Sisterhood. There is something powerful that happens when women of God join together to support and encourage each other – especially women leaders. Leadership can often be a lonely and difficult road to travel. Many of the urban women I have spent time with have told me they struggle with knowing how to lead. Some of them have never been trained and feel inadequate to do the job set before them. Others struggle to find the balance between family responsibilities and church ministry.
About a year ago, Cynthia Jones (the wife of one of our church plant pastors) and I discussed the need for women leaders to have a place where they could share openly and find camaraderie with others on a similar journey. The name of our group is Urban Women’s Leadership Association. Our mission statement is: To provide encouragement and camaraderie among the women leaders so they are equipped and empowered to serve in their churches.
When we started meeting this fall, I was amazed at how beneficial it was for me to share with these women and learn from their stories. I helped start this group to give women leaders support and it is me who feels supported and encouraged! I listened as one woman shared about the recent deaths of her mother and brother and how she is learning how to trust God to get her through each day. This same woman is planting a church with her husband. She works, takes care of her kids and ministers to women. I look forward to being a part of her journey and learning from her.
At our last retreat, one of our staff, Audrey Schultz, painted this beautiful picture of women standing arm-in-arm in front of a cross (pictured right). This visual resonated with our women. They could see themselves in this painting and it inspired them to be more committed to the Sisterhood in Christ.
In her book, More Than Enchanting: Breaking Through Barriers to Influence our World, Jo Saxton states: “There is power and refreshment when we get together with other female leaders. It can be a balm to the loneliness that limits us, a place for accountability and encouragement…a chance to dream and strategize…where we too can nurture, protect and cherish the great things the Lord is bringing into our lives.” (124). This is our goal. The Lord is doing amazing things through our women leaders!
Tina Busenitz is a missionary in Wichita, KS. Read more from Tina.