Do you feel far from God? Is it hard to hear Him? Do you struggle to see the ways He is working around you? When we feel far from God it plays a role in our soul health. And when we feel depleted, worried, even alone, it impacts the way we relate to God and others.   In this episode, I'm sharing a call that I recently had with a group of women taking the Margin Maker Workshop. We just completed the first session, "Getting Ready for Change" where we asked the question, "How's your soul?" In this conversation we talked about how we might be feeling and what assurances we can take with us on the journey to wholeness in our relationship with God and margin in life and ministry.   Scriptures Referenced Isaiah 53:6 Psalm 25:8 Psalm 23   If you'd like to join me for our next Margin Maker Workshop in a few months, you can get on the waitlist HERE. Or, if you're not quite sure what your next step should be but you know you need to make a change, let's have a discovery call. This is a free call that you can book with me HERE.

Giving Up Normal

When You Feel Far From God [EP:113]

You are loved by God. Not because you are in ministry. Not because you said yes to leadership. Not because you are compassionate. It is not because of anything you have ever done or will ever do. It is because of who God is. As the song Jireh, says: You have never been more loved than you are right now. God loved you and chose you because it gave Him great pleasure to do it! Many of us struggle to anchor ourselves fully in the complete love of God. We worry about disappointing Him. We want to make Him so glad that He chose us. He does choose you and He would do it over and over again because He is love. And His love and acceptance has nothing to do with your ministry.   If you struggle with the idea that you are loved by God apart from ministry, this episode is for you. Scriptures Referenced Ephesians 1:4-5 Ephesians 2:1-6 Romans 5:8 Romans 7:22 Isaiah 30:15-18 (verse 18 in the Amplified Version) Isaiah 43:4  

You Are Loved by God Apart From Ministry [EP:112]

Are you feeling marginalized as a woman in ministry? Is your contribution and leadership not valued? Are your ideas ignored? This is a common challenge that many women face, even in denominations and churches that say they welcome women in ministry. If you haven’t experienced this, I’m thankful and I would encourage you to listen to this episode because I am willing to guarantee there is someone you know who has, even if they are in a denomination or church that embraces an egalitarian model of ministry.     Boundaries are intricately tied to the challenges of being a woman in ministry.   If we aren’t careful we over extend ourselves. We will try to prove them wrong if they question our leadership. We will over compensate and do more. We won’t stop because we are afraid that we’ll be judged or we won’t be seen. And we can spend endless amounts of time and energy trying to fight and make our case for why we belong in ministry. We can spend an exuberant amount of time and energy trying to figure out what we should do to change other people’s perspectives and fix the situation in our own context and in the church at large.   It is exhausting. It requires boundaries to not personally take responsibility to fix or change someone else. It requires boundaries to practice self-differentiation and not internalize what other people think.   So what can you do? What should you do?   Here's what we cover in this episode: Bring awareness to the situation. Give input and offer suggestions. Do what you were called to do the best you can. Discern which battle is yours to fight. Be confident in who God created and called you to be.    Connect with Jen If you need support creating boundaries but not sure where to start, join Jen for a Discovery Call. Sign up HERE.

Marginalized as a Woman in Ministry [EP:111]

