Lead From Your Identity In Christ

Lead from your identity in Christ. This encouragement seems like a no-brainer. But the day-to-day struggles of ministry made it easy for me to swap my identity in Christ, for the identity of the ministry. It’s called a slow fade, when good things (serving out of the love God has bestowed on you) become the main thing (the production and pace of leadership).  

My Personal Story

I had stepped into my leadership role during a leadership change at our church. At that time, our church was changing and morphing in many ways. In those early days of my leadership, we had a saying that we were “doing a church plant in a 100-year-old church with buildings and a budget.” Change is hard. While I had previously held a leadership position in a parachurch organization, I had not held a leadership position in the church. This was different. People were the focus rather than the process. But the process was changing and morphing.  

My work experience for the previous 20 years had been in accounting. Not having processes in place was unmooring for me. Processes were how I was able to focus on people! Those first six months were HARD! I stepped on hurts I did not know existed and experienced women who had worked hard to develop ministry while not feeling supported by the leadership. Right or wrong I was the face of change, and I did not have the women’s love or trust at that time. It would come later, and God developed a team of women who are still my dearest friends to this day.   

I was six months into my role as the Director of Women's Ministry when I was given the unwanted gift of a silent retreat. My sister and my husband thought it would be a “good idea” for me to get a couple days away. I hated that they saw a weakness in me and a need for rest so quickly into this new role. 

The silent retreat started on a Wednesday. Since I did not “need” to rest, I figured I would use the time at the silent retreat to work on my teachings from God’s word for an upcoming retreat I was to lead at another church. I walked into my room and saw a rose in a vase along with a booklet saying I was God’s beloved. Somewhere in the booklet I read this verse:

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11 (NIV)

These words from God were a balm to my weary, confused, and hurting heart. The tears began to flow. The hurt that I was holding onto loosened. Over the next several days, I was warmed by God’s love and refocused on who I was in Him, regardless of what I did in His name. This was a safe place to be seen. 

This retreat became a necessary rhythm of leadership for me. And is so even to this day! Sometimes my church budget would pay for it, sometimes I would receive a scholarship from the organization, and sometimes I would use my own money to pay for it. During my seven years as the director of Women’s Ministry, this retreat was a time to rest, a time to be served rather than serve, and a time to refocus on my identity.  

At the retreat, Luann, the President of NEWIM, illustrated how these retreats shore up the areas where life is eroding our foundation. Very similar to what happens to the coast of California, over time it is eroding by the pounding or gentle lapping of the waves. Both types of waves have the same effect of eroding the foundation. Without the shoring up of the foundation, the shoreline will collapse into the ocean. The same is true of your spiritual foundation regardless of having a formal position of leadership (every woman is leading someone) if ignored, over time praise and hurt can erode your identity in Christ. Instead, we focus on our emotions or the praise of people, both are made of sand which can erode.

What if I’m not the Director of Women’s Ministry?

If you serve under another woman leader, how can you encourage her to lead out of her identity in Christ?

You might have thought of a woman in leadership that you want to encourage to lead out of her identity in Christ, but are unsure of the next step to take.  Below are action steps that you can take.

Be A Voice Of Encouragement

The task at hand can be overwhelming and seem like to the leader if they were to step away from the tasks, it would all fall apart.  (Hint:  This is a sign that the woman leading needs to step away!)  Providing words of encouragement could help her know that she is not alone and taking time away is a good thing.

Be A Voice Of Influence

Use your voice to help those over the woman in leadership see the benefit of this woman taking a step away.  If you have a position of influence, be a cheerleader for time away for the woman in leadership for personal reflection and for this pattern to become a regular rhythm of life during her leadership.

Be A Voice Of Resources

Resources can mean money, but resources can also be directional influence.  As a woman in leadership, many times she is so focused on how her service can benefit others that she does not take the time to research the resources that could help her. Below are resources that you could share with the woman in leadership.

• NEWIM – Silent Retreat or Area Gatherings

• Ruth Haley Barton’s book, Invitation to Retreat

• Monetary donations to ensure the funds are part of the budgeted resources 

Regardless of how you choose to implement this article, the woman in leadership is appreciative that you took time to gain understanding into some of the struggles of her role.