Developing Female LeadersSample

 Create an Environment of Safety

It is estimated that more than one-third of women have been sexually harassed or abused at work. In our survey of female leaders who are currently serving in ministry roles, more than 15 percent said they had experienced inappropriate advances or treatment by a man in authority over them. It is heartbreaking to read these stories. From belittling to full-on sexual harassment and assault, none of these behaviors are acceptable in the family of God. 

Male leaders in industries everywhere are rethinking their professional practices. The #MeToo and #ChurchToo movements have come a long way in raising awareness, giving survivors a voice, and holding those in authority accountable for inappropriate, unethical, illegal, and downright disgusting behaviors. 

Our job as church leaders is the opposite—we are to protect, defend, and bring freedom. And we are to quickly expose any leader who is violating those standards. There are plenty of opportunities for healthy male-female relationships on our teams in the public, social, and personal spaces. The key is to not only teach our leaders about guidelines of when we can be alone with someone else, but to go further by also teaching about levels of emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and physical intimacy. When we are off-balance, we end up trying to fill our needs with the wrong relationship, our judgment is clouded by our unmet needs, and we walk down paths we never thought we would find ourselves on. 

If someone is experiencing inappropriate behavior, there should be a clear person and a well-known process for how complaints and accusations are handled, no matter who the accused is. That means there needs to be accountability and thorough follow-up provided for everyone, from a church member to the senior pastor and elders. Creating a process to handle these kinds of issues before an accusation has been made allows the church to lead well and with integrity, despite the ugliness of these types of situations. 

By rethinking our practices, policies, and procedures to fit today’s culture, we can create safe environments that empower women, defend the innocent, and protect the church.