Are you spending time on things that are working in ministry or are you building structures, programs and paradigms that simply just don’t work anymore?   This is a question that continues to come up in conversations with pastors and leaders around the country. We are all feeling the loss of community. We are grieving what church once was or what we hoped it would be. People have drifted away. Others remain on the sidelines. The programs we did and the way we did them don’t seem as effective.   Some of these shifts are temporary but many of these trends may be here to stay. The church has changed. The truth is, it was changing before COVID and now the pandemic has accelerated trends that were already unfolding. And it has become incredibly difficult.    Our tendency is to try and figure out how to get people to come back. How do we fill the room again? How do we get people back to what used to be? It’s exhausting. It’s painful. Because of our own fatigue we are defaulting to what we knew, what worked or sort of worked before. And it is running us ragged.    We strategize and plan and promote activities and opportunities that we think will appeal and draw in those who have not come back...or we decide that we are going to go back to pre-covid church and count on things eventually getting back to normal.   And if you can identify with this struggle you are not alone. This is the reality, the struggle in almost every single church, especially in the western world. It’s new territory and it’s difficult, overwhelming. We can get stuck trying to solve a problem that may not be solvable...therefore chasing trends and building models that no longer effectively share Jesus and spread the Kingdom of God.   Here’s the good news...the Spirit is still at work. God is on the move. He isn’t finished. What the enemy meant for evil, God uses for good. There are churches where transformation and miracles are happening. Lives are being changed...God’s will is being done on earth as it is in heaven...and it’s not because of buildings or programs or events to attract...it’s not by the power or might of the people...it’s by the Spirit.   You may see a crisis. But today I am going to invite you to see the opportunity.   In this episode, I share with you some shifts that working in ministry. These things are opening up opportunities for the Spirit to move in the present and they are relieving pastors and leaders from the unreasonable expectation and burden of fixing the church. Here's what we cover:   6 Things That Are Working Today in Ministry Building relationships with whoever shows up. Staying in the moment. Establishing connections however people are opened to them. Supporting meaningful communities outside the church. Looking at spiritual growth rather than the numbers. Wanting something FOR your people rather than FROM them.   Check out today's episode as we unpack what's working today in ministry!   Give yourself permission to stop chasing trends and numbers of people and let God and His vision and desire for you and your church in this moment, be enough.   The Spirit is still at work. God is on the move. He isn’t finished yet.   Connect with Jen Facebook Instagram

What's Working Today in Ministry [EP:110]

There is so much going on in our lives, in our communities, and in our hearts. Our lives are full…full of overwhelm, full of responsibility, and full of worry. Today we are going to trade in our overwhelm for thankfulness by doing the 5 for 5 Challenge. All you have to do is write down 5 things for 5 days (and it will only take you about 5 minutes!)   5 for 5 Challenge Each day write down these 5 things:   Something you can celebrate. Something that made you laugh or smile. A way God loved you or you experienced His grace. A person you are thankful for in your life. A ministry win. This easy exercise will shift your mindset and help you see the ways God is working in you and around you. As you are able to shift your perspective it will relieve the burden, give you room and space, and help you experience Christ's joy, peace and power.   Connect with Jen Facebook Instagram

Trading Overwhelm for Thankfulness in Ministry [EP:109]

Do you have everything you need for ministry? Many of us feel like we don't have everything we need in order to do ministry. We often think, if we just had: more tools more programs, people attending more engagement more resources more education and training more time more energy more ideas more help ...then we would be able to make some progress! What if I told you that you have everything that you need? That's right, everything is available to you in order for you to share Jesus and build the Kingdom. Would you believe me? If you are feeling discouraged, if you feel like you just don't have enough, then this episode is for you! Scripture from Ephesians 1:15-23 Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance. I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.  Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.  And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.   Connect with Jen  Facebook Instagram  

Do You Have Everything You Need for Ministry? [EP:108]

