Rev. Dr. Marsha Woodard | Eastern University

Marsha Brown Woodard

Senior Lecturer in Christian Ministries & Director of Supervised Ministries

McInnis 247

"The Church is called to be a place where we are continually growing to be more like Jesus. It is a place where one can ask the hard questions, even when those questions cannot be easily answered. When the Church is seen as a Becoming Center, then education is where we are stretched and developed."

The Rev. Dr. Marsha Brown Woodard is an ordained American Baptist Minister and also holds ministerial standing with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She has previously served as Pastor and/or a member of the staff in congregations in Pennsylvania and Missouri. She is also a consultant to churches, religious organizations, and human service organizations in the area of Christian Education and Discipleship, administration, especially church administration.

Dr. Woodard’s doctoral work focused on internalized oppression, which is a reasonable response to the inundation of messages that are disempowering and devaluing. Her project utilized a small group that was facilitated through a Midwife Leadership Style that helped African American clergywomen explore these messages. In this participant-centered environment the women were free to share even as if they were gathered around a kitchen table.

She has had other writings appear in various publications, including Church Women magazine, Baptist Leader, and American Baptist Quarterly, as well as in the books Those Preaching Women (Vol. II), Vision of Hope, Can I Get a Witness, Sister to Sister (Vol. 2) and Volume I of Abingdon's African American Preaching series. She is the author of I Was Tired Today and I Choose to Thrive.

Education

D.Min.: Lancaster Theological Seminary
M.Div.: Eden Theological Seminary
B.A.: Ottawa University

Classes Taught

Teaching The Faith
Nurturing Spiritual Life and Character III
African American Women In Church History 1800-2000
Movies for Transformation
Preaching Practicum

Papers and Presentations

Urban Theological Institute (UTI) 6th Anniversary Lecture and Worship September 2016 Lutheran Theological Seminary. Lecture: Becoming Centers-The Church is called to be a place where we are continually growing to be more like Jesus and our primary goal is to help people become fit for life

Sermon: “Many Others”-we are called to be a part of the many others who still serve even though they may not get recognition (Luke 8:1-3) (First female to be lecturer/preacher in this series)

Preaching With Power Urban Theological Institute (UTI) United Lutheran Seminary March 2019 Lecture: “Messages Matter”

Professional Associations and Services

Co-Founder with Dr. Phaedra Blocker of Daughters of Thunder a group for clergywomen of color designed to provide opportunities to gather in informal gatherings, seminars/workshops, services with preaching.

Ministerial Groups and Associations

Baptist Pastors and Ministers Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity, Secretary

Pennsylvania Eastern Keystone Baptist Association (PEKBA) Director of Christian Education

NewCORE (New Conversation on Race and Ethnicity) Vice-President

Main Line Black Interdenominational Ministers Alliance- Vice-President

Christian Church Disciples of Christ in PA 1st Vice-President

Metropolitan Council of Churches Executive Board

Publications

The writings of Dr. Woodard has appeared in various publications, including Church Women magazine, Baptist Leader, and American Baptist Quarterly, as well as in the books Those Preaching Women (Vol. II), Vision of Hope, Can I Get a Witness, Sister to Sister (Vol. 2) and Volume I of Abingdon's African American Preaching series. She is the author of I Was Tired Today and I Choose to Thrive.