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Women In Ministry (Pacific)

WiM photo header

Across the Pacific, churches are central to family and community, but leadership is predominantly male. The voices and representation of women are often excluded in decision-making, teaching and leadership, which reinforces gender power-imbalances in society.

We support women to study theology and seek ordination, equipping them for leadership in the Church and community.

Click here to support this project.

Our Impact

  • Since the project began in 2014, we have supported more than 30 women from five countries (Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Solomon Islands, Kiribati and Vanuatu) through their theological studies. We support women in a range of degrees including Diploma, Bachelor, Masters and PhD.
  • Many of these women have received college awards (e.g. Dux) at the end of their studies.
  • Past graduates are now serving as ordained Ministers, Deaconesses and leaders in their communities, gender equality theology staff and lecturers (and even Deans) in theological colleges in the Pacific. They are often the first women to hold such roles.
  • A new aspect of this project (in partnership with Pacific Theological College) is to support women to attain higher theological education (e.g. PhD) with the goal of being eligible to hold lecturing positions in theological institutions. In 2022, one student is being supported as part of this strategy.

This project is proudly supported by the Alan Walker College of Evangelism.


Uploaded on Vimeo in Mar 2017. Download this video or Click here for more videos.

 

Country

Fiji

Partners

Methodist Church in Fiji, Pacific Theological College (PTC)

Category

Gender Equality

Tags

Fiji, Pacific, Pacific Theological College, Papua New Guinea, PTC, Vanuatu

News from the field

  • Women in Ministry – Supporter Update, October 2022Women in Ministry - Supporter Update, October 2022
    It has been a busy year for our three Women in Ministry scholarship program students: Rev Geraldine, Daphney and Rev Susana. All three are studying post-graduate degrees at Pacific Theological College (PTC) in Suva, Fiji. Rev Geraldine is continuing her PhD and is expecting to graduate at the end of 2023. Daphney and Rev Susana are on track to graduate with a Master of Theology at the end of 2022. It rounds off this part of their journey, which had the ...
  • Conversation with Rev Geraldine, Women in Ministry Scholar from FijiConversation with Rev Geraldine, Women in Ministry Scholar from Fiji
    Recently we were privileged to share a zoom conversation with Rev Geraldine, one of the PhD students supported by UnitingWorld’s Women in Ministry project. The recording is now available to view (below) if you missed the call, or would like to watch it again. Rev Geraldine is awesome! You can find out more about this project here or make a donation here.
  • Lessons from the Field: Vulnerability, Courage and Genesis 16Lessons from the Field: Vulnerability, Courage and Genesis 16
    Have you ever reflected on what vulnerability and courage looks like in your life? Here are some excerpts of what one of the students from our Women in Ministry project, Rev. Geraldine from Fiji had to say as she gave her sermon on Genesis 16:1-15. Genesis 16:1-15 (NRSV) Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, bore him no children. She had an Egyptian slave whose name was Hagar, and Sarai said to Abram, “You see that the Lord has prevented me from bearing children; go ...
  • Women in Ministry Update May 2022Women in Ministry Update May 2022
    The Women in Ministry project supports women in the Pacific to study theology and seek ordination, equipping them for leadership in the Church and community. UnitingWorld’s Mardi Lumsden and Tanya Lee Fenwick have prepared an update about the scholars currently supported. “Our determined and resilient scholars have hit the ground running in Semester One. This is the first time all our students have been undertaking post-graduate study. It is a testament to their determination and the support of their churches. We ...
  • First female lecturer a win for equalityFirst female lecturer a win for equality
    “90% of people in the Solomon Islands believe in God. When a message about women comes from the Bible, their eyes are open, they feel it has more weight. And that’s why we will see a reduction in gender-based violence and increased respect for women in our society.” If anyone has the insight to comment on what might make a difference to violence against women in the Pacific, it’s Pastor Lima Tura.  The sole female lecturer at Seghe Theological College in the Solomon Islands, Lima has ...