5 minutes with Linda

Please tell us a little about yourself

When I retired from the federal public service I began to research gender theology to better understand my longstanding belief—that both women and men could be ordained, preach and work in whatever ministry God had called them to. Fixing Her Eyes was one of the first egalitarian groups I discovered and learned from and I attended the first FHE conference in 2018.

After years of challenging harmful complementarian theology from within patriarchal denominations and churches I realised I had to leave them so I was not complicit in the subjugation of women. I now attend a church which is inclusive of everyone and has a woman rector.

I also volunteer as an archivist at the National Gallery of Australia, writing finding aids for the papers of artists and curators; support a taskforce on people with disability and the church; and write on Wikipedia about Australian women artists and Christian women.

FHE readers might like to read an article I created. Here’s a selection: The Twelve Theses poster Gloria Shipp Helen Plummer Phillips

I am very happy that my three adult children have returned to live in Canberra so I see them often and my husband and I get to play with our two small grandchildren.

Do you have a favourite bible passage? If so, what is it and why?

I don’t have just one all-time favourite. Currently I read through Morning Prayer on epray over breakfast which means I read a Psalm every morning. I love the language in the Psalms—the lament, the praise and joy. I pause and read some verses aloud to myself.

How do you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus?

That phrase comes from Hebrews 11-12 and refers to the great cloud of witnesses, faithful men and women who looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. When I read about the women of the Bible and the women leaders of the early churches, I see their faith, witness and hope. Their example helps me to fix my eyes on him.

What would you like the next generation of Christian women to know?

Jesus did not come into this world to limit you but to set you free. The Spirit lives in you, you need not fear, you are a child and co-heir of God. You are made in the image of God and have equal responsibility with men to worship God—love, care for and teach others—and steward the earth.

What's one thing that you love about your local church?

I’m going to name a few things. My small Anglican church has had women rectors in the past and the current rector is a woman. At least 5 retired ordained women attend there and are guest preachers. The congregation faithfully and enthusiastically says the responses and prayers and diverse people participate in and lead all aspects of the service.

What did you learn about God at a time in your life you found hard?

As a child I experienced poverty and domestic violence, as an adult I experienced physical and mental illnesses, workplace bullying and grief for the deaths of most of my immediate family. I found these promises to be true: nothing can separate me from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord and he is always with me (Matt 28:29, Rom

8:35-39).

What are you passionate about?

Gender equality in the church and in families and generally the inclusion and participation of all God’s people in the church.

What do you enjoy doing when you rest?

For relaxation and enjoyment I visit art galleries, rummage through op shops, swim 50m laps, read literary fiction, and binge watch TV series.