Women & Work: Stepping into Kingdom Productivity

Missie Branch serves as Asst. Dean of Students to Women and Director of Graduate Life at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in NC. She is also currently a student there completing her graduate degree in Ethics, Theology, and Culture. Missie is married to Duce Branch and together they have four children. She is passionate about women seeing themselves as theologians and disciples first. Missie is a contributing author to The Whole Woman: Ministering to Her Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength and the co-host of the Women & Work Podcast. Currently, Missie is serving as the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Lifeway Christian Resources.   In this episode, Courtney interviews her co-host, Missie Branch, as Missie discusses the chapter she authored of Women & Work. Chapter 2 is entitled, “Image-Bearing and Your Good Works.” Missie shares: Her own work at Southeastern and how she has recently seen the faithfulness of God as she works, serves, and finishes up her Master’s degree What it means that we are image-bears of God and why that’s important to our work How our identity gets a makeover when we become believers in Christ The amazing benefits of knowing Christ and how that relationship with Him infuses our work with even more meaning What it means that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10) And more!   Thank you for listening. If this content is helpful to you as you seek to live out your God-given calling to His glory, purchase Women & Work: Bearing God’s Image and Joining in His Mission through our Work, or donate today to help us continue to produce more inspiring content!   RESOURCES MENTIONED Women & Work: Bearing God’s Image and Joining in His Mission Through Our Work The Whole Woman: Ministering to Her Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength  Women & Work Podcast, Episode 29  Women & Work Podcast, Episode 31 Women & Work Podcast, Episode 34    Follow Missie on Instagram, twitter or visit her website.   

Elyse Fitzpatrick has an M.A. in Biblical Counseling from Trinity Theological Seminary. She has authored 25 books on daily living and the Christian life. Elyse loves to proclaim the good news of the gospel: That Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity, perfectly obeyed all the Law in our place, suffered in isolation and agony as punishment for our sin, died, and then rose again, all for our justification. A frequent speaker at national conferences, she has been married for nearly 50 years and has three adult children and six really adorable grandchildren. Along with her husband, Phil, Elyse attends Grace Bible Church in Escondido, California.   Elyse wrote chapter 1 in Women & Work, entitled, “The Creation Mandate, Great Commission, and Your Work.” In this episode, Elyse and Courtney discuss the following:   How she began teaching the Bible, counseling, and writing How a conversation with Paul David Tripp changed the direction of her ministry Her heart for women and why she’s passionate about women’s work What the Creation Mandate and Great Commission are How motherhood or the lack of being a mother intersects with the value of women in both the Old and New Covenants What it means for us and our work that God Himself is a worker How she overcomes the feeling that her work is futile How the hope of heaven informs our work now   Thank you for listening. If this content is helpful to you as you seek to live out your God-given calling to His glory, purchase Women & Work: Bearing God’s Image and Joining in His Mission through our Work, or donate today to help us continue to produce more inspiring content!   RESOURCES MENTIONED: W&W Podcast, Episode 19  W&W Podcast, Episode 20  Book Club Worthy Interview  Women & Work: Bearing God’s Image and Joining in His Mission through our Work Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women Jesus and Gender: Living as Sisters and Brothers in Christ  

Mary Wiley is the author of the Bible study, Everyday Theology, and serves as the associate publisher for B&H Publishing Group. She holds a BA in Christian studies and English from the University of Mobile and an MA in theological studies from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She and her husband, John, have three children and live in the Nashville area. Through B&H Pubishing Group, Mary acted as the publishing editor for our book, Women & Work: Bearing God’s Image and Joining in His Mission through our Work. In this episode, Mary discusses with Missie and Courtney: The small hometown connection she and Courtney share Her own call to ministry and how she fulfills that in her work now as a publisher How she began her career at Lifeway, which led to her current role What she actually does day-to-day as a publisher What aspiring authors need to think through as they consider writing a book How she images God in her work How the book, Women & Work, came to be Her hope for the readers of Women & Work What encouraged her most in reading and editing Women & Work How listeners can support the launch of the book   Connect with Mary on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn or visit her website, marycwiley.com.    Thank you for listening. If this content is helpful to you as you seek to live out your God-given calling to His glory, purchase Women & Work: Bearing God’s Image and Joining in His Mission through our Work, or donate today to help us continue to produce more inspiring content!   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Everyday Theology: What You Believe Matters   

