Two Christmases ago, my family and I were trapped at the Chicago airport on our way home to Portland, Oregon because of severe snowstorms. Once I accepted the several-hour waiting, I decided my purse needed its weekly cleaning out and headed toward the large trashcan. (Whenever I start to lean too far to the right […]
Becoming An Extraordinary Leader
I love leadership. I’m passionate about leading well. My “holy discontent,” the term Pastor Bill Hybels has coined to describe the deep passion within us that moves us to make a difference, is to be an extraordinary leader. I want to jump out of my skin, inspired, when I see an extraordinary leader in action. […]
Leading with a Servant’s Heart
If you had to choose the type of leadership that Jesus exemplified, would you say he was a boss, army general, team captain, law enforcement officer or shepherd. Throughout Scripture, Jesus is referred to as our Shepherd. This is not a flashy position, but one of humble service. This is the type of leadership style […]
How to Push Through the Hard Days
Have you ever had one of those days when you needed God to remind you why you are doing what you’re doing? You know this is where you’re supposed to be but you feel a little discouraged (overwhelmed, helpless, insert your feeling here). I’ve been there too, but I want to encourage you that there […]
Raising Up New Leaders
Passing on the baton of leadership. It’s a challenge we face every year as women’s ministry leaders. Part of our job description involves raising up new leaders. For years, I chose my friends because they were familiar; I knew their hearts, and I could count on them. But as our numbers grew, this method no longer worked. I […]
Helping Women Deal With Change
“That’s not how we’ve done it in the past,” a church member retorted when asked to participate in a new ministry program. This is an all too familiar response when it comes to ministry. Change can be downright scary. I myself am a type-A personality. However, I also know that we need to embrace change […]
Examine Your Heart
Naaman was refined and a fine looking gentleman with lots of class! Captain of the Syrian army and second to the king (see 2 Kings 5), Scripture describes him as a great man, a valiant warrior and highly respected. But, he had one big issue – leprosy. One of the most dreaded diseases in the […]
Strategically Select Team Members
Does your women’s ministry team do a great job of creating excitement for events, but have difficulty managing the details involved in the planning process? Or, does your team work tirelessly on program details, such as table arrangements, food selections, and brochure designs, only to be discouraged by sporadic attendance or spotty interest? If either scenario sounds uncomfortably […]
Bridge the Generational Gap
Just about every women’s ministry in the country wants to know the answer to the question, “How do I get all the different generations involved and working together?” While there is no set answer or perfect program, I’ve learned and seen some things over the years that can increase our chances of bridging the generational […]
Be a Dependent Dreamer
Admittedly, I’m a dreamer. Often, I’m caught in thought – planning, wondering and imagining a variety of things. Most of the time they are ministry related. The words of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech cause my heart to beat faster, as the dreams God places inside me begin to form […]
