SheLeads Part 1: Boundaries

 Are You a Woman in Leadership? Than this series is for you!

Women in leadership has long been a source of controversy and contention in conservative Christian congregations. This study’s “end in mind” is to reveal God’s honored place for women in leadership roles within the boundaries He has established.

Some of you may even cringe at the word “boundaries”; however, God established them for a purpose. When we operate within the circle of influence God has given us, He will expand our boundaries into territories we never even dreamed were possible.

The Apostle Paul used the word picture of a sphere, or circle, of influence in 2 Corinthians 10. Take a look at these verses:

13 But we will not boast beyond our measure, but within the measure of the sphere which God apportioned to us as a measure, to reach even as far as you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves, as if we did not reach to you, for we were the first to come even as far as you in the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting beyond our measure, that is, in other men’s labors, but with the hope that as your faith grows, we will be, within our sphere, enlarged even more by you…

Paul knew his success in promoting the gospel depended upon him staying within the boundaries God had outlined for him.

We all have a sphere of influence apportioned to us by God. We are most effective when we work diligently within this sphere. <Tweet This

Imagine yourself in the center of a circle. Your children, spouse, service to your church, and work are here. You serve, counsel, and give your time and attention to these things. When you are faithful inside of this circle, your influence will  grow.  And because  you are effective here, this circle will actually begin to encompass more people, organizations, and events.

Now imagine a much larger circle surrounding the one in which you are standing. People and circumstances here are things which concern you, but you have little to no influence over.

If you decide to step into this larger circle and pursue these things, you will be wasting time and energy trying to change things you really cannot. The sheer size of this larger circle will wear you out as you run around trying to “fix” things.  The whole time you are in this larger circle, you are neglecting the things in your smaller circle of influence. And guess what? That inner circle will get smaller because of the neglect.

So how does all of this relate to women in leadership. Again, it is back to boundaries. Ask God to reveal to you what people, organizations, events, or circumstances He has placed inside your circle of influence? Take a moment and draw this diagram and write down these down.

Also ask God to show you what things are you currently expending your valuable time and energy pursuing that are outside your circle of influence. Write those down too.

True leadership begins with knowing where the line between these two circles lies.  As we study God’s leadership model for women, we will use scripture as our plumb line. In other words, we will line up our thinking with scripture rather than looking for justification for what we already believe to be true. We need to also take note of where there are God-given boundaries.

My prayer: God, Like Paul, I do not want to “overextend” myself into territories You have not apportioned to me. I don’t want to waste my time and energy outside your boundaries. Give me Your understanding as to what lies within my circle of influence.

Join me for the next few weeks as we explore biblical examples of how “SheLeads”.