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n 2021, Bishop Todd appointed the Rev. Kimberly Deckel as the Bishop’s Liaison for Women in Leadership. With his approval, Kimberly asked the Rev. Amanda Holm Rosengren to serve on her team. Here, we talk to Kimberly and Amanda about their new roles and the supportive spaces they hope to create for C4SO’s clergywomen!
“I appreciate and value Kimberly and Amanda’s experience working with Christian leaders in various aspects of ministry. Knowing both the people and tasks of ministry, Kimberly and Amanda know how to care for the female clergy’s soul and work. I’m so excited that they are doing this important work.”—Bishop Todd Hunter
Tell us about your new role of Bishop’s Liaison for Women in Leadership.
Kimberly Deckel: At times, our women clergy need specific care that may look different than what our male clergy need. While female and male clergy are seen as equal in our diocese, we are different, and much of ordained ministry has been male-dominated and centered around men and their needs. Women are facing unique challenges as they serve, and in many cases, do not get to interact regularly with other women serving as ordained clergy. Our hope is that in paying special attention to the needs of our female clergy, we will be able to create a place of health and empowerment for them, which will in turn benefit the churches and ministries where they are serving, as well as our male colleagues in C4SO.
What role does Amanda play on your team?
KD: Amanda has a heart for the care and development of female clergy. She’s led the way already on so many things when it comes to serving as an ordained woman. Amanda also felt like a natural choice, as last spring she organized discussions with female clergy to identify what was needed in the diocese, how women could be supported, etc.
What are the main needs of women leaders in C4SO, as you understand them?
KD: [I think their needs are] connecting with other women regularly, especially as they join the diocese and or begin the ordination process; receiving support and care from female clergy; and being seen as equal to men as they serve in ordained ministry.
Amanda Holm Rosengren: Another need I often hear from clergywomen / women in ministry, particularly younger women, is around networking and mentoring. So I’m asking the question, “How can we be more intentional in identifying and nurturing female leaders in our midst?” I also think this will involve some visioning and equipping work with our male clergy as well.
What are your team’s goals and dreams for 2022?
KD: We are starting small and continuing to pray and discern what next steps to take. As of right now, Amanda and I are here as a general support to female clergy who need care, have questions about ordination, etc. We are available to be connected to women who are in need of support in general. So far, we have had a handful of women reach out, and we have been connected to other women by people in the diocese. We hope to schedule some time for our female clergy to connect virtually this year. If we’re really dreaming big, we hope to be able to get together in person for a time of fellowship, rest, and worship.
AHR: As Kimberly says, we’re starting by continuing to listen—listening to one another, listening to the Spirit, listening to the needs and longings and gifts already present in our clergywomen. One of my dreams is to have a list of resources for female clergy, to help us grow in leading, preaching, and pastoring as women. I have a few resources in my library already but am always looking for more! I also hope that by the end of 2022 we begin to have a greater sense of connection and support with one another. In many ways, we are our own best resources!
What ideas do you have? Let us know!
Why are you excited to lead in C4SO, and what excites you about the future of women’s leadership in C4SO?
KD: I’m so thankful for the leadership of Bishop Todd, as well as others leading in our diocese. The Spirit is moving, and so many exciting things are happening in our diocese, especially in terms of the number of ordained women serving in parishes and leadership roles. It’s hard to articulate how exciting it is to see so many women answering a call to ordained ministry! We look forward to seeing what the future holds.
AHR: I find C4SO an exciting place to serve, because C4SO is asking the questions I’m asking—particularly about race and about women in ministry. I’m thrilled to have a chance to lead in a context where, rather than spending all our energy fighting for a seat at the table, we have an opportunity to actually DO the work of equipping, nurturing, and blessing the gifts God is releasing to the Church through women. Thank you for the opportunity to serve!
Kimberly Deckel recently moved from Phoenix, Arizona to Austin, Texas, to serve as Executive Pastor at Church of the Cross. After completing her education in social work at the University of Missouri, Kimberly relocated to Phoenix, where she met her husband Steve. Before transitioning into full time ministry, Kimberly worked in the field of social work for over a decade serving as therapist, hospice social worker, and working in foster care and adoptions. She completed her MA in Missional Theology through the Missional Training Center and served as a priest and church planter in Phoenix, as well as the director of operations for Surge Network. Kimberly and Steve have a 9-year-old daughter, Keenan, and they enjoy movies, the outdoors, the arts, and good food.
Amanda Holm Rosengren serves as Associate Pastor at Church of the Redeemer. After serving on staff at Redeemer as a Music Minister for two and a half years, she transitioned to a full time role in 2009, continuing to lead the music ministry as well as preaching, facilitating in areas such as congregational care and spiritual formation, and (in her words) “whatever else needs doing.” Born and raised in southern California, Amanda first came to the Chicago area as a student at Wheaton College, graduating with a BA in English. In 2009 she graduated from Trinity International University, earning a Master of Divinity degree with a Pastoral Care focus. She and her husband, Erik, were married at Redeemer in 2010. The following year she was ordained as a Deacon in the Anglican Province of Rwanda, joining Canon Jay as clergy serving the church in worship and service. Following ten years of diaconal ministry, Amanda was ‘priested’ by Archbishop Laurent Mbanda of the Anglican Church of Rwanda in 2021. In addition to her work with Redeemer, Amanda and Erik keep busy caring for their two young children, Ruth and Junia, and their neurotic border collie, Benji.