Southern Baptist women leaders everywhere now have access to a new resource focused on training and supporting their ministries. The SBC Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) launched on March 25th and is set up to provide resources, training, and encourage collaboration among women in leadership.
“The SBC Women’s Leadership Network is an important forum for connecting women in ministry discussions,” said Karen Green, wife of Florida Baptist Convention Executive Director-Treasurer, Tommy Green, and member of the WLN. “The platform provides an opportunity for dialogue and information facing women as they lead and serve in ministry settings.”
The WLN has a Facebook group that has already attracted more than 500 members, a blog, and a podcast called “At the Table.” The group will meet for the first time since its inception at the 2019 SBC annual meeting in Birmingham, Alabama. The meeting is an opportunity for the women to fellowship and connect with one another in real life.
Amy Whitfield, a member of the group’s steering committee and director of marketing and communications at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, told the Biblical Recorder that the response to the WLN has been overwhelming. “Women have always served and led in our churches and their respective communities. What we haven’t had is an easily accessible place where women can learn and grow from other practitioners.
The WLN was born after a group of women met during the 2018 SBC annual meeting and discussed the need for a place for women leaders to connect for mentoring, training, and networking. From that meeting emerged a small virtual network that met on a monthly basis. “The benefits were seen instantly and the desire to form a larger network grew.”
“The platform provides an opportunity for dialogue and information facing women as they lead and serve in ministry settings,” said Green.
Jenny Whitaker, children and family ministry director at Bradfordville First Baptist Church, is also part of the WLN. “It’s encouraging to see so many women interacting and learning from each other,” she said. While she has not been as active posting to the group page, Whitaker says that she has learned a lot from reading what other women are posting and discussing.
“I encourage Florida Baptist women in leadership roles in local churches and wives of ministers to be involved in the network to strengthen their ministry skills,” said Green.