Nancy Beach Main Session 3
Help I'm a leader trapped in a woman's body...
Bill Hybels, "I want Nancy to respond to that quandry."
I Cor 12... the Holy Spirit assigns those gifts as he chooses.
We are all accountable men and women
Nancy saw growing up men preaching, announcements... only soloists were women. Deacons were men, deaconesses made no strategic decisions in the church.
She couldn't see herself in Children's ministry her passion was for the arts...
As you hear it...
The challenge - have a gracious and humble spirit
You could be wrong and you need to respect and learn from different conclusions
3 challenges
But first...
Why does this matter so much? Women in ministry
There are 4 groups of people who end up winning
1. The church congregation as a whole - women offer a voice, perspective and creativity that add incredible value
- i have become a better husband and father because of women
you're community can be so much richer and warmer
judges 4 vs. 4 Deborah the prophet led Israel... she was to her generation what Moses was to his
2. The Non Churched in Your community
people think of us as a boys club and that females are not valued and respected keeping the world away - kimball
3. The Pastoral Staff & Leadership Team
without effective women leaders we miss the dimension of God's creative crafting in them for his Kingdom
4. Daughters and the Next Generation
our daughters have purpose gifting and potential to cultivate and show it's possible to lead too
Mary was a daughter.... what did her leaders say?
3 opportunities
1. Get into it 2. get over it 3. get on with it
Too many leaders are not equipped to have an educated view of why women should lead
Do your homework on the theology of why women should lead
Scot McKnight Blue Parot?
Actually listen to the women in your congregation
Do male teachers and leaders act exclusively to you
- Speak God to me about my women leaders
For the sake of God's kingdom get your hands dirty and study what the Bible says about women in leadership
This issue is not going away!
We're not going back to the 1950's
Use humor lighten up laugh at yourself or ourselves and move forward as you integrate women
grow up give each other grace
the first time a woman baptizes or leads or teaches... embrace them but no it will take getting use to
God provides seasons so learn through that season.
Possible fears with this issue - potential for sin
People have long found ways to sin before women were in leadership
Women are just not that into you.
Her first team to lead at willow was all male.
She took all the wives to lunch easing their fears letting them know she was happily married and behind their family. SHe was responsible and not reckless. The nucleus was together for 20 years on that team.
They continue to meet each month
If you never lead forward you'll only fall backwards with this opportunity.
Is there room for growth in your church? what would we find in regards to the opportunity of seeing women in leadership?
What barriers have stood in God's way of using women that were built by religious pride?
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