Book Review: Gifted to Lead

Book:

Gifted to Lead: The Art of Leading as a Woman in the Church by Nancy Beach. Copyright 2008. Published by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Author:

Nancy Beach is executive vice president of the arts for the Willow Creek Association and a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church (back cover).

Intended Readers and Purpose of Book:

 Beach’s book, with the exception of chapter seven, is intended to encourage women through her own unique challenges and joys as a female leader and teacher for 30 years. Her message is the "fundamental belief that the Holy Spirit did not distribute the gifts according to gender; both women and men should be free to express their God-given abilities in the local church." (p16) God did not make a mistake in giving women the gifts of leadership or teaching. She urges leaders to have a clear position on women in leadership that can be "articulated, defended and advocated," but her intent is not to unpack the biblical texts. (p16) Additional study resources are provided in an appendix.

The forward is written by John Ortberg.

Chapter 1: God Didn’t Make a Mistake

Early in life Beach felt a calling and a determination to make a difference in the world, a world that had narrowly defined roles for women. During her youth group years, under the leadership of Bill Hybels and Dave Holmbo, she, and a little group, was impassioned to reach their high school for Jesus. The youth group exploded over the next two years. Beach was described as a gifted, creative leader and influencer. Yet, she was denied leadership of a small youth team and could function only as a "shadow leader" behind a male captain. The implication was that she did not fit. Through college and graduate school, she prepared to use her performing arts and leadership gifts as a film/ television producer to make a difference for God. Gender was becoming less an issue in the marketplace and in academia. Yet God called her to invest her gifts in the church, an idea that she had resisted based on her earlier experience. She accepted a full-time position at Willow Creek Community Church programming the arts ministry and weekly services. Her prayer is that women recognize that God does not make mistakes, that He gifted them, and gave them a dream and a passion, to advance His kingdom.

Chapter 2: Welcome to the Boys’ Club

Beach began with a small staff of men and felt like the "experiment, the exception," (p32) which is "not all that different from anyone who is a minority in any circle of leaders, whether the difference is about race, age, or gender." (p33) She felt the burden of representing her minority well.

As she tried to enter into the "boys’ club," she discovered the most significant of her God-given instincts; character was paramount to leading and relating effectively. Beach elaborates on four key traits of character: humility, self-confidence, humor and integrity.

For those denied access to the boys’ club, Beach offers careful counsel in these difficult situations. She believes that God guides women leaders either to stay and lead well, providing an example, or to transition to a church with fewer restrictions. Regardless, it is important to "continue working with a spirit of grace and humility" (p 44) trusting God to grant wisdom along the way.

Chapter 3: Doing the Work

With character as a foundation, reputation is built on the everyday, ordinary interactions and work. She states that "ultimately, we will be evaluated both by our results and by the culture we create on the teams we lead." (p49) Beach gives practical advice on how to work diligently and gain respect, to discern and lead in your own unique style and to work wisely with men. Within this last category, Beach expands on how to maintain accountability and appropriate levels of disclosure, to include spouses, and to be wise with travel accommodations. Beach summarizes that there are risks when men and women work alongside each other in ministry, but if tackled with purity and integrity, mutual love and respect, "everyone wins" and the kingdom of God is advanced.

Chapter 4: Running with the Big Boys

As Beach became a professional working woman within the context of men, she encountered challenges. She shares the lessons of how to healthily relate to men and navigate settings that are unaccustomed to embracing women and how to "lead up." This requires a willingness to tackle relational conflicts and to initiate difficult conversations with honesty and truth. Beach encourages godly management of any ambivalence about the use of power and authority that would weaken leadership. She concludes with the humorous and awkward issues unique to female teachers.

Chapter 5: And Then We Had Kids!

Beach was married nine years before she and her husband chose to have children. Like her, women have choices whether to be married or to have children. The important point is "There is NO ONE RIGHT WAY to navigate life as a woman." (p90) She contends "if we confine our thinking to one plan that fits every woman, we limit the possibilities of each individual living out her own custom-designed story." (p90) Those who choose both motherhood and church leadership encounter some distinct challenges. She counsels that through reading, prayer and listening to the Holy Spirit, one can release unrealistic expectations and recognize "eras" when one’s focus is intentionally drawn more to a specific area, such as family or ministry. Beach includes a section "I Want a Wife!" which acknowledges the different stresses placed on a working mother versus a working father.

Chapter 6: Finding Your Voice

This chapter begins with the author’s interaction with professor Jane Stephens when Stephens was conducting research for a dissertation project on female voice. Beach was one of her case studies and together they explored how a woman finds her voice in a male dominated environment. An article by Stephens is included as an appendix.

The definition of voice is "to be fully present, to feel counted in, and counted on, to have something to say, and to be heard." (p107) This demands well-developed and effective communication. Discovering and developing your voice requires an intentional assessment of everyday communication and a commitment to "attentive listening, perceptive questions, teachable moments, and talking back." (p110)

Beach was asked to teach and she had to learn how to be real, comfortable and authentic as a godly female communicator. She challenges each communicator to discover her unique voice through listening to life experiences and to God. Without the voices of more women leaders, the "community will not shine as brightly or be as healthy as it can be." (p128)

Chapter 7: An Open Letter to Male Pastors and Church Leaders

This chapter is a change from the general audience of the book and is directed specifically to male pastors and church leaders.

Beach challenges the readers "to engage in diligent study on the issue of women in leadership in the church, to make this a front-burner issue, and to be the strongest advocate you can be for women with leadership and teaching gifts." (p134) She elaborates on why this is vital for you, your church, your community, and the next generation. She calls for boldness, courage and diligence.

Chapter 8: Leaning into Your Tribe

Those who lead must fervently resist participating in "mommy wars," any judgment or hostility between those women choosing to work outside the home and those who do not. This requires dealing with the sin of envy, redirecting one’s thoughts and energy, and believing the best about other women. The ministry journey was not meant to be handled alone and "women leaders too often lack the kind of soulish sisters with whom they can safely vent their frustrations, ask their questions, and wrestle with the unique challenges that emerge." (p161) Part of the solution is intentional mentoring. She advocates "authentic, life-giving community with one another." (p169)

Conclusion

Without apology, Beach offers this counsel to her ministry sisters: "Fulfill your calling." (p171) She exhorts that hardships should not be an obstacle for fulfilling one’s God-given calling. "If we believe that no mistake was made in heaven when our gifts were assigned, then we must wake up each morning with a renewed commitment to do the best we can with what we have been given." (p172)

An afterword in the form of a personal letter is written "For My Daughters (and other young women growing up in the church)."

Four appendixes are included: "Additional Resources," "‘Voice,’ by Jane Stephens," "Statement on Women and Men in Leadership: Willow Creek Community Church" and "FAQs."

-By Debby Rowe, RESOUND Mobilizer for the Forest Lakes District