For men and women both to participate and process as colleagues. – 20 spaces only!
Facilitators will lead us in interaction around understanding what is happening in both the research and changing expectations around men and women working together in leadership. What do we have to gain or lose by actively pursuing a more effective blend of men and women working together at the leadership level? How do we address the challenges and opportunities? We will engage questions and interaction and make progress on developing effective processes for your own scenario.
*Is the need for change traditional, theological and/or practical?
*What can be easily changed (once recognized) and what is more challenging?
*What might a helpful organizational readiness process look like toward engaging effective partnerships?
*How might expectations be different between home office leadership, field staff, supporting churches?
*As many entities desire to involve more women in their leadership structures (field or executive roles), what might be unintended barriers and unrecognized opportunities in this direction?
*How can we create more avenues to find, develop, support, and retain more gifted women to bring the perspective and talent that we desire for our organizations?
*What characteristics of organizational culture best support men and women working together in leadership?
We will consider a variety of intentional organizational practices that can help us move toward organizational cultures that invite, develop, and support women with leadership gifts and experience so male leaders have the eyes and perspectives they need from their female allies. As we identify any unintended barriers to meaningful partnership that may be at work in our own organizational cultures, we are free to think creatively about removing and replacing them with processes that more accurately reflect our goals and help us accomplish our mission. We can begin to cultivate readiness, embrace desired change, and establish ongoing pathways to bring the benefits of male/female partnerships more fully to bear. The Image of God displayed and at work!
Who is this for?
*Mission Organization Decision-Makers (Executive Level, HR/Personnel)
*Field Staff Leadership
*Church Leadership (Pastors, Elders, Dir. of Ops/Personnel)
September 25 – December 4, Wednesdays, 12:30 – 2:00pm Eastern time, bi-weekly
1. September 25: Introductions and Overview
2. October 9: Benefits and Barriers – Structural & Practical
3. October 23: Implications of Theology – The Evangelical Spectrum
4. November 6: Unconscious/Unintended Gender Practices
5. November 20: Flourishing Partnership – Inner Life & Community Culture
6. December 4: Flourishing Partnership – Intentional Practices
Dr. Rob Dixon has served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship for 26 years, and currently works as a Senior Fellow with the InterVarsity Institute. Rob holds a Doctor of Intercultural Studies degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, and his book, Together in Ministry: Women and Men in Flourishing Partnerships, was published in September 2021 from InterVarsity Press Academic. Rob spends his time training, coaching, and consulting on the topic of women and men in partnership, and he has enjoyed his interactions with organizations such as Missio Nexus, the Reformed Church in America, Wycliffe, ECO Presbyterian, and others. In his free time, Rob enjoys long runs, hanging out with his family, and adjunct teaching at Fresno Pacific University and Fuller Theological Seminary.
Ms. Wendy Wilson expresses her joy and privilege as envisioning and equipping women to bring their gifts fully into the grand calling of the Great Commission. With a BBA from Texas A&M University, and an MABS from Dallas Theological Seminary, Wendy has led inter-mission and inter-confessional equipping efforts abroad and at home, spending the last decade focussing on strengthening US-based Mission Agencies in an intentional development culture for women. Having 25 years of executive leadership experience in missions, Wendy serves the Missio Nexus membership as Mission Advisor for Development of Women. She is also the founder and Executive Director of the collaborative Women’s Development Track.