Leadership in Church / Ministry

When it comes to empowering gifted and called female pastors and leaders, many males with privilege and power might first need to explore ways that the status quo that benefits men actually thwarts women. Applying established principles from the kingdom of God might sound obvious, but it's clear that men with power and privilege aren't applying them enough. Learn how this secret shame can be overcome so that more women are empowered in Christian settings.

Privilege and Shame: Ken Fong

Each pastor faces unique challenges in fostering communities where God's gifting in men and women can flourish.

Pastors Panel: Eugene Cho, Adelita Garza, Anne Zaki

As God makes our ministries anew, it can be hard for women to navigate the gap between the here and not yet of gender equality in ministry. How do women practice self-care and how do we teach fellow ministry leaders to lean into the gap of support of women? The diversity of women and our experiences will be explored in this lecture. 

Teach Them How To Treat You: Austin Channing Brown

This lecture draws from the latest leadership literature to make a compelling case for the importance of advancing more women into leadership by addressing both internal and external deterrents. This lecture also examines what works to overcome the "stained glass ceiling" by enhancing women's leadership self-efficacy, particularly within Christian subcultures that often limit their potential and opportunities.

Advancing Women Into Leadership: Why This Matters and How to Reach that Goal: Karen Longman

Main session from 2016 CBE International Conference "Truth Be Told" in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Xana McCauley is a full time pastor at the Rhema Bible Church North, since 1983. Xana is the main conference coordinator with CBE International for the 2016 Conference. She is also the founder of GEMA, CBE SA, and founder of Hands of Compassion with her husband Pastor Alan McCauley.

She holds a Bachelors Degree in Sociology (University of Natal) and Theology (SATS). She is presently working towards her Masters in Theology.

She is a Committee Member of WWSOSA and continues to advocate for justice.

Brave New World | Xana McCauley

Main session from 2016 CBE International Conference "Truth Be Told" in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Wayne Chafunya is the head of the Young Adults Ministry at Rhema Bible Church North, Randburg, its Sunday Evening Services, known as Sunday Night Live, as well as four campuses ministries (Wits University, University of Johannesburg, Midrand Campus and Monash University).

He holds a BA degree (Business Administration) (Wits University) and a Higher Diploma on Informatics (Damelin). He graduated from Rhema Bible College in 2009 after completed three years of study.

Gift Based Ministry | Wayne Chafunya

Main session from 2016 CBE International Conference "Truth Be Told" in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Pelham Lessing serves as lead pastor of Crossover Community Church in Turffontein. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology, at Global University as well as postgraduate degrees in ethics and theology.  He holds vocational qualifications as a teacher and counsellor and is registered with the relevant professional and accredited bodies.

He currently serves as a full time lecturer at the South African Theological Seminary in Rivonia, and as adjunct faculty in the Development Studies Department at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University where he lectures at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

When God is Silent | Pelham Lessing

Lecture from 2016 CBE International Conference "Truth Be Told" in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Keketso Maema is currently the CEO of the Commission for Gender Equality in South Africa. 

She holds a BA degree in Sociology and Development Studies from the University of Lesotho, as well as an LLB and an LLM from Witts University.

Ms. Maema has worked for the UNICEF and the Lesotho Highlands Project. She also worked as an Associate Attorney at Nicholls, Cambanis and Associates.

She became a member of both the Constitutional Court as well as the Supreme Court of Appeal.

Working Towards Achieving SDGs By Combating Gender Based Violence | Keketso Maema

Lecture from 2016 CBE International Conference "Truth Be Told" in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Antoinette Erasmus is the senior pastor of the Corpus Christi AFM Church in Midrand.  

Pastor Antoinette has a Diploma in Theology and a Diploma in Pastoral Counseling from Auckland Park Theological Seminary.She did her Honors in Practical Theology at University of South Africa (UNISA) and she is currently doing research for her Masters Degree on Gender Equality in Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches.

In more than a century Pastor Antoinette was the first women to be voted Regional Leader of the Gauteng North Area, making her the first female member of the National Leaders Forum of the AFM.

