Stephanie Edge is our guest blogger today. What a challenge she gives each of us as leaders of women. Stephanie Edge is the Director of Women’s Ministry, Poplar Heights Baptist Church, Jackson, TN and a LifeWay Ministry Multiplier. She is an Associate Professor at Union University in Jackson, TN. Stephanie graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. She also received an Advanced Women’s Ministry Certificate as well as completed a Th.M. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Christian Education. She has a passion for God’s Word and enjoys ministering to women.
 

You will be like me as you read this post from guest blogger, Stephanie Edge, and say AMEN to this eternal lesson she shares with us today...

"I will never forget one of the first lessons I learned in ministry: He is More than Enough!   
The amazing thing about God’s principles is that they are eternal.  The same ministry lesson I learned years ago still is applicable for today and I am reminded of it often. (Ps. 119:160, NIV)

Fifteen years ago, seven college students and I were invited to do a lock-in for youth at a local area church. The campus college ministry was starting anew and the students who were willing to tackle this opportunity were fresh out of their youth programs, but eager to serve and to make a difference. We literally stepped out in faith and prayer as our combined ministry experiences and abilities were minimal. The pastor of the youth came to speak to the college students the week prior to the lock-in. His message was timely and still resonates with me today. It was the story of the feeding of the 5,000. This miracle was actually recorded in all four gospels. (Mt. 14:17-21, Mk. 6:35-44, Lk. 9:13-17, Jn. 6:6-13)

The story is rather simple, but the results were extraordinary. Jesus, once again having compassion on the crowds, was found teaching and healing those in need. The disciples who had witnessed what Jesus had said and done approached Him with a very practical need. It was getting late and the people would need something to eat. However, Jesus responded shockingly – “You give them something to eat.” (Mt. 14:16) After a brief reality check, the disciples answered, “But we only have five loaves and two fish here.” (Mt. 14:17) The disciples surveyed their assets and were quick to acknowledge their lack.

However, they failed to consider Christ’s sufficiency. “Bring them here to Me,” He said. (Mt. 14:18) Jesus then took what they had (five loaves and two fish), blessed and broke them. He gave portions to the disciples who then served the crowd. The story concludes. “Everyone ate and was filled. Then they picked up 12 baskets full of leftover pieces! Now those who ate were about 5,000 men, besides women and children.” (Mt. 14:20-21)

The miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 was not to be limited to that particular occasion, but rather serves as an eternal ministry principle.  You see, I witnessed the exact same type of miracle with those college students as we stepped out in faith to minister. Our stories were parallel. Just as Jesus took the little the disciples had, blessed it, and it became more than enough, we presented ourselves before Him and offered all that we had, mainly enthusiasm, and it was more than enough to meet the need at hand.

I have continued to witness Christ’s sufficiency as ministry opportunities have transitioned from youth and college students to women. I am still experiencing the same miracle today that was demonstrated in the feeding of the 5,000. We, as leaders, continually come before Him offering all that we have and are. Jesus takes that offering, although meager, raises it to the Father and blesses it, and it is more than enough. Actually, He is More than Enough!"

For further reflection, ponder these verses:

Jn. 15:5 – “I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me.”
Eph. 3:20 – “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think—according to the power that works in you—to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.”

Other Helpful resources:

Believing God

Recently we hosted a summit for leaders who serve in our state convention offices (Southern Baptist). Selma Wilson, our vice-president and leader of B & H Publishing Group a division of LifeWay Christian Resources shared 10 valuable lessons with us about being women in ministry in a mostly male ministry world.  She has gained the respect not only of our leadership at LifeWay but across the Southern Baptist convention nationally. God has not only used her in powerful ways, but she has done it as a woman, and with grace that models leadership for us all.

This is part of a series of posts discussing these 10 points one at a time. You will be blessed as we all were when she shared them with us.  Again, here are all 10 points in a list.

1.    Be Yourself
2.    Prepare to Lead
3.    Love the People…Build the Team
4.    Respect the Past (People, History, & Work)
5.    Listen & Learn
6.    Find Your Leadership Voice ( And Use It!)
7.    Be Seen and Heard (Communicate, Communicate, Communicate)
8.    Submission & Leadership
9.    Humility & Leadership
10.    Perspective…It’s not About You!


