Next phase for Project Violet

Investigations from a number of women in Baptist life form the third phase of Project Violet

Project Violet is a three-year participatory research project that is examining the place of women in Baptist ministry. The aim of the project is to understand more fully the theological, missional, and structural obstacles women ministers face in the Baptist community in England and Wales and identify ways forward.
 
Project Violet is now entering its third phase of Investigation and Accompaniment that will take place in 2022 and 2023. The aim of this phase is to give 18 women the opportunity to investigate a question while being supported in their own development. 

The first phase of engaging with groups in the Baptist community who shape women’s experience of ministry led to more than 40 meetings. The second phase of inviting women ministers to submit written reflections saw 48 women respond providing a foundation of evidence upon which the project can build. 

For this third phase, the first group of women are in positions of senior leadership in Baptist life and are reflecting upon topics from that perspective. They are being supported and accompanied by the Project Co-Leaders Jane Day and Helen Cameron. They will meet before Easter for mutual support and then in the summer to reflect upon their findings.

They are:
 
Beth Powney, Eastern Baptist Association
Evaluating the impact of the MagnifyYou programme as an intentional way of developing women leaders.  MagnifyYou is an ongoing programme of development for women ministers in three regional associations.
 
Carol Bostridge, London Baptist Association
The relationship between marital status and hearing and following a call and then growing and flourishing in ministry.
 
Clare Hooper, Southern Counties Baptist Association
Enabling SCBA to celebrate women leaders.
 
Emma Mohr, South Wales Baptist Association
Finding ways to challenge sexist language and behaviour in local church and associational life.
 
Hayley Young, Northern Baptist Association
Enabling Millennial women to flourish in leadership.
 
Helen Stokley, Spurgeon’s College
Enabling women to prepare for ministerial training so they can engage and flourish as Ministers in Training.
 
Speaking at the recent online event on the minister and family life, Project Co-leader Jane Day said, ‘We are delighted that these women have stepped forward to research issues that will make a difference to our understanding of the challenges women in ministry face.  We appreciate the support they have received from colleagues who have encouraged them to take part.’  
 

For more on Project Violet, visit www.projectviolet.org.uk. It can be contacted on ProjectViolet@baptist.org.uk

Follow on Twitter: @ProjectViolet1