Equipping Women to Interpret and Teach God's Word
A Conversation with Taylor Turkington
Graduate Taylor Turkington, DMin, is the founder and听director of , an organization that trains听women to study and teach the Bible. She will soon听publish a book on the prophet Habakkuk and recently听joined Western鈥檚 board of trustees. Taylor sat down with听Transform to talk about her heart for the local church,听her love for God鈥檚 Word, and why she is grateful to be听serving Western in her new role.
What is the vision behind BibleEquipping?
It鈥檚 been a joy and a gift to launch BibleEquipping. I believe听God is changing the world through the local church, and听our heart is to partner with the church to help women听interpret and teach the Bible. Everyone is called to听communicate the truths of Scripture and we want to be听able to teach women at different levels so that they can听pass it on.
How does BibleEquipping provide training to women?
We host training events at churches teaching Bible听interpretation and Bible communication focusing on听questions like, 鈥淗ow do we study the Bible?鈥�, 鈥淗ow do we听articulate the story?鈥�, and 鈥淗ow do we understand genre?鈥澨齏e also offer cohorts for women who want to teach. These听cohorts give women additional homiletics training and听the opportunity to practice teaching together so that they听can learn from one another. While men in ministry can听sometimes get feedback from pastor鈥檚 groups, women听don鈥檛 often get that opportunity.
Have there been any surprises since you started?
We launched in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic, so听of course we had some things that were scheduled and听then canceled. But overall, I have been surprised at how听we鈥檝e been able to create community with the women in听our cohorts. It is not always easy for women to find other听women who are doing Bible teaching in their local church.
How have you thought about the role of women鈥檚 ministry in the church?
I often consult with pastors who are wondering how to听approach women鈥檚 ministry. I think it鈥檚 important to think听through how we care for, shepherd, and empower women听in the church. Women are uniquely equipped to care for听each other. If God has truly gifted the women in your听church, how can we make sure they can use their gifts to听make disciples?
What was it like writing your firstbook, ?
I have really enjoyed the process. It was six years of work,听as I wrote my Doctor of Ministry dissertation on Habakkuk,听and then it took me seven months to write the book,听mostly working at night. I had the dissertation in my head,听but I had to turn it into a book that could be helpful听and engaging.
What is the book about?
Habakkuk gives us a prayer dialog and two songs to deal听with injustice. He leads us to a way of faith that isn鈥檛 clich茅听or simple. It鈥檚 gritty and complex, but it sees God as a God听of justice who rescues and gives strength in the midst of听really hard things.
How has this theme impacted you听personally?
Habakkuk has had a huge influence on my life during听difficult seasons. When I was living overseas, I ended up in听Habakkuk asking God what He was doing in the midst of听chaos and suffering I witnessed. The prophet tells us God听will judge those who are proud and upright in their own听eyes. The Lord speaks woe to those who take advantage of听someone else. Still, the vision God gives is of the righteous听living by faith鈥攖hat is how we will stand in the end.
You鈥檝e also had to face some health听challenges. Can you share about听that?
I have had several health scares over the years. When I听was in seminary, I got a large blood clot in my leg. I was听engaged to be married and about to finish my degree. At听first, doctors told me I had simply pulled a muscle. But听a stubborn roommate of mine encouraged me to get an听ultrasound, which led to an immediate hospitalization and听emergency surgery. While coping with the physical pain, I听was facing questions like 鈥淲ill I lose my leg鈥� and 鈥淗ow is听my life going to change?鈥� That personal suffering mirrored听the brokenness I saw world in the world around me. But听ultimately, I found comfort in Habakkuk鈥檚 song. God has听rescued in the past and will rescue again.
How are you feeling now?
I have good days and bad days. I have just learned to do听what I can do with each day.
Do you have any plans to write听more books?
Yes! I am excited to be writing on Zephaniah for the听Hodder Global Commentary Series, which features听authors from around the world.
You recently joined Western鈥檚 board听of trustees. What impacted your听decision to serve Western in this听way?
I see Western as a place that will continue the work that听we all do for longer than I am alive. The work of ministry听is much bigger than ourselves. I want Western to continue听serving pastors, women in ministry, and counselors longer听than I鈥檓 here. This idea drew me to want to serve on听the board.
How did your time as Western听prepare you for ministry?
Western has served me significantly. My professors听gave me a framework for the Bible and fanned into flame听a love for the Scriptures. They also took me under their听wing. They encouraged me, shepherded me, and coached听me. I saw my professors live out their faith beyond the听classroom. It was something that changed their families,听churches, and communities. I wouldn鈥檛 be doing the听ministry I am doing without them.
Taylor and her husband, Matt, live in Portland with their听daughter. They attend 26 West Church in Hillsboro.