Are you busy in ministry?  Is it ok to be busy in ministry? I will admit that there was a time when I didn’t think it was ok to be busy and I’m now rethinking this idea. I think it depends on what we mean when we say “busy.”   Here are some definitions of busy: activity or fully engaged or occupied Crowded with or characterized by much activity Constant at work, diligent; active.   My friend Amber doesn’t use the word busy. She substitutes the word busy with productive. For her, busyness means a time of increased productivity.   So, if we think about those definitions and concepts of busy there is really nothing wrong with being fully engaged, productive, diligent, and active. Jesus was all of those things. He was active in the work God gave Him. He was focused. There isn’t anything wrong with having seasons where there is a lot to do. Even seasons where you might have to make adjustments for the short term because of a particular event or season in the life of the church.   But here’s the thing, that’s not what I think most of us are talking about when we say we are busy in ministry. Busy is not productive. Our busyness is counterproductive because we just have too much activity.    When we talk about busy we usually mean that we’re in a place where it is hard to get it all done, in fact, maybe we aren’t getting it all done. Things that need to happen are going by the wayside. When we talk about being busy we don’t mean we are simply occupied, we actually mean we are preoccupied. We are concerned with something else, we are distracted. When we say we are busy, we are saying that there is so much going on that we are sacrificing the most important in the name of trying to get it all done. And our busyness is unending. One season of busy runs into the next until it is a blurred mess. So, is it ok to be busy in ministry? I think it depends on how we define it. Sometimes God will call us to seasons that are full and there will be lots of things going on. And yes, there may even be seasons where your typical rhythms are off a bit for a little while. But we need to remember that God won’t call us to stay in those seasons and exceed our limits. He won’t ask us to sacrifice our health, our relationship with Him, our families in the name of being productive for Him.   Busy is ok when we are doing the things God has called us to do and staying connected to the power of the Spirit, guarding hearts and our time so that busyness doesn't just keep on going.   If you are distracted, if you are going too hard and fast, struggling to connect with your spouse, not fully present with the people in your life, irritated, not spending time with God, unable to focus, exhausted...this is the kind of busy that isn’t healthy and it’s time to make some adjustments. A great strategy is to sit with God and ask, God…where are the busy seasons coming up in the months and weeks ahead and when should I create margin before moving on to the next things? This is one of the questions in the brand new Margin Maker Planner. Grab your copy on Amazon today!  

Is it OK to be Busy in Ministry [EP:107]

"Margin is the space between our load and our limits." -Dr. Swenson We all need margin. We were built for it. We need margin from things like being in change, constant activity, overwork, noise, running around, the news, and social media. We also need margin set aside for things like rest, relationships, play, silence, God, eating uninterrupted, processing our feelings, and moving our bodies. We want margin but sometimes we struggle to make it a reality in life. Here are some reasons why. 4 Mistakes Ministry Leaders Make When Creating Margin  They don’t have a vision. They know they can’t keep doing it the same way but they don’t know what they want and if you don’t know the target, you’ll miss it every time.     They rarely evaluate. They rarely reflect and see if they are living into that vision. Did they honor the commitments they made to the things that mattered most? Did They spend their time the way they wanted to? What worked well? What got in the way?   They are looking for a quick fix. Making margin is actually part of our spiritual formation process. It is another way in which we try to live like Jesus. Spiritual formation takes time and practice. It's filled with trial and error.  The transformative work of the Holy Spirit tends to bring up a bunch of stuff. It reveals our insecurities, shows who or what we are trusting, clinging to, and relying on other than God, and it exposes the fears, lies, and limiting beliefs we have be living by. So many leaders  give up so easily on themselves because things didn't turn around in an instant. They try and do it alone. We don’t talk about space, margin, overwork, and burnout in ministry. We hide our struggles. We don’t want people to think that we don’t have what it takes. We don’t want to look weak or incapable. We don’t want to disappoint the people around us. We don’t want to disappoint God. We try to keep it all under wraps, afraid to be judged.  Leaders that struggle to create margin don’t have community around them to help them process what they need to live and lead with healthy rhythms and boundaries. They try and figure it out all by themselves. They don’t connect with the people or resources they need in order to get support on the journey.   You need margin. You were made for it. Margin helps you be a better leader, better spouse, better friend, better parent, and better neighbor. Being intentional about making margin in life and ministry is one of the most powerful and courageous, God-honoring things you can do.  Need Help? If you need help making margin I just created a planner for you! The Margin Maker Planner is designed to help you discover and thoughtfully plan the space you need in the months ahead. Monthly journal prompts invite you to connect with God, hear His vision, and integrate the rhythms that will bring you life. Weekly reviews help you intentionally reflex on how the week went, how you experienced God, and what you may want to do differently. And throughout your journey, you’ll find a scripture, quote or tip to keep you motivated and discouraged.  You can grab your planner on Amazon.  

