Are ministers neglecting oversight and accountability in what discipleship and teaching occurs among 61% (the percentage of women to men in evangelical churches) of their congregation?
Kadi Cole, in her 4th Best Practice in her book Developing Female Leaders is advocating for
“the integration of leadership development into your discipleship environments, while paying special attention to those that are women-only or mixed gender to make sure they are getting the same resources and accountability you are giving your other ministries.”
Best Practice #4: Integrate Spiritual Formation and Leadership Development
Not only did the survey reveal that women in leadership were craving training in both leadership AND theology and godly living but there were also dynamics within leadership teams that made integrating women into leadership and spiritual training difficult. Cole delved into the need for women to explore and have their spiritual gifting affirmed and their identity in Christ grounded and explore their uniquely female qualities and how they can be used for God’s glory within a mixed-gender leadership team. Both men and women are left challenged to check their biases, control their emotions, listen and communicate well to both lead and connect, and love and pastor each other in community through spiritual and growth milestones.
One way of ensuring this integration doesn’t get neglected is to do the next Best Practice
Best Practice #5: Be an “Other”
Cole recommends that each woman in leadership have regular, ongoing access to three “Others” in her life. A woman will often be mentored by another woman, however, the following three “others” may not have been considered before.
Male Mentor: Women have traditionally mentored women … but this has led to women remaining in wome-led ministries rather than opening up additional doors of leadership. The experience of male mentors proved invaluable in developing women leaders in the following avenues of leadership:
“strategic planning, fund-raising, finance/budgets, vision casting, community relations, volunteer team building, biblical literacy, theological accuracy, and public speaking/preaching”
Male Sponsor: Men in ministry have broad, established networks that open opportunities to them and others in their circles. A male sponsor can potentially open doors to opportunities for a woman leader previously unavailable to her in her women-only networks.
Female Coach: A female coach benefits a woman as she navigates what makes her uniquely female in a male-dominated work place, balancing life and work.
AFES - I’m very much looking forward to our upcoming AFES Senior Staff Conference this month. I know not everyone enjoys conferences and the strain they can have on family, but I love them. What a great opportunity to bring men and women colleagues together to be on the same page, network, encourage and care for one another! We have a designated staff member who looks after female staff (not sure if the guys have this but I love it). I remembered nervously contacting Tracey when things got a little shakey for me in the early days of raising financial support. She generously gave her time, listened to me and wasn’t quick to give me solutions to my problems but helped me isolate the barriers and navigate a path forward. My first week on the job, she called me to follow up. Prior to staff conference, she gathers all the women together for an evening of fellowship and support. (Missing out this year so will make sure to schedule it in for next year.) I’ve also been grateful for my friends in ministry networks, colleagues and campus director, Mikey Lynch, for opening opportunities for me to use my gifting outside of campus ministry, whether it was an invitation to join the board of a national church IT ministry (New Front Door) or to present at various training sessions or conferences, this all helps to validate my gifting and opportunities to up-skill and create new connections to make new ministry partnerships.
Best Practices:
Integrate Spiritual Formation and Leadership Development
Be an “Other”
Developing Female Leaders: Navigating the Minefields and Releasing the Potential of Women in Your Church, Kadi Cole, Thomas Nelson, 2019, 224pgs.