The topic of women in ministry is something that the church is wrestling with right now. There are polarizing viewpoints that seems divisive and discouraging depending on who you are. What we can all agree on is that we may disagree and that is ok. Healthy dialogue leads to better understanding and a better understanding leads to a greater capacity for grace & compassion. Women have an incredible role in the local church. These conversations have to lead towards a greater understanding that women can lead at a high level, they can teach, they can shepherd, they can care for people, they are strategic and intentional. A calling to ministry isn't only for men! Jessica Sanchez, Allison Williams, Katie Edwards and Ashley Bohinc are all women in full time ministry and have a heart to talk about this subject. This panel was incredibly wise, gracious and smart when it came to the answers to questions collected over social media. The answers to give justice to the full conversations that happened during the breakout. Below are some of their answers to the questions asked: How did you get into the current position you are in in ministry? Jessica Sanchez - “I started serving as a volunteer at my church. I saw a need and filled that need because someone at my church believed in me and saw something in me. I went on to marry that person, my husband has been my biggest advocate." Allison Williams -“I graduated from bible college and got hired to do kids ministry. Over time that slowly turned into working with youth ministry as well." Katie Edwards -“I started serving in middle school ministry as a 17yr old. When I was 21 the middle school pastor asked me about a full time roll that paid $800 a month, which at the time I thought was incredible." Ashley Bohinc - “I started serving in middle school ministry and then got asked to come on to staff full time." What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome to be in the position you are in right now? Allison Williams - “My biggest obstacle was the financial aspect of the job, early on I had to talk to the leadership at my church about how much I got paid because it was below the poverty line." Katie Edwards - “The biggest obstacle for me was making assumptions. I had to ask is it true? Comparison and pride hold you back from being fully present in the position I was in. I needed to start going into conversations with others giving them the benefit of the doubt immediately." Ashley Bohinc -“The biggest obstacle for me was a lack of belief in myself." What does self care look liken for you? Jessica Sanchez - “For me, I need to have consistent therapy meetings in good seasons and bad. I also needed to see a spiritual director consistently so call out the strengths and weaknesses in me." Allison Williams - “I need a light at the end of the tunnel. I need something that motivates me to know there is a reward coming like vacations, memberships to art museum, theater, etc, to go somewhere people don’t know you and just be." Katie Edwards - “I set up rhythms of recovery throughout the week as well as take a true sabbath. “Rest is important so I did a sleep study to figure out how much sleep is needed for me to feel rested. I need to spend time with life giving people." Why do you think its important to have women in ministry? Jessica Sanchez- “The church needs diversity, different experiences to get a better, fuller perspective. You need both genders involved in students lives." Katie Edwards - "Boys and girls need men and women, perspectives from both sides is key." Ashley Bohinc -"Girls need to see that vocational ministry is a path for them, they need to know that their call to ministry is real and will supported by others." How do you prepare and participate in mixed gender meetings? Katie Edwards - “I prepare the same way I would for any meeting." Jessica Sanchez - “I dont speak any differently no matter who is in the room." Allison Williams - “I have to be ready to go, I have to prepare well so that the men will take me seriously. I have to work twice as hard for half the respect, there is not as much margin for error, it takes a lot of planning." What is the BEST & HARDEST thing about leading alongside your same gender? Allison Williams - "The best part about leading with other women is that there are more and more women in ministry. It’s awesome to see more and more women in ministry. The hardest part is that sometimes women fight for the same seat instead of pulling up more chairs. God’s got room for everyone to shine!" Jessica Sanchez - “Historically there is a sense for 1 woman to be on the team, so it is a competition. The best part is that its a blast to do ministry with other women." Katie Edwards - "The best part is seeing other women pouring into her family. The hardest thing is the assumptions made about people and about me." What is the Best & Hardest thing about leading alongside Men? Katie Edwards- “The best thing about working with men is that its fun, men have the tendency to bring laughter and fun to the job." Jessica Sanchez - “Guys help me to not take myself to seriously, they help me laugh a lot." Allison Williams - "The best part about working with men is that they are fun to collaborate with. The hardest part is being a single woman in ministry and networking with guys and them always thinking I am pursuing them for marriage… which is creepy." If there was one thing you wish could be different about men & women leading together in ministry, what would it be? Katie Edwards - “I wish there would be stronger partnerships that would exist in every church, leaning into each others strengths needs to happen more often." Jessica Sanchez - “I wish it wasn’t a novelty to have a women in a position at church, I wish it was easier to create partnerships." Allison Williams - “I wish there would be more of a collaborative spirit regardless of theology, lets learn from each other no matter what the difference, take the next step and learn from women." The takeaway is simple. Women have a place in ministry and we need to lean into the unique giftings, talents & perspectives that women bring the Church.
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This upcoming week I have the opportunity to one of a handful of bloggers to write and cover the National Youth Workers Convention in Tampa Bay, Florida. Blogging will start Thursday Night and continue through Sunday! Stay Tuned and be ready for lots of content, especially if you aren't able to be there in person! Here are the breakouts I will be covering along with all of the large group and special events that will be covered as well! Panel I am a part of: Multi-Site Student Ministry Gathering Deep Dives and Breakouts Covered: Communicating For Change 15 Tech Resources to Make YOU Look Like a Pro Women in Ministry Panel Sustainable Youth Ministry Faith For Exiles: 5 Ways a New Generation is Following Jesus in Digital Babylon The Secret to Great Small Groups Big Room Activities Interviews With some amazing Leaders Much, Much More! For more info, stay updated on Social Media: Twitter - @PastorKentB Facebook - Kent Bjurstrom But mostly, right here at the Pastor2Youth BLOG! The most detrimental phrases to the dreams you have in your life start with... "I can't". I remember dreaming about ideas I had for the ministry I was privileged to lead. I remember those dreams filling my soul and my spirit with hope. I remember starting to chase down those dreams and how I was driven by a spiritual adrenaline to reach more students with the Gospel. I remember the first time I said, "I can't" as well. It was debilitating, it was paralyzing, it wasn't fun to sit in. That moment comes for every leader. The moment when you can let your insecurity, your fear of the unknown, your attitude of comparison keep you away from what could be. Saying "I can't" has serious implications for you as a leader. Here are 3 I have experienced and seen over the years: 1. When you say "I can't" you are giving in to a growth barrier. You have a limitless ceiling in leadership, ministry & personal growth. The biggest deterrent is our mindset and attitude towards the tasks or goals at hand. The quickest way to create a barrier for yourself is to say that you can't do something. Instead, ask yourself what are the steps you need to take to complete the task or grow in a specific area. You can, if you believe that you actually can. 2. When you say "I can't" you allow your fear to win The reality is that we are all afraid of things in our lives. I have a fear of failure, people I know have a fear of letting others down or even a fear of things going really well and what that will mean for them. Fear is the unknown ruling the future. Fear has no place in your life. As a follower of Christ, there is no reason to fear anything. In 1 John 4:18, we read that perfect love (God's love for us) casts out all fear. The war is won and God has ordained your steps, get rid of fear and step into all that God has for you! 3. When you say "I can't" you will never know what could be Its not ok to let what could be keep you from what could be. "What could be", might be the difference between someone hearing the Gospel and experiencing Jesus for the first time and not. "What could be", may be life changing for someone affected. Fear is the wall between what is and what could be; and that wall needs ripped down. Failure is fine when you learn and grow from it. Decide right now that fear will not keep you away from what could be. You absolutely CAN! Dream BIG, try new things, go after something that seems like a long shot but don't let fear stand in your way! YOU GOT THIS! |
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