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February 2011
Our 2011 National Women’s Leadership Forum is November 10-12 here in Nashville at our LifeWay corporate offices. Focusing on Psalm 145:4 (One generation will declare Your works to the next and will proclaim your mighty acts. ) this year’s theme is Decades…Because We’re in this Together! Our special guests include Tammie Head, Esther Burroughs, Jennifer Rothschild, and Kelly Minter
By attending, you will…
· Understand the uniqueness of each generation of women in your church
· Gain practical insights for connecting all generations of women for spiritual growth and ministry
· Commit to connect the generations…for the future!!!
For the past 15 years, the National Women's Forum has been an opportunity for women's ministry leaders to swap ideas, information and inspiration with one another. Through dynamic speakers, powerful breakout sessions with ministry specialists, and inspiring worship, ministry leaders continually walk away with a renewed sense of passion. The 2011 forum will be no exception. Come ready to learn as you study the unique aspects of each generation, and how you can bridge the gaps between women of all ages in your church. After all—we’re "all in this together!”
As you think about the different generations of women in your church, take a look at this article A Profile of a Generation –X Mom . It will help you understand this generation a little bit better. Watch for more details to follow on the web site.
We hope to see you in November!!
Today you will read a very introspective and touching testimony by guest blogger, women’s ministry leader Lesa Floyd. Please pray before you read it and ask God to speak to you personally.
"Just before the holidays I began to feel the need for some time away from full- time, night and day, 24/7 ministry. A time to stop the everyday routine to reflect and reconsider what this time in my life was all about. Only two weeks after my precious husband, Bob’s death 1 ½ years ago, I stepped right back into my life as a fulltime mom and minister. Life really didn’t look much different except for the fact that my husband was no longer there. He was no longer there to be my sounding board, my encourager, my leader, my protector, and my best friend. No one was there to tell me I was pushing myself too hard, or I was taking on too much,. It was time to take off to stop and rest. I was becoming weary and worn. I thank God for helping me to understand I needed some time away with Him (Matt 11:28). Even Jesus recognized the need to rest from continual ministry (Mark 6:31). I thank God for a supportive staff that allowed me the time away.
During this time, I spent extended time seeking the Lord each day. I read, reflected and remembered who God had created me to be reviewing my Birkman Inventory, retaking a spiritual gifts inventory , and reviewing all the life-changing experiences God has allowed. As I sought to know His will for my life at this time, He was so faithful to speak to me. (Ezek 3:22, Jeremiah 29:12-13).
As I read during these days early in my time away with the Lord I came across this poem that God spoke so clearly through:
Memorials of Frances Ridley Havergal
"I laid it down in silence,
This work of mine,
And took what had been sent me--
A resting time.
The Master's voice had called me
To rest apart;
"Apart with Jesus only,"
Echoed my heart.
I took the rest and stillness
From His own Hand,
And felt this present illness
Was what He planned.
How often we choose labor,
When He says "Rest"--
Our ways are blind and crooked;
His way is best.
The work Himself has given,
He will complete.
There may be other errands
For tired feet;
There may be other duties
For tired hands,
The present, is obedience
To His commands.
There is a blessed resting
In lying still,
In letting His hand mould us,
Just as He will.
His work must be completed.
His lesson set;
He is the higher Workman:
Do not forget!
It is not only "working."
We must be trained;
And Jesus "learnt" obedience,
Through suffering gained.
For us, His yoke is easy,
His burden light.
His discipline most needful,
And all is right.
We are but under-workmen;
They never choose
If this tool or if that one
Their hands shall use.
In working or in waiting
May we fulfill
Not ours at all, but only
The Master's will!
--Selected
Throughout my time of rest, God continued to remind me of His deep, deep love for me and that mainly this was a time to be still and know that He is God (Ps 46:10).
Please consider these wise words from Lesa. God wants our attention on Him first, then ministry will flow out of our walk with Him in a way that truly honors Him and that is His best for us as we seek to reach women for Him!
