For men and women of the Great Commission community

Online: Third Wednesday of each month, Sept 18 – April 16, 12-2pm ET

Presenter-Facilitators (scroll down for more about them*):
Heather Althoff – LifeWay Church, Missions Pastor
Don Turner – Global Focus, Pres/CEO
Wendy Wilson – MissioNexus, Advisor for Dev of Women; Women’s Development Track, Exec Dir

Note from Wendy Wilson, (Missio Nexus Mission Advisor for Development of Women, Women’s Development Track Exec Dir). Two subjects that have the most traction currently among our members in their quest to steward well the gifts of their women are 1) women in leadership, and 2) theology of women. So we are embarking on this series of guided online discussions to help address those requests. Our purpose here is to create fruitful conversation among those who love God and His Word, and to resource our members as they seek God’s heart in their understanding and practice.  May the Bride of Christ be radiant!

As evangelicals we believe in the inerrancy of Scripture and hold a high view of God’s written Word to us as the basis of our belief and practice And we all love and worship the Living Word, Jesus, our Redeemer, Savior, and God Almighty. So how can it be that evangelicals – whether serious academics, ministry leaders or other devoted disciples – have come to such a wide variety of conclusions about God’s design and heart for women in the Body of Christ? Who they are, what they can do or not do, how they relate to God and His purposes, how they relate to their brothers in Christ. (And so, this discussion is really about men and women both!) And how can it be that evangelicals who may hold the same position, actually practice it quite differently?

When it comes to texts that have greatly influenced modern evangelical thought, we are dealing with issues of interpretation of Scripture, for we are agreed on the inspiration of Scripture. And so we can expectantly and graciously engage together in an exploration of what the interpretive challenges actually are in those passages. And the interpretive decisions we all make that impact the way we walk out our faith in the area of men and women in Christ.

In this workshop we will look at the spectrum of thought, the different ways and whys believers have come to different conclusions, all pursuing God’s heart and honoring His Word. We’ll consider closely some passages that are most often contested in this conversation:  Genesis 1-3, Galatians 3, Ephesians 5, 1 Peter 3, 1 Timothy 2, 1 Corinthians 7, 11 & 14. Come and enjoy a respectful conversation, guided by Kingdom colleagues who are experienced in this rich discussion (and love it!) Our hope is to give you information and perspectives that encourage your own continuing journey in faith and practice.

In a series of eight monthly 2-hour sessions, on the THIRD Wednesday of each month from 12:00-2:00pm Eastern time, we will  interact over the interpretive issues found in Scripture passages that are most commonly used as the biblical basis for various positions. As  facilitators present various segments, we will discuss as peers to learn from each other’s experiences and practices as well.

#1, Sept 18 –  Overview and Spectrum Summary
#2, Oct 16 –  Genesis 1-3
#3, Nov 20 – Galatians 3, 1 Corinthians 7
#4, Dec 18 – Ephesians 5: 21-33, 1 Peter 3:1-9
#5, Jan 15 –  1 Tim 2: 8 – 15
#6, Feb 19 – 1 Tim 2: 8 – 15 (cont’d)  
#7, Mar 19 – 1 Corinthians 11: 2-16, 14:26-40
#8, Apr 16 –Overview Old Testament to the Church 

Suggested advance reading:
Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian,(Baker Books, 2016), by Dr Michelle Lee-Barnewall (Assoc Professor of New Testament at Biola University)
After you read the book, listen to her 40-min podcast in an interview that highlights her journey into a more fruitful conversation.

Registration: $ 125    (click button above right corner)
Limited to 25 participants (closed when full) to best support both new relationships and vibrant discussions. Guided by experienced facilitators, we can look forward to a deeper dive on the subject at hand each week. We will alternate between times of content presentation and Zoom room discussions.  While we understand that unexpected issues come up, we trust that each participant will honor the group by making this monthly meeting a priority. This way we can all look forward to the most meaningful experience together! 

Cost: $125 
Description when you register:  Contested Passages Online
Dates: Sept 18, 2024 – April 16, 2025

Register online asap to assure your place – You will receive a confirmation and Zoom invitation soon after your registration is received!

Questions?
Contact Wendy – wendy@womensdevelopmenttrack.org
(208) 665-2367

*More about your facilitators:

Heather Althoff currently serves as the Missions Pastor at LifeWay Church in Federal Way, WA. While earning a Bachelor’s degree in Classical Greek from Trinity University and a Master’s of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, Heather developed a deep love for studying and teaching theology.  She served as the Community Life Pastor, leading the assimilation and discipleship efforts at LifeWay from 2008-2019. In addition to teaching, she trained small group leaders and wrote discipleship materials. She has a passion for encouraging, training, and resourcing people to develop their relationship with Jesus, know their theology, and live out their calling to share Jesus with others. In 2019, Heather brought these same passions to LifeWay’s missions efforts. She lives in the Seattle area with her husband and two teenage kids.

Don Turner is the President of Global Focus, a ministry that helps local churches strategically enhance their involvement in missions.  Don’s background is a unique blend of corporate and ministry experience – from the United States Air Force to a Fortune 500 company in the Seattle area as Manager of Strategic Planning and Management Control Systems, and the Assistant General Manager of Management Information Systems.  In 1987 Don left the corporate world to accept an invitation to pastoral ministry, first as an executive pastor and then as a lead pastor, a position he held for 21 years.  Also having served as an elder in his local church for many years, Don also serves on the Board of IMPACT and has a strong understanding of the church and global missions. He is passionate about helping every church member maximize their impact for God’s global mission.

Wendy Wilson has served in various capacities in leadership training ministry and missions since 1984. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University and a Master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. She brings years of experience in engaging the spectrum of views in the ongoing evangelical discussion about women in ministry and marriage.  Wendy lived and travelled abroad with Entrust, a pastoral training ministry, for 28 years. Then in 2012 she was asked to serve as the Mission Advisor for Development of Women to the Missio Nexus network of 350 agencies. In 2015 she became founder and director of a collaborative project, Women’s Development Track, to help agencies and churches bring the full spectrum of gifts of women more fully to bear in accomplishing the Great Commission alongside their brothers – as the Blessed Alliance!