The following post was submitted by the Northeastern Seminary spring intern Kelsey LeBlond.
Womanhood is something that brings a part of society together. It is a connection that transcends physical bounds, uniting us in soul and experience as well.
I grew up inspired and fostered by women. My mother, grandmother, and aunt taught me the beauty of being a girl. Something I have had to teach myself, however, is the meaning of being a woman in the church.
I believe that women in the church are to be cherished. They bring liveliness to the environment and inspire others to do the same.
Having been an intern here at Northeastern Seminary, I’ve had the opportunity to meet some incredible women. These ladies have shown me the beauty of being a woman in the church, even if only for a moment. I reached out to a few to ask questions about their lives and being a Christian woman. Here are some of their responses.
How has working here helped strengthen your relationship with God?
Learning about the Bible and history of our faith over time, is a powerful thing that I experienced while taking classes at Northeastern Seminary, and has been one of the main things that strengthened my relationship with God over the last four years. I have been in classes with so many men and women who are seeking God about big things both professionally and personally and have watched as faculty support them through those things. -Rebecca Taylor, Director of Marketing
What is a moment at Northeastern that stands out to you?
One of my favorite things that Northeastern staff & faculty do is pray for our students and alumni and sign prayer cards for them once a month. We also have a weekly list of prayer requests that goes out so we can be lifting one another up; it's a beautiful example of genuine care for one another. -Jessica Newcomb, Admissions Liason
What is your experience being a woman in the church? Has it changed at all?
Being a woman anywhere in the world- the church included (especially one like me who is married with four children and wanted to hang with my children until they were school age) can be tough. Many people (other women included) put me in a box and judge what I know and don't know and what I'm worth. I have been and still am condescended to often. But I know Whose I am. I know what I'm worth. I am thankful I had the privilege of choosing to hang with my kids when they were little. And I am equally thankful to now have the opportunity to go to seminary and work there with a wonderful group of people. For what I do now compared to what I did five years ago, I am definitely respected more in my church and elsewhere. Taking into account how I've been mistreated helps me not to underestimate people. You never know what someone has to offer the collective- and if you don't ask them to contribute (or dismiss any potential contribution they might have altogether), you do the whole community a disservice. -Jessica Newcomb
Who is the greatest woman in your life? How has she impacted you?
The greatest woman in my life was my mom, Kay Sharp. She died in 1987 after a 5 ½-year battle with metastasized breast cancer. She was the strongest woman I have ever known. Growing up she was a pastor’s wife and worked full-time for a radio evangelist working up to the last six months of her life, even while undergoing years of surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation treatments. Even in the last months of her life she was an encourager writing notes of encouragement to others. I was in my late 20s when she died and I have now lived longer without her than I did with her. And yet, the influence she had on me and the woman I have become is pretty amazing. -Faith Sharp
Is there a woman in the Bible you feel you relate most to?
The unnamed woman with the 12-year issue of blood who was healed by touching the hem of Jesus’s garment. He knew immediately someone was healed that day. She most likely lived in hiding for most of her life because she was considered unclean. -Faith Sharp
What advice do you have for women entering seminary school?
I still remember what my friend, an alum, said when I asked about attending seminary. I was working at a church at the time, and she told me that I should take classes because faculty truly believe and support the idea that students can do anything that God is calling them to do! I think that is the best advice for any student entering seminary- come ready to learn and be challenged in your ideas about who God is because I promise you will learn that He is even better than what you know about him right now! -Rebecca Taylor
Illustration done by Kelsey LeBlond
I still remember what my friend, an alum, said when I asked about attending seminary ... she told me that I should take classes because faculty truly believe and support the idea that students can do anything that God is calling them to do! I think that is the best advice for any student entering seminary — come ready to learn and be challenged in your ideas about who God is because I promise you will learn that He is even better than what you know about him right now!
— Rebecca Taylor