Tapping New Leaders

I had a young woman recently ask, “how can I get involved in WMU?” My mind quickly went to events so I invited her to the next upcoming WMU event. She then clarified. She wanted to know how to get more involved on the leadership level of WMU. She began to share her heart for missions, dreams for WMU in her area, and ideas to engage the next generation.

A MODEL FOR LEADERSHIP

When I look back at the history of WMU and the influence of Eliza Broadus in teaching and training women for missions service, I can’t help but think of how we can continue her legacy.

Eliza was a trail blazer in many ways. At only 27 years old, she was asked to serve on the newly formed Kentucky Central Committee as a representative from Walnut Street Baptist Church. A few year’s later, she was elected to serve as vice-president representing Kentucky when National WMU was organized.

The women involved in WMU saw something in Eliza. Kathleen Mallory said upon Eliza’s passing that “few Southern Baptist women have equaled Miss Eliza S. Broadus”. From her biographies we know that Eliza was surrounded by seminary life. She had multiple ways to learn and hone her skills.

Accompanying her father on many occasions, she had opportunities for hands-on leadership training which eventually led her to manage her father’s office. Her training in office management, correspondence, public speaking, and missions, gave her the skills she needed to lead through WMU. In a society, where the women’s movement was frowned upon Eliza modeled how Godly women could lead with integrity, respect, and devotion to the Lord.

NEW LEADERS ARE WAITING

In the 1940's church leaders were still asking if we needed to continue training young women for leadership responsibilities. WMU women recognized the need for leadership development was not diminishing but growing. Miss Betty Miller, a WMU Field Worker in 1941, once said “the world tomorrow needs the best leadership that our world of today can produce.” I agree.

Just like my friend, we have young women who love the Lord and love missions, but many don’t know how to get plugged into WMU. This is our challenge. We must provide a pathway for women to develop their leadership skills, engage in missions service, and serve as a catalyst for the Great Commission.

MAKE A PATHWAY

To get young women involved we must have a plan. I included three easy steps below to try.

1. Seek them out

Have a fellowship for all the young women in your association. Share with them about the heart WMU and why we do what we do. Have your leadership team purposefully get to know the young women. Capture names of stand out women.

2. Tap them to join you

Follow up with the WMU directors or Women’s leader in each of the churches and ask if these young women have potential for leadership. Make a personal invitation to these young women to join your leadership team. "Tapping someone for leadership" means to select or identify an individual as a potential leader, often by directly approaching them and expressing your belief in their capabilities to take on a leadership role, similar to the image of physically "tapping" someone on the shoulder to get their attention and signal an opportunity. 

3. Encourage them to lead

As they participate, give them opportunities to lead. Mentor these women, give them resources, and let them put their ideas into action. Encourage them towards God’s plan for their life through the work of WMU. 

To help, we created an event plan for you to use. Go to kywmu.org/associational-leaders to download this resource.

- Written by Dr. Liz Encinia