September 2015
Why Do People Only Notice My Clothes?
Should she be wearing those shoes to preach?
I regretted the thought as soon as it ran through my head. The preacher at the large, ecumenical conference was experienced and well-educated. The narrative of her sermon was strong, and the gospel was proclaimed. But I still couldn’t get my mind past her shoes, which, I must add, would have been appropriate in any office ...
When a Leader Doesn’t Know She’s a Leader
There are many potential leaders who don’t see their leadership potential, and the onus is on us to invite them—and to invite them well. Unfortunately, I’ve seen efforts to do this that were well-intentioned but not carried out well. One such example is an event I attended that finished with this message: “You might see these big names on stage, but ...
We Need the Wisdom of Seasoned Leaders
It was a Tuesday morning when I pulled up to the church for my first Bible study. The parking lot was full, I was late, and I still needed to check in my children for childcare. It was quiet when I entered the room, the teacher’s engaging lesson holding everyone’s attention. The room held more than 100 elderly women, and I was intimidated. But as a new Christian, ...
Be Honest: You Don’t Have It All Together
It’s 100 million degrees in Chicago, and I’m sweating through my shirt. I’ve not showered, I’m sporting a baseball hat and sunglasses to mask this fact, desperately hoping no one notices me. I scurry from my car into the building like an incognito A-Lister—only I’m dashing across the church parking lot to my office.
It’s my day off, ...
Mentoring Is More than Teaching
“So can you help me? Please? I really need your help.”
As I stared into the eyes of my new Christian friend, I saw her struggling. She was feeling tempted to enter into a serious romantic relationship with a non-Christian. Of course I will help her, I thought. I know just what to do!
I scheduled a weekly one-on-one Bible study with her to examine the book ...
My Struggle to Remain Faithful
It’s pretty easy for women in ministry to fall into adultery—much easier than you probably think.
It shocks us to hear that women leaders struggle with sexual sin, but it’s more common than we know. The problem is that no one talks about it because there’s so much shame surrounding the topic. That silence means those who struggle will continue ...
Rest Is Not an Option
We live in a performance-based culture that measures success by how much you can cram into your life. The more you do, the more you're doing, so to speak. This mentality has, by and large, infiltrated the church, and you don't have to look beyond the church's leadership to see that. Many pastors and church leaders are overworked and burned out, and their families ...
Take Time to Color
Editor's Note: The New Yorker recently reported a rising trend: adult women coloring to rest, relax, and rejuvenate. Could coloring help us connect with God in some way? This author shares what she's gained—both in her ministry and personally—by spending time with markers and blank paper.
My friend Naomi once offered me her home as a quiet space for ...