LEADERSHIP
WOMEN Integrating Their Skills in Church Leadership Positions Psalms 78:72 …led them with skillful hands. (ISV)
By Min. Tonia R. Williams As I reflect on my life, I can see that I was born to be a leader. At times, the journey has not been easy, but with God in my life, I can clearly see how His hand has been upon my life. I am grateful for the courage and confidence He has given me to lead women skillfully, spiritually, and with excellence. At the age of ten, my family and I joined a church which became our “home church,” and we were actively involved in Sunday School, Sunday Morning and Evening Services, Tuesday Night Bible Study, Evangelistic Service, Friday Night Prayer, Children’s and Youth Choirs, 4th Sunday Youth Program, 5th Sunday Children’s Program and more, and I cannot forget 8:00 A.M. Saturday Family Devotion at home! Early on with my church involvement and home training, I began serving in leadership positions as a teenager. With my academic skills, I began to integrate them into my positions and continued to do so as I furthered my education. Incorporating skills from my formal education, work experience, classes, trainings, etc. (also understanding church dynamics and its inner workings), has been an ongoing process. While professionally a financial analyst, I am currently the Women’s Auxiliary President for the Northern California District Council. In this leadership position, I have integrated skills, such as, supervising, interpersonal communication, problem solving, project management, financial reporting, just to name a few. Shortly after being elected to this position, I spoke with my staff individually. I asked specific questions that allowed me to learn more about them and assess their skill level for their elected position. Having been a supervisor, I also understood the importance of professional development, so I offered them the opportunity to develop skills within the scope of their elected position. By serving in other capacities (e.g., president, vice president, secretary, treasurer), I understood the responsibilities of the elected positions, and that coupled with my professional skills has helped me in coaching and mentoring, where necessary. I remember speaking with a women’s ministry director who shared challenges she was having in leading women at her church. Professionally, she was employed by a major
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corporation as a supervisor. While she spoke, I can recall actively listening—a skill I acquired through formal education and training. As a result, because of this skill and others I possess, I was able to recommend ways for her to utilize her supervisory skills in approaching the challenges and in being successful with them. She had never given any thought of incorporating her supervisory skills in her role as a women’s ministry director. For women in church leadership positions, I encourage them to educate themselves through courses, programs, trainings, books, etc. that will allow them to develop and acquire the necessary skills relevant to leading effectively (Proverbs 22:29 Do you see someone skilled in their work? NIV). I also encourage them to have a mentor, a woman leader who can provide practical and spiritual advice and guidance (Proverbs 11:14 They that have no guidance fall like leaves: but in much counsel there is safety. BST). To integrate their skills in leadership, I recommend they go through the following exercise. Job, Church, and Volunteer Positions 1. List job, church, and volunteer positions you have held and currently hold 2. List the responsibilities for each position (optional) 3. List the skills you acquired from each position Courses, Programs, Trainings 1. List courses, programs, trainings, etc. you have taken 2. List the skills you acquired from each one Now list the skills (from the two areas above) that you can incorporate in your current leadership position(s), and begin to utilize them in leading those God has placed in your hands. _________________________________ Scriptures ISV: International Standard Version (Psalms 78:72) NIV: New International Version (Proverbs 22:29) BST: Brenton Septuagint Translation (Proverbs 11:14)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Min. Tonia R. Williams Minister | Author | Leader Email: info@ToniaRWilliams.com Website: www.ToniaRWilliams.com Facebook: AuthorToniaRWilliams
“NOW IT SHALL SPRING FORTH”
“POSITIONED FOR PROMISE”
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