Our history, her story: Rachel Ciano
Rachel Ciano, Dean of Academic Development
The Church suffers when women’s stories, perspectives and insights are missed. But sadly, women’s stories are often hidden from history, and historically women haven’t been given the same opportunities to study theology in depth.
Historian, theologian, 2023 ADM Fellow and new Dean of Academic Development at Mary Andrews College, Rachel Ciano, is trying to do something about that, with her passions for history, theology and teaching entwined.
A deeper passion
Rachel became a Christian at the end of high school after seeing the joy-filled lives of some Christian friends. She says the first time she walked into church, “I think I probably showed up not even understanding the gospel, just that I wanted to side with Jesus and that’s where I could hear more about Him!”
But soon Rachel was a passionate disciple, joining her university Christian group while she studied design, and becoming heavily involved at church.
Rachel intended to be a designer, but she realised she just wasn’t passionate enough about building a career in design in a highly-competitive market. But God continued to grow Rachel’s passion for Him, and she decided to start with studying part-time at Sydney Missionary & Bible College (SMBC).
She was married by this point to Ross, who had finished his theological studies, and they soon decided to make a big move to Brighton in the UK, where Ross was employed as a minister at an evangelical church. They ministered there for three years, during which Rachel continued her studies by distance education.
“The past ministers to us”
Also while in the UK, the Cianos got to do some travel around Europe, which Rachel particularly loved because of her interest in history. “I would find myself chasing down history to do with the church - I had a natural curiosity and was exploring historical things on my own.”
Rachel in Rome
“The past ministers to us. We get to watch men and women in the past, how they’ve understood their place in the world, how they’ve understood the Bible, the ways they’ve tried to live out their faith, the theological controversies they’ve been a part of… We can stand on the shoulders of the past.”
But Rachel wasn’t just excited by old buildings or landmarks. She sums up the reason behind her passion for history by saying “The past ministers to us. We get to watch men and women in the past, how they’ve understood their place in the world, how they’ve understood the Bible, the ways they’ve tried to live out their faith, the theological controversies they’ve been a part of… We can stand on the shoulders of the past.”
So when Rachel returned to Australia, and she was given the opportunity to finish her studies and to teach Christianity in History at SMBC, she jumped at the chance. She commenced as lecturer in Christianity in History in 2011, the same year she gave birth to her first son. Ross and Rachel also planted a church, Marrickville Road Church, in Sydney upon their return to Australia, so it was a busy season!
Rachel loves her subject matter, but most students who walk into her classroom tend to be resistant to studying history. “They think, ‘there is nothing here that is going to impact my life. It’s going to be boring. I don’t see the point’,” she says. “But I help them see how much of a product of history they are!”
Rachel also loves seeing how the stories of Christians in the past come alive to her students, as they see how their brothers and sisters from history have lived faithfully and served those around them, including the vulnerable, those from different cultures, and even their oppressors.
By the end of each semester of her teaching, Rachel is pleased that “I don’t think there’s anyone who leaves the classroom who doesn’t say, ‘oh my gosh, I love history now.’ It really is transformational.”
A year in history
But as much as she loves teaching, Rachel really wanted to dig her teeth into some bigger projects and research, which is why in 2022, she applied for an ADM Fellowship.
“I had some self-doubt, some imposter syndrome, and I had a sense this wasn’t for me,” Rachel admits. “When the notification came through about whether or not I’d been accepted, I don’t think I’ve been more nervous about opening an email in a while!
“When I found out I had been accepted as an ADM Fellow I felt such joy, but I didn't even realise how good it would be until I got here. It's been even more joyous than I thought. It's just been the best year.”
Rachel used her ADM Fellowship to research and write on the radical nature of the gospel and its transformation of society, as demonstrated specifically in religious ministers being allowed to marry as part of the Protestant Reformation. Her PhD thesis examines how their households changed, what this looked like, how this affected ministry, and, at the core, what it demonstrated about the gospel. Rachel’s research highlights one of innumerable examples of the social impact of the gospel, and that as the Reformers rediscovered the good news of Jesus, the effects were felt in the world at every level – personal, domestic and society at large.
