What’s one challenge you’ve been wrestling with as a team this year?

I’m feeling a bit nervous! We’re starting a second kids program on a Sunday morning because, praise God, we’ve seen significant growth at Kellyville in the families demographic. We’re inserting a kids program into what has been a traditional service and changing the style of the gathering. It’s been a work in progress for about two years, from when the possibility was raised through to execution. We didn’t want to rush in and not care for people well through the change. I’m nervous about the resourcing because we’re doubling kids ministry and the workload. We’ve been working through how we care for both services and volunteers. Where are those new leaders going to come from? How am I not going to burn out my leaders and myself? But we’ve got such wonderful people here and we’ll rise to the occasion!

What’s been changing in your role this year?

For me, it’s been a step up. Gradually, since coming back from two maternity leave stints, I’ve been adapting to working ‘on’ the ministry instead of ‘in’ the ministry. Being ‘in’ the ministry is a lot of ‘doing’, whereas being ‘on’ the ministry is a lot of planning and thinking strategically about the future and direction of the ministry for all the ministries we run under the Kids Ministry banner. It’s more about the big picture and equipping leaders. I do miss being with the kids on a Sunday morning, but it’s been the right change.

What’s one thing you’re passionate about?

Family discipleship – supporting and investing in parents. I’ve been sending an email newsletter to parents where I interview a different family each month about how they disciple their kids. I’ve also been interviewing a leader and/or junior leader too. I want families to know that their kids’ leaders love them, we’re here for them, and we want to help them disciple their kids as God’s family.

What’s been challenging about being a woman in ministry?

Having imposter syndrome and feeling like I shouldn’t be here! There’s always doubt – asking myself if I’m the right person for this role. I feel it in meetings, especially when the rest of my team went away to Reach Australia’s National Conference last year while I was on maternity leave. They came back and were using all this new language that I didn’t understand. I kept asking myself, ‘Am I dumb? Why am I not getting this!’ Also, I feel it in gatherings because I’m not naturally great up the front (but that’s not a woman-in-ministry thing, that’s a me thing). I’m trying to lead services, but I get really nervous. I talk really, really fast and just feel like I shouldn’t be up there.

I need to keep reminding myself that I’m allowed to be in the room and at the table, God has called me to be here. I’m allowed to have input in meetings. If my team didn’t trust my opinion or thought I wasn’t on the right track, they’d tell me. Remembering that Dave (the senior pastor) trusts me and that we work well together. I talk to him and ask for feedback. ‘Are there things I can improve on? Is there something I’m not understanding?’ And I remind myself that I know I’m not alone as a woman in ministry.

What do you want to say to women thinking about going into ministry?

Do it, do it, do it! Women don’t have to only be the high level volunteer, they can be on staff and do ministry well. Just being there says a lot to young girls. God created males and females to work together and help one another, and he’s always used women to be part of his mission. You don’t know who you’re going to bless through doing it. I was blessed to grow up in churches where women were on staff and championed and supported, and that made a huge difference in my confidence to pursue ministry. 

The hard days are hard, juggling mum life and ministry life and trying to make it a balance, but it’s so worth it. It’s such a wonderful opportunity and privilege!

For me, I love seeing the joy on the faces of the families as they come in, hearing about the lightbulb moments, and seeing kids growing deeper in their faith. 

—

Naomi is currently part of Reach Australia’s Team Development Program. More info here: www.reachaustralia.com.au/team-development-program