DEVELOPING

FEMALE LEADERS
N AV I G AT E T H E M I N E F I E L D S A N D R E L E A S E
T H E P OT E N T I A L O F W O M E N I N YO U R C H U R C H

BY KADI COLE
 BEST PRACTICES
Best Practice #1: Best Practice #2:
Seek to Understand Clearly Define What You Believe
• Conditioning • Alignment
• Sticky Floors • Different Views of Women in Church
• How Can You Learn More? Leadership

“If you are like most churches, 61 percent of your congregation is female and they are
likely holding back. You have the opportunity to give them the clarity they need to
lead fully and confidently, for the benefit of your entire church” (Cole, 2019, p. 34).

(Cole, 2019, pp. 1-34)

• The Challenges of Developing Female Leaders
• Make Sure You Hire Only Great Female
BEST
Leaders PRACTICE
• Give the Female Leaders You Hire Real #3
Leadership Jobs
• Pay Female Leaders Fairly MINE
• Give Female Leaders Platform Time
THE
• Help Female Leaders Transition Into Ministry
MARKETPLACE
• Support Female Leaders’ Husbands and
Families
• And Finally, Don’t Set Female Leaders Up on a
Glass Cliff
(Cole, 2019, pp. 35-54)
 BEST
• Defining Leadership PRACTICE
• Gift Identification and Serving #4
Opportunities INTEGRATE
• Identity in Christ SPIRITUAL
FORMATION
• Emotional Intelligence
AND
• Relationships and Biblical Community LEADERSHIP
DEVELOPMENT

(Cole, 2019, pp. 55-74)

 BEST
PRACTICE
• Male Mentors #5
• Male Sponsorship
BE
• Female Coaching
AN
“OTHER”

(Cole, 2019, pp. 75-89)

 BEST
PRACTICE
• We Live in a Different Time #6
• We Live in a Different Culture
CREATE
• Many People Don’t Understand
AN
Appropriate Levels of Relational Intimacy
• Creating Safe Work Environments ENVIRONMENT
OF
SAFETY

(Cole, 2019, pp. 91-113)

 BEST
PRACTICE
#7
• Equal Pay for Equal Work
UPGRADE
• Accurate Titles
YOUR
• Benefits that Benefit Women
PEOPLE
PRATICES

(Cole, 2019, pp. 115-144)

 BEST
PRACTICE
#8
• Language and Vocabulary
TAKE
• Boundaries and Borders
ON
• Symbols and Icons
YOUR
• Pacing Change
CULTURE

(Cole, 2019, pp. 145-163)

 NEXT STEPS AND
FINAL THOUGHTS FOR CHURCHES
• Start by asking and listening
• Define reality
• Set your vision, milestones, and
goals
• Designate a champion
• Lead your leaders well
• Give women visibility and platform
• Clean up bad habits
• Begin recruiting from the pews
• Be “others” intentionally
• Implement gift-based ministry
placement
• My final thoughts for you
(Cole, 2019, pp. 165-181))
TEAM
DISCUSSION
QUESTIONS
(Cole, 2019, pp. 183-187)
 BEST PRACTICES
FOR FEMALE LEADERS
• #1: Get Clear on Your Calling
• #2: Know Your Environment
• #3: Enough for Everyone Mindset
• #4: Rarely (if ever) Play Cards
• #5: Invest in a Support System
• Words of Encouragement
• Best Practices for Female Leaders Discussion Questions
(Cole, 2019, pp. 189-219))
 Cole, K. (2019). Developing

REFERENCE
female leaders: Navigate
the minefields and
release the potential of
women in your church.
United States: Thomas
Nelson.