For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;  if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;  the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8 ESV, emphasis added)

The most hurtful words I received while serving on a church staff were from women who disagreed with my calling from God to teach his Word.  

When I was 35 years old, I was called to teach and lead women through Bible Study Fellowship. I had no theological training and had big holes in my understanding of theology. By God’s grace and the Holy Spirit, my husband and I stepped into the role of being Teaching Leaders for a group of 200 women of various denominational backgrounds. I served in this ministry leadership role for six years. I did not seek or train for the gift of teaching God’s Word. At the beginning of this calling on my life, God placed me with older women who encouraged me in my naiveté and never undermined me with their knowledge and experience.  

When he called me, God placed it on my heart to help women grow into the daughters that he created them to be: daughters who can hear their Father’s voice, daughters who can read and understand their Father’s instruction, daughters whose inheritance is not less than someone else's, and daughters who know they are loved and that their Father takes great delight in them. While I am no longer the “face” of a ministry, teaching God’s Word and helping his daughters grow into their identity in Christ is the foundation of my life’s calling.

Please don’t assume that every woman who leads a ministry has the call of administration. While she might have the gifts of administration, God might not have administration as the call on her life. Paul exhorts us: “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them” (Romans 12:6).

Are you called to lead? Then hear Paul’s encouragement and lead with zeal.

Are you called to support the woman leading in ministry and serve under her leadership? Then hear Paul’s exhortation and encourage her well.

As a woman who formerly led a ministry, I implore you to find out your leader’s call. Then you can come alongside her in the work God has called her to do, rather than being an obstacle she must overcome. This call on her life might not be of her choosing. We are all part of a body and we need every part to function.   

Important Reminders

If you feel you are called by God to do something and those over you and around you don’t support the calling, there are two things to prayerfully consider with a discerning spiritual mentor:

·       Be sure your calling lines up with the Word of God.

·       Pursue God’s approval, not the approval of people.

If you have been called by God to teach his Word, you may face an uphill battle, sometimes from the leadership at the church, sometimes from other women. In some American churches, we have not affirmed or trained women who God has called to teach his Word. Therefore, women with the gift of teaching or leadership may feel freer to teach or lead outside the walls of the church. Unfortunately, this creates gaps in serving the church body.

If You are Leading a Ministry

·       Search Scripture for encouragement and support as you lead others

·       Find your identity in who God says you are, not in what people say

·       Seek God’s approval above everyone else’s

·       Find support with an accountability partner or small group of women

Queen Esther found support from a few which strengthened her obedience to approach the king on behalf of her people. Jesus had support from his disciples, especially the three who were closest to him, as he fulfilled the Father’s call on his life. No one is expected to lead alone, especially not a woman in ministry.

This is the second in a series of articles for women who lead in ministries. In her previous post, Becky wrote about the importance of leading from your identity in Christ.