Today we will look at #7: Be seen and heard

Have you ever said something over and over, then one day someone says, “I never knew about that?”  I remember when I was serving on a church staff that we would advertise something in everyway possible: church bulletin, church newsletter, posters, fliers. Believe it or not, those were the days before email, web sites, facebook and twitter! Now, I read everything I can get my hands on almost, and I always “wrote” in my daytimer (our iPad of the 80’s and 90’s) important dates and events. I thought everyone else did the same thing, but as I worked with women, I discovered for the first time that my spiritual gift of administration was one reason I was OCD about that kind of thing.

Additionally, we need to share the ministry impact with our team, the women in the church, and our supervisors…often and continually.  Selma reminded us to give reports of our work even if no one is asking about it. Find a way to communicate in every form possible. One medium is not sufficient. You must use multiple mediums to make sure your message is heard. Those we lead and serve under need to see how God is working in our ministries…what HE is up to and how lives are being changed.

In what creative ways do you communicate what’s going on in your ministry? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
 

Other helpful Resources:

Jesus on Leadership, Gene Wilkes

Mixed Ministry: Working Together as  Brothers and Sisters in an Oversexed Society, Edwards, Mathews, & Rogers

Women Reaching Women

Transformed Lives

Today our guest blogger is Debbie Stuart, Women's Ministry director at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX.

You will be encouraged as you read what Debbie has to say about the hard pathways we all experience in our walk with Christ...

Today’s post is written by guest blogger, Debbie Stuart. Women’s Ministry Director, Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX and is a LifeWay Ministry Multiplier. She earned her Women's Ministry Advanced Certificate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary   and is a member of the Association of Women’s Ministry Professionals . In addition to being a conference and retreat speaker and Bible study teacher, she was the founder and director of Network Extravaganza in the Shreveport, Louisiana area. She is married and has two young adults.

Recently we hosted a summit for leaders who serve in our state convention offices (Southern Baptist). Selma Wilson, our vice-president and leader of B & H Publishing Group a division of LifeWay Christian Resources shared 10 valuable lessons with us about being women in ministry in a mostly male ministry world.  She has gained the respect not only of our leadership at LifeWay but across the Southern Baptist convention nationally. God has not only used her in powerful ways, but she has done it as a woman, and with grace that models leadership for us all.

This is part of a series of posts discussing these 10 points one at a time. You will be blessed as we all were when she shared them with us.  Again, here are all 10 points in a list.

1.    Be Yourself
2.    Prepare to Lead
3.    Love the People…Build the Team
4.    Respect the Past (People, History, & Work)
5.    Listen & Learn
6.    Find Your Leadership Voice ( And Use It!)
7.    Be Seen and Heard (Communicate, Communicate, Communicate)
8.    Submission & Leadership
9.    Humility & Leadership
10.    Perspective…It’s not About You!


Let’s look at #6: Find Your Leadership Voice (and use it)   

How do you look for and find your leadership voice? It’s not in trying to lead like someone else, although it’s wise to watch for strong godly characteristics in others that we believe we should emulate. Just because someone else is very blunt and outspoken, does not mean that is how you are to lead as well. Another may be very soft spoken and you may think that is how you are to lead. Neither may be true. Ask God to help you discover HOW he wants you to use your voice in leadership and then follow it.

We must learn to use our voices in a man’s world remembering that our voice does matter. Remember that you represent at least 50% or more of the church body if that is the setting in which you lead.

 Selma reminded us to give reports of our work even if no one is asking about it. Find a way to communicate in every form possible. One medium is not sufficient. You must use multiple mediums to make sure your message is heard. Those we lead and serve under need to see how God is working in our ministries…what HE is up to and how lives are being changed.

Another issue we need to keep in mind is that everyone has to submit. Submission is a Biblical principle and we are more powerful when we submit than when we rebel. Learn to submit, it's a great place to live no matter who we must submit to. 

I can’t help but also consider submission to my husband as we celebrate TODAY 40 years of marriage. I’ve not always done it well, but it has been my heart to honor his leadership. He is the kind of man who makes it easy to submit to, and has never demanded it. He has sought to love me as Christ loves the church. I am grateful for God’s plan for the leadership in the church, as well as within my own home!