4 Mistakes Leaders Make When Creating Margin [EP:106]

Do you feel like your time and energy is being taken over by all there is to do? Is the pressure from all the things weighing heavily on you? Do you feel like you’ve lost control? Are you in a constant cycle of putting out fires and feel like you’re trying to keep your head above water. Do you sometimes feel like it is just too much?  That's overwhelm. Now, I realize that overwhelm is a word that you may not use readily in your vocabulary.  In fact, you may shy away from it or flat out deny that you are dealing with overwhelm. The idea of overwhelm has been connected to weakness because one of the definitions of overwhelm is to be overpowered by something that is stronger. And we like to think we’re in control, even when things are out of control. We think that as long as we manage the mess, we’re not overwhelmed.    Let me share for a moment, a bit more about what overwhelm can be. To bury or drown beneath a huge mass To defeat completely To be inundated To be too much Some similar words are: swamped, saturated, overloaded, overburdened.   That is a place that many of us find ourselves. We are swamped. There is too much. We are inundated.  You may be buried beneath the heavy load of tasks to complete, projects to manage, events to plan and execute, staff to encourage and equip, sermons and bible studies, helping people in the midst of difficulty. We carry the responsibility of raising our kids, loving our spouse, serving our neighbor...there are so many roles and responsibilities that you carry. You may be buried beneath the heavy load of watching the devastation that many are experiencing.    We are constantly immersed in all there is to do and the emotions, the pain, the problems, the suffering that not only affect the people around us, but directly impacts our lives.   I’m going to go out on a limb and say that most of us are dealing with overwhelm.   One of the main goals of this podcast is to help you break free from overwhelm. I realize that is no small task. I wish there was a quick fix...three steps I could tell you to follow so you never deal with it again. But it’s complicated. It’s not just a matter of lessening the sheer number of tasks or responsibilities...it involves deep inner work and that’s never fun. It’s necessary! But it is hard.   As we consider breaking free from overwhelm, I know there are things that are out of your control. So today I want to look things you CAN control that can help lessen the burden that you carry.   Here's What We Unpacked in the Episode 3 Ways You're Contributing to Your Overwhelm    You’re waiting for someone else to do something about your overwhelm.  You’re doing things God never asked you to do.  You aren’t taking time to process your pain.    Connect with Jen Facebook Instagram

3 Ways You're Contributing to Your Overwhelm in Ministry [EP:105]

Is the pace of life and ministry unsustainable? Are there too many things to manage? Do you wish you could slow down?  In today's episode, I interview Jodi Grubbs who is a slow living advocate. Here are some of the things we talk about: What happens when you don't slow down The importance of soul care and community Slow living in the scriptures and how it relates to our relationship with God The role of people pleasing Tips to slow down the pace Obstacles to watch out for as you slow down Favorite Quotes from Jodi If you're passionate about something, slowing down will help you. You are not going to hear God say, "I need to hustle more!" If we are doing this for God and not for other people, we need to take seriously all the slow living that Jesus did. More About Jodi Jodi is a former island girl and is passionate about coming alongside women who long for that shift to slower living. She is a writer and the host of Our Island in the City Podcast where she loves conversing with her guests about faith, ordinary soul care, and deep community. She lives outside of Raleigh, NC and shares a 1952 bungalow with her husband and teen daughter. Jodie loves to interact over on Instagram @jodi.grubbs. Connect with Jen Facebook Instagram

How Slow Living Will Change Your Life and Ministry [EP:104]

