For all you women out there, I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Gifted for Leadership. It’s a new resource designed specifically for Christian women who are capable, called, and gifted leaders. Unfortunately, many Christian women in leadership feel alone in their calling. They need a place where they can converse about the issues they face, encourage one another, and challenge each other. They want something different from the women’s ministry resources and events that discuss issues unique to women. They want tools that visit topics that are not unique to women, but that approach them from a woman’s perspective.
That’s why we’re producing a blog, a free monthly e-mail newsletter (you can sign up at the blog), and – coming soon – a collection of downloadable booklets. These tools will equip, encourage, challenge, and unite women who exercise leadership gifts in church and parachurch ministry, in business, and at home. They’ll also build a community of women with leadership gifts who can challenge and support one another and grow together.
Like Out of Ur, “Gifted for Leadership” is a resource of Christianity Today International, produced in partnership with the editors of Leadership journal. I’m very excited to launch this blog and to tell you about our Gifted for Leadership philosophy:
We believe that people who have the spiritual gift of leadership are called to lead, not for their own benefit, but for the sake of nurturing the body of Christ. Women with leadership gifts, as with all gifts, are obligated to use those gifts in the ways and the places God has called them to. We are committed to speaking with these values:
Biblical truth – We always look at leadership issues through a biblical lens.
Reality – We are realistic about the issues, struggles, challenges, opportunities, and joys women leaders face.
Honesty – We are committed to addressing reality with honesty and without apology.
Redemption – We express ourselves without bitterness. When speaking from personal pain, we point to hope and
Healing – even if our healing process is incomplete. This is not a forum for mere arguments or expressions of personal anguish.
Love – We care about women in leadership and want to make personal connections with them.
Equipping – We help women get better, and more confident, in what they do.
Encouragement – We want women to feel good about the gifts God has given them, and we help them see how they can use those gifts. We love and root for the church and its people.
Challenge – We challenge women to use their leadership gifts, pursue spiritual growth, and think deeply.
Unity – We help women rise above the arguments and judgments about where they should lead. Instead, we agree that we are all obligated to use our gifts in the ways God has called us to do so.
If you’re committed to these values, please join this conversation. Let’s encourage each other to use the gifts God has given us.
Amy Simpson is Executive Editor of Resources at Christianity Today International.
