Women and higher education: Glass ceiling or Nah

T Time: Spiritual conversations For, With and About Women.

"Women have never been insignificant in the presence of the Lord, and they never will be." Pastor Laurel Bunker shares her joys and challenges of the modern-day experience as a woman in higher education and leadership.

00:09 Twanna introduces special guest Laurel Bunker, associate vice president of Christian Formation and Church Relations at Bethel University.

01:17 Lauren talks about her many roles as campus pastor, primary preacher and bridge between Converge and Bethel.

03:06 Laurel opens up about the challenges of being an African American woman in leadership.

04:50 Laurel shares that her desire within the university and across the country is to help increase people’s cultural competence to be more mindful of their biases and perspectives.

04:57 Twanna asks, "How do we break free of the influences of how we interpret Scripture based on our cultural values?"

07:24 Laurel talks scripturally about the significance of a woman to Jesus.

10:22 Laurel reveals that one of the biggest joys in her pastoral role to students is being able to pastor people who look nothing like her.

13:00 From joys to disappointments, Laurel shares with Twanna about feeling that at times her personhood feels more like a liability.

16:02 Laurel lists her women mentors and role models throughout the years.

17:52 Twanna asks Laurel to share about her mentorship/leadership role toward women, specifically in the area of academia.

23:28 Twanna asks Laurel what is next for her.

26:17 Twanna asks Laurel to pray over women who are looking to seek higher education

For video versions of episode 48 and onward visit us on Youtube.