At a Citylight Family Multiply Conference a few years ago, women gathered for lunch to discuss and identify potential needs and opportunities. The majority communicated a desire to grow in knowledge and skills as a ministry leader and also a space to gather for community and networking. From that feedback, a team of women began to plan and dream what that could like and the LEAD Conference launched this month.
Women across the Family, staff leaders and volunteer leaders, came from near and far. Old friends reunited and new friends were made. Women were united because of love of Jesus and for one another. It was amazing. We worshiped King Jesus and heard from keynote speaker Kadi Cole. The next day Kadi led conversations with both women and men on developing women leaders and answering the question ‘Why do many capable female leaders fall away from church leadership/ at a midlevel?’
Kadi shared information and statistics and what it comes down to is if individual leaders in the church practiced developing leaders. Statistics showed:
- What we discovered is theology and geography had NO barring.
- The style of leadership, size of church and structure had NO barring.
A few things church leaders need to consider is the current reality of churches today which are:
- Women are the MAJORITY in local churches.
- Women are the VAST MINORITY in leadership.
- Less than 15% of leaders in the church are women.
Kadi then presented four answers to the question of “What can we do to unlocking female leadership?”
1.Clearly Define your Theology.
Defined what you Believe and make sure your practices are aligned with them.
Understand your Theological and communicate it. Understand that women will actually assume the line is lower, so they don’t step over it, because its the “unforgivable” sin.
- Communicate to women where the LINE is. Invite Women up the LINE.
- Teach the -YES with as much emphesas as you teach the NO.
- Communicate- what is ALLOWED, not just whats NOT.
- Affirm LEADERSHIP. The Earlier the Better. (Almost, NO pastors- had spoken the affirmation over the women)
2.Reach Beyond the “Sticky Floor”
Women are sitting in chairs, that have gifts, that love God, but they have an inner dialogue that keeps them from stepping into leadership.
We often recruit leaders, who are surfacing themselves. BUT WOMEN WONT DO THIS.
We have to change the WAY – recruit leaders. Recognize leaders in the church, call it out, encourage them to apply… or take a step UP into leadership.
We need to recruit differently.
We need to give Candid Feedback. The majority of leaders want to grow and in order to grow, they need candid feedback.
3. Leverage Your Authority.
- Lead with their accomplishment.
- Three things all leaders need. Mentors, Sponsors and Coaches.
- Mentor- Leadership Mentor, to grow as a leader. Mentors Talk, and challenge one another.
- Sponsors – Talk about the women leaders who could do jobs and roles. Putting their names, in the pot- helps create opportunities. Champion women leaders in rooms, they are NOT in.
- Coaches. – Same gender is helpful here. A Coach talks AT YOU…
4. Always “Take Two”
- How do you develop leaders, you take others with you.
- Take TWO people, take two women, take one women and one man. If you have a leadership practice, make it accessible for everyone. Dont treat half the team different for some…
- Re-Think the Billy Graham Rules. The Person with Authority sets the boundaries.
Peg Christiansen from Citylight Council Bluffs closed out the conference with a great presentation on Boundaries. She was a gift as well as the entire conference. Thank you to all who attended, planned and spoke. See you next year!
To watch the Conference recordings, please visit our YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/zd7WCB5-gQM