Quantifying the Impact of Women in Global Christianity with Gina Zurlo

Lausanne Movement Podcast

In this episode of the Lausanne Movement Podcast, we are joined by Dr. Gina Zurlo, co-director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity and a leading expert on global trends within Christianity. Dr. Zurlo shares her groundbreaking research on the vital yet often overlooked contributions of women to the global church.

Together, we explore the historical and contemporary roles of women in Christianity, the challenges they face, and the significant impact they continue to have on the spread of the faith. Dr. Zurlo's insights shed light on the importance of recognising and valuing the work of women in all areas of church life.

Key Takeaways:

1. Historical Contributions: Women have played a central role in the spread of Christianity from its earliest days, often serving as the first converts and primary evangelists in their communities.
2. Modern-Day Impact: Women continue to play crucial roles in the global church, from grassroots evangelism to leadership in various ministries, despite facing significant challenges and underrepresentation in leadership positions.
3. Practical Advice for Leaders: Dr. Zurlo emphasises the importance of listening to women within the church, creating safe spaces for them to share their experiences, and actively championing their contributions.

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Links & Resources:

• Dr. Gina Zurlo’s Website: https://ginazurlo.com/
• “Women in World Christianity: Building and Sustaining a Global Movement” by Gina Zurlo - https://www.wiley.com/en-sg/Women+in+World+Christianity%3A+Building+and+Sustaining+a+Global+Movement-p-9781119823773#download-product-flyer
• Center for the Study of Global Christianity - https://www.gordonconwell.edu/center-for-the-study-of-global-christianity/
• World Christian Database - https://www.worldchristiandatabase.org/
• "The Rise of Christianity" by Rodney Stark - https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-rise-of-christianity-rodney-stark?variant=40923443814434
• "World Christianity as a Woman’s Movement" by Dr. Dana Robert

Dr. Gina Zurlo Bio:

Dr. Gina A. Zurlo is co-director of the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and her research focuses on the demography of religion, World Christianity, sociology of religion, and women’s studies. She is also a visiting research fellow at Boston University’s Institute on Culture, Religion and World Affairs, where she works on the World Religion Database (Brill). Her most recent books include Global Christianity: A Guide to the World’s Largest Religion from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe (Zondervan Academic, 2022), Women in World Christianity: Building and Sustaining a Global Movement (Wiley-Blackwell, 2023), and From Nairobi to the World: David B. Barrett and the Re-Imagining of World Christianity (Brill, 2023). She was named one of the BBC’s 100 most inspiring and influential women of 2019 for her work in quantifying the religious future.

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