Dee Ann is a 33-year veteran of Chick-fil-A, Inc. Prior to retirement, she was Vice President, Talent and Vice President, Sustainability for Chick-fil-A, Inc. Selected as the company’s first female officer in 2001, she was instrumental in building and growing Chick-fil-A’s well-known culture and talent systems.    During her long career, she worked closely with Chick-fil-A’s founder, S. Truett Cathy, and other key leaders as an architect of their organizational culture. Turner was responsible for thousands of selections of Chick-fil-A Franchisees and corporate staff members. Additionally, she led Talent Management, Staff Learning and Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Culture and Engagement. Prior to her retirement, she launched and led Chick-fil-A’s Sustainability and Social Responsibility function.   Today, she leads her own organization, Dee Ann Turner & Associates, LLC, writing books, speaking to over 50 audiences per year and consulting and coaching leaders globally. She is the author of the best sellers, It’s My Pleasure: The Impact of Extraordinary Talent and a Compelling Culture (2015), Bet on Talent: How to Create a Remarkable Culture and Win the Hearts of Customers (2019), and  Crush Your Career: Ace the Interview, Land the Job and Launch Your Future (2021). She also hosts the Crush Your Career Podcast and is the Talent Expert in Residence at High Point University.    She is a graduate of Clayton State University with a degree in Management. She also completed executive education courses at Emory University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the University of Virginia’s Darden Business School. She is a 2009 alumna of the prestigious Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.    Dee Ann has been married to her husband, Ashley, for 38 years and they are the parents of three grown sons. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for Booster Enterprises and Oak Dental Group. Additionally, she is an advisor to several non-profits. When she is not traveling, she can often be found on her Peloton bike in her home outside of Atlanta or on her stand-up paddleboard at Lake Hartwell in northeast Georgia.   LINKS: https://www.deeannturner.com  https://www.facebook.com/DeeAnnTurnerAuthor  https://www.linkedin.com/in/deeannturner/ https://www.instagram.com/deeannturner/ https://twitter.com/DeeAnnTurner    In this episode, Dee Ann shares with Courtney and Missie:   – How she began her career at Chic-fil-A 38 years ago as a pastor’s wife – How to create in your own organization the culture of care that Chic-fil-A has become known for – How to find, select, and retain good talent in your business or organization  – Character traits that make employers want to hire you for the job – 3 steps for success in the first 90 days on a new job – How women can succeed in a male-dominated work environment – How she views her work through a Christian lens   RESOURCES MENTIONED: It's My Pleasure: The Impact of Extraordinary Talent and a Compelling Culture https://amzn.to/3unFWwd    Bet on Talent: How to Create a Remarkable Culture That Wins the Hearts of Customers https://amzn.to/3UsM2FW    Crush Your Career: Ace the Interview, Land the Job, and Launch Your Future https://amzn.to/3VNqa9C    Crush Your Career Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/crush-your-career/id1553498036  Thank you for listening. If this content is helpful to you as you seek to live out your God-given calling to His glory, please donate today to help us continue to produce more inspiring content!  

Dr. Jen Bennett is a driven visionary communicator who has a unique way of connecting with her audience. She enjoys teaching, leading, and building and is committed to helping others be successful. As a Strategic Communication Professor at Indiana Wesleyan University, Jen equips college students to discover their voice, develop their expertise, and lead with influence to impact culture for Christ. Jen provides students with real-world opportunities that help launch them into the careers and professions that they are called to. Jen has consulted various entrepreneurs, small business owners, ministries, organizations, and college students in social media, personal branding, marketing, and public relations. Jen was named as one of  65 Women in Digital You Should Be Following. In 2019 she was chosen as one of 55 social media influencers (out of 700 applicants) to attend #NASASocial for the Falcon Heavy Rocket Launch. She is also the author of the book, #BeWorthFollowing: How to Be Different and Influence People in a Crowded Social World. In April of 2021, Jen launched the She Impacts Culture podcast, a podcast for trailblazing, faith-based women who want to lead with influence and impact culture for Christ through their work. And in 2022, Jen co-founded Faith First Digital Marketers, a community of Christian digital marketers seeking to put Christ first in their businesses and lives.    In this episode, Dr. Bennett shares with Missie and Courtney about:  Her role as Strategic Communication Professor at Indiana Wesleyan University Her vision for how social media can be a tool used for kingdom purposes rather than self-promotion Her thoughts on whether Christian women should be social media “influencers” 4 marketing tips for new entrepreneurs or anyone just beginning to promote the cause God has called them to Tips for putting our phones down and being present with our real-life friends and family    

