Cathy Ross and the invisibility of women in mission

We’ve got an interesting interview for you this month with The London School of Theology’s Senior Lecturer in Mission and World Christianity, Dr. Cathy Ross.

Cathy talks to us about how women have been overlooked in mission, both overseas and at home. She explores how this came about and what can be done about it. She also recommends some resources to help us dig deeper into this important issue.

We’ve wanted to look at this issue since a few of our listeners asked us why we’ve had considerably more men on the show than women. This wasn’t intentional by any means, it’s just that the majority of mission resources we engage with seem to be produced by men, and so they’re the ones we follow up with interviews.

I find it surprising that women are overlooked in this way. I understand the debate about women in church leadership in as much as there are biblical texts to be wrestled with. But when it comes to women’s role in mission I can’t see how anyone could base an objection on the Bible.

Mary Magdalene, for example, was the first to spread the news of the resurrection (which is the essence of the apostolic call). The Samaritan woman spread the gospel throughout her town. Dorcas worked with the poor and we’re told that Junais was a noted apostle.

Anyway, have a listen to the interview and let us know what you think. And if you have any suggestions of women missional thinkers and practitioners that would make for a good interview do let us know.