History is replete with women leaders we’d love to emulate. I asked my friends on Facebook which women leaders in the Bible they admire the most and why. Many selected the leaders below because of the values these women exemplify:
Bravery, Courage, and Faith
- Shiphrah and Puah (the Hebrew Midwives)
- Miriam the Sister of Moses
- Judge Deborah, Queen Vashti, Queen Esther
- Rahab the Spy
- Mary the Mother of Jesus
- Mary and Martha the Sisters of Lazarus
- The Samaritan Woman at the Well
Diplomacy and Wisdom
- Judge Deborah
- Queen Esther
- Abigail
Service, Loyalty, and Commitment to Others
- Naomi and Ruth
- The “Proverbs 31 Woman”
- Mary Magdalene
- Dorcas (Tabitha)
- Lydia
- Priscilla
Ladies, we’re all leaders! The critical question is: what kind of leaders are we? Eve, Delilah, Jezebel… Throughout biblical history, throughout all history, people have used positions of influence for evil intent—primarily for more power, more prestige, and more possessions. It’s our values that define the kind of leader we become and the kind of influence we hold or wield.
I invite you to answer the following values-based questions to discern the kind of leader you intend to be, the type of leadership you aim to provide, and the types of causes you feel called to support.
- What has given you a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment during school, work, or leisure time?
- What kind of needs, problems, and issues concern you? What keeps you awake at night? What articles do you read? Look at your whole life, e.g., your work, volunteer activities, and hobbies.
- If you could do what you really wanted, without concern of limitations, what would you do? What touches your heart? What do you think would give you the most joy?
- List and then rank your Knowledge, Strengths, Skills, Gifts, and Abilities. Look back over all your life experiences. What do you know or do fairly well?
- List, then rank, the Values you hold near to your heart. Consider what you deem important, what gives meaning to your life and work, what compels you to action, and what defines your fundamental character.
- Which individuals or groups pull at your heartstrings? Whom do you feel called to serve? Why? What is it about those individuals or groups that makes you want to reach out to them? What pain do you want to ease? What problem do you long to solve?
- What other clues do you see in your life journey that might indicate the kind of leader you’re called to be? For example, what pain have you experienced? What lessons have you learned? What losses and failures have helped you become the person you are today?
Bonus Tip. To be a woman who leads well (to be a person who leads well), we also need to:
- Recognize our weaknesses and find help to overcome them.
- Be transparent about our challenges and shortcomings.
- Have a sense of humor!
Thankfully, we don’t have to be perfect to be high-quality leaders. Consider Rahab the Spy and the Woman at the Well. No perfection there, yet they stepped out and fulfilled their calling in a mighty way. Lesson? We need to be willing to become the leaders we’re called to be… and we need to take action!!
What is one action step you’ll take today to become the kind of leader you’re called to be?
AFI PITTMAN says
I love this! I think Dorcas resonates with me. I also sew and could do it all day long. I used to love the show What Not to Wear because it was more than just a new wardrobe for the participants…it was a new lease on life! I also like Deborah because she excelled in a male-dominated field, but seemed to balance her responsibilities as a wife and mother quite well. Thank you for this article. This is definitely food for thought.
Jory Fisher says
Isn’t it fun to think about the Women of the Bible? Thank you for sharing your favorites with us, Afi. You know what it’s like to excel in a male-dominated field! Thank you too for your service to our country. Bless you.
Jessica Brodie says
Amen – I love the concept that it takes WILLINGNESS. Even Mary, mother of Jesus Christ, speaks her consent. Beautiful! I love seeing courageous women step up for God throughout history.
Jory Fisher says
Yourself included, Jessica! 🙂
Beth Bingaman says
I believe this sentence: “It’s our values that define the kind of leader we become and the kind of influence we hold or wield.” We all influence others and what we value will determine how we lead and what we teach (whether intentional or not). So, now I will have to face that “being transparent about my weaknesses” work!
Thanks for this thought provoking post.
Jory Fisher says
It’s so liberating to admit we’re not perfect! Just another opportunity to grow. 🙂 Thank you for dropping by and commenting, Beth.
Jessica Goyette says
This is an excellent post! I admire the Hebrew midwives standing up for holiness in the midst of wickedness.
My favorite is Anna though. She’s my role model.
Jory Fisher says
Thank you for commenting, Jessica. Which of her values do you admire the most?
Melinda Viergever Inman says
This is a great gift and ministry assessment tool. I’ve recorded this link for future reference. It provides a handy tool for women who are seeking to serve the Lord and aren’t sure where they fit. Thank you for putting together such a great help to women!
I’m at the tail end of serving as a Priscilla alongside my Aquila for decades of ministry together in our church, teaching and equipping the church in Bible Study and for missions. I’ve also served individually in pro-life clinics as a counselor, in prison ministry as a counselor/teacher, in homeschool support groups as a teacher and coordinator of the debate team and of Bible study instruction, at church as a coordinator of women’s ministry, and as a writer for the past 10-15 years.
A chronic illness has now impacted my health drastically, sidelining me to serve primarily through my writing and through one-on-one connections. I’m thrilled to have been able to serve the Lord throughout my life, in whatever capacity he put before me to serve. It’s been an enormous blessing. Now he has me here. The challenge is always to serve where he has placed us.
Jory Fisher says
Thank you, Melinda, for sharing your faith & service journey with us. What BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) have you set for 2019? Perhaps something related to writing? Curious minds want to know!
Michelle Broussard says
Hi Jory! Great questions for thought. I have found that for me, the most important leadership trait is just being comfortable with who I am and not trying to emulate anyone else. It has taken me a while to get there but better late than never! Thank you for the post!!
Jory Fisher says
You seem to be doing quite well as Michelle Broussard!!! Love your website and business. Thank you for taking the time to read and comment. 🙂