Resources:Whispers of Hope
A Place of Quiet Rest, Nancy Leigh DeMoss Second Calling, Dale Hanson Bourke
Margin, Richard Swenson
Freedom From Busyness, Michael Zigarelli
Surrender, Nancy Leigh DeMoss
The Frazzled Female, Cindi Wood
Victoriously Frazzled, Cindi Wood
Lesa has been involved in the women's ministry in the local church for over 10 years, and is passionate about encouraging and developing women to fulfill and live the abundant life God desires and created them to live. Lesa is a graduate of both the Basic and Advanced Women's Ministry Certificate Program at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She serves as a LifeWay Ministry Multiplier and continues to lead and participate in conferences focused on developing women's leadership skills in the local church and community. She was blessed to be married to Bob Floyd for 27 years before he was called home to be with the Lord in 2009. Lesa is the mother of two young adults, Lindsay and Taylor.
If you are like me, as a leader of women, you are searching for ways to engage and connect with young women in your church and community. Read these heartfelt thoughts from a young adult, guest blogger Lauren Farmer, who serves as an Event Project Coordinator for LifeWay's Women’s Training and Events.
"I spend a lot of time talking to friends about our dreams and desires for our lives and futures, what we hope it will be like and, honestly, what we are disappointed with in our lives presently. It’s not that we aim to talk about these things; it just seems that many of our conversations naturally end up going this direction. Part of it is that we are “young” (my gray hair has quickly made this 27 year old not feel so young at all!) and have much of our lives ahead of us. And, yes, some of these conversations could be tied to generational differences – my generation has a profound sense of needing to make a difference in the world. Previous generations have, of course, felt the desire to make a difference in the world too. However, my generation’s response to this desire to make a difference in the world looks different than how our parents and grandparents did. Recently, I’ve also wondered if this unrest among many young women has much to do with what we have overlooked in the life of Christ. Follow me, here…The Gospels describe the life and ministry of Jesus. We spend time studying His life, teachings, miracles, where He went, what He did, and the list goes on and on. Our attention is almost always focused on the action (the miracle, his birth, what he taught to a particular group of people, etc.). But, I wonder if in focusing on these wonderful and foundational Truths, we have forgotten the many hours, days and years where we find silence in the Scriptures about the details of the life of Christ. I believe these “silences” have much to say to myself and to other young women who are desperate to live out their callings and see the Lord use them in great ways.
Understand our situation as young women ... we’ve followed what we thought was the Lord’s leading in vocation, education, and preparation so that we could do what we believe the Lord is calling us to and be used by Him. Most young women I know want nothing more than to see their skills and giftings intersect with their passion to the glory of God. But, instead, we find ourselves feeling like we finished our pre-requisites, and rather than being used in the great ways we dreamed about, we find our days filled with the mundane, the ordinary, the “insignificant.” Statements like, “I am capable of so much more than what I do in my job,” and “I want to do something that matters,” permeate and conversations. It seems that what we’ve all missed is what the silences in the life of Christ have to say to me in this season of my life. They whisper to my heart, “You’re time has not come yet, but you’re time is not wasted.”
When I look at Jesus’ life, I see a God-man who spent roughly 30 out of his 33 years doing what I so often classify as the mundane, ordinary and insignificant. He was a carpenter. Nothing too special or what I would classify as “significant” in being a carpenter. However, I believe that God had a purpose for Jesus in those 30 years just as much as He did in those 3 years. It seems that Jesus, too, had a time of preparation before his public ministry began – that is a time of waiting, learning, and preparing to live out the full purpose of His being sent. But, Jesus is not unique in this. In fact, it seems to be the ruler in the economy of the Kingdom, those who want to be used greatly must be prepared to the highest degree. Think of Esther, Joseph, Abraham, the Apostle Paul, and Ruth to name a few.
