As a Christian blogger, I made a commitment. I decided that if I felt I needed to share something that I would first commit it to prayer. And secondly, I’d have a grace standard with the words I write.
But this post has been a struggle for me.
How do I write words that bend towards grace but need to hit a mark that points out a negative aspect of human or sin nature?
Then I realized this post is really about the conflict in me, and I’ll share it for what it’s worth to others.
I’ve had a concern about Christian ministry. In particular, women’s Christian ministry. There is an aspect that I have witnessed that is self-serving. But let me back up a little.
With the achievement of women in society, there is also the influence of women in ministry. Well-known female Bible teachers, leaders, missionaries, pastors, have made a mark in the 21st century. I am grateful for their voices.
God has led many women to platforms that can reach a broad audience to point them to the gospel of Jesus Christ. These leaders share their powerful testimonies that resonate with women in a unique way that cannot be adequately addressed in the same manner by men. There is redeeming value in women’s ministry.
But I have also watched Christian women leaders get caught up in self-promotion. Their platform and their calling started to shift elevating themselves.
As an author, I understand the conflict. Our jobs require self-promotion. But as women of God—called to a higher purpose—we must hold ourselves to the gospel standard.
We do not espouse the same mantra of women’s rights in secular society. Perhaps, we can credit it to the advancement of more females behind the pulpit and the increase in women’s ministries, but we cannot abandon scripture.
John the Baptist said, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) John’s words demonstrated incredible humility while serving out his ministry and purpose for the kingdom of God.
Ladies, it is so easy to get wrapped up in the seduction of this world. Platforms, attention, success, a social media following: it can get overwhelming. And let’s face it, as females, we tend to gravitate towards our outward appearance in the process of promotion.
But let me share a personal testimony. The more I grow in Christ, the more I value being placed in the background. Because my worth, my confidence, my calling is all wrapped up in putting Him and the gospel message at the center. There is joy and contentment when I am walking in the confidence of Christ alone; outside the need for attention from others.
And isn’t that the purpose-driven message we want to convey as Christian women leaders to other women?
It is not about us. It is about Him!
Now, if I do get an opportunity to be placed on any platform, I make sure to pray that I walk it out— front and center— with humility.
Is it a struggle? Yes! “The heart [my heart] is deceitful above all things…” (Jeremiah 17:9)
Is there a balance to self-promotion and the message God has given to women? Always!
But publicity must always point to the message God has given over the messenger. When you fade to the background, the light of Christ will shine through your ministry.
The redeeming value of Christian women in ministry is that we point to the “One in us, who is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4) As women of God, we live with a different viewpoint and calling than the world around us. We seek to serve others above ourselves.
The best way to sum this up is by quoting another blogger:
“…God asks us to remain in Him. He asks us to chase His heart. He asks us to know His Word deeply and to abide in that. Out of that union, that closeness, real fruit will grow, real impact will occur, but even then, it’s all Him. It’s still not about us. There is never a point at which it is ok to raise our own name. We raise His name, like a banner. We are to be after His glory, not our own. We call people to follow Christ, not ourselves.”
Walk it out ladies with balance—and an abundance of grace and humility. We are grateful for God’s calling on your life!
And let’s remember, sisters in Christ, to lift our women leaders in prayer. Walking out that balance is challenging and be ready to offer them a measure of grace as the standard.