Do you feel like you are trying to manage all the chaos of the world? Are there things in your life and ministry that are challenging and cause you anxiety? Are you searching for answers? Whether we face problems that need to be solved or tensions that need to be managed there are many places where we experience trouble. Marriage Relationships Ministry and church related challenges Our schedule Physical health  Emotional health Finances Kids/family There are things that contribute to our lack of peace: Messages from the world Expectations of others Taking on more things to do for God than our relationship with God can handle Busyness Fears Wrestling with challenges and being unsure of what to do Coping by grasping and clinging to other people or circumstances...even a feeling.   There is chaos around us and chaos within us. Here is where we can related to David as he expresses this shared experience in Psalm 63: My inner self thirsts for you, my flesh longs and is faint for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.   We desperately need peace. Where do we find it in the midst of a world that is filled with chaos and confusion? Where are you looking for peace? Peace I Leave You “I am leaving you with a gift -  peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.” John 14:27 NLT   “Peace I leave with you; my [own] I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.] John 14:27 AMP   Isaiah 26:3 ”You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.”   The peace we so desperately crave is a peace that we can not get from the world. It comes from no place, no one, no thing, no circumstance. Peace...true, lasting, secure peace comes from God Himself. How do you allow yourself to be agitated or fearful or unsettled? What are you focused on? What are you thinking about? What are you holding onto? What or who are you trusting in? Where do you look for peace?  The power comes when you realize that regardless of what is happening around us, even how we feel, the gift of peace is still ours. Because HE is peace...He is security.  Today, let's pay attention to where we are fixing our thoughts. What are you ruminating on? What do you keep running through your mind? What do you keep watch on? Mindset Mantras are so important. It’s how we keep our thoughts fixed on the Lord.   Tip of the Day Write down 3 truths from scripture about God and His promises. Every time you feel unsettled, anxious, worried, agitated, frustrated, or fearful, speak these truths. Say them out loud, repeat them silently in your heart. This is how we keep our thoughts fixed on Him and receive and accept the gift of perfect peace. Connect with Jen Facebook Instagram This episode was first published at: www.womeninministryunited.com/blog/episode103  

Finding Peace in the Chaos of Life and Ministry [EP:103]

Are you having trouble figuring out what healthy rhythms and boundaries would work for you? Most pastors and leaders I talk with know that they need to put boundaries in place but they are just not sure what will work. And not knowing is what’s keeping them stuck in the unhealthy patterns of leadership.   How do you gain clarity so that you can make progress? Ask God. God, what do you want for me? What’s your vision, God? What do I need to focus on? What do I need to make time for? Write down what is most important to you in this season. What relationships are most important in the months ahead? What events are important? What roles, responsibilities do you need to make time for? What parts of yourself need time/attention/nurturing? Start small. Pick one thing but start. We tend to try and do much too quickly. Do one thing, but do it! We tend to think about things over and over again. We'll talk with colleagues and friends, we'll meditate on what we want, what it could be like...but we actually don’t do anything to change. Doing something will help you gain tons of clarity because only by doing it will you know if it will work for you in this season.  Make adjustments as needed. You want to give yourself a bit of time to integrate and establish the boundary or rhythm but if you sense in the doing that it isn't working, change it up. Do you need to make some tweaks or just try something entirely different? Check in with God and pick something else. Be aware of your pitfalls. Whenever we start something different we usually encounter opposition. It comes from within ourselves, from other or from the enemy. So be aware of your mindset, others pulling you back into the "normal" of the unhealthy pattern you were trying to break free from, and the enemy who wants to destroy you and any effort you make to break free from busyness and overwhelm.    There is no wrong choice. It’s a journey of discovery. You take a step forward and God gives you clarity. In the obedience things become more clear and we gain momentum.   If you need encouragement and strategies check out the Margin Maker Workshop. This self-paced workshop will help you discover what you want, create a plan, communicate with your people, shift your mindset, and help you be able to create and maintain healthy rhythms and boundaries for the long haul. Get all the details HERE. Connect with Jen  www.womeninministryunited.com    

