ADM Conversations: Theology for life

ADM

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ADM Conversations is a podcast-style series of thoughtful conversations with women theologians, ministry leaders and Christian thinkers. Exploring theology, faith, ministry, study and life, these conversations seek to encourage and equip women to grow in knowledge, love and service of the Lord, and to bring the love of Jesus to a hurting world.

1d ago

How Support Groups Can Transform Church Care | Sarah Condie | ADM Conversations

How can support groups help churches care better for people who are struggling?In this episode of ADM Conversations, Jeanie Schwarz speaks with Sarah Condie, Co-Director of ADM's Mental Health Institute, about how churches can provide meaningful support to people facing difficult life circumstances.Sarah explores how infertility, miscarriage, singleness, divorce and mental health challenges can leave people feeling isolated or unseen in church. She shares practical examples of support groups that bring people together, helping them find understanding, friendship and encouragement.They also discuss how churches can draw on the expertise of Christian mental health professionals, and why caring for someone doesn't mean having to solve all their problems. ADM Conversations explores faith, life and ministry through conversations with women sharing their experiences, wisdom and insights. ADM is a Christian organisation based in Sydney, Australia, that equips and empowers women through theological education, community, compassionate ministry and public gospel witness, helping women bring the love of Jesus to a hurting world. Find out more: https://www.deaconessministries.org.au
Oct 20

Helping New Mums With the Loss of Identity | Sarah Condie | ADM Conversations

What happens to a woman's sense of identity when she becomes a mother? And how can churches help new mums feel supported, valued and less alone? In this episode of ADM Conversations, Jeanie Schwarz continues her conversation with Sarah Condie about the first 1,000 days of a child's life. This time, the focus shifts from the baby to the mother. Drawing on their own experiences of motherhood, Sarah and Jeanie explore the exhaustion, uncertainty and loss of identity that can come with having a baby. They discuss the pressure to be a perfect parent, the guilt many mothers experience, and the importance of remembering that mothers have needs too. They also consider how churches can offer meaningful support to new parents. From creating spaces for honest conversation and friendship to offering practical encouragement and recognising when a mother may be struggling with her mental health, Sarah shares simple ways Christian communities can make a real difference. In this conversation they discuss: -How becoming a mother can change your sense of identity -Why new mums often feel exhausted, isolated or inadequate -Letting go of the pressure to be a perfect parent -Supporting mothers through the challenges of early parenthood -Recognising when a mother may need additional help -How churches can build communities of care around young families Find the Press On resilience course that Sarah mentioned at mentalhealthinstitute.org.au Lifeline: 13 11 14 PANDA: 1300 726 306 ADM Conversations explores faith, life and ministry through conversations with women sharing their experiences, wisdom and insights. This is Part 2 of Sarah and Jeanie's conversation about the first 1,000 days. ADM is a Christian organisation based in Sydney, Australia, that equips and empowers women through theological education, community, compassionate ministry and public gospel witness, helping women bring the love of Jesus to a hurting world. Find out more: https://www.deaconessministries.org.au OUR SOCIALS: ADM TikTok - / deaconessministries YouTube - / @anglicandeaconessministries Facebook - / anglicandeaconessministries Instagram - / anglican_deaconess_ministries OUR SOCIALS: MARY ANDREWS COLLEGE Facebook - / maryandrewscollege Instagram - / maryandrewscollege
Oct 13

Helping New Parents Thrive in the First 1,000 Days | Sarah Condie | ADM Conversations

What happens in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life can shape their future for years to come. In this episode of ADM Conversations, Jeanie Schwarz speaks with Sarah Condie, former Co-Director of the Mental Health and Pastoral Care Institute, about why this critical period, from conception to a child’s second birthday, deserves greater attention from parents, churches, and communities. Drawing on her experience as a mother, pastor, and mental health advocate, Sarah shares practical insights into fostering healthy attachment, supporting new parents, building resilience, strengthening marriages, and recognising the signs of postnatal depression. She also explains how churches can play a vital role in helping families feel connected, supported, and equipped during one of life's most significant transitions. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, church leader, or someone who cares about helping children flourish, this conversation offers encouragement, wisdom, and practical ideas for giving children the best possible start in life. ADM is a Christian organisation based in Sydney, Australia, that equips and empowers women through theological education, community, compassionate ministry and public gospel witness, helping women bring the love of Jesus to a hurting world. Find out more: https://www.deaconessministries.org.au
Oct 6

What Does Real Pastoral Care Look Like? | Sarah Condie | ADM Conversations

What does good pastoral care actually look like — and whose job is it? Sarah Condie, former Co-Director of the ADM Mental Health Institute joins Jeanie Schwarz to explore how ordinary Christians can care well for one another through listening, kindness, prayer and simply being present. They discuss why pastoral care isn’t about fixing people, how small acts of care can help people feel seen and included, and how we can bring the hope of Christ to those going through difficult times. Sarah draws on 30 years of experience in mental health and wellbeing and her work with ADM’s Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute. ADM is a Christian organisation based in Sydney, Australia, that equips and empowers women through theological education, community, compassionate ministry and public gospel witness, helping women bring the love of Jesus to a hurting world. Find out more: https://www.deaconessministries.org.au
Sep 29

