Developing Female LeadersSample

 Clearly Define What You Believe

If I could choose one word to describe what it is like to be a female leader in most ministries, it’s confusing. Every leader faces issues of clarity—and the most effective organizations are intentional about consistently bringing clarity and focus to their vision, mission, and strategy. But for a woman who is trying to lead in a church setting, these issues of clarity are often compounded by mixed messages about what, how, and whom she is allowed to lead. 

I fully support whatever your theological beliefs are and where you draw the line around the issue of women leading in your church. What I do want to call out, however, is the space between what your theology will allow a woman to do in your church and what she thinks she is allowed to do. This gap is where you have incredible untapped leadership potential.

Clearly articulating your beliefs is one half of bringing clarity to this issue; the second half is aligning your practices with what you believe. To have clarity, and therefore confident and productive leaders, what your church says you believe and what your church does with those beliefs have to match.

Spend some time with your team and other leaders talking through your own theological understanding and your church’s beliefs. Compare this to your everyday common practices. Do they line up? Although this may open up some uncomfortable dialogue, the female leaders in your church need you to bring clarity and consistency to these issues. You have the opportunity to give them the clarity they need to lead fully and confidently, for the benefit of your entire church.