S4 Episode #11- Katie Gaddini
THE ONE WITH KATIE GADDINI
We are excited to welcome Dr. Katie Gaddini to the show this week! Katie is a sociologist at the Social Research Institute, University College London (UCL) and a research associate at the University of Johannesburg, Department of Sociology. In 2021-2022 she is a Religion, Spirituality, and Democratic Renewal Fellow of the Social Science Research Council. Katie holds master’s degrees from Boston College and the London School of Economics, and a PhD in Sociology from the University of Cambridge.
Her debut book, The Struggle to Stay, is a book based on over four years of in-depth ethnographic research with single evangelical women in the US and the UK. Her current research investigates Christianity and politics in the US. She has had articles published in Religion & Politics, LA Review of Books, RELEVANT Magazine, The Marginalia Review, The Conversation and more.
A native Californian, Katie now lives in London.
LISTEN
READ
Katie grew up in the church as a pastor’s daughter. As she grew up, she struggled to find a church that fit her beliefs about faith and Christianity.
Her life’s work is making the church more welcoming and inclusive for women, but she is not a regular church attender any more. When she began her research on single women in the church, she admittedly went in with an ax to grind, however her research began to uncover that many women find tremendous healing, freedom and community in the church. The church is messy and can be a place of hurt, but it’s also a place of freedom and beauty in community.
If you are struggling with unmet longings or feeling isolated, you are not alone. Over and over Katie found the same themes in her research that many women are walking through the same struggles.
The main thing that was revealed through the stories of the women is that God is a God of love. He does not require us to be perfect. We all have failings, but there is no condemnation from The Lord. We have deep value and belonging in Christ.
Many women feel very called to church leadership. Katie desires to encourage women to fulfill that calling.
Katie reminds us God will never leave you or forsake you. As you discover the unique calling God has placed on your life, He may be leading you to a different Christian community, but He will not leave you.
Final Thoughts on Unmet Longings
One of God’s names is Jehovah Jireh– The LORD will provide. We first see this name in Genesis 22 when God asks Abraham to sacrifice Isaac– God is essentially asking Abraham, “Do you trust me to fulfill my promise to you, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense?”
Sometimes when God wants to show us something new about His character, He may put us into a situation that doesn’t make sense to us. This is when He is up to something new that only HE can solve. When a situation feels so outside of our control, this is an opportunity for God to show up in new and powerful ways. God will make a way for you!
WATCH
Thank you, as always, for listening! Please remember that everything we do is funded by those who benefit from our ministry. Our ministry a 501(c)3, so your contribution is tax-deductible.
Our events are centered on worship, restorative creativity, and designated time for reflection, evaluation, and setting intentions.
We help you provide a safe environment for your community to practice low-stakes creative risk-taking that will spur them in their gifting + step further into their calling. Leaders will rise up, ministries and businesses will be born, and all will find a new connection with their true identity.
Imagine what a whole community of Believers who
know who they are in Christ + understand their purpose as Kingdom cultivators can do!
Email us at info@collectedministries.org to book your own Collected Workshop or Retreat today!
CHECK THIS OUT:
The Collected Podcast is a production of Collected Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping disciples of Jesus discover and live from their true identity in Christ, recognize and walk in their divine purpose within the Kingdom of God, and experience growth in their capacity for mature, healthy relationships.
Follow us!
Jes Biondo: @jesbiondo
Jes’ Hand Lettering: @sprezzafoundry
Charitable partner: @flourishkenya
The Collected Podcast is produced by Jes Biondo and edited by Jacob Early. Cover art designed by Ben Biondo.