Women Pastors Experiences in the Church | Antoinette Erasmus

Lecture from 2016 CBE International Conference "Truth Be Told" in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Women - So What? | Jacqui Rivas

When pondering the nature or essence of being, we consider topics such as whether or not men and women are fundamentally different. However, in society and the church, this conversation has historically excluded women of color—particularly black women—who were often considered subhuman. Through a combination of storytelling and practical tools, participants will learn more about what it is like to be made in the image of God as a black woman in a society and Christian context that refuses to acknowledge that the imago Dei resides in her.

Ain't I A Woman?: The Imago Dei and/in Black Women: Nilwona Nowlin

The purpose of this workshop is to explore the defense of women in ministry in the Methodist tradition and how this legacy can inform our advocacy for women today. The quest for biblical equality within Methodism was not an effortless or painless story of progressive advance. Women like Phoebe Palmer, Catherine Booth, Frances Willard, and Georgia Harkness, as well as men, all developed potent defenses for women’s ministry. Ultimately, the Methodist defense of women in ministry reveals the centrality of liberation—spiritual, cultural, and communal—one of the central themes of the gospel vision recaptured by the Wesleys.

The Methodist Defense of Women in Ministry: Paul Chilcote

Throughout history, the apostle Paul has been the most frequently cited authority for restricting women from shared leadership not only in ministry but also in marriage and the world. Sadly, those who cite Paul as an opponent of women's equality overlook the many examples of women leaders building the church beside the apostle, in addition to his theological emphasis on newness of life in Christ. This workshop will show how 1 Timothy 2:11-15 and 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 are eddies off the stream of Paul’s egalitarian teachings and practices.

Women's Leadership Throughout Church History: Mimi Haddad

God designed an equal and mutual partnership between men and women—together, they were to steward God’s world. What does this “blessed alliance” look like today? Learn what makes partnerships between men and women simultaneously satisfying and fruitful. Building on two decades of ministry experience and three years of doctoral study, Rob Dixon will help you discern ways to strengthen your partnerships so that they can become places of greater flourishing.

The Blessed Alliance at Work: Women and Men Partnering Together: Rob Dixon

We will get acquainted with the application of the texts addressed in the plenary in current situations. Is the theme still topical? What are the urgent questions emerged in the texts dealing with the condition of women in the church? What about our responses?

The Significance of New Testament Texts for Today's Church Life: Timo Lehikoinen

While many Christians today believe women were created to be submissive to men, history tells another story. Created as strong rescue for man (Genesis 2:18), women have served the church as martyrs, missionaries, teachers and leaders revealing the gospel in places men feared to go. This workshop will consider the pioneering leadership of women on every continent, from the early church to the modern era

Women Builders of the Church: How Women Served Christ from the Early Church to Today: Mimi Haddad

Does your inner critic tell you that you are not good enough or smart enough to succeed? If so, you might feel anything but “Created to Thrive.” This presentation will explore the purpose of the inner critic, where it originates, and how to overcome its power in your life and ministry.

Building Confidence in Your Calling: Susan Howell

In this workshop, we will explore the extraordinary potential women bring to leadership contexts, both because of gender socialization and individual giftedness. We will also discuss how women can steward leadership to promote flourishing communities and organizations.

Women's Leadership at the Highest Level: Plateaus and Pitfalls: Shirley Mullen

In this workshop Dr. Jeanne Porter King will outline the benefits of having women in key areas of leadership in and out of the church. Dr. Porter King will provide a model of inclusive leadership and strategies that help equip women to be advocates for themselves and each other, and tools for men to be advocates for women.

Stronger Together: Strategies for Building Alliances for Women's Leadership: Jeanne Porter King

Women make up nearly 50% of the US workforce, but they work mainly in workplaces designed by and for men. Disadvantages in the workplace cut across secular and Christian organizations, inhibiting women from enjoying meaningful work and motherhood, advancing in careers, and ultimately living out their God-given gifts and talents. Many of these disadvantages are linked to deeply-held beliefs about women, work and leadership—beliefs that Jesus sought to dissolve. This workshop will explore the mutual prosperity of men and women in organizations when women succeed at work and gain a seat around the table.

When Women Succeed at Work, Everyone Benefits: Eeva Sallinen Simard

God gifts and calls women and men to all positions of service and leadership in home, church and the world. Together, we are advocating the biblical and historical case for women's equality.