Power and control are hard things to give up. There is always the concern that another person or group will not be an effective leader. New leadership almost always brings change, and change can feel disruptive. No one ministry group can possibly meet the needs of all the women in their congregation. Frustrated leaders of traditional women’s associations have often lamented the lack of new women willing to take leadership roles within their group. The problem may rest not with the women, but with the job they are required to perform. Most women are willing to give time and energy to a ministry that touches their heart. For example, professional women looking for Christian friends in the workplace may be willing to lead a small group Bible study, but unwilling to be treasurer of an organization that does not touch her everyday life. The leadership of growing and vital ministries with women is willing to exchange control for encouragement. They quickly let go of personal power so that others might be empowered to develop their spiritual gifts and follow their passion in ministry. Let’s look at two case studies.

Church M
Church M has a strong Women’s Association program. Its five circles meet monthly and most of the older women members of the congregation belong to one of the circles. Recently a group of professional women (who do not belong to a circle) have been meeting for dinner and Bible study every other week. At the same time a MOPS (Mother’s of Preschoolers) program has started in the church and most of the young women, who are not working outside their homes, want to attend this new program. Several years ago, both the professional women and the young mothers had asked for help from the Women’s Association to get their programs started. Yet in both cases, the association’s leadership did not feel they had the time or energy to oversee anything so new and different. They thought it was important for all the women of the church to have one central group met together. These leaders saw their association as the best venue to meet this desire on their part. As a result of the association’s refusal to help, both these groups of women took their idea to some other ministry in the church.

Church N
For years Church N had a traditional women’s association. Fifteen years ago a group of women began a weekly Bible study. Rather than see this new group as a threat to the established program, the women in Church N expanded their vision for ministry to include this new Bible study. During the next year a Body and Spirit aerobics class was started and the following year a class for single mothers. In the past ten years the ministries available to women in Church N have greatly expanded. During this time of expanding ministry opportunities, the women in leadership recognized that their old leadership structure would need to be reevaluated and expanded. In order to accommodate this expansion the coordinating board model has changed and now includes leaders from all the different ministries as part of a “Ministry Leadership Team.” This “Team” loosely oversees all the various ministries. Although all the various ministries focus on discipleship, they each do it in a different and unique way According to one of the women on the leadership team, “The best part about our new leadership structure is that all the women are working together for Christ’s kingdom. Our new structure allows women with a vision to try something new. It also keeps us accountable as a group to make sure that there is something available for any woman who wishes to participate not matter what her life situation.” The women of Church N now report a large increase in overall participation as well as a growing group of women exercising their gifts and talents for leadership.

Scriptural Encouragement
Exodus 18 Jethro’s instruction to Moses on leadership style.
God had given Moses a task. He was to lead and govern the people of Israel, but a problem had developed. Moses just could not do it all. When his father-in-law, Jethro, arrived for a visit, he immediately saw that Moses was exhausted and the people were not getting the leadership they needed. Jethro suggested a multi-faceted pattern of leadership. Moses could not do the job God had given him to do by himself, many leaders were needed. Under Jethro’s plan, the system of shared leadership was developed. A shared, “team” approach to leadership allows many women to share their gifts and talents. Power and control are given away rather than jealously maintained. This open style of leadership allows for creativity and locally based programs to flourish. Although this style of leadership can seem messy to some, it draws on the strength of the entire body of Christ.