A Global Vision for Women: Traditions, Tensions, Theology & Thriving!

Designed by Wendy Wilson, Exec Dir - Women's Development Track.   A Global Vision for Women:  Traditions, Tensions, Theology, & Thriving! (A 6-day Experience) Women hold up at least half the sky and make up more than half the church. Attention to both the plight and giftedness of women across the globe has been called the “moral challenge and unfinished business” of this century. What are the current callings, challenges, and opportunities of the North American church and missions in response? How can we have productive conversations that encourage both men and women to live out their callings and engage the paths God has laid before them? As the scenery around us is changing rapidly, we will grapple toward clarity and impact of issues like: 1)  God's relationship to women in the Bible, 2)  historical surveys of women in ministry from the early church to present, 3)  understanding the discussion around biblical theology of women and its implications and applications in various settings, 4) redeeming diminishment and violence against women around the world, 5)  intentionality in nurturing the giftedness of women in our care, and 6)  collaboration as a key to gospel transformation in the global age. We will respectfully interact to embrace what is most important to us by faith, living it out with confidence and grace, and let God speak to us about what He is doing in our day! Some advance preparation.

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Bible Dig

Bible Dig: Designed by Caryn Young based on the manuscript Bible Study practice created by Paul Byer and one of the primary bible study tools used by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. In a dynamic group process, learn how to study and understand the bible in new ways and discover things you have never seen before - by digging together. Dig = to take notice of; to like, love, or enjoy; appreciate; to break up, turn over; to prepare; to obtain or unearth by digging; to attach, work, or apply oneself voraciously, vigorously, or energetically.You will learn that anyone can understand and apply God’s word; seminary degree not required! One of the benefits of  learning this discipline is that it can be utilized and applied in a number of ways and mediums. Join us and learn the joy and benefit of discovering God’s word in a community of diggers! (6-day experience)



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Come Away: An Experience in Soul Care

Designed by Joy Beless, The Invitation Project. As Kingdom workers, we often experience a weariness that does not go away with a good night's rest. Jesus invites us to come to Him "all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads and I will give you rest". Say yes to the opportunity to breathe deeply in a beautiful setting, as we discover and practice "new rhythms of grace" to renew and restore our souls. Besides interaction on Ruth Haley Barton’s book Sacred Rhythms, we will explore many practices that are life giving and soul satisfying - solitude, lectio divina, worship, rule of life for the journey - and more. Each day will have an opportunity to not only learn but to practice and enjoy His presence, as His beloved daughters.  (A 6-day experience).

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Developing a Discerning Heart: Deeper Walk with God and Peer-Helping

Based on the manual Developing a Discerning Heart, by Entrust. Do you sense there is MORE about “freedom in Christ” than you are enjoying in your relationship with God and others? Every believer, at every stage of maturity, has new ground to gain in experiencing the truth that has set them free in Christ.   God’s heart for His children, and the work of His Spirit, is to expose the lies that run and ruin our lives and, layer by layer, replace them with the redeeming truth that restores us more fully to the joy of God’s Image in us.  Learning to discern the great information contained in our thinking, choices, feelings, and desires is a lifetime exercise. As we grow in this understanding and change in our own lives, we are better able to help others as well. Matt 7:5.  (A One-Week Module) Some advance preparation. (www.Entrust4.org/wwmt) Read More

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Discovering My Design and Personal Mission: Bringing More of Myself to Ministry

Discovering My Design and Personal Mission: Bringing More of Myself to Ministry While we are all called to a lifetime of growth in Christ and participation in the purposes of God, each of us is also given a special calling that flows out of our unique design for a particular contribution at this time in history and in our specific life context.  Understanding how God has woven into each of us a special ability for contributing to His purposes through our life experiences, personalities, values, gifts and passions, allows us to experience a deeper sense of joy, satisfaction, perseverance, and impact.  By gaining clarity and confidence around that personal mission, we can better recognize and choose involvements aligned with God’s design for us. Enjoy a week of coaching by experienced mentors and with peers toward the clarity that frees us from over- or under-commitment and a life pace that sustains us as passionate lifetime disciples.  (A 6-day experience)  Minimal advance preparation. 

