Gifted to Lead: The Art of Leading As a Woman in the Church [Hardcover]

Nancy Beach (Author), John Ortberg (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

No mistake was made in heaven when God gave you the gift of leadership or teaching. . . Every gift you have-your instincts to lead and your passion to make a difference-came from the hand of a loving Father who crafted you.

In this practical and inspiring book, Willow Creek executive vice president and teaching pastor Nancy Beach speaks to women with God-given gifts of leading and teaching. Sharing from her thirty-year journey in a local church, Nancy offers guidance on such issues as:

-developing character -earning respect -finding your voice for leadership and teaching -managing work and personal life -forming an intentional support network, and more.

She also challenges church leaders to wrestle with the issue of women in leadership, and to be advocates for women as they seek to reach their full ministry potential.

My prayer is that you will fully engage in the dangerous and thrilling adventure of using your leadership gift to advance the kingdom of God. The path won t be easy. . . but God will never leave you alone. So trust him. And don't forget to enjoy the ride!

Editorial Reviews

Review

Nancy Beach is one of the most influential leaders in today's church. Her experience, vulnerability, and authenticity will empower women to courageously step into their God-given role with confidence. -- Craig Groeschel, Author, of It

About the Author

Nancy Beach is executive vice president of programming and production for the Willow Creek Association and a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church. A champion for the arts and artists in the church, she is the author of An Hour on Sunday: Creating Moments of Transformation and Wonder. Nancy holds a master's degree in communication from Wheaton College. She lives in Barrington, Illinois, with her husband, Warren, and her two daughters, Samantha and Johanna.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 176 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310285968
• ISBN-13: 978-0310285960
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #74,065 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Nancy Beach is executive vice president of programming and production for the Willow Creek Association and a teaching pastor at Willow Creek Community Church. A champion for the arts and artists in the church, she is the author of An Hour on Sunday: Creating Moments of Transformation and Wonder. Nancy holds a master's degree in communication from Wheaton College. She lives in Barrington, Illinois, with her husband, Warren, and her two daughters, Samantha and Johanna.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sane Advice for Women in Ministry Leadership, June 25, 2009

By 

Kathie Palazzolo (Utah) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Gifted to Lead: The Art of Leading As a Woman in the Church (Hardcover)

I have loved this book. Nancy Beach addresses the challenges of women interacting with men who are not always sure a woman can or should lead in church circles. Beach avoids doctrinal disputes and adresses practical concerns with practical answers.
While she deals with the special challenges of women in leadership roles, most of her leadership advise is applicable to men as well as to women. Her book is not a rebel cry for women to claim leadership authority but rather, a reassurance to women that God can and does use women in leadership roles beyond children's and women's ministry and how to navigate in that arena with confidence and grace.
I highly recommend this book to women already in leadership as well as to women who suspect they may be called to leadership.
Beach also addresses the concerns of pastors and other male lay leaders who are still not sure if women should lead in the church.
Sane, practical and yet, clearly inspired.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars INSIGHTS INTO CHRISTIAN WOMEN LEADERS, June 1, 2011

By 

Paige L. Chargois "Paige Lanier Chargois" (Richmond, Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gifted to Lead: The Art of Leading As a Woman in the Church (Hardcover)

The religious and spiritual journeys of women through many generations of church life are as unique and varied and different as the women themselves: biblically, historically, or within our contemporary moments! Nancy offers wonderful insight into her journey and any reader can find many commonalities as well as many differences. The hearts, minds, and souls of church women experience great differences within both our denominations and our geographical/cultural realities. My personal journey as a clergy woman has been seemingly far more intense than what seems to be chronicled in "Gifted To Lead". This is not to compare one person's pain with another, nor to say that rejection is any more threatening to one person's psyche than another's; but it is to declare that there are appropriate, comparative differences to be found in our journeys of ministry.

My only regret about Nancy's book is the lack of inclusion of a major biblical Gospel text that is significant and quite definitive regarding women called into the ministry of Jesus by Jesus himself. Those three verses, Luke 8:1-3, are so relevant to the journey of Christian women -- and indeed THE CHURCH ITSELF that I wrote 12 chapters on them and heartily recommend it to you as well!

Certain Women Called by Christ: Biblical Realities for Today

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, eye-opening, inspiring, February 2, 2010

By 

S. Flemming (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gifted to Lead: The Art of Leading As a Woman in the Church (Hardcover)

Nancy Beach has helped pave the way for women in God's Kingdom - she is candid and honest, courageous and leading the way for all women in the church that are Gifted to Lead.