Imagine someone who wants to run a marathon but who is not in shape. The best thing to do is begin training in order to perfect her physical and mental skills, and thus increase the probability of succeeding in this marathon. In other words, this out-of-shape runner needs to practice discipline--intentional preparation to perform a task--to accomplish the goal.

When it comes to leadership in the church, the same idea applies. I have been in many positions of leadership, and I have discovered that following disciplines are vital for me in order to be an effective and successful leader.

Disciplines? Unfortunately, this word often has negative connotations. For instance, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines discipline in six ways, and three of them have negative connotations, such as punishment, control, or rule. Two other definitions speak about the discipline of study or instruction, and yet another one mentions that discipline is “training that corrects, molds or perfects the mental faculties or moral character”. This last definition conveys the more positive meaning and is the one that applies to the Latina leader.

In particular, there are three areas of life in which discipline is key.

1. Spiritual Discipline

For the Christian woman leader, spiritual discipline is the basis for the rest of her life. This discipline leads her to submit to Jesus as the source of life and energy. He said that apart from him, we will not be able to do anything, nor bear any fruit (John 15:4-5). In addition, the Holy Spirit is the one who sustains us and empowers us to fulfill our call (Acts 1:8 and John 14). Furthermore, the fruit of the Holy Spirit is the one that allows us to go through daily life with the right attitude (Galatians 5:22).

Submitting to the Trinity’s wisdom, guidance, and strength is the only way to be truly successful. We should not “use” God secure our success. No, it is a relationship that is shaped according to Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all of these things will be added to you.” It is a discipline motivated by the joy of relating to God, and the rest is a consequence. How do we cultivate this discipline? Prayer, Bible reading, and meditation are the steps to follow.

But in the case of women, spiritual discipline involves also having a relationship with a Holy Trinity that is for women and not against them. Unfortunately, some churches so exalt male leadership, women’s leadership gifts are undervalued. A good spiritual discipline should lead us to recognize that God raised up many women leaders in the Bible, and that he has created women with leadership abilities.

For example, there is Deborah, a female judge in Israel, who told Barak that the Lord God of Israel commanded him to lead an attack against the forces of Jabin king of Canaan and his military commander Sisera (Judges 4:6-7). Or Queen Esther, whose courage and initiative saved her people from destruction (see the Book of Esther).

The Holy Spirit distributes the gifts according to the Spirit’s will, and not based on gender categories (I Corinthians 12:11).

2. Personal Discipline

Normally the daily lives of women are so busy. Women spend time taking care of their families, working outside the home, , and serving in church and community organizations. Since the Latino community is family oriented, often Latina women not only take care of the immediate family but also the extended one. This busy lifestyle may eventually lead to burn out. Thus, in this context, personal discipline involves at least two things: getting to know yourself and your limits, and learning how to best take care of yourself.

Every woman is different. Getting to know yourself will lead you to be able to take care of yourself in an appropriate, optimal way. Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Based on this knowledge, what do you need to do to renew your energy? Is it time alone (introvert) or time spent with other people (extrovert)? What is your optimal weight, diet, sleeping schedule, and exercise routine? What medical advice do you have to follow to stay healthy? What kind of physical and emotional boundaries/limits do you need to establish to be a content and productive woman leader?

Knowing yourself and taking care of yourself are basic foundational disciplines that will allow you to perform your best as a leader. How come? God has given us just one body, so we must be good stewards of it. Furthermore, when this body is willing to cooperate with us to perform these great leadership goals, we will be able to succeed as God intends.

3. Financial Discipline

A good woman leader needs to be economically fit both in her personal and organizational finances. This is a challenge for every woman, but especially so for the Latina woman leader, because the Hispanic community tends to be truly challenged in this area. On top of this, the common culture lures us to live well above our means by borrowing money.

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However, a good leader must recognize that financial stress robs her of much creative energy and distracts her from the real tasks that she is called to do. Thus, financial discipline is a must for successful leadership. Here, I am not talking about being rich, but about being financially fit so that money worries do not get in the way of one’s leadership performance.

Often there is the assumption that our private lives do not have anything to do with our public lives, however they do! If our private lives are in order, not perfect, but in order as much as possible, there is a greater chance we will become successful leaders.

May God help us to be disciplined with the spiritual, personal, and financial areas of our lives, and in this way build a strong foundation for us to become successful leaders. Amen!

Dr. Nora O. Lozano is executive director of the Latina Leadership Institute and professor of theological studies at Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio, Texas.

[ This article is also available in español. ]

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