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Evangelical Views on Women in Ministry & Marriage

When it comes to texts that have greatly influenced modern evangelical thought on women,   we are dealing with issues of interpretation of Scripture, not inspiration of Scripture. How is that believers in the inerrancy camp come to such different conclusions? In this workshop we will look at the spectrum of thought, the different ways and whys believers have come to different conclusions on position and practice, all pursuing God’s heart and honoring His Word. We’ll look closely together at some passages that are most often contested in this conversation:  Genesis 1-3, Ephesians 5, 1 Peter 3, 1 Timothy 2, 1 Corinthians 11 & 14. Come and enjoy a respectful conversation, guided by Kingdom colleagues who are experienced in this rich discussion. Our hope is to give you information and perspectives that encourage your own continuing journey in faith and practice. (A 3-day workshop.)


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Group Discipleship: Guiding Peer-Learning

Based on the manual Group Discipleship: Connecting Life and Truth, by Wendy Wilson.   Do you back away from leading Bible Studies or discipleship groups because you lack confidence or don’t know what to do? Do you sense that your teaching could be more interactive and dynamic? This module coaches us in the art of facilitating growth through relationship and discussion. Making the shift from “teaching as telling” to “guide on the side” allows the kind of relational experiences that nurture lifetime disciples – and it’s something that many of us can learn to do more effectively than lecture! Guided peer-learning frees us to connect the truth of God’s Word with the realities of our lives, using any good content of your choice well. Group learning involves becoming a co-learner and a guide, actively listening, preparing good questions that guide toward discovery, staying on track by building continuity, building trust and respect among members, and designing discipleship experiences that transform and multiply. Besides being a key shift in teaching style to engage the next generation, these are life skills that apply to small group Bible Studies, home groups, ministry teams, web-based meetings, and to the variety of conversations we have daily with people around us! (A 6-day experience). Some advance preparation. Wendy@WomensDevelopmentTrack.org Read More

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Leadership as Women: Challenges and Opportunities in the Journey

This 2 1/2 Day Retreat involves guided peer-interaction and reflection to ponder, identify, and grow in the challenges and opportunities of organizational leadership, especially as women. Though participants will be asked for input on issues to discuss, we will look at current issues and topics such as pathways to develop and retain gifted women, impact of unconscious gender bias, an historical look at how Evangelical culture of women in ministry and leadership has evolved, confidence and calling, and life/work balance issues.  We will also enjoy private and corporate worship, a fun excursion, walks, meals together for friendship, and open evenings for recreation, more conversation, solitude, or sleep! Our hope is that you will leave encouraged and enriched physically, relationally, and spiritually, and also in your vision for the leadership to which God has called you! Read what people have to say about this retreat

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Leadership Pathways, Part 1: Preparing for a Wider Scope of Leadership

What changes as your responsibilities increase? This experience focuses on developing the increasing capacities/skills needed for women who are gifted and called into a larger scope or responsibility of leadership in their organization. Whether you are already there or on your way, this experience can help you trouble shoot where you're at, identify what needs to shift, and put language to what you're experiencing. While more agencies are seeking gifted women to serve in their senior leadership teams, too often the paths to this niche of service for women are not clear, leaving us under-prepared for the unique challenges and opportunities we face.  We will discuss the importance of the heart of the leader as well as her relationships with God, self, and others. We will also consider key functions of a leader such as casting vision, setting direction, attending to priorities, leading change, building teams, men/women working together, and serving as spokesperson.  Developing confidence, born of humility and calling, allows gifted women to bring needed creativity and perspective to decision-making teams where men and women work together to offer the fullness of God’s Image. This peer-mentoring community is guided by experienced women mentors and limited to a cohort of 12 participants, so we leave with important friendships for the ongoing journey! (A one-week experience). Some advance reading. Read More

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Leadership Pathways, Part 2: Leading Myself as I Follow Christ

Usually the hardest person to lead is . . . myself! Has the woman in the mirror cultivated her own relationship with God in stillness and trust, recognizing the other voices that compete for her priorities? As we steward the gift of leadership and the impact of our leadership on others, we cannot neglect a lifestyle that can resist busy-ness and capitulation as opportunities press hard on us for a response. This is where too many leaders compromise spiritual vitality and their ability to lead others well. We will enjoy a variety of practices that invite us to protect essential margin and quiet before the Lord; examine life/work balance, life transitions, and boundaries; accept honest limits, resist self-limiting perceptions, maintain healthy personal vision, manage conflict. We will also address God's design for our best contribution through personal Strengths-Finders exploration and coaching. This is a life-changing week of both guided and private space to sit with the Lord, to catch up with your soul, and to address internal narratives that may hinder our leadership as women leaders. This peer-mentoring community is guided by experienced women mentors and limited to a cohort of 12 participants, so we leave with important friendships for the ongoing journey! Part 1 is recommended but not required.  Some advance reading. 

