October 2022 News from BWIM

Balcony Time & Pastor in Residence

In the month of October, BWIM's executive director and associate director, Meredith Stone and Lynn Brinkley, will be stepping back from some of their everyday work to engage in "balcony time."

Harvard professor Ron Heifetz defines balcony time as an opportunity which allows a leader to move from the dance floor to the balcony to gain a broader picture of the work, organization, community, and trends.

We are excited about the important work that will take place in October as we dream, imagine, assess, evaluate, adjust, create, and strategize.

But because we know the need for BWIM's support and work doesn't stop, we have made arrangements for you to still engage with BWIM and the kinds of services we normally offer while we are on the balcony.

One way we are accomplishing this is that Rev. Ellen Di Giosia, who serves on BWIM's Leadership Team, will serve as pastor in residence for BWIM. Ellen will lead our October book club, take care of some regular BWIM business, and be available to offer consultation on any matter related to women in ministry. If you'd like to schedule a meeting with Ellen or ask her any questions, you can reach her at: pastorinresidence@bwim.info.

FREE COACHING FOR BAPTIST WOMEN IN MINISTRY IN OCTOBER

BWIM is providing an opportunity for 40 women ministering among Baptists to receive a free coaching session during the month of October! In order to take advantage of this opportunity, women in ministry in our Baptist communities will need to apply in order to be approved, and can only receive coaching through one of the trained/certified coaches with whom we are working. So far, 32 women have applied to receive coaching in October so if you are interested, apply soon!

Pictured below are the coaches who will be providing this service to Baptist women in ministry: Top row [left to right]: Rev. Dr. Andrea Dellinger Jones, Purpose and Impact Coach, Here Comes the Sun, walktowardthelight.com; Tracey Shenell, Coaching and Consulting, Los Angeles, CA; Xiomara Reboyras-Ortiz, Coach (Spanish language session available). Bottom row [left to right]: Rev. Mary Elizabeth Hanchey, JD, The Progress Collaborative; Julie Whidden Long, Empowerment Coaching, LLC, Macon, GA; Robin Sandbothe, Certified Coach, Summit Coach Training, Pinnacle Leadership Associates; Laura Stephens-Reed, Professional Certified Coach.

Apply for One Free Coaching Session

BWIM Book Club for Fall Coming Soon!

The next BWIM Book Club will be reading A Brown Girl's Epiphany: Reclaim Your Intuition and Step Into Your Power by Rev. Aurelia Pratt. Aurelia is a Baptist pastor who serves as Lead Pastor of Peace of Christ Church in Round Rock, TX. She was also named as one of the 10 Women Shaping the Church in 2022 by Sojourner's magazine.

Books can be ordered most places where books are sold. The book club will meet by Zoom on October 12, 19, and 26 at 12:30 Eastern / 11:30 Central, and Aurelia will be joining us on October 26!

Read and Respond to

The State of Women in Baptist Life Report!

Follow the link below to read the State of Women in Baptist Life Report 2021, which reveal statistics about women's experiences in ministry. Here you can also request to have a print copy of the report mailed to you.

The 2021 State of Women in Baptist Life revealed that while women are making progress, they continue to face significant barriers to ministry. As a woman in ministry or a supporter of women in ministry, you can help eliminate these barriers. Follow the link below to access the "Discussion Guide" and the "Reading Guide" to facilitate a conversation in response to the report at your church, organization, or group.

Learn More about the Report

BWIM has partnered with Baptist News Global (BNG) to celebrate and promote the strong writing voices of women! BWIM is advocating for women's equal representation in Baptist media by uplifting women's writing and encouraging women's increased participation in shaping Baptist life, culture, and theology.

So far, over 40 articles have been written by women as a part of this partnership!

Recently, Baptist minister and licensed addiction treatment expert, Tambi Brown Swiney wrote about how churches can observe International Overdose Awareness Day. Former music minister, Amy Brundle wrote advice on transitioning out of a ministry role. And associate pastor, Eli Withers shared her story of the need for churches to encourage other churches.

To read these articles and others and to find out more about BWIM's partnership, click here. If you are interested in becoming a potential writer for BNG, email Laura Ellis for more information at lauraellis@bwim.info

Learn More Here

MINISTRY TRANSITIONS

Faria Armstrong, associate pastor to youth and families, First Baptist Church, Burlington, NC.

Elisabeth Cothran, pastor, Sandy Plains Baptist Church, Shelby, NC.

Rebecca Driscoll, pastor, First Baptist Church, Attleboro, MA.

Irene Gallegos, Director, Hunger & Care Ministries for the Christian Life Commission of Texas Baptists.

Andrea Huffman, pastor, Dayspring Baptist Church, St. Louis, MO.

Nicole Patteson, pastor of children and youth, Monument Heights Baptist Church, Richmond, VA.

Heather Seiber, music minister, First Baptist Church, College Station, TX.

Heather Twibell, children’s minister, University Heights Baptist Church, Springfield, MO.

ORDINATIONS

We Want To Celebrate Your Ordination!

If you know a Baptist woman who has been ordained or will be ordained, please email names and pictures (if possible) to lynnbrinkley@bwim.info. BWIM wants to share in celebrating congregational affirmation of all women in ministry, and it helps us to keep records of all of the women in Baptist life who are ordained.

RECENT ORDINATIONS:

Melinda Parry was ordained September 18 by First Parish Congregational Church, Wakefield, Mass.

Kelly Pierce was ordained recently by Peoples Baptist Church, Boston, MA.

Michon McCorkle (pictured) was ordained September 25 by Fernwood Baptist Church in Spartanburg, SC

OPEN POSITIONS

We are now posting full information online for any church/organization who contacts us directly with information about their open position so that candidates can have access to the information as soon as we have it.

Find positions posted with BWIM HERE!

On this page, we also include links to the job boards of denominational groups, theological schools, and Baptist press outlets. We would encourage any Baptist woman in ministry looking for a position to check these job boards regularly as not all churches and organizations contact BWIM directly. But we would also encourage women to do research and be discerning about which positions are truly open to women candidates. Candidates are welcome to contact BWIM about any position posted on our website, but also about any position found on another ministry job board. If we do not have additional information to provide, we will do our best to connect you with someone who might be able to help in your discernment as to whether or not a position is an opportunity where a woman can thrive.