How to Get Clear on What Boundaries Will Work for You in Ministry [EP:102]

Do you like to plan?  I know I do. It makes me feel accomplished. Productive. In control. Planning eases my anxiety because I know what to expect. Plan the work then work the plan, right? The problem is we rarely actually work the plan. We spend time, energy, resources getting everything we need to create a long term plan...we plan the work, but rarely do we work the plan. God may have given you a vision, a word, a calling, and unless God tells you otherwise, that doesn’t change...but how we live it out does. Things change. We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow. I am already hearing the anxieties from many leaders about what will happen this fall. What will be possible in a world where we are living with COVID-19? And we spend a lot of time thinking, wondering, worrying, and trying to plan. Here's the thing: We don’t know what will happen tomorrow.  This week I started to read the book Win the Day, by Mark Batterson. I only got through the Introduction but it was good. He talks about how we spend much of our time living someone else besides the present moment. We dwell on yesterday and worry about tomorrow. The power is learning how to live in the present. The biggest mistake we make in ministry is when we spend a bunch of time planning ahead. God has given us the model of living fully into today. Jesus tells us: do not worry about tomorrow. It won't help you. It won't change what's to come. It won't add days or years or ANYTHING to your life. In fact, research shows that worry and anxiety shave years off. It's unhealthy for us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In fact, Jesus gives us a model of praying and living clinging to and trusting in God day by day. One day at a time.  “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. ‘Give us this day our daily bread. ‘And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven our debtors [letting go of both the wrong and the resentment]. ‘And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' " (Mt 6:9-13 AMP) Does this mean you shouldn’t give any thought to tomorrow? Should you not even consider the things that lie ahead? No, I’m not suggesting that at all, but most of us, if we are honest, we do more than take some time to be thoughtful about what we could do in the future. We spend the majority of our time living there. It's where we spend most of our energy. So, be thoughtful? Yes. Have some ideas, but hold them extremely loosely because...as you FULLY are present and live in TODAY, that’s how tomorrow becomes more clear. If you didn’t spend the time you do thinking about the future, what would be possible for you, your ministry teams, your congregation, and your community today? Living fully in the present is the best thing we can do today and eternally changes tomorrow. Integrate THIS Rhythm and Watch God Work Schedule 15 minutes to sit with God and pray Matthew 6:9-13 for the next 7 days. And ask God to show you how to live and love fully today. I'd love to hear what you see, hear, and come to know! Connect with Jen Join me on Instagram @womeninministryunited

The Biggest Mistake You Can Make in Ministry [EP:101]