Engaging God’s Word Creatively | Kamina Wust | MAC Academic Conference 2026

What does it mean to engage with the Bible as a truly “living and active” Word?In this talk, Dr Kamina Wüst challenges us to consider whether our approaches to Scripture can sometimes become overly focused on extracting information and instruction. Drawing on poetry, biblical wisdom literature, teaching experience and personal stories, she explores how the Bible can also shape us through imagination, emotion, experience and creative engagement.Kamina encourages Bible teachers, ministry leaders and theological educators to retain careful exegesis while expanding the ways we read, teach and communicate Scripture — allowing the Bible not simply to be something we work on, but something that works on us.Dr Kamina Wüst is an Old Testament scholar, author and theological educator who teaches Biblical Studies and Hebrew across several Australian theological colleges.This talk was presented at the 2026 Mary Andrews Academic Conference.ADM is a Christian organisation based in Sydney, Australia, that equips and empowers women through theological education, community, compassionate ministry and public gospel witness, helping women bring the love of Jesus to a hurting world. Find out more: https://www.deaconessministries.org.auOUR SOCIALS: ADMTikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@deaconessministries/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@anglicandeaconessministries/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/anglicandeaconessministries/Instagram - https://instagram.com/anglican_deaconess_ministries/OUR SOCIALS: MARY ANDREWS COLLEGEFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/MaryAndrewsCollege/Instagram - https://instagram.com/maryandrewscollege/
Sep 22

Why Should Women Study Theology? | Kamina Wust | ADM Conversations

In this episode of ADM Conversations, Mary Andrews College Dean of Education Becki Philips speaks with Old Testament scholar Dr Kamina Wüst about her unexpected journey into theological study, the barriers women can face in pursuing further study, and why learning theology can shape far more than a career.Kamina also shares how burnout led her to step away from ministry-adjacent work for several years, how encouragement from others helped her return to academic study, and why she believes theological education is “for everyone.”They also explore Kamina’s specialist work on the Song of Songs — including why she thinks Solomon is key to understanding the book, what the Song reveals about women’s voices and experiences, and why this often-overlooked part of Scripture deserves more attention.If you’ve ever wondered whether Bible college might be for you, this conversation is an encouraging place to start.ADM is a Christian organisation based in Sydney, Australia, that equips and empowers women through theological education, community, compassionate ministry and public gospel witness, helping women bring the love of Jesus to a hurting world. Find out more: https://www.deaconessministries.org.au
Sep 15

Mary Magdalene: The First Witness to the Resurrection | ADM Public Lecture 26

Who was Mary Magdalene, and what do the Gospels actually tell us about her?In the 2026 ADM Public Lecture, historian and theologian Jennifer Powell McNutt takes a fresh look at Mary Magdalene — stripping away centuries of assumptions, legends and popular portrayals to return to the biblical text.Drawing particularly on John 20, Jennifer explores Mary’s place in Jesus’ ministry, her presence at the cross and burial, her encounter with the risen Christ, and her role as a witness to the resurrection. She also considers how interpretations of Mary Magdalene have changed throughout church history — from the “penitent prostitute” tradition to modern conspiracy theories and alternative gospels. At the centre of the lecture is a simple but striking question: what does Mary Magdalene’s story reveal to us about Jesus?Jennifer argues that Mary’s significance is ultimately not about elevating Mary for her own sake, but about seeing more clearly the identity and work of the risen Christ — “Saviour, Messiah, but King and Lord.” The lecture is followed by a conversation with Laurel Moffatt, Principle of Mary Andrews College exploring how Christians can read Scripture and church history well, why women such as Mary Magdalene have sometimes been overlooked, and what Jennifer’s research has taught her about following Christ. Her final reflection focuses on Mary’s life becoming centred on Jesus: staying near him, receiving his teaching and giving her resources to his ministry.Jennifer Powell McNutt is a professor of theology and history of Christianity at Wheaton College. Her work explores the Reformation, women in church history, and the relationship between theology, Scripture and the life of the church. Buy and review Jennifer Powell McNutt’s book, The Mary We Forgot, on AmazonADM is a Christian organisation based in Sydney, Australia, that equips and empowers women through theological education, community, compassionate ministry and public gospel witness, helping women bring the love of Jesus to a hurting world. Find out more: https://www.deaconessministries.org.auOUR SOCIALS: ADMTikTok YouTube FacebookInstagram OUR SOCIALS: MARY ANDREWS COLLEGEFacebookInstagram
Sep 1

What Makes a Godly Leader? | Jennifer Powell McNutt | ADM Conversations

What does faithful Christian leadership look like for women? How do we grow in humility without shrinking back from the responsibilities and gifts God has given us? In this conversation, Jennifer Powell McNutt joins Mary Un, CEO of ADM, to reflect on leadership, calling and character. Drawing on her experience as a professor, church historian, teacher and mentor, Jennifer explores how Scripture shapes the way Christians lead — and why women in particular may need to hold together both humility and confidence in God’s calling. Jennifer Powell McNutt is a professor of theology and history of Christianity at Wheaton College. Her work explores the Reformation, women in church history, and the relationship between theology, Scripture and the life of the church. This conversation was recorded during Jennifer’s visit to Anglican Deaconess Ministries in Sydney. Buy and review Jennifer Powell McNutt’s book, The Mary We Forgot, on Amazon ADM is a Christian organisation based in Sydney, Australia, that equips and empowers women through theological education, community, compassionate ministry and public gospel witness, helping women bring the love of Jesus to a hurting world. Find out more#ChristianLeadership #WomenInLeadership #ChristianWomen #Leadership #Faith

8 Episodes

ADM Conversations is a podcast-style series of thoughtful conversations with women theologians, ministry leaders and Christian thinkers. Exploring theology, faith, ministry, study and life, these conversations seek to encourage and equip women to grow in knowledge, love and service of the Lord, and to bring the love of Jesus to a hurting world.

Creator

ADM
Years Active

2026
Episodes

8
Rating

Clean
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© ADM
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ADM Conversations: Theology for life