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EMCWomen's director Endorses 'Leading Women' conference (3/28/2008)

Several years ago key Christian organizations saw a need to champion Canadian Christian women. The first Leading Women Conference was held in Toronto. It is now held every two years, alternating between a major city in the east, and west. The following is a quote from their website:

The Leading Women conference has been birthed out of a desire to call together Canadian Christian women in leadership from across our nation.

Our purpose is to identify, profile and network God's women by equipping, training, encouraging, celebrating and releasing them to do the work of their calling with excellence.

It has been my privilege to attend two of these conferences along with several hundred other women across Canada. Each year God has placed women in my path who have challenged me personally, and in my ministry.

Sheila Ely, on staff at Bethany Community Church, St. Catharines, Ontario, attended with several other women from Bethany. Sheila’s powerful words capture the spirit and focus of the conference.

“Early one Thursday morning at the end of February I lugged my suitcase to the car and headed to the Leading Women conference in Mississauga, Ontario. This was my third Leading Women conference so I knew I would hear some incredible speakers and meet many Canadian women who are being used greatly by God in a variety of contexts both in ministry and the marketplace. I was not disappointed.

Sessions with titles like, “Courage in a toxic culture,” “Forging a strong foundation,” “Facing unfamiliar Territory,” “Courage to Obey” and “Navigating Change with Courage” piqued my interest and had me set to take careful notes that I could ponder and discuss with old and new friends.

The Leading Women conference will inspire you, and remind you that you are part of something much bigger than your own area of work and ministry and that you are not alone in the struggles you face. The conference features application sessions where you can process, interact with other women and think about how the concepts and ideas apply to your own life.

The session that impacted me the most was presented by Peggy Grall who spoke on “Navigating Change with Courage.” Peggy reminded us that change sometimes brings danger or opportunity and that one change will prompt and present new changes you didn’t see before. She also brought us back to what we all know but often forget - that we can only change ourselves. I am the person I need courage to change! With humour and insight Peggy stated that “reality is the leading cause of stress for those who are in touch with it”! How true it is.

Peggy left us with a question that has since been burning in me… “What would I do today if I were brave”? And so, I will ask you the same thing, what would YOU do today if you were brave? This is a great discussion starter as you interact with the women in your life. It’s also a great question to pray over and let germinate in your heart. In the end she challenged us to DO IT, whatever it is. Talk about the things you are hearing and reading about and get ready to open yourself to the changes God wants to bring your way!

By Sheila Ely
Director of Small Groups and Outreach
Bethany Community Church

I believe that every EMCC church that invests to send their women in leadership to the next Leading Women Conference will see those women return changed.

Plan now to attend the 2010 Conference. EMCWomen will send out information as soon as it is available.

Debi Snider
EMCWomen, Director

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