Clearly with Jimmy & Kelly Needham

What does it look like to faithfully engage with Halloween as a Christian? We talk honestly about the different ways families can approach October 31st, from intentional abstention to using the cultural moment as an opportunity for gospel ministry. Kelly Needham and Phylicia Masonheimer share how their families have landed in different places based on their communities, convictions, and the spiritual context around them. We explore Christian freedom, discernment, discipleship, evangelism, cultural engagement, and the importance of stewarding what God has entrusted to us. Whether Halloween is a major event in your neighborhood or something you’ve never thought much about, we hope this conversation helps us prayerfully consider what faithfulness, humility, and intentionality can look like in our own communities.
What We Learned
Halloween’s name comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” the evening before All Saints Day on November 1.
Phylicia and her husband chose to abstain from Halloween beyond handing out candy when they lived downtown, partly because of the strong Wiccan and witchcraft presence in their community.
Their family now hosts an All Saints celebration where guests dress as people from church history, share food, sing hymns, and participate in church history trivia.
Kelly and Jimmy chose to “redeem Halloween” after learning that their home had a reputation as the haunted house of Sleepy Hollow, turning it into a place known for generosity, prayer, and gospel conversations.
The conversation identifies three approaches Christians might take: redemption, abstention, or passive participation—and emphasizes the importance of being intentional rather than simply going along with cultural habits.
Christian freedom should be stewarded for the good of others, including believers who may have different convictions or backgrounds.
Romans 14 is highlighted as a helpful passage for thinking through convictional differences without judging other believers.
We are encouraged to assess what we currently do, look carefully at the community God has placed us in, pray, and ask how we can intentionally use what God has entrusted to us for the sake of the gospel.
Recommended Resources
Phylicia's Halloween resources
Needham's halloween resources

Want more Halloween content?
Ghosts ARE real

Phylicia Masonheimer’s Ministry: 
Every Woman a Theologian
Verity Podcast
Scripture Referenced
Romans 6:23
Romans 14
Colossians 2:8
Hebrews 5:12–14
Acts 17:26-27
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Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

What if influence has less to do with having a position and more to do with how we use the influence God has already entrusted to us? We explore what Scripture shows us about the unique influence women can have—with or without a position of authority—and examine women such as Abigail, Esther, Delilah, Jezebel, Rahab, Tamar, and others who shaped circumstances for good or for evil. We look at the difference between godly influence and selfish manipulation and identify four marks of godly influence: it is submissive to authority, sacrificial, strategic, and aimed at benefiting others and glorifying God. Ultimately, we consider how we can recognize the spheres of influence already around us and use them for the good of others and the advancement of God's kingdom.
What We Learned
Women are described at creation as a “helper” or ezer, a Hebrew word also frequently used of God as help, pointing to a role that can be deeply influential rather than merely subordinate.
Influence is defined as “the capacity to be a compelling force on the actions, thoughts, and behaviors of others.”
Scripture gives examples of women influencing circumstances for both good and evil, including Abigail averting a conflict with David, Esther advocating for her people, Delilah bringing down Samson, and Jezebel influencing Ahab toward evil.
Women do not need a formal position, title, paycheck, platform, podcast, or position of authority to make a significant impact in the world around them.
Godly influence is submissive to authority; submission does not mean having no voice or being a doormat, but recognizing and honoring legitimate authority.
Godly influence is sacrificial, often involving personal risk or loss for the benefit of others.
Godly influence is strategic, using wisdom, timing, shrewdness, and intentionality for God's purposes rather than selfish manipulation.
Godly influence benefits others and glorifies God, seeking the advancement of God's purposes rather than personal power or control.
Related Episodes
⁠We did a deep dive on 1 Timothy 2 here: “So...Can Women Not Talk in Church?” 
“Complimentarianism (and other short words)”
“Gender Roles Q&A”
“She Should Cover Her Head??”
“Complementarianism Isn’t About You — It’s About God”
Scripture Referenced
Eve & Adam – Genesis 2:18-23 
God as our ezer – Psalm 121:1-2, Psalm 33:20
Sarah & Abraham – Genesis 16
Rebekah & Isaac – Genesis 24-27
Tamar & Judah – Genesis 38
Potiphar’s Wife & Joseph – Genesis 39
Two Hebrew Midwives, Shiphrah and Puah – Exodus 1
Zipporah & Moses – Exodus 4
Daughters of Zelophehad – Numbers 27
Rahab in Jericho – Joshua 2
Jael & Sisera – Judges 4-5
Delilah & Samson – Judges 13-16
Abigail, Nabal & David – 1 Samuel 25
Jezebel & Ahab – 1 Kings 16
The little slave girl & Naman – 2 Kings 5
Athaliah, Jehosheba & Joash – 2 Kings 8-11
Herodias & John the Baptist – Mark 6
Women supporting Jesus’ Ministry – Luke 8
Woman at the Well – John 4
Elizabeth & Mary – Luke 1-2
Deborah – Judges 4-5
Esther
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Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

