Women get leadership boost

Leading Women is back. The national Christian leadership conference for women, sponsored in part by the Canadian conference, will host its fourth bi-annual event Feb. 28–Mar. 1 in Toronto.

Nearly a decade ago, the Canadian conference identified three priorities for leadership development. One was to identify and encourage gifted female leaders. So it seemed natural to partner with 12 other organizations in planning a national conference – one which would identify, profile, and network God’s women by equipping, training, encouraging, celebrating, and releasing them to do the work of their calling with excellence.

The planning, speakers, and themes for Leading Women 2008 are all geared specifically to women. Instead of topical workshops after the plenaries, organizers have scheduled small group sessions designed to facilitate group processing and direct application to one’s life. Professionals, businesswomen, and church leaders can find a cohort that best matches their skill level and experience. The three-day event will end with an awards luncheon to honour the work of God through the lives of Canadian women, hosted by broadcast personality Moira Brown.

From the start, Sharon Johnson has been involved for the Mennonite Brethren. It’s her passion to see women “get outside the box and give your best to God. Use what God has put in you.” She has seen Leading Women launch dozens of women into leadership, giving them confidence and skill. Johnson encourages local churches to send their leaders to the conference, joining other MB women from across the country. It’s a message that says, “We’re affirming you by sending you.”

—BM

See leadingwomen.ca for more information, or send a message.