Welcome to another episode of Church on the Block. We had the pleasure of hosting Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen, a pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church in Chicago. We discussed her experiences as a female pastor, her background, and a specific incident where she helped a woman in need.

The Power of Female Pastors

Our conversation began with a brief introduction to the show and a warm welcome to our listeners. We highlighted the recent decision by the Southern Baptist Convention to remove churches with women pastors from their denomination, including Saddleback Church led by Pastor Rick Warren. This decision sparked our desire to let the voices of powerful women pastors be heard, and who better to start with than Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen?

Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen: A Woman of Faith

Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen shared a bit about herself, her journey in ministry, and her current pursuit of a doctorate in ministry and Christian community development. She spoke about her experience working with a church plant and the various roles she took on, including preaching and serving breakfast. She expressed her gratitude for being able to support and encourage women in her role as a female pastor.

She also shared a personal story about helping a woman and her children who were in need of shelter and assistance. This story highlighted the importance of her role as a pastor and the unique perspective she brings to the table.

The Challenges Faced by Women in Ministry

Our conversation then shifted to the challenges faced by women in ministry. We discussed the misconception that women should not have authority over men based on a narrow understanding of scripture. Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen shared personal experiences where she felt disrespected or nervous about preaching because of her gender. Despite these challenges, she remained steadfast in her faith and commitment to her calling.

Breaking Stereotypes and Judgments

Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen shared her perspective on the stereotypes and judgments that women in ministry often face. She emphasized that being a minister does not require conforming to a specific image or being super conservative. She believes that people tend to judge others based on appearance before getting to know them.

She also addressed the issue of women’s voices being silenced in the church, referencing biblical examples of women in leadership roles. She argued that women bring a nurturing nature to ministry, which is essential for the Kingdom of God. Silencing women’s voices creates discord and goes against the unity that the church should strive for.

The Importance of Unity in Christ

We discussed the significance of baptism in the early church and how it symbolized unity in Christ. We emphasized that our main identity and connection should be through Christ, rather than any other social or cultural identities.

Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen shared her personal journey and the importance of discerning the voice of the Holy Spirit and following God’s will for one’s life. She also highlighted the need for men to champion and support women in ministry, while acknowledging that she has faced more challenges from her own gender.

Conclusion

Our conversation with Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen was enlightening and inspiring. It reminded us of the importance of affirming people in their gifts and not allowing outside voices to deter them. We concluded the episode by expressing our appreciation for Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen and inviting our listeners to tune in next week for another engaging discussion.

Remember, whether you’re a man or a woman, if you’re called to serve in ministry, don’t let anything hold you back. As Reverend Pastor Cathy Glenn said, focus on doing Kingdom work rather than fixating on gender. After all, women were the first preachers, spreading the news of Jesus’ resurrection.

Thank you for tuning in. For more information on Lawndale Christian Community Church, please visit the lawndalechurch.org. Want to support Holy Culture’s work? Make a one-time donation or shop the Holy Culture online store.

TIMECODE REFERENCES:

Cathy’s background and experience [00:02:10] Cathy shares her background, experience, and her role as a pastor at Lawndale Christian Community Church.

Cathy’s experience helping a woman in need [00:08:02] Cathy recounts a specific incident where she helped a woman and her children who were in need of shelter and assistance.

Discussion on women in ministry [00:01:04] Discussion on the topic of women in ministry, referencing the recent decision by the Southern Baptist Convention to remove churches with women pastors from their denomination.

The issue of women in ministry [00:11:50] Discussion about the value of having a woman pastor and the specific scenarios where women with pastoral skills are needed.

Facing challenges as a female pastor [00:15:16] Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen shares her experience of facing challenges and being asked to cut her sermon short during a eulogy.

Negative attitudes towards women pastors [00:23:07] Exploration of people’s visceral reactions and impetus against women pastors, particularly strong black women in leadership roles.

The appearance of female ministers [00:24:18] Discussion about the stereotypes and expectations of how female ministers should dress and behave.

Women’s leadership in the Bible [00:27:14] Exploration of biblical examples of women in leadership roles, challenging traditional interpretations of scripture.

The impact of silencing women’s voices in the church [00:32:13] Discussion on the importance of women’s nurturing and caring nature in ministry, and the negative impact of excluding women from leadership roles.

The baptism ritual [00:38:08] The hosts discuss the baptism ritual in the early church and how it symbolized unity in Christ.

Encouragement for women in ministry [00:39:48] Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen shares her advice for women who feel called to preach or pastor but lack encouragement or representation.

Challenges faced by women in ministry [00:46:19] Reverend Pastor Cathy Glen talks about the challenges she has faced from her own gender and the importance of continuing to love and pray for others.