It's these truths that we young women need to hear, to be reminded of, and encouraged in. I need to know that this season, this struggle, this trial, and even this mundane day is not wasted in the sovereign, wise and gracious hands of our God. My sweet friends need to hear the same. I need to be reminded that my God does not waste anything. And He has not forgotten me or the desires he put in my heart. In fact, it is quite the opposite. He is preparing me and refining me to be used by Him for His glory. My time will come. I can rest in that and find contentment in the tasks and even trials that the Lord is giving me today. My challenge today is to walk faithfully with my God and trust his heart when I can’t see his plan.
“For I know the plans I have for you…” (Jeremiah 29:11)
A few practical ideas for how you can encourage younger women in a season of preparation….
· Share your story. We often think we’re the only ones going through this season. Knowing we’re not alone is often just what we need.
· Encourage and affirm her gifts, dreams and desires. Hearing someone we respect and admire recognize these things in us affirms us and helps us to not give up on them.
· Connect her with women who have similar gifts and passions. Seeing someone a little bit (or a lot) further down the road helps us to persevere and to be faithful in where the Lord has us today.
· Look for opportunities to allow younger women to serve in things that they are passionate about or where they can use their gift sets.
Is there a time of preparation or part of your journey that you could share with a young woman to encourage her? Is there a young woman you see God’s hand of preparation and pruning on that you could encourage, have coffee with or even commit to meet regularly with?
Lauren is a graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, where she received a Masters of Divinity in Women’s Leadership. During her time in Louisville, she served as interim Associate Director of Student Life and Adjunct Instructor of Christian Education at Boyce College, the undergraduate school of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Lauren has a passion for reaching and equipping young women.
Other helpful Leadership resources:
Have you ever jumped the gun on a new ministry? How did it go? Read some lessons below from guest blogger Janet Peavyhouse and then personally answer the questions at the end. I know you will be challenged to re-think each “new” idea you face.
How important is waiting on God’s timing in ministry? Many in leadership have found themselves on the rocks of disappointment because they have become shipwrecked through impulsiveness and haste. When we sense a need, but we're unwilling to wait on God’s perfect timing, it causes us to begin a ministry that was our idea but not God’s at that time.
There are those who say the need is the call and we should immediately make the move into action. However, we don’t find that to be necessarily true in scripture. Time and again we see that impulsively running ahead of God can cause heartache and disappointment. Directions become unclear and the aims become our plans, our strength, and our ministry rather than God’s. A right action can turn out to be wrong simply because of timing.
One of God’s clearest messages on waiting comes from the Book of Nehemiah. We have so often
done an injustice to the story of Nehemiah by using it only as a tool toward a building program. But Nehemiah is so much more! Nehemiah is a book on prayer, a book on service, a book on communication, a book on devotion to God and His principles, and a book on leadership. Many of the spiritual principles that hold life together are illustrated most powerfully in the story of Nehemiah. One principle that you see presented so emphatically in the first two chapters is “waiting on God’s timing”. Nehemiah heard from his brother the “bad news” about walls around the holy city. They were broken down and in desperate need of being rebuilt, but because of the decline in spirituality and the general apathy of the people, they were allowed to lie in ruins and nothing was done. This left the holy city vulnerable and open to attack from their enemies. How did Nehemiah, a cupbearer to the king of Persia, react to hearing that his ancestral city walls were in disrepair? Did he impulsively rush off to Jerusalem to fix the problem? Did he give his brother instructions to solve the problem? Or did he have a “knee jerk” reaction and rush ahead of God and His plan?
He did none of this. His reaction was one of great sorrow, intense prayer and fasting, and waiting on God’s direction. He gives us such a clear pattern of how God wants us to react to needs we see around us. Instead of jumping into ministry, we are called to stop,pray, fast, and wait on God for our direction. I have seen in my ministry a good idea die on the rocks of impulsiveness and haste. I was not willing to stop and let God give me the guidance and direction that would bring success and honor to Him. I led from my “overflow” instead of going to God for direction and leadership.
So how important is His timing in ministry? It is everything! When it is done in His timing, ministry becomes what God can do, which in return, glorifies Him and changes us.
Nehemiah waited on God and saw Him do great and mighty things:
1. God opened up the heart of a pagan King
2. God provided all the needed materials for the wall.
3. God began to build in Nehemiah the principles of spiritual leadership to get the job done.
Nehemiahs' choice to wait on God brought glory to God and that is truly the ultimate goal in ministry...to give honor and glory to Him in all we do!
Ask God to help you adjust your spiritual clock to His timing. Ask Him to help you be alert to what He is calling you to do and the right timing to set out to do His will. Remember God’s timing is always perfect and ours is NOT.
Read Nehemiah 1-2
Ask yourself:
1. How do you prepare your heart and mind to receive instruction from God?
2. Is your prayer life one that includes fasting?
3. What has been the result in your ministry when you have run ahead of God?
4. What guidelines do you need to have in place to ensure that you are beginning a new ministry consistent with God timing?
5. Ultimately, do you trust God to do His work in your ministry, in His timing, or do you need to hold the ruins and have the control? If the answer is yes, seek His forgiveness and ask for His guidance!
Janet has served in a part time ministerial women’s staff position at First Baptist Church in Brandon, Florida for the past 17 years. She is a wife, mother, and grandmother of three adorable grandchildren. She has taught for the Florida Baptist Convention in the area of women’s ministry and missions, and is a LifeWay Ministry Multiplier. She has served on the steering committee for the Florida Baptist Convention, which established a women's ministry program for the state. Janet’s desire is to help equip women with the tools they need to serve the women in their local church with a loving heart. She also desires to see women become like Jesus’ hands and feet, as they reach out to their local communities with the same kind of love.
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 #10: Perspective…It’s Not About You!
In the Lord ’s Prayer, we are taught to say in every prayerful situation, "For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever" (Matt 6:13 HCSB) Does that remind you about this last leadership lesson for this series?
It never has been about us, but sometimes we get that out of perspective, don’t we? The thing is, we're just not that important. We need God’s perspective on the ministry He has called us to. Selma said, “our significance is only that we are a part of His story.” What a privilege and honor, but also a humbling thing to comprehend.
Why would He use us? We aren’t that gifted or smart! Again, it’s NOT about us, it’s about His work THROUGH us. Our only response when He calls, is to obey immediately and in His power.
The last 3 lessons we have covered: submission, humility and perspective, all go hand in hand. When we truly get that it’s about His Work, His Kingdom, His fame and His power, we just become His vessels that He pours His strength and love through to others. Wow! Do you ever just stop and think about that?
Another thing about His perspective is that it’s always focused on the eternal. Selma challenged us to think about our life situations on a scale of 1-10 and realize that most of what we toil over is really only a 1 or a 2. The things that are a 10 are things like our marriages falling apart, and people not knowing Christ, things that concern the Lord and His bigger perspective.
God’s perspective is always bigger than ours, but He is so good to us to allow us to see glimpses of it as He works through us.
I pray that these Lessons on Leadership for Women from Selma Wilson and my thoughts on each have been a challenge and encouragement to you as a woman in this world of ministry.
Remember in a man's world, they need us and we need them. Be all God has called you to be as a woman, as a leader, and as a woman of God! Serving in a man’s ministry world can be difficult,but God will bless what you do for Him!
Other helpful Resources:
Jesus on Leadership, Gene Wilkes
How’s your marriage? How are the marriages on your women’s leadership team? What about the rest of the women in your church? Marriages are struggling and falling apart daily. The enemy wants to destroy Christian marriages and especially the marriages of Christian leaders.
Our women’s team met today for what we call Marriage Monday. Sometimes we meet on other days of the week due to schedules, but we try to get together once a month to discuss marriage and how to make each of ours stronger.
Today, we watched a short clip from Les and Leslie Parrott’s study, The Secret to the Marriage You Want. The segment was “I Notice You.” The study focuses on how to empathize with our spouse to see things from his perspective as we relate. There were several important keys given today that I, for one (because this is my 40th year of marriage and I want it to be the best year of marriage for us), want to try and even be held accountable for.
