All the Buried Women

A hidden letter in the Southern Baptist Convention's archives reveals the harrowing story of a pastor's wife, Maria, highlighting a troubling history of abuse and neglect. The conversation critiques the SBC's male-centric leadership restrictions and calls for accountability amid ongoing sexual abuse crises. Maria's courageous journey through domestic abuse and her fight for divorce are celebrated as symbols of resilience. The episode also draws parallels to St. Fabiola, exploring women's enduring resistance within both art and the church.

In this riveting discussion, Christa Brown, a sexual abuse survivor and advocate, shares her powerful journey and insights from her memoir. Joining her is David Pooler, a social work professor and expert on clergy abuse. They delve into the shocking prevalence of PTSD among survivors, revealing it often exceeds rates seen in combat veterans. The conversation critically examines systemic failures within the Southern Baptist Convention and highlights the urgent need for transparency and reform to support victims, who have been silenced for too long.

Rosalie Beck, the first female professor of religion at Baylor University, brings her bold insights to the discussion. She reflects on her journey through theological education, revealing the gender dynamics in a male-dominated field. The conversation dives into loopholes that allowed women to serve in ministry despite restrictions, highlighting roles like professors and pastor's wives. They explore the historical evolution of women's ordination within the Southern Baptist Convention and challenge traditional perceptions of women's authority in religious contexts.

In this conversation, Kathy Hoppe, an associate professor of psychology and former church planter, discusses her challenging journey as a woman in ministry within the Southern Baptist Convention. Robert Downen, a reporter focusing on extremist movements, sheds light on the influence of figures like Paul Pressler and Paige Patterson during the conservative resurgence. They explore the intersection of conviction and politics, the resilience of women in ministry, and the ongoing challenges of seeking recognition in a predominantly male-dominated church environment.

Pamela Durso, President of Central Seminary, and Meredith Stone, Executive Director of Baptist Women in Ministry, delve into the often-overlooked history of women in the Southern Baptist Convention. They explore the groundbreaking legacy of St. Fabiola, a 4th-century pioneer, and its relevance today. The discussion highlights the contentious 1984 meeting that shaped women's roles in the SBC, the struggles for ordination and recognition, and the ongoing challenges women face within the church. Their insights shine a light on resilience and advocacy in a male-dominated space.

Savannah Locke introduces All the Buried Women, a compelling new miniseries that uncovers the hidden stories of women within the archives of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). What started as a small passion project grew into a year-and-a-half journey into the history of America’s largest Protestant denomination. Together, historian Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke are bringing to light the experiences of women silenced by their own denomination and the systemic forces that enabled their marginalization.Show Notes —> https://thebiblefornormalpeople.com/introducing-all-the-buried-women/Credits: Hosts: Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke Producer: Savannah Locke Writing and Editing: Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke Sound Editing and Music: Savannah Locke and Todd Locke Introduction and Closing Song: Jaded by Savannah Locke Partner Organization: The Bible for Normal People Additional Thanks: Andy Clark, Systems Administrator within the University Libraries at Baylor University; Erin Smith, Marketing Manager at Baker Publishing Group; Jordan Corona; Dr. Taffey Hall, Director of the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives; Brittany Prescott, Podcast Producer for The Bible for Normal People; Adam McCullough, Archivist of Canadian Baptist Archives at McMaster Divinity College; Gordon Heath, Director of Canadian Baptist Archives at McMaster Divinity College; Rev. Leanne Friesen, Executive Minister of Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ) and CBOQ executive board; and the whole team at Lawyers for Reporters. Social Media Links: Follow us on Instagram: @alltheburiedwomen @bethallisonbarr @savannah_locke @thebiblefornormalpeople Subscribe to Beth's Substack: https://bethallisonbarr.substack.com Subscribe to Savannah's Substack: https://savannahlocke.substack.com Promo Code:Use code PODCAST40 to get 40% off Becoming the Pastor’s Wife until April 30th through Baker Publishing Group's Website: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/becoming-the-pastor-s-wife/414910 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices