Comments on: Women In Church Leadership

By: sherrysurratt

sherrysurratt — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 05:13:18 +0000

I've met so many GREAT women leaders over the past 10 months, from women's ministry leaders to Spiritual Formation Pastors to Sr. Pastor and everything inbetween. One of my favorite groups to discover has been women Executive Pastors who are second in command at their churches, leading church staff and carrying out the vision of their Sr. Pastor. Women like Missy Hannon and Jenni Catron, who are incredibly talented and lead without fear. I have a list of 45 of women Executive Pastors that I pray for every day. We'll be gathering together in February at Leadership Network for connection, networking and some awesome brainstorming. These women have shown me there's no limit on leadership when you surrender your time, talent and treasure completely over to Christ. Wondering who some of these women are? Check out some stories on www.sherrysurratt.com

By: Kim Martinez

Kim Martinez — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 01:00:36 +0000

Recently, I’ve been contemplating what helps me gain a voice in church leadership. Why some one church leaders always listened to me, why I was having trouble being listened to by new leaders. Two things came out.

1. Respect.
2. Communication. When I talk out of both sides of my brain at a time, to some men, that sounds like double talk. A good friend suggested reading Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus in the Workplace.

The respect issue has to do with walking with someone long enough to know that God speaks through them. That is how women gain respect. It really isn’t granted to us the same way it is granted to men – but that is okay with me, because it means I have to make sure I am hearing from God before I speak. It keeps me at His feet and away from being ‘me’ centered.

By: Derek

Derek — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:24:02 +0000

Loving the slander against Driscoll.

We have great women leaders in our church: future deacons (we don’t have a diaconate yet [new church plant]), in fact! Those who don’t have childen yet are going to be great moms, and incredible leaders within the church. Sherr y is a woman in our church who is an upcoming small group leader, and her family is phenomenal. My lovely lady has already learned so much from her about raising a family and devoting your life to Jesus! That being said, in keeping with Scripture (not just the NT, but the narrative of all of Scripture), we do not allow women to be elders of the church…though there are great leaders within the church.

By: Jill

Jill — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:56:19 +0000

I suspect more women leaders (outside womens and childrens) might be found in church plants. ? I am Administrator/Worship Arts Director/Children’s Director (people in church plants get that). In this capacity I have also taught. Primarily, my lead pastor relies upon me for vision and strategy in developinig teams and equipping the church for ministry and transformation. With all that said…we’re rare. And, …even 52 posts won’t change that.

By: Mark Jaffrey

Mark Jaffrey — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:26:42 +0000

Ah, the long tail, and I’m late to the party.

Jill Briscoe. Wife of Stuart and mother of Pete. Fantastic evangelist, teacher and preacher, coach, discipler and just as much of a leader as Stuart. Now actively involved in mentoring college students and training church leaders in developing nations around the world.

By: beccy

beccy — Mon, 26 May 2008 02:46:22 +0000

The Bible calls us all to be servants first – the first will be last and the last will be first. In my experience it is the women of the church who hold it together, who uphold it in prayer, and who are the word made flesh to the next generation – even as they serve in quiet submission to the leadership over them. And God honors it. There are so many women leaders I have had the honor of knowing, and their names would mean nothing to anyone here, but their names are known where it counts. And those who are wise seek out their giftedness and wise counsel. It is often a greater challenge for women to learn to serve in submission than in leadership (as they are quite capable of leading and leading well.) May they be blessed for their faithfulness despite their lack of recognition, or maybe because of it.

By: eric doucet

eric doucet — Sat, 24 May 2008 22:17:45 +0000

ummm never mind!!!!!!

By: Kimberly MacNeill

Kimberly MacNeill — Fri, 23 May 2008 18:44:56 +0000

Carlos, let me just say you bless me with your kind words of affirmation. It was interesting to see this post, as I was at the PD conference and wondered where were the women on the platform? There were NONE! Not even Kay Warren. I did not have good feelings about it, let me just say it that way. Had I known you were in the backroom blogging I would have snuck back there to say Hello!
If I was going to mention women in leadership of God’s Kingdom I would throw back to Henrietta Mears, and then credit Nancy Beach for setting the course for women as teaching pastors in our day and time in mainline denominations.

By: athena

athena — Thu, 22 May 2008 22:47:07 +0000

i love this site.its awesome. i’m a woman in leadership. leadership comes just as naturally as breathing to me. was the director for a ministry, the walter hoving home, for several years and it filled my heart like nothing else.could i be in a position of leadership over a man, per say? uh, without a doubt…but i’d rather not. just my own thoughts.

By: JudiFree

JudiFree — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:30:29 +0000

I can say with all confidence that our church supports women in leadership. I go to Marylin Hickey’s church and her daughter Sara is just as much of a preacher/teacher as she is.

They’ve allowed me and many other women also step into places of leadership.