Course Overview

She Believed-Recovering the Fierce Faith of the Women of Scripture-and Ourselves is a twelve-module course that re-examines the women of Scripture as integral to the formation of the Church’s faith and witness. Through biblical study and short video teachings, we follow a theological thread from creation to resurrection, recovering a gospel lineage that has frequently been muted or misremembered.

Rooted in Scripture and attentive to pastoral reality, this course is designed for ministry leaders, students, and all who love the Church enough to hope for its renewal. If you have ever felt disqualified by gender, experience, grief, or the labels others placed on you, these modules offer a steady invitation: to remember, to resist what deforms, and to participate in a legacy of liberation that is as old as Eden and as new as an empty tomb.

Learning Outcomes: 

1. Interpret biblical texts involving women with theological and historical attentiveness, engaging Scripture in ways that support faithful preaching, teaching, and ministry leadership.
2. Evaluate inherited interpretive frameworks within the Church that have shaped how women’s stories are told, and articulate alternative readings grounded in Scripture and the Reformed tradition.
3. Integrate biblical study with spiritual formation, using practices of prayer, reflection, and embodied response as part of ongoing ministerial discernment.
4. Reflect critically on power, leadership, and voice within ecclesial contexts, particularly as they relate to gender, authority, and participation in ministry.
5. Recognize and name overlooked forms of labour and leadership in Scripture and in contemporary church life, understanding remembrance as a theological and pastoral act.
6. Apply insights from women’s biblical narratives to contemporary ministry contexts, including preaching, pastoral care, education, and community leadership.
7. Develop language and practices of hope, lament, and witness that support resilience, justice-oriented faith, and the Church’s renewal.

What to Expect:

There are 12 modules that make up this course. Each online module will take approximately 30-60 minutes to complete. This course follows the theological movement of the book, guiding participants through a series of formational phases rather than treating each biblical woman in isolation. You will also meet with your instructor four times during the course via Zoom.

The women discussed in the course are:

• Eve: The Garden Was for Both of Us
• Mary: When Calling Costs You Everything
• Deborah: The Tree That Grew
• Rahab: Scarlet Threads in Cracked Ground
• Tamar: Righteousness That Refuses to Stay Silent
• Rizpah: Grief That Will Not Be Moved
• Priscilla: You Didn’t Learn That from Me
• The Daughters of Zelophehad: Faith That Redraws the Lines
• Shiphrah and Puah: The Midwives Speak
• Mary Magdalene: First Fruits of Resurrection
• Gardeners: Recovering the Hidden Mothers of the Church
• A Legacy of Liberation

Each module includes readings, short video teachings, prayer, and reflective practice, alongside discussion forums and shared liturgical activities. 

About Ministry Forum

Ministry Forum is a space where faith, community, and leadership converge. We are a vibrant and inclusive online platform hosted by Knox College, University of Toronto, dedicated to serving current and aspiring Christian ministry leaders. Our community is as diverse as the ministries we represent, encompassing students, alumni, pastors, psychotherapists, chaplains, and those passionate about spreading the Good News in whatever ministry context they find themselves.

Our identity is rooted in the belief that ministry is not a solitary journey; it's a collective effort. We are a fellowship that values authenticity, fosters connections, and celebrates diversity. Here, you'll find a safe space to explore, share, and grow in your faith, leadership, and ministry.

Our mission is to empower ministry leaders to thrive. We do this by curating valuable resources, facilitating thought-provoking discussions, and offering spaces to gather both online and in person. Through recommended reading, podcasts, the curation of lifelong learning opportunities, and much more, we hope to provide our community with a wealth of insights to enhance their ministry.

We also believe in the power of personal connection. Our Director, John, would welcome the opportunity to talk with you about your ministry context. With 25 years of ministry experience himself, he strives to be a good listener, a trusted advisor, and someone who values maintaining confidentiality. We also believe that Ministry Forum will thrive in the community that surrounds it - to that end, we need your suggestions, ideas, and expertise to shape our content and priorities.

Contact John Borthwick, Director of the Centre for Lifelong Learning at Knox College john.borthwick@utoronto.ca

Meet Your Instructor: Taylor Scott-Reimer

Taylor Scott-Reimer is a writer, speaker, and passionate advocate for building a Church where women’s voices are not just welcomed but needed. Holding degrees in Communications (M.Sc, Purdue University) and English (B.A., Tyndale University), Taylor brings a deep love of Scripture, a sharp eye for cultural critique, and a fierce hope for the next generation of believers. She grew up in the Church and remains committed to its renewal; calling women and men alike to imagine a faith community rooted in freedom, justice, and full participation. A mother of two, Taylor writes with the future in mind: for her daughter, her son, and for all who deserve to hear the whole Gospel story.