Help train up women in your church! https://teachequip.com/clearly 
What if complementarianism became known for what it celebrates, not just what it restricts? Jimmy and Kelly Needham explore how complementarian churches can move beyond defining what women can and cannot do and instead create a culture where women are valued, equipped, affirmed, and actively involved in ministry. We unpack four practical ways pastors and church leaders can help women thrive: investigate how the women in their church are doing, identify women who are already faithfully serving, invest in their growth through training and resources, and involve them in the work and life of the church. We also discuss practical guardrails for healthy relationships between men and women, the importance of pastoral initiative, and how women can respond with grace, prayer, and long-suffering when their church leadership has room to grow.
What We Learned
Complementarianism teaches that men and women are different and complementary, with those differences being important, intentional, and valuable.
Pastors and church leaders can investigate the spiritual health of the women in their church by regularly asking trusted women about discipleship, biblical knowledge, outside influences, and common struggles.
Leaders should identify women who are faithfully serving, showing an appetite for deeper theology, discipling others, and consistently contributing to the life of the church.
Identifying a woman’s gifting should be followed by affirming it; having a godly male leader recognize and call attention to a woman’s ministry gifting can be deeply formative.
Churches can invest in women through conferences, books, courses, resources, cohorts, and other opportunities for theological and ministry development.
Leaders can involve women by seeking their perspective in areas such as marriage counseling, sermon preparation, church initiatives, and other aspects of church life.
Healthy involvement includes appropriate relational guardrails, such as giving affirmation publicly or including a woman’s husband when communicating privately.
Women who feel unsupported by church leadership are encouraged to extend forgiveness and grace, pray for their pastors, fight bitterness, and patiently seek health and change within their church.
Definitions
Complementarianism – men and women have sameness in worth, but difference in roles. Egalitarianism – men and women have sameness in worth, sameness in roles.
Related Episodes
⁠We did a deep dive on 1 Timothy 2 here: “So...Can Women Not Talk in Church?” 
“Complimentarianism (and other short words)”
“Gender Roles Q&A”
“She Should Cover Her Head??”
“Complementarianism Isn’t About You — It’s About God”
Resources Mentioned
Jen Wilkin
Simeon Trust Workshops
Purpose Fooled
Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham 
Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

