I am not a born leader. As the seventh of 8 children, I was born a follower, lost in a crowd of siblings. Like David, who was considered “least among his brethren,” God saw something in me not apparent to anyone — including me — and singled me out for leadership.
But not without training. David and Moses led sheep: I led cats. Sincerely following the Great Commission to preach the Gospel to every creature, beginning at about five years old, I taught flannel graph Bible lessons to my congregation of barnyard cats. I sincerely pleaded with them to accept Jesus before they accidentally met their Maker beneath the wheels of farm equipment. I know the angels rejoice when sinners comes to repentance, but I can’t help but wonder what the angels did when I led four tabbies and a calico in the sinner’s prayer!
Which brings us to our first tip:
1. Practice conscientious leadership with whatever group — sheep, cats, kids — God gives you to lead. If you lead faithfully in a small arena, He’ll open bigger arenas for you.
2. Recognize and creatively compensate for limitations that might be placed on you because of your gender.
Some think women should focus their energies on breaking down theological limitations based on gender and there is a place for that. But unless the Lord specifically calls you to write the 95 Thesis on your bra and nail it to the door of your church (!), it is far more productive to exercise your calling within your church’s proscribed boundaries.
The prophetess Deborah (Yes, the Bible acknowledges her as a prophetess — Judges 4:4.) is a sterling example of a woman who recognized societal and religious limitations placed on women but was still faithful to God’s call on her life. She knew what God wanted done — the invaders pushed out — but she also recognized that the army would not follow a woman into battle. So she stirred Barak, the commander, to action. He acknowledged her gifts, even refusing to go into battle without her by his side. The soldiers might be unwilling to follow a woman, but the commander was unwilling to go without Deborah.
3. Let God make a way for your gifts within your church.
There are two seemly conflicting underlying Scriptural principles at work here: “Let everything be established in the mouth of two or three witnesses” and “If they do not accept your message, shake the dust off your feet.”
Throughout the history of both Judaism and Christianity, God opened doors for His messengers over the protests of the religious establishment. These instances are well documented in Scripture; so let me give you some examples from my own experience:
When my husband and I moved to a new area, we began attending a certain church by direct leading of the Lord. I wondered what God was thinking because the pastor of this particular church was vehemently opposed to women in any ministry other than “manning” the nursery. Over the course of a few months, a friendship developed and I was able to show him Scriptures about Godly female leadership from Jesus commissioning Mary to tell Peter and the disciples that He was risen to Paul’s tutor Priscilla, etc. Eventually, I was added to the pastoral staff of this church and the pastor went on to teach classes in female Christian leadership at a well-known university. What a switcheroo!
On the other hand, after another relocation, we joined a church where women regularly participated in appropriate ways — until a new pastor came. Theologically, he was in favor of female leadership; but on a personal level, he was a frightened of anyone who was gifted and thwarted his or her efforts. One by one, those with ability found different churches in which to serve and the pastor was left wondering why he had to do everything.
God needs women to join the ranks of Dorcas — who built a church with a needle, Lydia — a business woman who made the Philippian church happen, the woman at the well who told everyone in town about Jesus, and so many other women. Don’t be afraid to follow in their footsteps.
© Rebekah Binkley Montgomery 2005
Please Request Permission To Use—[email protected]