Arkansas Baptist women’s ministry leaders on Feb. 8 are invited to be encouraged and refreshed in their leadership journeys.
At Leadership Collective, a one-day workshop for women’s ministry leaders in Arkansas, attendees will not only receive training to help serve the women in their church but will also find encouragement and support from other women’s ministry leaders around the table as they engage in intentional ministry conversations together.
The guest speaker this year is Vickey Banks. Banks brings a wealth of life experience not only as a women’s ministry leader in the local church, but also as a Bible teacher, author, inspirational speaker, and disciple-maker.
Banks is passionate about helping women connect the dots between God’s Word and their everyday lives. She loves serving as Women’s Ministry director at Council Road Baptist Church in Oklahoma and as a Lifeway Women’s Ministry trainer, pursuing a Master of Biblical Studies at Moody Theological Seminary, celebrating her people, and getting lost in a good story.
“I have learned that it is not my adequacy that God most wants or needs. He is adequate enough for the both of us. What God most wants is my availability,” Banks said.
Banks’ training will be divided into two sessions.
In session one, Banks will share helpful insights on “3 secrets to Deeper Intimacy with God” – how to deal with discouragement as a women’s ministry leader. In session two, Banks will share “5 Keys to Revitalizing Your Women’s Ministry.”
A recent survey from Lifeway Research on the state of ministry to women revealed that more than four in five women’s ministry leaders identified as volunteer or unpaid staff members. As a result, many women who serve in this capacity in the local church often feel overlooked, overwhelmed, isolated in their role, and in need of training and support among other women’s ministry leaders. This is the goal of Leadership Collective: to provide an opportunity for women who serve in churches all over Arkansas to come together as they find encouragement, connection, and training in an interactive setting.
This year, in addition to the general sessions, there will be three breakout options.
- Shannon Calhoun: “How to Plan Meaningful Events.” This breakout session will cover practical tips like event budget, event timeline, event promotion and how does your event tie in with your overall ministry plan.
- Shelly Chandler: “Help! Our Women’s Ministry Needs a Refresh or a New Start!” This breakout session will focus on meeting women’s ministry leaders where they are developing a spiritually healthy women’s ministry in their church context.
- Shari Edwards: “The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind & Strength.” This breakout session will explore Jesus’ Great Command in Mark 12:30 and how it applies to women who lead other women.
Leadership Collective is designed specifically for women’s ministry leaders who serve in churches all over Arkansas.
“Ministry to women is meeting them where they are with the hope of the Gospel and walking alongside them on their faith journey,” said Edwards, who serves as the Arkansas Baptist Women Network coordinator.
Arkansas Baptist Women’s Ministry Networks are positioned in 11 areas of the state. Over the past four years, the network team has worked to cultivate relationships among women’s ministry leaders that not only equip them in their roles but also provide opportunities for friendship and support through our regional network gatherings.
One of the highlights of Leadership Collective is the time around the table after each session. This interactive process allows attendees to fully engage with other leaders as they spend intentional time together in discussion around the topics presented.
“One exciting benefit of attending our Leadership Collective is meeting ministry leaders across the state and leaders within your local network. We have been blessed to watch these relationships deepen as ministry leaders have found a community within their network that encourages one another, prays for each other, and serves together. Personally, there is no greater joy than seeing members of my network working together to plan joint events that minister to the women of our community,” said Chandler, who serves as the Conway Area Network leader.
Leadership Collective will be 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 8 at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention building in Little Rock. Registration is required. The deadline to register is Tuesday, Feb. 4.
Learn more and register at absc.org/abwcollective.