Now, back to our leadership voice…How are YOU using your leadership voice? Have you found it?  Most importantly we need to ask that God gives us the wisdom of how to use our voices. He gave us that leadership voice and He knows best how we are to use it for His glory and for His Kingdom work.
 

Other helpful Resources:

Jesus on Leadership, Gene Wilkes

Mixed Ministry: Working Together as  Brothers and Sisters in an Oversexed Society, Edwards, Mathews, & Rogers

Women Reaching Women

Guest blogger Sheila West will truly challenge all of us as leaders with this very insightful post. Read prayerfully!

"It was one of those days. We all have them.  The demands of the day were greater than the time or energy that I possessed. As I backed out of the driveway I found myself crying out to the Father in utter desperation:  “I really need your help! I can’t do everything I have to do all by myself.” Instantly, I was taken aback by the accuracy of my statement.  I desperately needed the Father to hold my fragmented life together: relational demands, business challenges, and ministry opportunities.  And yet a few minutes ago, I didn’t have the time to give Him my undivided attention.  

The memory of the morning did an instant replay through my mind. It began with my daily “quiet time” that was anything but quiet. I had no more than sat down with a Bible, pen, and life journal in hand than I heard the buzzer on the washer calling me. I had been so efficient getting a load of clothes started before coming to my “Dwelling Place” (the place I stop the busyness of life to be with the Father – or so it should be).  I started to get up and change the clothes when I had a check in my spirit.  Racing through my mind were times I sensed the Father calling me to come to Him and yet I had ignored the “beep” because things had to be done. Rethinking priorities, I sat back down.
After a few short minutes, I thought about something I needed to do for a ministry project. Efficiently not wanting to forget, I jumped up and headed straight for the computer.  Once again, I sensed a check in my spirit as if the Father were saying    “Do I have to be a project to get such a sense of urgency out of you?” 

At that moment, the reality hit me between the eyes that I was taking multi-tasking to a new level.  I was actually multi-tasking with God. My moments with the Master were no longer the quiet time of undivided devotion but crammed into the middle of other competing demands. While sitting with Him, I was jumping ahead to the day’s problems and my plans. In my attempts to get things done, I was trying to cram in my time between buzzers, meetings, or text messages.  To cap it off, I was even multi-tasking my listening. I often flip-flopped from listening for a personal Word from the Lord to forming a teaching plan.  

I began thinking how much I was missing out on by not spending time in wholehearted devotions with the Master.  “Let me experience Your faithful love in the morning, for I trust in You. Reveal to me the way I should go because I long for You. Psalms 143:8 (HCSB) is the real desire of my heart.  And I am sure many of you long for the same thing.

So, I’ve been thinking, “What radical life-changes could happen if…?”  What if multi-tasking gurus became willing to resist the tendency to default to multi-tasking with God?  If you are one, you know what I mean.  It is powerful to pray and walk, to ride and sing praise songs, to listen to the Word in the car, to have ongoing conversations with God all day long.  But there is more!  I’m just saying,  what if this year became filled with more of those sweet, sweet moments with just you and the Master, all alone in a quiet place? What if you linger there long enough for His thoughts on specific issues to become your thoughts?  What if single-minded moments sent you away wrapped up in the reality of His faithful love?  What if your time with Him gives you the faith to trust Him more and more for the events of the day?  Would there be more peace in the midst of the busyness?  More power for practically applying God’s Truths? More discernment for setting our agendas? More faith in the face of adversity?

All I’m saying is, “I’ve been thinking, what if…?”

Sheila West has been involved in Women's ministry for over 25 years, serving as Director of Women's Ministry for over 20 years in the local church. She is presently on the Leadership Team for Heritage Community Church, in Lady Lake, Florida, including coordinating women's ministry. She is the founder of Real Living Ministries, a speaking, teaching, and leadership development ministry to women. Sheila has appeared on numerous Christian radio and television broadcasts, including The 700 Club, and 100 Huntley Street. She is the author of Beyond Chaos, published by NavPress, and is a LifeWay Ministry      Multiplier. She and her husband, John, are the parents of two, and the proud grandparents of eight.

