Author: Mindy Makant
Located in: Hickory, NC
Submitted: September 29, 2019
Tell us a little about yourself. I am an Associate Professor of Religious Studies (Theology) at Lenoir-Rhyne University where I also direct the university's Living Well Center for Vocation and Purpose. I am also a Deacon in the ELCA, the wife of an ELCA pastor and the mother of two amazing quasi-adult children
What was your motivation behind this project? I was having coffee with a friend who is a female pastor. I told her she should write a book one day. Her response, "That's your job." I had recently finished my first book and was thinking about other projects I was interested in. The more I thought about it the more convicted I became that I needed to tell the story of the faithful women who are serving the church as parish pastors.
What do you hope folks will gain from this project? I hope that people will hear these stories in ways that honor the women who shared them. I hope this book can be a faithful contribution to the conversation about the role of women in ministry.
How were you personally impacted by working on this project? Eighty-five beautiful women opened themselves up, sharing their stories with me. I am exceedingly grateful. This project has challenged me - it has exposed both the depth of sin and the profound beautify of the church. And beauty - love - always wins. This project has strengthened my faith as well as my love and respect for the church and all of its pastors and bishops.
Who are your influences, sources of inspiration or favorite authors / artists? Samuel Wells, Stanley Hauerwas, Greg Jones, Susan Eastman, Amy Laura Hall, Richard Hays, Daniel Bell, Rowan Williams, Will Campbell, and a whole host of the company of saints