Should we have strong convictions about secondary issues like women in ministry—or should we simply agree to disagree and move on? We believe Scripture calls us to something more thoughtful: to study the Bible carefully, form settled convictions before God, and remain unified with Christians who may land differently. We walk through how to develop biblical convictions responsibly by assessing where our current beliefs came from, studying the whole of Scripture both personally and in community, learning from church history, and testing our conclusions against the wisdom of the broader church. We then apply that process to complementarianism, exploring why we believe Scripture presents men and women as equal in dignity and worth while giving them distinct roles in the home and church. We also talk honestly about how women’s gifts can be undervalued in the church, why experience alone shouldn’t determine our theology, and how we can hold convictions firmly while still loving and partnering with believers who disagree.
What We Learned
Romans 14 calls Christians to be fully convinced in their own minds about secondary issues rather than simply avoiding convictions.
Forming a conviction begins with assessing what we currently believe, where those beliefs came from, and whether they were inherited, studied, or shaped by past experiences.
We should study what the whole Bible says about an issue, rather than building our position primarily from what other people say about Scripture.
Biblical study should happen both personally and corporately, involving other believers and the local church rather than treating ourselves as “Lone Ranger Christians.”
Church history can help test our interpretations, expose novel views, and show how Christians throughout history have understood Scripture.
We believe the biblical pattern points toward complementarianism: men and women have equal dignity and worth while God gives them distinct roles in the home and local church.
Women are essential partners in ministry and that complementarianism is not a statement about women’s ability, giftedness, or value.
We can hold firmly to our convictions while still loving, affirming, and working alongside Christians who disagree with us on secondary issues.
Resources Mentioned
Learn how to study the Bible for yourself: See For Yourself 
⁠Websites to learn more about church fathers and church history: Newadvent.org and Ccel.org 
Recommended Reading on Church History: 
The 100 Most Important Events in Christian History 
Our Legacy by John Hannah 
Invitation to Church History
Teach Equip — a seven-month program for training lay-level Bible teachers
Related Episodes
⁠We did a deep dive on 1 Timothy 2 here: “So...Can Women Not Talk in Church?” 
“Complimentarianism (and other short words)”
“Gender Roles Q&A”
“She Should Cover Her Head??”
“Complementarianism Isn’t About You — It’s About God”
Scripture Referenced: 
Romans 14
Titus 1:5-9
1 Timothy 3:1-7
Acts 6:1-7
Judges 4-5 
Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham 
Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com

Teach Equip | We equip you to teach the Bible & HELP LOCAL CHURCHES DO THE SAME
What does the Bible really say about women in leadership, and how should we think through the differences between complementarianism and egalitarianism? We take a deep dive into Preston Sprinkle’s From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership, exploring what we found compelling, what raised questions for us, and why we ultimately remain complementarian. We celebrate the book’s strong emphasis on the dignity, value, and essential role of women in God’s kingdom while examining questions around the definition of leadership, the interpretation of 1 Timothy 2, the meaning of “helper” in Genesis, and the significance of creation order. We also talk about why we need to know Scripture for ourselves, develop thoughtful convictions about issues the Bible addresses, and pursue greater trust, affirmation, and partnership between men and women in the church. 
What We Learned
Preston Sprinkle approaches the topic from a conservative theological background and ultimately moves from a complementarian position to an egalitarian one.
The book strongly emphasizes the value, dignity, and essential role of women in God’s kingdom, highlighting the many women who play significant roles throughout Scripture.
We question Sprinkle’s broad definition of “leadership,” arguing that complementarianism does not necessarily mean women cannot exercise leadership in any form.
We examine Sprinkle’s interpretation of 1 Timothy 2, particularly his understanding of the prohibition against women teaching or exercising authority over men.
We explore the Hebrew word ezer (“helper”) in Genesis, emphasizing that it conveys significant strength, dignity, and essential support rather than weakness or inferiority.
Equality of worth and dignity can coexist with distinctions in role, including distinctions grounded in the creation account.
We encourage listeners to study the Bible for themselves so they can thoughtfully evaluate theological arguments rather than simply accepting someone else’s conclusions.
The conversation closes by encouraging complementarian churches and pastors to affirm, support, develop, and empower women to use their gifts in ministry.
Resources Mentioned
From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership — Preston Sprinkle
Another great resource on 1 Timothy 2: Women in the Church: An Interpretation and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15
Learn how to study the Bible for yourself: See For Yourself  
Related Episodes
⁠We did a deep dive on 1 Timothy 2 here: “So...Can Women Not Talk in Church?” 
“Complimentarianism (and other short words)”
“Gender Roles Q&A”
“She Should Cover Her Head??”
“Complementarianism Isn’t About You — It’s About God”
Definitions
Complementarianism – men and women have sameness in worth, but difference in roles. Egalitarianism – men and women have sameness in worth, sameness in roles.
Scripture Referenced
1 Timothy 2:8-15
Genesis 2:18
Psalm 121:1-2
Ephesians 6:4
Titus 2:3
Mark 10:45
Join our team! patreon.com/jimmykellyneedham 
Produced by Sound of a Rose — https://soundofarose.com