Have you ever planned a special event just because you do it every year and it’s on the calendar? I have too, but perhaps we need to take time to stop and “rethink” why and how we are doing it to see if it even should be on the calendar.

Here is something to RE-think each time you begin thinking about an event: perceived needs vs. real needs of women. What are the perceived needs you see?  Probably the perceived needs involve what a woman wants now…usually a “quick fix” to something she is dealing with. It might be balance in her life, release from stress, purpose in life, or building relationships. We know that as we plan events that we must appeal to what she feels she needs right then, but as leaders we truly want to give her what she actually needs…in a nutshell, that’s Christ and growing in her spiritual walk. Many women don’t even know that what they need is Christ so then we have to ask, “how DO we reach them?”

We need to rethink several things…events titles, greeters, groups and invitations.

EVENT TITLES: do you ever take a look at the title or theme and ask yourself what would an unchurched or lost person think if they read it? For instance, Grasping 1 Corinthians 13 might not mean a thing to a lost woman, but “A Love that Never Ends” or “True Love” might grip their heart and encourage them to take part in your event.

GREETERS: if you have women standing at the door smiling at each person coming in, introducing themselves, introducing them to other women, and making them feel welcome, you say to these unchurched women, “we are SO glad you are here” and “you belong here.”

GROUPS: women who are not already a part of your ministry or even your church may hesitate to join you if they’ve visited before and felt everyone already had their own group (or clique as some might call it). Help her find a group to connect with at the event, a table to sit at, a group to join so that she will not feel left out when she does come.

INVITATIONS: we want to make sure that lost women have an opportunity to make spiritual decisions at our events. In fact, Christian women need this opportunity as well. And we should NEVER assume that since they are a part of our church, they are already in a relationship with Christ. Sometimes unchurched women may not understand an “altar call”, but perhaps if they had other ways to make a decision, such as with a response card. This could include name, address, email, cell phone for general information for all attendees, but then could also include something like this:

    ___I would like to know more about this church (and/or women’s ministry).
    ___I have some spiritual questions. Please have someone contact me.
    ___I would like to talk to someone about knowing Christ personally.
    ___Today, for the first time, I asked Jesus to be my Lord and Savior.
    ___Today, I recommitted my life to Christ.
    ___Today, I committed to a special ministry of ______________ for Christ.
    ___Please pray for ______________.

This makes it easy to follow up on prayer requests and spiritual decisions.  Keep in mind, just because the event worked once, doesn't mean that it will always work!  Rethink everything each time you feel God is leading you to plan an event that will reach women, build relationships, minister to women and helps them know and grow in Christ.

Find more info on special events in Women Reaching Women and other helpful information from Transformed Lives.
 

This true story from our guest blogger Linda Lesniewski.

Linda Lesniewski is the Women's Minister at Green Acres Baptist Church in Tyler, Texas and the mother of four young adults and grandmother of four little girls. She is a contributor to the book Transformed Lives: Taking Women's Ministry to the Next Level published by LifeWay. She has authored A Little Book About Knowing A Big God for children, Women at the Cross, published by Revell, and Connecting Women: A Relational Guide for Leaders in Women's Ministry, published by Baker Books.

 "I had a life changing and ministry changing experience almost a decade ago. It resulted from a mission trip to a third world country. My assignment sent me to the home of a pastor and his wife. Within a short time I realized the pastor's wife was experiencing a personal crisis. With patience, prayer, and the assistance of an interpreter, I learned that she believed she was dying and no one would tell her. The doctors told her she was well even though she didn’t feel well. I soon discovered she'd had a hysterectomy and had received no information or hormonal support for the resulting menopausal symptoms.

This pastor’s wife struggled with the responsibilities of leading the women of the church as well as the children’s missions program,  while coping with these symptoms and depression. Her only resources were her faith and a small worn Bible. She considered even a pencil or a piece of paper a luxury. In addition, her feet ached with bunions yet she and her husband regularly walked to visit church members in her only pair of shoes—shoes with hard soles and heels. The old scooter they owned needed repairs, but they had no funds.
 
