Episode 101 • 4th May 2023 • The Living Church Podcast • The Living Church
If you’re new to the podcast, welcome, we are glad you’re here at the Living Church Podcast, the only one of its kind created for pastors, teachers, interested lay people in the Episcopal Church, Anglican Communion, and beyond to equip, encourage, and entertain you so that your calling in God’s Church feels a little easier, a little braver, a little more companioned.
Today we are kicking off the month of May, traditionally known as Mary’s month, with a trip to Kenya. Specifically, we are going to the office of Dr. Esther Mombo at St. Paul’s University in Limuru, where she hosted us, along with one of her dissertation advisees, for a conversation on women in ministry in Kenya, and what their journeys have looked like.
The struggles women in ministry have are common are remarkably similar across cultural contexts. We will talk about finding a call to church leadership, taking the bold step of telling others you’ve got a call, and then going through training, discernment, money questions and job openings, all while wondering how to balance dating, friendships, marriage, and motherhood. We will also discover just how important grandmas really are.
Esther Mombo is associate professor in theology at St. Paul’s University in Limuru, Kenya, with a specialty in church history, theologies from women’s perspectives, and interfaith relations. She works closely with the Programme for Christian and Muslim relations in Africa and is a member of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. She has previously served on the Inter-Anglican Doctrinal and Theological Commission.
Joining Esther is Makena Jackline. Makena is a doctoral student in the department of religious studies at St. Paul’s University, in African theology and philosophy, with a concentration on gender and theology. She also serves as a youth minister and mentor in the Methodist Church.
Now buckle up for a ride down the still-pretty-bumpy path of women’s discernment and ministry calling. As we will see, where God calls, he always shows the way. We hope you enjoy the conversation.