One issue was “practicing priming”. What the Parrotts were saying was that as we head home or somewhere to meet our husbands, we often have our minds on the day we have just gone through, the difficult meeting or the work we have to do when we do get home. If that’s the case, I may not consider at all what kind of day he has had, what he has experienced or needs at that point. Instead, if I will take a little time to just focus on seeing him and wondering about his day, I can begin our time with asking how he is rather than just focusing on me.
Another point that spoke to me was, “offer an agenda-less presence”. In this day with all the ways we stay involved and connected (smart phones, lap tops, iPads and iPods) we can be present physically but not mentally. I have found myself several times recently only half listening to what my husband was saying…trying to get one last thing done. I told our group today that they can ask me how I’m doing on this so they can hold me accountable for how I am focusing fully on my husband’s words and actions instead of just a split second of time while I am doing several other things.
This year I want to “notice my husband”! I think that will make the 40th year of marriage even better.
What do you do as a leader to grow your marriage in Christlikeness? How are you leading the women in your church to do the same?
Resources:
LifeWay Marriage Events
The Secret to the Marriage You Want
Making a Difference in Marriage
The Love Dare
Fireproof
Experiencing God as Couples
Return to the Garden
6 Secrets to a Lasting Love: Recapturing Your Dream Marriage
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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 #9: Humility and Leadership
In Proverbs 15:25 we read, “The Lord destroys the house of the proud,…” (HCSB) Pride will hinder our leadership abilities as quickly and as destructively as anything. And as leaders, we are all susceptible to becoming prideful. The enemy would love to take what God is doing through us, twist it around and make us think “we did it”! Or to take words of appreciation and start thinking too highly of ourselves.
It’s hard to be criticized, especially when we’ve worked hard in ministry. Sometimes the criticism is unfounded, but other times God may want to teach us something through it. Pride will keep us from even asking God if there is truth in the criticism.
Pride will also keep us from delegating to others. We would rather do it ourselves, either so we will get the credit or so that it will be done “right”. God will honor our investing in others to raise up leaders, to bring women to walk with us in our roles, to mentor women into leadership roles. Pride will keep us from being willing to let go.
Humble…it’s who Christ was as He served on earth…it’s who He was as He went to the cross. What makes us think we can lead any other way to be victorious and impact His Kingdom?
Where have you struggled with pride? Submit it to Him and walk humbly as you serve.
Other helpful Resources:
Jesus on Leadership, Gene Wilkes
You can read Random Thoughts Part 1, 2 , 3, 4 and 5 that were previous posts. Here are more thoughts, leader to leader. These are specific prayers that my prayer partners are praying for me this year, and what I am also claiming daily. I pray these will bless you as well!
1. I look forward to lifting you in prayer this coming year. I am asking for a new excitement in the Lord for you. I am asking that He gives you abundant wisdom to serve Him and bring Him glory. I am asking that you have the best year of marriage (Note from Chris: this is our 40th year of marriage!) ever and that your children and grandchildren will call you "blessed"
2. Just wanted you to know I again lifted you to our Lord. I continue to ask for a 'fresh love' for the work God has given you. I prayed for you and your husband, claiming love, laughter and joy for your marriage. I am asking our Lord to let you see Him in all that you do and recognize His work. I know as you see His Hand in your life, your love for Him will only deepen. I ask that any distractions be swept away and your eyes will see Jesus more clearly today than yesterday. Love you, friend.
3. Want to start the year off letting you know I am praying for you. I pray that you will have exciting encounters with the Father, up close and personal. I am praying that you will meet the challenges with power and confidence. And that you will have joy and power in every opportunity that the Father wants you to seize. You are loved by Him, and me.
I will claim these daily this year and pray they will speak to you as well. Watch for those special ways that He speaks to you personally as you seek to walk with Him daily.
