Q&As with Women in Ministry in 2024
By Liz Fong
At this years’ National Conference we held two Women in Leadership lunches where we discussed the topic of ‘confidence’ and heard some great wisdom and reflections from two panels.
Pictured is Kelli and Miki sharing their experience dealing with confidence in the various parts of ministry and especially how they have grown from it and seen God at work in them through it.
Angela Prentice: Learning from past experiences, I noticed a lack of confidence comes when I’m inexperienced either at the role or with the team. It is especially present when I compare myself with others (in particular with their confidence, experience, authority). Past comments that made me insecure can sit with me, putting unnecessary expectations on myself or assumed from others. I also notice it when the priority is to please or impress others, wanting to do a “good job”, wanting people to see me in a certain way whether it’s positive or negative.
Miki Sinfield: I often feel a lack of confidence, such as giving a youth talk. I want to say the right thing because I love Jesus and want to honour him by what I say but I can feel a lack of confidence in thinking – Am I qualified? Am I good enough? Is what I say valuable and significant? This lack of confidence has even affected how strongly I deliver a point in a talk. As a woman in ministry, I also feel the weight of representing women everywhere. I fear that if I do poorly, it will reflect negatively on all women in ministry, suggesting we aren’t smart or capable enough to teach the Bible faithfully. It’s been crucial to notice that this is an unhelpful belief I’ve been carrying with me.
Kate Stace: I can have assurance of salvation and full confidence in standing before God. Working on having that flow out into all parts of my life even applies to the areas I’m particularly struggling with whether it be confidence or other areas. God has made each of us different and his Spirit is working in us so we can have confidence that we do have something to contribute. As Christians we should have a high willingness for change – we are in the transformation business. We’re never beyond changing (whether it be sin or habits in ministry) because we have the Spirit in us and working through us.
Kelli Hobbs: I have found it wonderful to have someone who’ll remind me of my secure identity in Christ. How soothing to be reminded by a trusted friend (or to do the reminding), “you’re a precious, forgiven daughter of the King, beloved of the Father”. I have some key scriptures that I speak over myself, as an assurance of who I am in Jesus, of His saving work and His grace. (Ps. 26:12, Ps.103:1-5, Ps.121, Eph.2:1-10 – I could go on). Speaking scripture out loud helps quieten down that inner critic and external messages. If my desire is to live whole-heartedly to win the approval of Christ and I see this as an act of obedience and worship (Gal.1:10)- then He alone is who and what I should have my confidence in.
