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.
This is part of 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. Again, 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!
Today we will look at #7: Be seen and heard
Have you ever said something over and over, then one day someone says, “I never knew about that?” I remember when I was serving on a church staff that we would advertise something in everyway possible: church bulletin, church newsletter, posters, fliers. Believe it or not, those were the days before email, web sites, facebook and twitter! Now, I read everything I can get my hands on almost, and I always “wrote” in my daytimer (our iPad of the 80’s and 90’s) important dates and events. I thought everyone else did the same thing, but as I worked with women, I discovered for the first time that my spiritual gift of administration was one reason I was OCD about that kind of thing.
What I discovered was what we still know today, even with all the newer ways to promote ministry, that one person asking another is the main draw for women’s involvement in ministry activities of any kind. That personal one on one connection still reaches more women than any other way.
But that doesn’t mean we don’t use every way possible to share about an upcoming event, small group or ministry. You will find lots of info in these resources on promoting ministry: Women Reaching Women & Transformed Lives.
Additionally, we need to share the ministry impact with our team, the women in the church, and our supervisors…often and continually. Selma reminded us to give reports of our work even if no one is asking about it. Find a way to communicate in every form possible. One medium is not sufficient. You must use multiple mediums to make sure your message is heard. Those we lead and serve under need to see how God is working in our ministries…what HE is up to and how lives are being changed.
In what creative ways do you communicate what’s going on in your ministry? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Other helpful Resources:
