Strategy for Developing Women Leaders

One of the most controversial questions in the evangelical community is the role of women in leadership in churches. But regardless of how we answer this question --- should not every female disciple of Christ be encouraged to grow to maturity, understand her God given gifts, and use them in the power of the Spirit to reflect the character of Christ and extend His kingdom? All of Jesus’ disciples are called to love God with all of who they are and to love their neighbour as themselves. The apostle James depicts this goal as being “mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:4) The author of Hebrews confronts his readers: “by this time you should be teachers,” and he challenges them to “go on to maturity,” thus implying that the natural result of growing to maturity is the ability to love and teach others. (Hebrews 5:11) This session argues that this biblical picture of maturity is a synonym for biblical leadership.