Over the years I have met many fantastic women leaders. I lean forward to hear their every word and am always grateful to spend a spare hour with them over a cup of coffee or on a walk. I have also met some not-so-great women leaders. I try not to wince as their shrill voice cuts across an audience and am a little relieved when I can escape. How can you ensure you fall into the first category and not the second?
Watch out for these seven ways you can damage your leadership as a woman:
The October issue of Christianity Today highlights and celebrates women who are making a difference throughout the body of Christ in various channels of influence. Sarah Pulliam Bailey and the editors compiled a list (in no particular order) of 50 who are shaping the life of the church and culture in significant ways. (To order your copy, click here.)
I was thrilled to see friends and soon-to-be-friends on the list. I couldn’t help by cheer with Sara Groves whose music I’ve long adored, Ann Voskamp (when are we having that sleepover?), Elisa Morgan who continues to lead leaders, Jo Ann Lyon who is a fearless leader among the Weslyans, Kara Powell whose research is changing the way teenagers are raised, and so many more.
But I also can’t help but notice that any list like this has its limits, as noted by the editors of Christianity Today. These kinds of lists raise the questions of who should be included and who would you nominate.
I know many more “Women to Watch” than any list like this could ever contain—I bet you do, too. I know women like Heather Zempel who is changing the way community life and small groups are done at National Community Church in Washington D.C. Women like Amena Brown who are carving out a unique place in the church as a spoken word artist. Women like Tammy Dunahoo who help lead the Foursquare Denomination. Women like Selma Wilson and Faith Whatley who are providing guidance in their roles at Lifeway. Women like Sheila Frost who are using their gifts to serve faithfully at a church outside of Charlotte, North Carolina. Women like Christa Flannery who are raising suburban’s full of kids to know and love Christ.
Christianity Today’s list wasn’t meant to be complete—not without your name on it (if you’re a woman). But rather this list is an invitation to begin looking at the women all around who are passionately serving Jesus and using their gifts for His glory and be inspired to do the same.
Will you join me? Oh, and who would you love to add to this list?
This group of smiling women are from Bengal Christian Church in Bengal, Indiana. They tackled The Sacred Echo in a past study and are thrilled to be starting Pursuing God’s Love: Stories from the Book of Genesis. Harriet, Kayte, Mary, Lori, Melanie, Lena, Marie, Reba, DeAnne, and Debbie meet together once a month for a time of brunch and Bible study.
Blessings upon the rest of your study!
Are you or your small group going through one of our studies? We’d LOVE to see a picture of you! Snap a photo and send it in to Jessica@margaretfeinberg.com and we’ll post your grinning faces on the blog!
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Margaret Feinberg is a popular Bible teacher and speaker at churches and leading conferences such as Catalyst, Thrive and Extraordinary Women. Her books and Bible studies have sold over 600,000 copies and received critical acclaim and extensive national media coverage. Click the image to learn more.
