www.creativeladiesministry.com

[guest]

I posted a message in the general section but I haven't had any luck with people wanting to respond so I am going to try in this section.

I am having a Leadership Conference in May.
I am having a key-note speaker who will be speaking on leadership and spiritaul. Then during the day sections we will be having about 6 classes and my question to ya'll was If you were to attend a leadership conference what would you desire to get out of it or what workshop would you like to attend.

NOTE: This is going to be called " Women Called To Leadership"
So it will be very helpful to all women who attend because there will be topic's on all kinds of ministry (Women's, Children's, Praise & Worship, Food, I want to offer something that would benefit all areas of ministry.)

Most of the time when God calls us into the ministry we don't get an instruction book to tell us how to do the ministry and we face discouragement,anger, and resentment toward the ministry. I want to teach other leaders how to be effective in their ministry, how to seek God's direction and encourage them not to give up.

[OkieLady]

I have been a Ladies Ministry Leader for approximately 5 years. I never thought of myself as a leader but more of a follower. One of the problems I find is that my "pastoral" heart gets in the way and I get too caught up in trying to help my ladies fix all their problems. Some never seem to grow up and need so much attention that you feel overwhelmed. I'm wondering if perhaps a class on "Setting Boundaries" in the ministry would be a good one. We all tend at times to get so wrapped up with the ministry that it isn't good for our own families, health, etc. I think also we tend to try to do everything ourselves at times and don't delegate which would also perhaps be a part of this class.
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I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me!!!! Sylvia

[Bramblerose]

I posted a link some time ago about problems pastor's wives face that includes info. that would apply to other ladies as well:

http://www.bju.edu/resources/preacher/story

The one line that stuck out to me was along the lines that "The ministry is insatiable." I am not a pastor's wife, but rather direct our ladies' group, and have found that to be true -- not to cast anything negative on any aspect of ministry, but just that almost anything you get involved in can gradually grow and take up more and more time. Some type of workshop on "Keeping things balanced" would be helpful. If we are married and have children, we're called first to be wives and mothers, and keeping that balanced with participation in church programs can be tough.

Another good workshop would be "Delegating without dumping." Any type of leadership book or study will talk about delegating, and it is much needed, but I have been on the receiving end of other people's delegating that felt very much like I was being dumped on. One important thing I learned was to pray for the right person to delegate to, and then just test the waters in asking people I felt impressed to. It is not always the one that looks like she has the most time available who is most willing to help. We just never know what people have going on in their lives that they feel would make them unable to particpate or take on a task. Another thing along these lines would be how to come alongside and encourage people to take part without nagging or scolding.

I think a great workshop would have something to do organization, time management, efficiency, that sort of thing. I know one dear lady involved in an aspect of ministry who is constantly stressed out, staying up til all hours, etc., and one problem I see is a doing things the hard way, if I can put it that way. There would be more effecient ways to do some of the things she does -- but it is hard to know when/how to suggest such things.

Other thoughts: keeping one's own time with the Lord first; being okay with different leadership styles (perhaps bringing out how different leaders in the Bible, say, Moses and Elijah and Paul, were very different, yet the Lord used each one for His own purposes. So we don't have to look at others and feel we have to do everything exactly just as they did, especially if we are following in someone else's footsteps.)

[creativ4]

Hello Guest

Glad to have you stop in. I hope you are finding some good ideas from the ladies here. I think the suggestion of the

[Bramblerose]

[creativ4]

Hi Bramblerose,

That's okay. I do have links to the BJ articles on my website so that doesn't bother me. When I go to a message board, I find out all I can about the website and I try not to post anything contrary to what I'd find on the site, just out of courtesy. I guess I just expect the same. I've had a few really off the wall things lately. I really don't think anyone saw them as when I found them they were only up a few minutes. I know you've been around to know where I'm coming from

That doesn't mean everyone has to neccessarily agree with me on everything either, it's just a fine line when it comes to those links
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Joy and blessings,
Julia