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Leadership Pathways, Part 3: Thriving as Women and Developing Others

What helps us make our best contribution as women in leadership, and also to advocate for and develop other gifted women?  This experience will focus on 1) productive conversations and language that can help pave the way for healthy leadership partnerships as brothers and sisters in Christ, 2) gaining personal clarity, identifying inconsistencies, exploring historical and practical trends, and resolving tensions we may hold related to our understanding and application of biblical teaching around gender, leadership, gifting, and design - at home, in the church, and outside, 3) exploring what women need to do their best work and lead authentically as women, and 4) coaching as a relational leadership style to support a culture of developing people. What a privilege to have time with peers and mentors around these rich issues that can help us, and those around us, thrive! This peer-mentoring community is guided by experienced women mentors and limited to a cohort of 12 participants, so we leave with important friendships for the ongoing journey!  (A one-week experience) Some advance reading.

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Mentoring Next Generation Women: Re-igniting Intergenerational Relationships

Designed by Dr Barbara Neumann, Dallas Seminary.   Do you feel a bit intimidated, frustrated, or just baffled in relationships with women around you who were raised in a different generational culture? Jesus set in motion the essential Christian tradition of disciplepship – passing on vibrant faith relationally, from one generation to the next. Young women today clamor for mentors/disciplers who will accept and guide them, but too often the older women that have so much to offer them wrestle with a lack of confidence. How can we build bridges of understanding and connection between generations so that we preserve the rich resource of women-to-women relationships as we move toward each other? We’ll consider influential distinctives of the Boomer to Millennial generations and explore encouraging pathways between them. We’ll explore generational values and perspectives on key issues such as God, spirituality, church, relationships, commitment, sexuality and morality, fears and hopes, the impact of technology and globalization. And we’ll explore the roles and desires of both mentors and mentees, discerning needs and commonalities, types of mentoring relationships, common mentoring mistakes, and how to create the nourishing relationships that busy women want to make time for! (A 6-day experience) Some advance preparation. Read More

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Pathways to Partnership: Considerations as Men and Women Lead Well Together

Creating Pathways for Women in Organizational Leadership. Reducing Unintended Barriers to Healthy Partnership. Organization Culture Shifts that Help Men and Women Flourish as They Work Together. What do we have to gain or lose by actively pursuing a more effective blend of men and women working together at the leadership level of Christian organizations?  We can begin to cultivate readiness, navigate desired change,  and establish ongoing pathways to bring the gifts of women more fully to bear alongside their brothers in Christ.  The Image of God displayed and at work! (noon-noon one-day workshop)

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Personal Retreat: Your Customized Week

Designed by. . .YOU! If you are needing a self-guided week of personal retreat in a lovely setting, but you don't want to have to find a place to go or others to go with. . . Come join us during this Women's Development Week when several other modules will be going on concurrently.  What is it that you need time for? Reading? Rest? Prayer? A personal or work project? Nature? Walks? You will design your own schedule for the days, but can join the other participants for meals, recreation, and worship times if you like.  Enjoy your own combination of quiet, personal time or social interaction with other women who are on-task for God's Kingdom. (Also available for a small team retreat of your own.)  To discuss your needs, contact Wendy Wilson wendy@womensdevelopmenttrack.com

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Renewing the Soul as Women

This 2 1/2 Day Retreat is a self-guided experience of "Sabbath" for women in ministry. You will enjoy a restful setting with lots of flexibility depending on what would be most meaningful to you - personal time for rest, reflection, and recreation in a beautiful setting.  Because this renewal retreat is offered alongside the "Leadership as Women: Challenges and Opportunities" retreat, you can choose to enjoy options such as corporate worship, a fun excursion, walks, meals together for friendship, and open evenings for recreation, connection, solitude, or sleep!  Our hope is that you will leave encouraged and enriched physically, relationally, and spiritually, and also in God's vision for your ministry!

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She Can Preach

The testimony of Scripture and of history is that of God choosing and using His people to do mighty things, initiate courageous action, lead into His purposes, and deliver powerful messages to His people – men and women both!  As the evangelical church is beginning to reclaim her need to fully engage gifted women in every area of life and ministry, we want to be prepared to follow God into whatever He asks us to do. She Can Preach is designed by Dr Jackie Roese to give women the confidence and skills they need to proclaim God’s Word effectively. In cohorts of 15 women, we learn to study, prepare, and deliver a transformative 20-minute biblical message in dependence on God’s Spirit and in a community of peer-learners. (theMarcellaProject.com)



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