“I am convinced that the gospel brings real change to people’s lives, cultures, societies and communities. The research area of clerical marriage is simply a focused way of exploring the changes that the gospel makes to households and communities, and the value that the gospel gives to a person’s vocation, both within and without the household,” Rachel explains.
Rachel shared various aspects of her research throughout the year, including at conferences in Cambridge (via Zoom), Texas and teaching in Rome. She says attending the conference in Texas - for the Evangelical Theological Society - was a major highlight.
Rachel, Louisa and Donna at ETS in Texas
“Two of the other Fellows came with me (Donna Toulmin and Louisa Raggatt). My paper got accepted early in the year so the other ADM Fellows and I would have discussions about the conference, and I shared how part of attending is an opportunity to meet with book publishers and pitch ideas. That was perfect for Donna and Louisa working on their books, so we all went to Texas. It was the best week,” Rachel shares.
Uncovering stories
Also during the year, Rachel had the opportunity to launch her new book 10 Dead Gals You Should Know, co-written with Ian J. Maddock.
Rachel’s new book, ‘10 Dead Gals You Should Know’ offers the reader bite-sized biographies of inspirational Christian women.
Spanning two millennia and multiple continents, the stories in the book introduce readers to great women in the history of the Christian faith. From Mary in first century Judea, to Catherine Booth in nineteenth century Britain, to Gladys Aylward in twentieth century China. Perpetua and Jane Grey lived brief lives cut short by their conspicuous and brave fidelity to Jesus, while Corrie ten Boom, although no less courageous, lived a long life that testified to God's compassion and forgiveness.
Rachel notes that women’s stories are far too often lost in history, so she considers it a privilege to uncover the less-known stories of some of these inspirational women, not only to give them the dignity they deserve, but also to edify the modern Church.
“These women were working in worlds that were very tricky for them, and these women were steadfast and they knew the comfort of the Lord in the middle of their trials,” Rachel says. “This is a lesson for us.”
The next steps
As Rachel has discovered, for teachers, it can be a challenge to get people to engage with the subject matter you want them to understand! Whether it is through a book or a classroom, those who wish to teach need to work hard to reduce the barriers for learners, to make the topic relevant, engaging and accessible.
This is particularly the case when it comes to Christian topics. Rachel notes that for many people, stepping into a classroom to start learning matters related to theology is a barrier feels like an insurmountable challenge. This is especially the case for women, who may be unable to access typical modes of study at theological college (full-time, in-person).
That’s why Rachel is so excited about her next step post-ADM Fellowship: a job at ADM’s Mary Andrews College, the only evangelical Bible college in Australia specifically providing theological education to women.
Rachel is Dean of Academic Development, a role that perfectly matches her passion for quality teaching with her knowledge and experience teaching in the Australian theological education sector.
“It’s a big picture role covering academic programming, lecturer development, subject development, compliance and more. I believe Mary Andrews College has something really beautiful and precious and important to offer women and I am excited to help more women to access quality theological education,” Rachel says.
Just as she has sought to uncover the voices of women in Christian history, Rachel is keen to enable modern Christian women to find their voices and confidence in thinking and speaking about theological matters. “I want them to feel more confident to engage theologically and not just defer those tasks to others. Women shouldn’t get second-rate theological training just because they’ve got lots of other things on their plates.”
“I want them to feel more confident to engage theologically and not just defer those tasks to others. Women shouldn’t get second-rate theological training just because they’ve got lots of other things on their plates.”
Under the leadership of Dr Laurel Moffatt, the new Principal of Mary Andrews College, Rev. Kate Snell, Dean of Students, and Rachel as Dean of Academic Development, students can expect to receive a theological education that is rigorous but accessible; deep in subject matter but also wide in pastoral relevance; affirming and sensitive but also challenging and transformative.
Praying for Rachel
As Rachel settles into her new role, she asks that we pray for her. “I think it's going to be a year of great change for me. And change can be daunting, but change can be hopeful,” she says.
“I'm particularly looking forward to my time at Mary Andrews College. I want to be able to contribute to God's kingdom using the gifts and skills He's given me. So please pray that I would be wise as I negotiate those changes and rely on Him and care for all those around me.”
Rachel will continue to pursue her love of history alongside her work at Mary Andrews College, revealing and passing on more stories of the women and men from our past that can minister to us today, as we seek to follow Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).