Jane Creswell is an innovator and leader in the field of corporate coaching. She leveraged 17 years of product development and management experience at IBM to invent the role of “Organization Coach” and become the founder of IBM Coaches Network. At IBM, she focused her organization on achieving extraordinary results by individual coaching of the leaders at all levels of the organization.     Currently, Ms. Creswell is utilizing those experiences to help corporations worldwide wanting to establish a long-term, self-sustaining system of internal coaching and reap the benefits of a coaching culture. Her focus is on helping leaders make the high-impact transition from merely influencing others to developing excellent leaders who develop excellent leaders. Her work can be characterized as maximizing the strengths and knowledge of individuals for the benefit of both the person and the organization.    Jane has authored 3 books, including The Complete Idiot's Guide- Coaching for Excellence, and Christ-Centered Coaching: 7 Benefits for Ministry Leaders, and God Nods (co-authored with Joey Faucette). Jane was the inaugural recipient of the Thomas Leonard Achievement Award granted by the ICF Midwest Conference in June 2014 for her impact throughout the coaching industry for over 20 years.   In this episode, Jane shares with Courtney and Missie:  How she transitioned from coding at IBM to becoming the first Organization Coach at IMB and founding the IBM Coaches Network How she views herself as a missionary to the corporate world What Christ-centered coaching is and how it differs from Christian counseling Why it’s important for women in particular to receive professional coaching Trends she sees in the areas of work or life that women seek coaching in How she actually helps women move forward through coaching How to step forward with confidence in your unique gifts and strengths   Resources Mentioned: God Nods: Discover the Greatest Treasure at Work The Complete Idiot's Guide to Coaching for Excellence Christ-Centered Coaching: 7 Benefits for Ministry Leaders Patterns of High Performance: Discovering the Ways People Work Best  By Jerry L. Fletcher  

We trust you will enjoy this episode with Carolyn McCulley, but we did want to let you know that we cover some heavy topics that might be triggering to some listeners. Carolyn is a filmmaker, and in this episode, she discusses her work in covering gun violence and sexual assault. We wanted you to be aware in case that type of content was not what you were expecting to hear. As always, we love learning from women who take these hard subjects and seek to redeem them to the glory of God through their work. We hope you enjoy this episode.   Carolyn McCulley is a storyteller in multiple formats. She is a filmmaker, podcast producer and host, and author of several books. She has run her own production company, Citygate Films, since 2009, which has been a great way of experiencing God's faithfulness in many ways.   Carolyn has directed, produced, and edited nearly 200 short films for clients while also working on her own film projects. Citygate Films has produced branded content for clients such as Discovery, WebMD, AstraZeneca, Adventure Scientists, Chick-Fil-A, Capital One, International Justice Mission, and numerous nonprofits. My most widely viewed short film has been seen by more than six million people and was the inspiration for a segment in Oprah's BELIEF series. Her independent film, The Rage of Evil, was about a former school shooter and was acquired by HuffPost.   She is currently working on a film project called Out Of Darkness in which she showcases the advocacy of Rachael Denhollander in one individual sexual abuse survivor’s case within the sexual abuse crisis of the Southern Baptist Convention. You can support her work through a tax-deductible donation here. Carolyn is the author of 3 books including The Measure of Success: Uncovering the Biblical Perspective on Women, Work, and the Home. It was a silver finalist in the ECPA Book Awards and won an award of merit in the Christianity Today Book Awards. She has also written for a wide range of publications, including The Washington Post and Baltimore Sun.    For more than 15 years, she has been a speaker at women’s conferences in the U.S. and abroad, sharing narratives of hope and perseverance.   In this episode, Carolyn discusses with Courtney and Missie:   –– How she acquired the skills of filmmaking and the importance of storytelling –– How her work in film and podcast production brings stories of redemption and hope to others, even in hard topics such as gun violence and sexual assault –– How her views of womanhood have changed since coming to Christ –– How she works with men on set in a God-honoring way as a single, Christian woman –– How she hopes in God amidst the idolization of marriage within the church   Resources Mentioned The Courage to Face Failure Podcast   The Measure of Success: Uncovering the Biblical Perspective on Women, Work, and the Home    Did I Kiss Marriage Goodbye?: Trusting God with a Hope Deferred  

