Women in Leadership with Jess Quak and Maddy Mandall: Navigating Faith, Ministry, and Mental Health (Part 1)
In the first of a two-part series on SUNBURNT SOULS, Jess and Dave Quak are joined by Maddy Mandall to discuss the unique challenges and rewards of women in church leadership. Following last week's episode on women in leadership, Maddy shares her journey as a female pastor, her experiences with burnout, and her role in mentoring emerging leaders. The conversation explores the intersection of faith, mental health, and navigating structural barriers in ministry.Key MomentsIntroduction (00:00:00 - 00:00:36): Jess introduces the show and the two-part series, noting the positive response to last week's discussion. Dave welcomes Maddy Mandell, praising her insights from the previous episode.Maddy’s Kay Warren Interview (00:00:36 - 00:02:44): Maddy recounts her impromptu interview with Kay Warren at the Baptist World Congress in Brisbane, highlighting Kay’s humility and Dave’s lighthearted jealousy.Maddy’s Role (00:02:44 - 00:03:26): Maddy works with Queensland State Baptists in leadership development, supporting pastors and emerging leaders across the state.Women in Ministry Challenges (00:03:26 - 00:11:19): Maddy shares her calling to ministry as a young woman and the "not yet" resistance she faced, contrasted with opportunities given to male peers. Jess and Maddy discuss the emotional toll of theological debates about women in leadership and mentoring young women facing similar issues.Project 11 and Mental Health (00:11:19 - 00:14:52): Maddy describes her work with Project 11, a leadership program with a balanced gender ratio, and the mental health challenges young women face, including theological scrutiny and power dynamics.Structural Barriers (00:14:52 - 00:19:58): Jess and Maddy reflect on overcoming imposter syndrome and biases as young women in ministry, emphasizing the importance of grounding their identity in faith.Burnout and Recovery (00:19:58 - 00:24:37): Maddy opens up about her burnout experience, driven by ministry pressures and lack of full community support. She sought professional help, including medication, and rebuilt her health holistically.Maintaining Well-Being (00:24:37 - 00:30:45): Maddy and Jess share strategies for mental health, including support networks, professional supervision, and personal rhythms like solitude, exercise, and prayer.Looking Forward (00:30:45 - 00:32:41): Dave notes JessCONNECT Follow Sunburnt Souls for raw stories of faith, mental health, and hope: 🔗 Facebook | 🔗 YouTube 🔗 Instagram BRAND NEW ONLINE COURSE!🧠✨ Loving Life with Faith and Mental Health 28 days. $28. A practical, hope-filled course to help you: ✅ Embrace your identity in Jesus ✅ Build life-giving spiritual rhythms ✅ Navigate mental health with honesty and faith 👉 Start your 28-day journey today 💌 Join Our Community Get weekly encouragement, bonus content, and resources in your inbox: 👉 Subscribe to the newsletter 🙌 Support the Mission Help us keep creating free, faith-filled mental health content: 👉 Donate to Sunburnt Souls ⭐️ Leave a Review Love this episode? A quick rating or review helps more people find hope. 👉 Rate us on Apple Podcasts | 👉 Rate on Spotify PARTNERS 🎙️ Sunburnt Souls is proudly produced by Pretty Podcasts
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