Helpful Resources:
Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore
Journey (devotional magazine for women)
Becky Badry is our guest blogger today! Becky is Director of Women’s Resources and Missions Mobilization for the Colorado Baptist Convention. She is also a LifeWay Ministry Multiplier. In addition to serving Colorado Baptists as a missionary with the North American Mission Board, Becky has been a minister’s wife for over 30 years. She and her husband have served churches in Oklahoma, Georgia, and Colorado and are currently members of Riverside Baptist Church, Denver, CO. Becky has a passion to see minister’s wives network and find the encouragement they need to faithfully fulfill God’s call in their lives. Becky has completed her Women’s Ministry Certification at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and is a graduate of Golden Gate Theological Seminary with a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership. She was also the recipient of the Educational Leadership Service in Ministry Award in 2010. Becky and Jay have two sons, Jeremy and Justin, and a wonderful daughter –in-law, Rochelle. Becky is also the founder and director of Women in Leadership Coaching .
"Ambitions . . . they keep you going, but they can go bad. Several years ago I was skimming thenewspaper and my eyes caught a headline, 'AMBITION TOO OFTEN OUTSTRIPS EXECUTION'. I have to be honest and say that I did not read any further and I didn’t get the author’s name because the title hit me between the eyes. In fact, I stopped immediately, grabbed the closest pair of scissors and cut out that headline and taped it to my desk, just over my laptop. As I am writing this blog, I am looking at the slightly faded and brittle news clipping that has saved my credibility more than once.As a visionary leader, I am constantly dreaming of what’s next and saying, “if only.” I love reading books on leadership, visioning, and strategy so I do not discount the benefit such reading material has been in my life. However (you knew there must be a catch), I must constantly keep my passion for greater things in check, for it is true: AMBITION TOO OFTEN OUTSTRIPS EXECUTION.
You may be wondering what is so dangerous about being ambitious and how can ambitions go bad?. Here’s another anonymous quote: "When your visibility exceeds your ability, it destroys your credibility". Sales and marketing professionals know it is always better to under-promise and over-deliver.
In ministry, we might agree to meet with a woman in need, but we know our schedule is uber full and more than likely it won’t happen. We might, with good intentions, promise to fulfill our responsibilities on the ministry team and fall short of the expectation or deadline.
How do you protect your credibility and reign in your ambitions?
1. Be realistic about your time and energy. Time and energy are finite, when we try to live as though they are not, it is unwise. Are your expectations of your ministry realistic?
2. Manage your “Yes” - It is hard for leaders to say NO. So try this positive approach . . . say, “I am sorry, but I can’t say yes to that right now.”
3. Delegate - If you can’t do it, find someone who can. Do you have a list of faithful, trustworthy team members who can fill the gaps and keep things from falling through the cracks? Delegate.
4. Be sincere - When you know you won’t have time to respond to a need, phone call, or return an email, don’t make excuses, be honest. . . .Just tell me you can’t do it.
Dave Harvey, author of Rescuing Ambition writes, “God’s agenda is to shape us by engaging our ambition.” My greatest ambition is just to hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into your reward.”
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 #8: Submission and Leadership
Another issue we need to keep in mind, as women in leadership, is that everyone has to submit. We see that in Romans 13:1¸”Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God. “ (HCSB) Since submission is a biblical principle , we need to consider how it affects our leadership role.
We are more powerful when we submit than when we rebel. Have you ever thought about that?
Rebellion indicates anger and resentment. Submission indicates willingness to put others first. Learn to submit, it's a great place to live no matter who we must submit to or in what kind of situation. (Keep in mind, I am not talking about submitting to any kind of abusive situation.)
I can’t help but also consider submission to my husband as we recently celebrated 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 this leadership lesson…who do you struggle to submit to when it comes to your leadership role? What do you think makes that so difficult? How would God want to you to handle the situation? Pray and ask for His guidance as you most importantly submit to Him and His Word.
Resources:
On January 19, I wrote a post titled “Rethink Special Events.” As a result, Byron Hill, Executive Director of LifeWay Conference Centers and Camps at two beautiful locations in the mountains: Ridgecrest, North Carolina, and Glorieta, New Mexico , asked some follow up questions regarding planning events. This posted on the blog Ministry Serving Ministry on January 25. I hope you find these added thoughts helpful as you consider your events for women.
Find more info on special events in Women Reaching Women & Transformed Lives