On the flight home I felt guilty about the abundance of resources I had access to for ministry. I also pointed out to the Lord this woman’s plight and the challenges she faced as she ministered. I told the Lord how unfair it all was. I had shelves of Bibles, internet access, a car, DVD's for leadership equipping, a budget for ministry, training opportunities, medical resources for personal health....
 
It was then God interrupted my complaining with a gripping directive from His Word, a principle from Luke that I knew but hadn’t applied to my own life or ministry, Much will be required of everyone who has been given much (Luke 12:48)HCSB. This dear woman was only accountable to God for the resources He’d entrusted to her. But the same principle was also true for me. Within moments, I reversed my whining. "Lord, that's not fair either! I didn't ask to be born in a prosperous country or to have access to educational opportunities and ministry resources.” The concept of God entrusting me with these things and the responsibility of stewarding all He had entrusted to me burned into my mind and heart as I saw myself standing before the throne of God giving account of how I had used them. I sat quietly the rest of the flight home. And, I've lived much more intentionally since that trip. I’ve strived to be more aware of everything at my disposal and to look for ways to multiply its effectiveness.

What resource has God entrusted to you that you haven’t yet utilized? What opportunities have you passed over? Do you have talents or skill sets you haven’t developed? When each of us expands the traditional concept of financial stewardship to every resource God has made available to us, how we see and do ministry will be forever changed!"

 You can read Random Thoughts Part 1, 2 , 3 and 4 that were previous posts.  Here are more thoughts, leader to leader.  Most of these come on a daily email I get from a friend here at LifeWay. Sometimes I get them and they stop me in my tracks. I just have to save and re-read each one. Comments in italics are my own musings about the thoughts.  I pray these will bless you as well as you journey through 2011 in His power!

1.    “Don’t expect God to make you a lighthouse somewhere else, if you can’t be a candle where you are.” (Unknown author) Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much. (Luke 16:10 HCSB) Please help me to be faithful where ever you have me right now, any way you want to use me.

2.    “There is no torment like the inner torment of an unforgiving spirit." (Charles Swindoll) See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling many. (Heb 12:14-15 HCSB) Who have I never forgiven, Lord.  Please let me extend the same grace to you have extended to me.


3.    "The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day." (E.M. Bounds)  At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly. (Psalms 5:3 HCSB) Lord, let nothing get in the way with my time with you daily. Everything else in life will flow from that relationship and time spent in your Word, listening, and praying.

I pray these will speak to you not only as you read today, but as you go through this year and face busyness and challenges! 

Helpful Resources:
Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore
Journey (devotional magazine for women)

Recently at a YOU Lead women’s leadership training, we had a panel of leaders answering questions submitted by attendees. Several past and upcoming posts address those and try to help answer them. 

Today’s question is: "We have an existing "leader" that has no passion to be the leader of the WMU/WM group and it shows. but she filled the spot when there wasn't another to do so-we are a small church and this "leader" has been there and takes everything personally. But she's a precious lady...now for the question. How can we correctly and in a godly way get our out and new fresh passionate leader in? Again, small church and takes personally...HELP!

Wow, that is truly a tough one. Of course, we know the place we must start without question is on our knees!!! We want the best for her and for the ministry and only God knows what that is and how bring it about so that it’s all redemptive and glorifying to him. Pray with those concerned as well as personally until you see clearly the next step.  Include this “leader” in the prayer time as well, at least part of the time so that she can sense your desires to see God’s best for the women in your church.

As you pray together, pray that God will tweak or restructure as He needs to so that His will is accomplished through this team of leaders.  If she doesn’t see she needs to step down, here is what one of our YOU Lead trainers shared:  Ask her, “What is your passion, and are you serving in the area where you are passionate? If not, perhaps you will want to remove yourself from the group while you find your ministry of passion.”  If she considers herself the leader it may be difficult to raise the question “what is your passion?”  And actually this is a great question for each team member to ask herself as well and in that way you aren’t just singling her out. You might even want to ask her ahead of time if she thinks all the team members are serving out of obligation or out of their passions and callings. (See blog posts for January 6 and 9 for more on “calling”.)

Another trainer who was at this YOU Lead recommends talking with the pastor or whoever the staff member is over Women's Ministry (or Woman’s Missionary Union, missions group, etc) and receive their wise counsel. That person may have insight about this leader that the other women are not aware of. He\She may also be a better person to talk to this leader about the ministry, her passion and position as the other women pray.

