From time to time I am asked to sit on panel discussions or Q&A boards at conferences, retreats, or
events. At these discussions, anything is possible! I had the privilege of sitting on a panel at the Unstoppable Conference this year. My friend, Pastor Deanna Shrodes is the founder of the Unstoppable Conference and the Pastoring Partners Network. She is hands down one of the world's greatest advocates supporting an egalitarian view for both genders and all ethnic groups in the church.
One of the anonymous questions that surfaced read something like this, "My husband and I co-pastor together. We are a great team however, whenever I contribute something corporately, I am never given credit; the kudos always goes to my husband or some other male pastor. How do I handle this?"
Some of the other panelists gave good, seemingly biblical answers. " Don't worry about it, be the bigger person...", "It's okay because your husband is really the head anyway...", etc... and of course, the humble approach was suggested. None of these answers are "bad" per se, I mean, it is all for the glory of God, right? And to this I say yes, but, (oh yes, there IS a but) how would this flow in the secular workplace? It wouldn't!
A 
s a woman with experience in the corporate world where I have had my share of bumps and bruises on the proverbial glass ceiling, I gave our proposed question a different twist. I shared briefly how a major proposal that affected one of my company's biggest clients was snatched from me and claimed by a supervisor who previously blocked the idea from all sides. Seeing an opportunity where it would be a huge asset, my supervisor claimed the idea (right in front of me) in a room full of executives.
Interestingly enough, as I shared this story, the women in the room gasped! They were taken aback by the actions of my supervisor.
Why is it that we as Christian women in ministry would allow such a thing to occur in the ministerial workplace, but we are appalled by such an action in the secular workforce? Is it because we secretly may not consider our position or contributions of much value because of our gender? Or maybe it has more to do with the fact that we've become accustomed to being considered second, or maybe we just don't want to "rock the boat..." because, by all means, they were kind enough to let us in the boat.
I believe that allowing yourself to be anything less than the BEST God called you to be is sinful. My employer expects my best and so does God! When my work performance is reviewed, I am not reviewed on a special "curve" or different scale because I am female. (This is in spite of the fact that women still earn less t 
han men for the same or more work, but that is a different post!) My performance determines whether or not I will remain in my employ, just as my male counterparts.
As women, particularly as Christian women, we should never feel inadequate or beneath anyone for we were created equal in the sight of God. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:2).
Our thoughts, ideas, and contributions DO matter in both ministry and the secular workplace. Maintaining a teachable, confident, and God-fearing attitude will only enlarge the positive outlook and anointing on your life as a woman with "feminine fire!" If there is one thing that really gets me it is when a perfectly capable woman demeans herself or allows herself to be demeaned in an effort to make men feel superior. Sacrificing yourself in this way is not an attractive attribute!
In closing, go ahead, rock the boat! Contribute and be a major part of the equation! Develop your skills as a godly leader who is to be respected in your own right. And be encouraged and enlightened by this quote from Elizabeth Cady Stanton, “Self-development is a higher duty than self-sacrifice.”
From time to time I am asked to sit on panel discussions or Q&A boards at conferences, retreats, or events. At these discussions, anything is possible! I had the privilege of sitting on a panel at the Unstoppable Conference this year. My friend, Pastor Deanna Shrodes is the founder of the Unstoppable Conference and the Pastoring Partners Network. She is hands down one of the world's greatest advocates supporting an egalitarian view for both genders and all ethnic groups in the church.
One of the anonymous questions that surfaced read something like this, "My husband and I co-pastor together. We are a great team however, whenever I contribute something corporately, I am never given credit; the kudos always goes to my husband or some other male pastor. How do I handle this?"
Some of the other panelists gave good, seemingly biblical answers. " Don't worry about it, be the bigger person...", "It's okay because your husband is really the head anyway...", etc... and of course, the humble approach was suggested. None of these answers are "bad" per se, I mean, it is all for the glory of God, right? And to this I say yes, but, (oh yes, there IS a but) how would this flow in the secular workplace? It wouldn't!
A
s a woman with experience in the corporate world where I have had my share of bumps and bruises on the proverbial glass ceiling, I gave our proposed question a different twist. I shared briefly how a major proposal that affected one of my company's biggest clients was snatched from me and claimed by a supervisor who previously blocked the idea from all sides. Seeing an opportunity where it would be a huge asset, my supervisor claimed the idea (right in front of me) in a room full of executives.
Interestingly enough, as I shared this story, the women in the room gasped! They were taken aback by the actions of my supervisor.
Why is it that we as Christian women in ministry would allow such a thing to occur in the ministerial workplace, but we are appalled by such an action in the secular workforce? Is it because we secretly may not consider our position or contributions of much value because of our gender? Or maybe it has more to do with the fact that we've become accustomed to being considered second, or maybe we just don't want to "rock the boat..." because, by all means, they were kind enough to let us in the boat.
I believe that allowing yourself to be anything less than the BEST God called you to be is sinful. My employer expects my best and so does God! When my work performance is reviewed, I am not reviewed on a special "curve" or different scale because I am female. (This is in spite of the fact that women still earn less t
han men for the same or more work, but that is a different post!) My performance determines whether or not I will remain in my employ, just as my male counterparts.
As women, particularly as Christian women, we should never feel inadequate or beneath anyone for we were created equal in the sight of God. "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:2).
Our thoughts, ideas, and contributions DO matter in both ministry and the secular workplace. Maintaining a teachable, confident, and God-fearing attitude will only enlarge the positive outlook and anointing on your life as a woman with "feminine fire!" If there is one thing that really gets me it is when a perfectly capable woman demeans herself or allows herself to be demeaned in an effort to make men feel superior. Sacrificing yourself in this way is not an attractive attribute!
In closing, go ahead, rock the boat! Contribute and be a major part of the equation! Develop your skills as a godly leader who is to be respected in your own right. And be encouraged and enlightened by this quote from Elizabeth Cady Stanton, “Self-development is a higher duty than self-sacrifice.”