Women’s Leadership Interview with Tami Heim Part 2
If you missed Monday’s post, read part one (Depending on God to Meet the Challenge) first, then continue here with part two of our leadership interview with Tami Heim.
Tami Heim is the president and CEO of the Christian Leadership Alliance (CLA) in San Clemente, Calif. CLA exists to equip, train, and unite the leadership teams in nonprofit ministries, churches and businesses. From top leadership positions in Fortune 500 companies to her current role in nonprofit ministry, Tami’s executive experience spans three decades. Tami and her husband, Dale, belong to Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn. Compelled by love; they travel often to serve orphans in Haiti and are now in the process of adopting from Haiti.
Chris Adams: Tami, women seem to always be trying to get everything done but sometimes feel like they never get it all together. How do you seek to balance ministry, home, and work?
Tami Heim: I gave up the notion, long ago, that there was some perfect allotment of time that signified balance was achieved. Life cycles through different stages and each of them require different levels of attention to the specific activities of that stage. We are commanded to love the Lord with our whole heart, soul, and strength. He has promised that if we seek first the kingdom and His righteousness, then the rest will fall into divine balance.
At this stage in life, I am walking this out by being wholly present to the moment I am in. I trust that God has ordered my days, and I know there are no accidents. All things work together for good when we trust Him. So when I am present to the moment and seeking Him in it, then I believe I am most aligned with the balance He intended for my life.
Chris: In the various places you are serving Christ right now, where are you seeing the greatest transformation in the lives of women?
Tami: I am finding that more Christian women are beginning to understand who they are and whose they are in Christ and responding to that knowledge with greater zeal. There is a growing confidence as women accept that they are fully loved by God and it is transforming how they love, live, and lead.
Chris: I love hearing you say that and add my own AMEN to that! What is your No. 1 leadership tip you would share with other women in leadership?
Tami: Whatever you say and do influences the thinking, behavior and development of those around you. Your presence impacts lives whether you are willing to own it or not. So my No. 1 tip is for women to acknowledge their leadership influence and wholeheartedly embrace it in accordance to God’s plan for it.
Chris: We learn so much over the years of serving and leading. Looking back, what do you wish you’d known when you first began leading women?
Tami: As so many often say, I wish I knew then all that I know now! I would be wiser in how I invested my time with women. I would intentionally spend more of it discerning their strengths, values, and dreams. I would seek to see them as God sees them and then seek how He would have me cultivate their talents in relationship to His purpose for them.
Chris: I agree so much with this, Tami. I believe in the calling women’s ministry leaders have and want to accomplish. Looking forward, what are your dreams for the future of ministry to and with women?
Tami: That we would find even more ways to help women feel empowered to use their gifts and be more courageous in how they actively live out a relentless trust in God. I long for them to refuse pride and fear a place in their lives and that each day they would learn to live confident, knowing fully “God’s got it totally under control.”
Chris: That is so much the heartbeat of Lifeway Women as well. How can we pray for you?
Tami: Please pray that God gives me the wisdom and discernment to stay faithful to His perfect plan and holy purpose — always and in all ways.
Chris: Thank you so very much for your willingness to share with us as you have walked with and served Christ. We are grateful for your life and for sharing it with us.
Chris Adams is senior lead women’s ministry specialist at Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. Learn more about Chris here.