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Women's institute sessions examine leadership development
April 19, 2004
By David Roach

Women’s Ministry Institute instructors (from left) Heather King, Garnetta Smith and Rose Booth teach sessions on leadership skill development. Photo by David Merrifield

More than a dozen women learned how to implement biblically based women’s mentorship programs and studied leadership skill development during Women’s Ministry Institute sessions March 29-April 2 at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Garnetta Smith, women’s Bible study teacher at Highview Baptist Church in Louisville, and Rose Booth, mentoring team leader at Ninth and O Baptist Church in Louisville, led the sessions dealing with women’s mentorship. Janice Seifrid, director of student life at Southern Seminary, and Heather King, director of women’s programs, led the sessions on leadership skill development.

Women’s Ministry Institute is designed to train laywomen to minister in the context of a local congregation. Upon the completion of eight WMI units of study, students receive a certificate of ministry studies from Boyce College, the seminary’s undergraduate division.

“Women’s ministry leaders desire to be equipped and effective, as they are a vital part of God’s Kingdom,” King said. “However, the vast majority will not become fulltime seminary students. WMI is a way to link women’s ministry leaders providing an atmosphere of learning, networking and encouragement.”

Cindy Miller, a women’s ministry leader at Red House Baptist Church in Richmond, Ky., said the training she receives at WMI has translated into increased effectiveness in her ministry.

“The sound doctrine that has come from [these sessions] has really impressed me,” Miller said. “... I have tried to take this home and put it into effect, and everything that I have learned here has worked in women’s ministry in a local church.”

Bonnie Epperson, a women’s ministry leader at Valley View Church in Louisville, said the sessions on discipleship proved particularly helpful for her ministry. The sessions encouraged her to “do more discipleship with ... women, not so much just building friendships but building them in their relationships with Christ,” she said. “... As leaders ... our intentional heart’s desire is to make disciples for Christ.”

In addition to gaining knowledge from lectures and readings, WMI students develop “genuine Christian sisterhood” with each other, King said.

“Not a part of the official curriculum is this amazing bond that surpasses mere friendship and enters the realm of Christian sisterhood,” she said. “They are interested in each other’s personal lives and ministries. It is not uncommon to see women huddled together during the breaks and meals praying for each other’s ministries and needs.”

The combination of classroom instruction and Christian fellowship helps students develop a holistic and balanced approach to women’s ministry, according to many participants.

“I came thinking that I was going to learn how to ... put a program together,” said Sandi McDowell, also from Red House Baptist Church in Richmond, Ky. “And what I really learned was that it’s not about the program. It’s about the spirit of the women and ... learning where our hearts need to be. ... Women do not realize what a gold-mine they have spiritually in the Women’s Ministry Institute.”

WMI will hold its next sessions Sept. 20-24 at the Louisville campus. The sessions will deal with the topic, “Taking Your Women’s Ministry to the Next Level.”