Obviously this is not an easy situation nor is there an easy solution. This is one of those times when leadership is just tough!  But perhaps God has you in this place to be a catalyst for change and growth of ministry to and with women.

Resources:

Is God Calling Me, Jeff Iorg

The Power of the Call, Henry T. Blackaby & Henry Brandt

Beautifully Gifted: Equipping Today’s Women for the High Calling of God, Angela Bisignano

Women Reaching Women, Chris Adams

Recently we hosted a summit for leaders who serve in our state convention offices (Southern Baptist). Selma Wilson, our vice-president and leader of B & H Publishing Group a division of LifeWay Christian Resources shared 10 valuable lessons with us about being women in ministry in a mostly male ministry world.  She has gained the respect not only of our leadership at LifeWay but across the Southern Baptist convention nationally. God has not only used her in powerful ways, but she has done it as a woman, and with grace that models leadership for us all.

This is part of a series of posts discussing these 10 points one at a time. You will be blessed as we all were when she shared them with us.  Again, here are all 10 points in a list.

1.    Be Yourself
2.    Prepare to Lead
3.    Love the People…Build the Team
4.    Respect the Past (People, History, & Work)
5.    Listen & Learn
6.    Find Your Leadership Voice ( And Use It!)
7.    Be Seen and Heard (Communicate, Communicate, Communicate)
8.    Submission & Leadership
9.    Humility & Leadership
10.    Perspective…It’s not About You!


Let’s look at #5: Listen and Learn   

Have you ever started something new with a new team and began by talking and telling? Selma’s advice to us was to first listen, then talk. Listen to LEARN from those you serve with.  She warned that often we make wrong assumptions about others, their motives, their passions, their intentions, if we jump in without listening first.

Selma uses the 90 day principle: listen and learn for 90 days before sharing.
 She advises that you keep a journal of things you have heard, and things you have assumed because of what you have heard.
                   
If there is a lot of noise as you listen, she reminds us to measure the noise and energy because noise is not a bad thing. It means you still have people who are invested and still care. Even if there is conflict, it is an indication that something is going on. Pause and get behind the noise so you can really see what is happening. Then when the 90 days are over you can begin to put your words together with what you have learned. You will be an informed and caring leader.

How well do you listen as you take on a role in leadership with new people?  Male or female?

 

Other helpful Resources:

Jesus on Leadership, Gene Wilkes

Mixed Ministry: Working Together as  Brothers and Sisters in an Oversexed Society, Edwards, Mathews, & Rogers

Women Reaching Women

Here are some of my resolutions:
1.    I resolve to listen more than I talk.
2.    I resolve to talk to God before I talk to others when I am confused.
3.    I resolve to eat right and exercise.
 

In a few days, I will sit down with my prayer journal and review the goals and resolutions I made last year. I’ll thank God for the progress I made and ask Him to forgive me where I fell short. I’ll review the events of 2010 and reflect on God’s faithfulness every step of the way. This is a practice that I participate in every year, but since 2010 took me in and out of cancer; through a flood that damaged our church; and brought me the pregnancy of my teenage daughter, I have much to reflect on this year.

As I reflect,  I’ll make a list of lessons learned and truths revealed. I will remember how God gave me Isaiah 43:18-19 and Isaiah 44:1-5 the last week of 2009 when I sat in His presence and participated in my New Year’s ritual. I will ask Him to give me a verse or passage of Scripture for 2011 too.  And after I have spent some time in the lap of God, I will welcome 2011 with open arms and an expectant heart. I will “press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” I urge you to do the same.

Happy New Year.

Leighann is a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is a pastor's wife, mother of three, as well as a writer and speaker. Currently, she serves on staff at Thompson Station Church as the prayer and women's minister, and is a frequent speaker at women's events and prayer conferences. Throughout her ministry, she has served in several denominational positions relating to children and women's ministries. She is the author of five books, Oh God, Please! The Heart Cry of a Burdened Soul (a prayer study), Women Touched by Jesus, Women Conquering Fear, Women Embracing Life… All of It  and Pray Right! Learn more from Leighann and follow her on her blog: Sister Pastor.

