Skills

The Care and Keeping of 20somethings

We may need to work with them before we can expect them to step up to leadership.

It was a beautiful spring weekend for a beach retreat with our volunteer student ministry staff, most of whom are in their early 20s. We worshiped, we discussed, we ate. We shared stories from a year of student ministry. We prayed for vision and growth in students' lives. And I slept less than I did after bringing home my newborns. Even in my exhaustion, I found myself refreshed ...

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Making the Most of Your Role

Finding your place in male-led ministry
Making the Most of Your Role
Image: iStock

Several years ago, I served as the treasurer of a small church. In this congregation, the treasurer was required to sit on the church's governing board, which didn't allow women. My husband, however, was on the board, so as a workaround for providing monthly treasurer's reports, I would prepare all the financial information, and he would present it. I would explain ...

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Sharing the Gospel through Story

Learn to transition ordinary conversations into sharing Christ

It is far easier to introduce storytelling than traditional evangelism openers. For example, you might simply say, "I've been learning to tell stories. The trainer has asked us to practice each story with ten people. Would you be willing to listen to a five-minute story and tell me if you understood it?"

A friend of mine has used this approach: "I love stories. Do you? Could ...

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Nice Girls Don't Ask

Three thought patterns that keep us from speaking up
Nice Girls Don't Ask
Image: iStock

Feeling underappreciated and overlooked, I decided to talk with my team leader. I'm embarrassed to tell you I allowed my frustration to fester for several weeks before I said a word. I didn't want to be "that" girl—whiny, needy, and demanding.

As I nervously asked for what I needed and even wanted, I was surprised to hear "yes" to many of my ...

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Managing Conflict in a Church Setting

It’s an inevitable opportunity for growth

Some of Jesus' best known words promise, "Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Most of us prefer to focus on the second part of the verse, but the first part is also a promise: in this life, we should expect some trouble.

Something about working in a ministry setting can easily deceive us into ...

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7 Ways Women Sabotage Their Leadership, Part 2

Understanding how we undermine ourselves

Over the years I have met many fantastic women leaders. I lean forward to hear their every word and am always grateful to spend a spare hour with them over a cup of coffee or on a walk. I have also met some not-so-great female leaders—the kind whose staffs live with a low-grade fear in their eyes. How can you ensure you fall into the first category and not the second?

This ...

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7 Ways Women Sabotage Their Leadership, Part 1

Understanding how we undermine ourselves

Over the years I have met many fantastic women leaders. I lean forward to hear their every word and am always grateful to spend a spare hour with them over a cup of coffee or on a walk. I have also met some not-so-great female leaders—the kind whose staffs live with a low-grade fear in their eyes. How can you ensure you fall into the first category and not the second? ...

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Top 10 in 2011

A list of the most popular GFL content in 2011—and a re-introduction to a new editor

I know it's a little late to be serving up a 2011 retrospective. The new year? That was so three weeks ago.

Well, I would have done this earlier, but we've been making a big transition here at Gifted for Leadership, and quite honestly, it's taken me a few weeks to figure out where everything is. Now that I have found my way to the computer, I'm actually ...

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4 Creative Ways to Thank Volunteers

Keep them coming back after the holidays
4 Creative Ways to Thank Volunteers
Image:

'Tis the season—the season when church leaders and volunteers feel the squeeze of work and family life. From Christmas cards to gift wrapping to party planning, Christmas adds a new dimension to our already hectic lives.

And then there's church! For weeks, volunteers have been feverishly preparing Christmas programs, organizing gift markets, coordinating food ...

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How Did Jesus Teach?

The answer helps me keep my ambition in check

Recently, a friend shared a conversation she'd had with another woman in leadership. "All she talked about is how no one will support her preaching, and how she's having a hard time getting ordained. Not once did she talk about serving, or call, or God's direction."

Ambition isn't unique to women. Men strive to get ahead just like we do. But within women's leadership circles, ...

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