September 2022 News from BWIM

Important Info about BWIM in October

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. Keep reading for details!

Pastor In Residence

During October, 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: [email protected].

Opportunity to Receive One Coaching Session

Also during October, we have set aside funding for 40 women who minister among Baptists to receive one free coaching session! Different than counseling, a coach visits with you through a particular issue or problem to help you find the best way toward tackling it or toward achieving a goal. 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. Once we have used all of the funds, they will no longer be available so be sure to apply soon!

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.

Follow the link to read the full report and learn more about the numbers of women in ministry and their experiences.

You/your organization can order print copies of the report by following the link below.

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 [email protected]

Learn More Here

MINISTRY TRANSITIONS

Hannah Beck, director of children’s ministry, First Baptist Church, Mocksville, NC.

Jenny Faulkner, youth minister, Antioch Baptist Church, Scottsville, VA.

Natasha Gordon, pastor, Georgiaville Baptist Church, Smithfield, RI.

Claudia Grainger-Sink, minister to middle school and family connections, Trinity Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC.

Martha Harvey, minister to children and preschool, University Baptist Church, Fort Worth, TX.

Bridget Kokolis, minister to children, First Baptist Church, Greenville, SC.

Karen Morris, children’s minister, Mount Olivet Baptist Church, Beaverdam, VA.

Randi Outlaw, director of children’s ministry, First Baptist Church, Augusta, GA.

Ashley Robinson, pastor--Christian education and community engagement, Oakhurst Baptist Church, Decatur, GA.

Christine Roush, executive director, American Baptist Foundation.

Sara Clarke Turpin, senior pastor, Buechel Park Baptist Church, Louisville, KY.

Hannah Vassar, minister of youth and congregational connection, Smoke Rise Baptist Church, Stone Mountain, GA.

Lori Welborn, minister to children and families, First Baptist Church, Griffin, GA.

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 [email protected]. 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:

Lori Barbour Moore was ordained August 28 by Westfield Baptist Church, Dunn, NC.

Michelle Carroll was ordained August 28 by First Baptist Church of Frankfurt, KY, "The Church of St. Clair."

Amanda Clark Hines (pictured) was ordained July 31 by her home church, First Baptist Huntsville, AL.

Kristin Prasad was ordained August 14 by First Baptist Huntsville, AL.

OPEN POSITIONS

For over a decade, BWIM has curated a list of open ministry positions that we included in our monthly newsletter. Since the way churches and organizations publicize open ministry positions changes, we have changed the way we connect women with job postings as well.

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!

The remaining positions that we have traditionally included on our list have been gathered from job boards of denominational groups, theological schools, and Baptist press. On the page linked above, we also have a list of all of these websites.

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.