Shepastor: “Empowering and Encouraging Women in Ministry: Workshops that brought balance, enlightenment and healing to our souls!”

Wisdom and money can get you almost anything, but only wisdom can save your life. Ecclesiastes 7:12 NLT

What life saving words we received during the 2012 “Empowering and Encouraging Women in Ministry Conference!” Over the past several weeks we’ve highlighted the sermons, the plenary and the panel. Today, Shepastor highlights the ministry workshops offered.

Conferees were given an opportunity to receive practical information concerning financial institutions and funding options, merchant services, guidance on increasing the odds of receiving grants and tips on starting a 501c3 through the KeyBank Financial Education and Economic Empowerment Workshops.

Additional workshop descriptions are provided below…

#1 “We don't know how she does it!" - Doing God's Work and Marriage”

Presenter: The Reverend Dr. Stephanie Allen, Associate Pastor for Adult Education, Small Groups, Fellowship Group, Covenant Groups and Outreach, First Baptist Church of Greater Cleveland

A workshop for married female clergy

In a world where it seems like women can have it all and do it all female clergy have a rather large task of doing God's work while fighting the temptation to live up to the world's standards. What does God expect of us as married, female clergy? What does His word tell us about taking care of ourselves, friendships, relationships and what do we do when "having it all" is way too much on our plate? This workshop will navigate, discuss and highlight some of those issues and guide us through discovering healthy alternatives to the world’s standards of working women.

Those in attendance for Dr. Allen’s class raved about her ability to unpack the meaning of scriptures, reflecting upon the original Hebrew language to help them claim God’s promises and develop healthy views towards fulfilling roles and responsibilities.

#2 “Dating, Sexuality, Romantic Love…and the Single Clergywoman?”

Presenter: The Reverend Leah C.K. Lewis, J.D., Associate Minister, Olivet Institutional Baptist Church and Assistant to the Pastor for Community Engagement. Leader, Singles’ Fellowship of Olivet, a ministry actively engaged in the life of the church with book discussions, community outreach and social activities.

A workshop for single female clergy

A frank instruction accompanied by an earnest and edifying conversation on the topic.

Conferees greatly appreciated Rev. Lewis’ “frank” discussion concerning the realities of being single and clergy. They shared that they felt free to speak openly and candidly about the struggles of being single, living holy and fulfilled.

#3 H.A.L.T.: Take Care of Yourself!

Presenter: Dr. Julie Exline, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology/licensed clinical psychologist, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio

This session will focus on the importance of self-care for women in ministry. To focus our conversation, we will make use of this time-honored guidance: “Don’t let yourself get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired,” or HALT. The session will draw from Scripture and the field of psychology to help participants reflect on the vital role of self-care in ministry and personal life.

Class participants were empowered to “HALT,” reflect upon their own unhealthy, unbalanced ways and consider better choices for fulfillment in life. Dr. Exline was “excellent!” (shared one class participant) in her calm and effective way of ushering women into a place of peaceful contemplation and decisions for healthier responses to life circumstances.

We praise God for ALL of the wonderful, powerful, enlightening, inspiring, educational and challenging messages provided to us through all of our conference leaders! May the messages given speak to our hearts for many days to come and instruct our lives for healthier, balanced and empowered living!

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Until next Wednesday In Faith, Hope and Perseverance, Pastor Chris