Let's celebrate! This is episode 100 of the Women in Ministry United Podcast!   From the launch in March 2019, the journey has been filled with twists and turns. If you've been with me for a lengthy period of time, you know that this began as the Giving Up Normal Podcast where we focused on giving up the normal things that are hurting your soul so that you could live as the person God created you to be.    While that heartbeat continues, God's call for my leadership got more specific and as my ministry focused on helping women in ministry break free from the cycles of busyness and overwhelm and create healthy rhythms and boundaries...the name of the podcast changed to simply, The Women in Ministry United Podcast!   Today, as we celebrate the 100th episode, I share with you 4 lessons that I've learned from you, the community, as you share your experience creating and maintaining healthy rhythms and boundaries in your life and leadership. Exposing these common realities will help us support one another so that we can lead out of the abundant life Jesus wants to give us all!   4 Lessons Learned 1. Most of us don’t prioritize healthy rhythms and boundaries. It’s only after we come into a place of overwhelm and burnout that we realize it is something we need and are willing to pursue. This does not put us in the greatest position. It is hard to create healthy rhythms and boundaries when we are in a good place, a healthy place. But when we are unhealthy and experiencing overwhelm and burnout it makes it all the more difficult.   Why do we tend to not prioritize healthy rhythms and boundaries? Here are some of the things you've shared: You thought you could handle the load. We are the exceptions... You didn't think it would happen to you. You didn't think burnout in ministry was real. One comment from a woman in ministry was, "turns out burnout is a real thing, who knew?" You thought that if you started to get too busy, you'd know, you'd see it, and you'd be able to stop. You don’t feel the need for it. Things are good, it’s not an issue.  2. Many don’t realize how unhealthy they’ve become until they’ve crossed the line. Not many see the deterioration that constant busyness creates. Once it is recognized the reality is that we’re already started to fall off the cliff.  You’ve shared time and time again...I didn’t realize...I had no idea, I didn't know until it was almost too late.    3. Transformation and healthy leadership is a lifetime journey. We want a quick fix. Lord, fix it. Change me. Let's put some boundaries in place and get on with it. It almost as if we are annoyed to give attention to the healthy of our leadership. Spiritual maturity and transformation is a process that we need to be willing to give our time towards. You've shared that you hesitate to put long term, intentional time and effort into your own transformational journey.   4. Most of our church cultures are unhealthy. This one is going to ruffle some feathers but the fact is, most of you have shared that your church culture is no different than the world. In fact, it's a toxic environment. In some cases, rhythms, boundaries, soul care, time with family, and time for yourself are seen as unChristlike. It's a sign of weaknesses or poor leadership. Our church cultures have learned the right language to use but the values are aspirational, not reality. What is said and what is practiced and expected is opposite of one another. Because of this, you've shared that: You're waiting for the culture to change before you begin to integrate healthy rhythms and boundaries. You're waiting for permission from others on your team, in your congregation or in your denomination before you feel empowered to create the change you know you need to thrive.   Let's not let these lessons go to waste! Healthy Rhythms and Boundaries are necessary for every person in ministry. No exceptions. If you are in ministry, you need them. You were designed for them. Don't just try and make it through. Let's be different...let's lead radically different...from a place of healing and wholeness. Let the fulness of life in Christ be the strength of our leadership. Let us be agents of change.   Don't forget there are plenty of resources to help you!  Connect with Jen at our website: womeninministryunited.com  

Key Lessons Learned From Women in Ministry: EPISODE 100

Compassion fatigue is a reality for many caregivers in ministry. In this episode I sit down with Laura Howe from Hope Made Strong as she shares her insights and strategies on how you can tell if compassion fatigue is affecting you and what you can do about it. Laura defines compassion fatigue as "the physical and mental erosion, the wearing down, of your hope, empathy, and compassion." It is something that develops overtime and can compromise our compassion for others as well as ourselves. Compassion fatigue is not a sin, failure, or weakness. It is a result of being a caring person and doing good work. It shows up when we haven't had the opportunity to refuel. Resources from Laura 10 Signs Your Experiencing Compassion Fatigue 7 Keys to Build Resilience More About Laura: Laura loves to equip you and your ministry team as you support and care for others in your community. Founder of Hope Made Strong and the Church Mental Health Summit Laura is a mental health clinician and community development strategist for churches that want to care for their communities without burning out. Supporting local church leaders to overcome and prevent burnout, create effective and sustainable care ministries and be a beacon of hope  for their community is what she loves to do! When church leaders are healthy and when congregations are healed and transformed, they are more able to fulfill the gospel mission. Connect with Laura Hope Made Strong Facebook Instagram Connect with Jen and the Women in Ministry United Community Facebook Instagram If you are loving the podcast, don’t forget to subscribe on your favorite platform so you won’t miss a thing! And if this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you would rate and review the show so that others can find it and join our community.

Dealing with Compassion Fatigue with Laura Howe [EP:099]

Has your overstuffed life left you with an undernourished soul? In the Giving Up Normal podcast, host Jen Howat sits down with you and has candid conversations about the "normal" things in our lives that are hurting our souls. Not only will you be encouraged but Jen will coach you through the process of changing your attitudes and thoughts so that you can make different choices and live fully as the person God created you to be.

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Giving Up Normal

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