ABOUT

I'm a feisty middle child, Generation Jones, Enneagram 5, feminist, always fighting for scraps left by those before me, for employment, for attention to my needs, and for equal rights and opportunities. I prefer direct, practical, and no-nonsense communication: give me the bottom line without nonsense, hype, spin, or flashiness. I prefer honest facts, realistic solutions, authenticity and transparency. I have an intense curiosity, find joy in continuous learning and in seeing multiple points of view.

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As a mother of three daughters, I wanted to show how the Bible empowers women to speak and act boldly. I felt betrayed as a Christian when I saw so many churches--my own religion--speaking against women advisors and leaders. I wanted to allow women like my daughters to see themselves represented in the Gospels, and to see how Jesus engaged women as financial advisors and teachers. My writing shines the light on how Jesus engaged women as disciples and patrons, and equipped and empowered women as evangelists and apostles. I chose to write historical fiction set in biblical times to make egalitarian scholarship more accessible, and my message more gut-wrenching and life-changing.

 

​I also write non-fiction books designed to help readers escape high-control churches and see controversial Bible passages in context. For too long, evangelicals have limited the definition of Christian to only include Evangelicals. I want to take Christianity back. Back to the ecumenical movement where Christians work together for peace and justice, despite ongoing doctrinal differences. The Bible says that God shows no favouritism, and I believe in speaking against preference by race, gender, or sexual orientation. I wrote The Sword: A Fun Way to Engage with What the Bible Says About a Woman's Role, to contrast Complementarian (patriarchal) and Egalitarian views of the Bible. I wrote a self-help book sharing personal stories to illustrate proven self-care strategies to guide those who are leaving high-control churches: Walk with Mara on Her Healing Journey: 21 Steps to Emotional Resilience.

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My thirty years as a financial advisor developed my self-discipline, research-based approach, passion, and empathetic tone. Elaine Ricker Kelly HBA MBA graduated from the Ivey Business School at Western University in Ontario, earned the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) designations, and became a Fellow of the Canadian Securities Institute (FCSI). I gave these up in 2021 to focus on writing and advocacy for equal rights and opportunities for all people, regardless of gender, race, class, or sexual orientation. ​I hope that my words are refreshing and life-giving for those who are questioning their faith, deconstructing evangelicalism, or investigating egalitarian and LGBTQ+ affirming Christian perspectives, and want to rebuild their faith. 

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My husband and I live in Ontario, Canada, and have hiked the 900 km Bruce Trail. Our children are grown, and we enjoy visiting them and their children. Now retired from our paid careers, we walk our little dog and enjoy tennis, pickleball, music, hiking, and travel. We worship at the United Church of Canada.

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Thank you for visiting my website. 

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Click the Articles tab for research on biblical equality, biblical interpretation, women in the Bible and church history, empowering women, and affirming LGBTQ+. All believers are called to use their gifts to speak and act at home, church, and society. You can find out more about my beliefs here.

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On the Freebees tab, you can obtain free samples of my writing and other free downloads. 

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On the Books tab, find details of my books:

📘Fiction to put you in the biblical story and to demonstrate a Jesus movement that models equality

📘Non-Fiction to help you deconstruct and reconstruct your faith and to heal from religious trauma.

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Click Contact Me for a free ebook Advance Copy of my next book, or to schedule a reading, event, or interview.

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​​​​​Author Photo Credit:  @storyunlocked