Dr. Tabitha Harder is a Women's Health Physical Therapist and Orthopedic Specialist in Brentwood, Tennessee.  She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy Degree from The University of Tennessee in 2004.  She is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist with the American Physical Therapy Association and is trained in Obstetrics and Postpartum Physical Therapy.  She is an advocate for Women's Health and has a private practice in Brentwood, Tennessee where she provides prenatal and postpartum care for women.     Tabitha is also a pastor's wife and mother of four. She is married to Mike Harder, a pastor of Brentwood Baptist Church. They have four children: Abigail, Violet, Georgia, and Josiah.  Tabitha is active in her local church and serves in various roles. As an adoptive mom, Tabitha values community and support for other foster and adoptive families.  She is honored to support women, families, and vulnerable children in the Middle Tennessee area as a member of the foster and adoption ministry team at Brentwood Baptist Church. Tabitha is also a special needs "Embrace Buddy" where she volunteers with her oldest daughter on Sunday mornings.  They enjoy serving together and being part of a ministry that meets the unique needs of individuals and families impacted by disability.   In this episode, Dr. Harder discusses: What she does every day in her job as a physical therapist to improve healthcare for women in all life stages: prenatal, postpartum, and peri-menopausal   Her passion for educating women on their body’s health and seeing the intentionality and design God intended when He created the human body How and why she transitioned to form her own private PT practice and the benefits she has seen by doing that How she images God as a physical therapist How as a pastor’s wife, she views her calling in secular work How she navigates being an “influencer” on social media and how she has seen God use Instagram to serve women across the world   Follow Dr. Harder on Instagram. 

Vaneetha writes and speaks about finding hope in suffering. Her memoir, Walking Through Fire as well as her devotional, The Scars That Have Shaped Me both encourage readers to turn to Christ in their pain. Some of her greatest joys are being a wife to Joel and a mother to Katie and Kristi, and you can find her embarrassing them in Raleigh, NC, or online at vaneetha.com. Vaneetha writes regularly for Desiring God and has been featured on Family Life Today, Joni & Friends, and Christianity Today.   She also has an upcoming Bible study with Lifeway Christian Resources that releases in May of 2023 entitled Desperate for Hope: The Questions We Ask God in Suffering, Loss, and Longing.    In this episode, Vaneetha shares her life story which includes: Her polio diagnosis at 3 months old Her years of living in a hospital as a child and how that affected her view of God How she came to faith in Christ How she dealt with divorce and forgave her husband Her grief and God’s supernatural comfort after several miscarriages and the loss of her newborn baby How the Lord brought her to remarry Her more recent debilitating diagnosis of post-polio syndrome How He has used all of this to bring her to her current calling of serving others through writing and speaking   Recommended Resources from Vaneetha: Walking Through Fire The Scars That Have Shaped Me Desperate for Hope

Kelly Minter is an author, Bible teacher, and podcaster. Her most recent Bible study from Lifeway publishers is called Encountering God - Bible Study Book: Cultivating Habits of Faith Through the Spiritual Disciplines. Kelly speaks around the country and also works closely with Justice & Mercy International in the Amazon jungles of Brazil as well as the Eastern European country of Moldova.   Kelly is deeply passionate about teaching the Bible and believes it permeates all of life. Her love for the Word of God led her to create her Cultivate Event, an event centered around Scripture, worship, prayer, and mission. She is also the host of the Cultivate podcast, a weekly podcast where she walks through Scripture with her listeners.   When she’s not writing, traveling, or speaking, she enjoys time in her garden, cooking, and being with her friends and family. A Southern transplant, she delights in long walks, her local church, meaningful conversation, and coffee in her Justice & Mercy International diner mug.   In this episode, Kelly discusses: – How God clearly thwarted her plans for a music career and steered her into Bible teaching and how women can adjust when they sense God doing this in their own lives – Her most recent study on the spiritual disciplines and through which one she most encounters God – Her process for writing Bible studies – Her love of cooking and why sharing meals within community is good for Christians – How we image God in cooking and gardening – Her work with Justice & Mercy International, a non-profit organization that exists to make justice personal for the poor, the orphaned, and the forgotten of the world, primarily serving in Moldova in Eastern Europe and in the Amazon region of Brazil (Follow them on Instagram).   Mentioned Resources: Finding God Faithful: A Study on the Life of Joseph  A Place at the Table: Fresh Recipes for Meaningful Gatherings Encountering God - Bible Study Book: Cultivating Habits of Faith Through the Spiritual Disciplines Ruth: Loss, Love & Legacy - Bible Study Book (Revised & Expanded) with Video Access