Sipping coffee one morning at our church network’s family camp, I caught up with a younger acquaintance to whom I’d given a prophetic word fourteen years previously. She told me about the profound impact of the incident.
When Shyla began leading worship, her church only released women to minister to a degree. She struggled to overcome lies which attacked her mind before and after leading worship, sensing an invisible restriction while young men around her were placed into more prominent positions. She wondered, Is there something wrong with me? Something I should do better?
In quiet resignation, Shyla settled for second-class citizenship. After she got married, she and her husband joined a different church where she started over as a backup singer on the worship team.
Things began to shift the year Shyla was asked to lead worship at camp one evening. As the only female worship leader, she didn’t know which invisible lines she shouldn’t cross. Before worship that night, insecurity drove her to nausea. Once she was in worship, the feeling lifted, but the minute she left the platform, lies attacked her afresh. You did this wrong…you shouldn’t have done this…you were dishonoring here….
Shyla left the chapel, heading for the women’s restroom. At that moment, I pulled her aside to encourage her prophetically concerning God’s call on her life, his purposes for her, and how he wanted her to flow in his will without restriction.
I didn’t know Shyla, but the prophetic message gave her permission to move into all God had for her. It struck at the heart of a lie she’d believed since childhood—that she was “too much,” was showing off, and shouldn’t offer all she had to give.
The word assured Shyla she could stop walking on eggshells and give all of herself—the prophetic part, the worship leading part, and the preaching part instead of only one part for fear of being labeled a “Jezebel”—a thought which terrified her.
God broke something that night. Shyla has never forgotten it.
Not long after that camp, she was invited to become the Worship Pastor at her church. Previously, she would have said no out of fear. But she said yes because she’d received a vital word from the Lord—and it came through a woman, helping her avoid the trap of thinking permission comes from men rather than from God.
Women called to leadership need to hear permission from mothers in Christ—the ones who’ve gone before and have already fought the battles still ahead for younger women. We need other women who help us understand stepping into our calling is not motivated by pride or seeking control.
It’s obedience to God.
Men can have difficulty understanding this struggle. They often have no idea what a call to leadership costs women—what a battle it is to hear God’s call as a woman, and then hear the voice of the enemy as well as church culture deny that call.
Even in some churches which include women in certain leadership roles, a subtle, demeaning message blocks the fulfillment of their ministry callings
The invisible sign which hinders women isn’t God’s doing. It’s created by human beings and reinforced when women believe lies about themselves. Like Shyla, many women called to leadership in the church find themselves diminished by unspoken barriers. They feel weary and discouraged, second-guessing themselves and ready to give up on God’s call.
A timely prophetic word can break the power of lies—but to remove the church’s “off limits to unauthorized personnel” sign for women, we also must cast fresh light on the handful of biblical texts often used to exclude them from ministry.
We’ll tackle those texts in another post—and in my upcoming book.
How have you experienced the “off limits” sign?
I never knew women were discriminated against in leadership. I always just loved to serve where ever I was asked. Maybe it was the churches that I’ve attended. I’ve led Bible Studies, Youth groups, Choir, Worship, Evening services, Children’s ministries, Camps, Stephen Ministry, Prayer team, Family Promise. When the door was opened, even at the state level, I walked through. This is a new concept to me that such a book would be needed. Praying it finds it’s way to the people who need it. Thanks for listening to the Holy Spirit and writing it.
Sharon, it’s a real problem. I’m glad you have always found avenues of ministry and I pray along with you for other women.
By and large, pastors and others in the church are completely blinded to this reality. Thank you for raising awareness. Keep preaching!
Thank you, Greg! I so appreciate every brother who stands alongside of his sisters. 🙂
Gratefully,
Susanne
Solid! Thanks for this!
Glad to express it — thanks for the encouragement!
Blessings,
Susanne
This resonates!
The Lord very clearly told me yes to including my name on the ballot for the church board. I felt so honored when voted by the congregation into this role of leadership. However, after nearly every board meeting for three years I fought fears, doubts and insecurity.
I would repent of saying the wrong thing, obsess over if I had hurt someone’s feelings, promise myself to not talk next time, and second guess all my motivations. Yet, I also couldn’t not share the next time. Thoughts would burn in me until they came gushing out.
The insecurity and restriction were not put on me by any board member, in fact I was thanked for my openness and willingness to bring up hard issues. But something about using my voice in a position of leadership has come with many attacks.
My sincere hope is to walk with confidence into the plans God has for me and not shrink back out of fear. Thank you for speaking into this topic, Susanne!
So glad this resonates! May you be set free from fear and anxiety and grow in confidence as you accept your own value as God’s daughter. I address much on this in my new book, coming soon.
Blessings,
Susanne