Recently we hosted a summit for leaders who serve in our state convention offices (Southern Baptist). Selma Wilson, our vice-president and leader of B & H Publishing Group a division of Lifeway Christian Resources shared 10 valuable lessons with us about being women in ministry in a mostly male ministry world. She has gained the respect not only of our leadership at Lifeway but across the Southern Baptist convention nationally. God has not only used her in powerful ways, but she has done it as a woman, and with grace that models leadership for us all.
I am beginning a series of posts discussing these 10 points one at a time. You will be blessed as we all were when she shared them with us.
First of all, here are all 10 points in a list.
1. Be Yourself
2. Prepare to Lead
3. Love the People…Build the Team
4. Respect the Past (People, History, & Work)
5. Listen & Learn
6. Find Your Leadership Voice ( And Use It!)
7. Be Seen and Heard (Communicate, Communicate, Communicate)
8. Submission & Leadership
9. Humility & Leadership
10. Perspective…It’s not About You!
Let’s look at #1: Be Yourself
What a great thought. Should be easy, right? But so often we try to be what we think the others want or need. Or even what we’d LIKE to be but aren’t? And don’t we often, even as leaders, compare ourselves to others? We are warned not to do this in 2 Corinthians 10:12 (HCSB), “For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.” Especially when we are comparing ourselves to those who “boast” about their ministry, we show great lack of wisdom. We are to compare ourselves to Christ and his character, and accept who He has made us to be and what He has made us to do.
Selma mentioned that our history is a part of our destiny. In other words, whatever is in your past has helped make you who you are today. And God can and will redeem it if you will allow Him to do His work. Then He will use you to make a difference for others.
Be YOURSELF…He loves you are you are and will continue to grow you in Christlikeness as you seek to follow Him and lead others to do the same.
What helps you to “be yourself”?
Other helpful Resources: