Skip to content

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary

Preparing for Ministry in the Way of Jesus

Menu
  • Home
  • Contact Us
Menu

Women in Ministry

Posted on July 8, 2014March 18, 2021 by ptsblog
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

When I graduated from Grove City High School in Grove City, Pa., in 1997, I had never seen or heard of a female pastor. And certainly, I had never considered going to graduate school to earn an MDiv. In spite of my leading and planning worship since the age of 15, receiving a scholarship from my high school for Christian ministry, and then going to college to major in religion, the possibility of being called to pastoral ministry never occurred to me.

Upon graduating from college I discerned that the best way for me to serve others was through social work. I entered the MSW program at the University of Pittsburgh having no idea the adventure God had in store for me. Through my work I discovered that an MSW was not enough, I wanted to add theological education to my social work experience. To my delight, some of my friends and professors told me about the joint MSW/MDiv degree with the University of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Seminary. This changed the course of my life.

Through my education and field placements at PTS my world opened up to the possibilities of how God could use me to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ. And though I had been wandering around trying to figure out how to put my gifts together, the perfect structure, degrees, and future was already in place for me.

I wish my story was unique, surely in 2014 everyone has been exposed to a female pastor. But each summer I have a conversation with one of the high schoolers at the Miller Summer Youth Institute, and I am the first female pastor they have met. And I tell them my story and how God’s plan for our lives is greater than we can ever imagine.

Not all of the SYI students are called to pastoral ministry, but for both the men and women, just knowing it is possible grants them a freedom to dream, pray, and explore their own calling.

The Rev. Erin Davenport is a 2005 alumna of the MDiv program. Through the Seminary’s joint degree program, she also earned her MSW from the University of Pittsburgh. A former chaplain, she now resides in Pittsburgh and serves as the Seminary’s Director of the Miller Summer Youth Institute.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Twitter

2 thoughts on “Women in Ministry”

  1. Gene Fenderson says:
    March 19, 2017 at 2:54 pm

    My niece and sister can’t get along and my sister keeps emotionally abusing her and threatening her about kicking her out of her second home and my niece is 5-months pregnant and she wants to move out and start all over without my sisters abuse and i don’t blame her for wanting to start on her own.Can you give advice on helping her move out with her child to avoid her moms violent threats?

    Reply
  2. Erin Davenport says:
    February 20, 2018 at 11:39 am

    Gene-Thank you for your reply. It must be extremely stressful and difficult to be in the midst of this situation. I would encourage you to reach out to your local church pastor or priest. They can hopefully direct you toward a non-profit, therapist, or even group within your church that will be able to best help this difficult situation. If you or someone you love is in imminent danger call 9-1-1. They will be able to help you in the midst of an emergency to gain the support that you need.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Founded in 1794, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary is a graduate theological school of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), offering master's and doctor of ministry degrees as well as certificate programs. Participating in God's ongoing mission in the world, Pittsburgh Seminary is a community of Christ joining in the Spirit's work of forming and equipping people for ministries familiar and yet to unfold and communities present and yet to be gathered.

Recent Posts

  • Rev. John Creasy Tends to Missional Ministry
  • Miller SYI Interns Explore and Learn
  • Tips for Christian Tenderness
  • Building a Healthy Church Leadership Team
  • I am aging, just like you

Categories

  • Church Planting
  • Counseling
  • Inside the PTS Curriculum
  • Ministry
  • People of PTS
  • Protestant Spirituality
  • Seminary and Programs
  • Sermon Writing Tips
  • Social Work
  • Theological Reflection

Archives

My Tweets

Tags

Bible study bivocational ministry and church planting Call to ministry Christian spirituality church planting church planting for new communities church planting in pennsylvania Communion elements Community worship cross-cultural education doctor of ministry education faith and politics fasting Festivals and holy days Fred Rogers Lent master of divinity mdiv alumni mdiv program mdiv program and social work MDiv program Pittsburgh ministry Ministry conferences and events Mission reflections mission trip Mister Rogers' Neighborhood nursing home ministry pastoral counseling Pastoral vocation Seminary community seminary experience Seminary experiences sermon writing tips Social justice Spiritual journeys St. Patrick's Day theological education theology and social work Urban ministry Volunteering Women in ministry world mission World Mission Initiative Youth ministry

Top Posts and Pages

  • Why does God hate me?
    Why does God hate me?
  • Praying with People Grieving Loss from Suicide
    Praying with People Grieving Loss from Suicide
  • Theology’s Role in Social Work
    Theology’s Role in Social Work
  • Rev. John Creasy Tends to Missional Ministry
    Rev. John Creasy Tends to Missional Ministry
  • What's the Difference Between a DMin and a PhD?
    What's the Difference Between a DMin and a PhD?
  • Pastoral Care and Counseling to Help Families Heal
    Pastoral Care and Counseling to Help Families Heal
  • Building a Healthy Church Leadership Team
    Building a Healthy Church Leadership Team
  • Seminary or Divinity School: What's the Difference?
    Seminary or Divinity School: What's the Difference?
  • Are You Called to Vocational Ministry?
    Are You Called to Vocational Ministry?
  • Why I am Not Doing Intinction Anymore
    Why I am Not Doing Intinction Anymore

Subscribe to Blog via E-mail

Enter your e-mail address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by e-mail.

© 2022 Pittsburgh Theological Seminary | Powered by Superbs Personal Blog theme