In this episode, hosts Layla and Rob talk with Rev. Liz Testa, coordinator for Women’s Transformation and Leadership with the Reformed Church of America (RCA), who shares her own experiences building mutual partnerships between women and men. She gives practical insight into the struggles churches currently face and offers biblical advice for how women and men in church leadership can move forward together towards unity. Listen as she casts an inspiring vision for churches welcoming everyone to the table and celebrating the diversity of gifts that God has placed in a community.
Bio
REV. ELIZABETH (LIZ) TESTA, M.DIV is a pastor, ministry executive, community builder and sister in Christ, who is passionate about biblical hospitality, multi-cultural worship arts and encouraging others to embrace their God-given gifts and callings. Since 2014, she has served the Reformed Church in America (RCA) as the visionary leader for Women’s Transformation and Leadership and Equity-Based Hospitality. Liz and her team encourage, equip, and empower women of all backgrounds and callings, and equip diverse faith communities to do the same and intentionally create healthy environments where mixed-gender ministry partnerships can flourish and thrive.
Prior to joining the RCA, Rev. Testa spent 12 years on staff at Marble Collegiate Church in NYC. Her first career was as a professional actress and spokesperson, and she delights at how God uses those experiences to enhance her calling in ministry. Rev. Testa holds a BFA in Drama from Syracuse University and an M.Div from Drew Theological School in Madison, NJ. She is on the Board of Trustees of New Brunswick Theological Seminary and the South Orange/Maplewood Community Coalition on Race. Raised bi-culturally in New York and Spain, Liz loves travel, international cuisines and culture, and is a natural bridge builder across diverse contexts. Her family includes her husband of 25 years, Nick, a NYC high school teacher and daughters Sofia, a psychology student at University of London, Goldsmith’s College and Juliette, a high school junior and softball player.
For more info, contact women@rca.org
Resources Mentioned in this Episode:
Building God’s Church Together Bible Study: https://learn.faithward.org/courses/building-gods-church-together-bible-study
She is Called: Women of the Bible Study Series: https://www.faithward.org/women-of-the-bible-study-series/
Lavish Hope Podcast: https://www.faithward.org/lavish-hope-podcast/
Other Reading:
As you’ll hear in the episode, Liz exhorts men to “do their work” on their gender brokenness and uncovering their unconscious biases. We’ll recommend these resources:
(Intersectionality) Theology in Practice: The Image of God and Domestic Violence
(New Voices) The Hidden Truth about Abuse with Created to Thrive authors Rebecca Kotz and Annette Oltmans
(Global Impact) Learning to Define Belonging as a Refugee with Pauline Hassan Burkey
(Women and Men Leading Together) Beauty, Wonder, and Mixed-Gender Partnerships with Bette Dickinson
Introducing a Great Theologian: My Grandmother with Dr. Yolanda Pierce
(New Voices) Porn and Patriarchy with Mallory Ellington
(Global Impact) Joining the Fight for Freedom with guest Dr. Médine Moussounga Keener
(Women & Men Leading Together) “Can I Just Explain How this Feels?” with Sarah Cowan Johnson
(Intersectionality) Words Matter! Freedom through Lectionary and Bible Translation with Rev. Dr. Wilda C. Gafney
(New Voices) Professor Moms: Dr. Deshonna Collier-Goubil on Women in Christian Higher Education
(Global Impact) Bearing Good Fruit with Scott Arbeiter
(Women & Men Leading Together) Living as the Beloved Community with Drs. Quentin and Cindy Kinnison
(Intersectionality) Who’s Missing? Privilege and Responsibility with Rev. Dr. Christy S. Woodbury-Moore
(New Voices) How Complementarianism Just Makes No Sense with Terran Williams
Global Impact: Jesus as a Transformational Model for Upending Gender-Based Stereotypes and Violence
(Women and Men Leading Together) Going Beyond Gender Roles in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Matt and Bekah Meyer
(Intersectionality) Diversity as God’s Design: A Conversation with Rev. Michelle D. Williams – Part Two
(New Voices) Exploring the Fullness of Galatians 3:28 in Mutuality Magazine’s Latest Issue
(Global Impact) Diverse Religious Beliefs and the Humanitarian Impact on Women
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Life After Ministry
Cast The Word
Let Me Be Frank | Bishop Frank Caggiano’s Podcast | Diocese of Bridgeport, CT
The Bible Recap
The Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)