Women’s Leadership Ministry E-Newsletter

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A Note from the Women’s Leadership Ministry

Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships

Are there rules for men and women working together in ministry? Who sets the rules? What do healthy boundaries look like for both men and women? How does one start a conversation about the intangible relationship dynamics of a mixed-gender ministry partnership? Dr. Rob Dixon has written a book titled Together in Ministry that offers a prophetic roadmap for individuals and communities as they seek to develop flourishing ministry partnerships for women and men. Read more about his book and research at the link below. I also hope you’ll join us on January 13 at 11:00 am Eastern for a conversation with Rob as he presents a vision and model for flourishing partnerships in the church.

Article

The Hostile 'Big Tent'

“It’s really hard to keep loving a denomination that doesn’t love you back. This article outlines why ordained women say they’re considering leaving the CRC.

Article

Women’s Suffrage
and the CRC

The debate over various women’s rights in the Christian Reformed Church has been ongoing for over a century.

Article

Women's Roles in Church History

Women’s Leadership ministries and Safe Church held a webinar recognizing women’s historic leadership in the church.

Article

A Better Future

Twenty-five years after WIO some congregations still have no women in office, let alone female clergy. This article examines hopeful next steps for the CRC.

“Developing Power” Webinar recording
Listen to the conversation that took place as women from across the US and Canada discussed the Six Stages of Personal Power. We were honored to have author Ellen Duffield join in the discussion.
“The Making of Biblical Womanhood” recording
Dr. Amanda Benckhuysen and Rev. Elaine May talk with Dr. Beth Allison Barr about her new book and speak on what the Bible does and does not say about women and women’s roles in the recording.
“How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going” recording
A “Church Now Conversation” with author Susan Beaumont about her new book.

Upcoming Events

Register for 2022 Series of the Women’s Leadership Cafe
January 27 online at 3-4pm ET
Connect with fellow women clergy and leaders in the CRCNA. On the fourth Thursday of every month, we discuss topics suggested and facilitated by one of your colleagues in ministry. Our time together is casual, one registration gives you access to all of the Cafe conversations. Come when it works in your schedule.

Vibrant Congregations: “Church Now Conversation”
January 13 online at 11am ET
Rev. Elaine May hosts Rob Dixon, author of Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships Women and men are designed to work together in fulfilling God's mission on earth. Yet God's original intent for equal partnership has been so distorted that churches and organizations continually struggle to foster healthy mixed-gender ministry collaboration. Is it even possible to return to the Genesis ideal of co-laborers in today's contexts? Longtime ministry leader Rob Dixon knows it's possible―though it takes intentionality, courage, and wisdom.

Calvin University January Series
Jan. 10-28 online weekdays at 12:30pm ET
A FREE 15-day lecture series that aims to cultivate deep thought and conversations about important issues of the day in order to inspire cultural renewal and make us better global citizens in God's world.

View the full lineup of speakers here.