 Recently we hosted a summit for leaders who serve in our state convention offices (Southern Baptist). Selma Wilson, our vice-president and leader of B & H Publishing Group a division of LifeWay Christian Resources shared 10 valuable lessons with us about being women in ministry in a mostly male ministry world.  She has gained the respect not only of our leadership at LifeWay but across the Southern Baptist convention nationally. God has not only used her in powerful ways, but she has done it as a woman, and with grace that models leadership for us all.

This is part of a series of posts discussing these 10 points one at a time. You will be blessed as we all were when she shared them with us.  Again, here are all 10 points in a list.

1.    Be Yourself
2.    Prepare to Lead
3.    Love the People…Build the Team
4.    Respect the Past (People, History, & Work)
5.    Listen & Learn
6.    Find Your Leadership Voice ( And Use It!)
7.    Be Seen and Heard (Communicate, Communicate, Communicate)
8.    Submission & Leadership
9.    Humility & Leadership
10.  Perspective…It’s not About You!


Let’s look at #4: Respect the Past (People, History & Work)

Often when we begin something new, we forget to take into consideration those who have served before us, laid the groundwork and still need to feel valued. We do not intentionally try to make them feel otherwise, but sensitivity in this area will go a long way as we continue to move ministry into the future. If not for women who have gone before us, served, led, prayed…we would not be where we are today with ministry to and with women.

Take the time to honor those who have gone before us, and commission those who are following behind. We must not ever feel this is “our” ministry. It has and always will be God’s. As long as there is an earth and women there will be ministry to women. But the format it takes is always changing. As it does, let’s recognize those who have opened doors for us to serve, recognize the history behind where we are today, and bless the work that has touched lives. Remind all the women of the importance of the past, then move forward at God’s leading and in God’s way.

How have you bridged the gap between history and future for the women in your church?


Other Helpful Resources:

Jesus on Leadership, Gene Wilkes

Mixed Ministry: Working Together as  Brothers and Sisters in an Oversexed Society, Edwards, Mathews, & Rogers

Women Reaching Women

Recently we hosted a summit for leaders who serve in our state convention offices (Southern Baptist). Selma Wilson, our vice-president and leader of B & H Publishing Group a division of LifeWay Christian Resources shared 10 valuable lessons with us about being women in ministry in a mostly male ministry world.  She has gained the respect not only of our leadership at LifeWay but across the Southern Baptist convention nationally. God has not only used her in powerful ways, but she has done it as a woman, and with grace that models leadership for us all.

This is part of a series of posts discussing these 10 points one at a time. You will be blessed as we all were when she shared them with us.  First of all, here are all 10 points in a list.

1.    Be Yourself
2.    Prepare to Lead
3.    Love the People…Build the Team
4.    Respect the Past (People, History, & Work)
5.    Listen & Learn
6.    Find Your Leadership Voice ( And Use It!)
7.    Be Seen and Heard (Communicate, Communicate, Communicate)
8.    Submission & Leadership
9.    Humility & Leadership
10.    Perspective…It’s not About You!


Let’s look at #2: Prepare to Lead

Do you ever just think you can “lead” without preparing ahead of time? Ever try it? Granted, sometimes we are called on to lead on the spur of a moment and we just do not have a lot of time to prepare. In that case we just have to pray and allow God to do what He’s asking us to do, even if prep time is short or non-existent!

Normally, we have at least a window of time between an assignment from God and the execution of that assignment. Proverbs 14:8a (HCSB) says, “The sensible man’s wisdom is to consider his way…” It’s imperative that we ask God’s direction and then follow His leading in each task He asks us to accomplish.

Whether we have a long or short (or NO!) time to get ready to lead, our most important preparation is spiritual as we walk daily in His presence, spending time in His Word, in prayer and in constant communication with the Father so that we are ready at any time to lead HIS way.

What do you do to prepare to lead?


Resources:

Jesus on Leadership, Gene Wilkes

Mixed Ministry: Working Together as  Brothers and Sisters in an Oversexed Society, Edwards, Mathews, & Rogers

Women Reaching Women

We are praying for you as you seek HIM in 2011 in your leadership of women! Thank you for allowing us to serve with you!