Are you a woman in ministry leadership who needs a little friendship and encouragement today? Read on to hear from five faithful female leaders whose wisdom will encourage and equip you as you serve God and lead well.

Women have led the way in sharing the good news of Jesus since the very first Resurrection Sunday! Some women leaders teach on stage, others in humble (but well-decorated) church basements. There are some who write for millions, others for a handful of children. Some feel empowered, and others discouraged. All obey Jesus’ command to “go and tell” the good news.

When the “going and telling” gets tough for women in ministry leadership, it helps to remember each other! Spirit-filled stories of women in ministry leadership encourage our hearts and deepen our commitment to shepherd those in our care with Jesus’ truth and love.

So allow me to introduce you to five amazing women who “go and tell” with grace, gumption, and an abundance of love for Jesus and his modern-day disciples of all ages. May God work through their insights and stories to equip you for his good work today!

Meet 5 Faithful Women in Ministry Leadership!

Kathie Phillips serves as the Senior Director of Next Gen Ministry at Central Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland. She’s also an author and trusted voice in children’s ministry.

Dr. Denise Muir Kjesbo served as Professor and Program Director at Bethel Seminary in the M.A. in Children’s, Youth, and Family Ministry for 25 years and continues to serve as the Director of the Cory Center for Children’s Ministry at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Gloria Lee is a UC Berkeley and Talbot School of Theology graduate with over 30 years of experience in ministry with kids, students, and families. She serves on staff at Pacific Crossroads Church in Southern California.

Kari Swigart served Trinity United Methodist Church in Lewistown, Pennsylvania, for 17 years. She also served as an interim pastor for three additional congregations. Kari is currently retired and filling in pulpits when pastors take a Sunday off for refreshment, vacation, or family matters.

Katie Bliss lives in Bayport, Minnesota and leads Children’s Ministries at Hope Church in Oakdale, Minnesota. She has an M.A. in Children and Family Ministry from Bethel Seminary and a degree in Elementary Education from University of Northwestern.

The Blessings of Being a Woman in Ministry Leadership

Let’s start with the good stuff! Our leaders share what they enjoy about being women in ministry leadership.

What do you love about ministry leadership?

#1. Being seen as a “spiritual mom.”

Kathie: “One of the things that has recently blessed me the most is when a mom thanked me for being a spiritual mom to the kids in our ministry. I had never thought of myself like that before and was honored and humbled that she saw me in that way.”

Gloria: “One unique blessing of being a woman in ministry leadership is the opportunity to mentor younger women in a way that only shared experience can provide. There are challenges specific to being a woman in ministry, and I get to walk alongside younger women as someone who truly understands what it’s like to navigate that road.”

#2. Noticing the Holy Spirit at work and guiding sacred moments.

Denise: “Women leaders have been able to sit with women parishioners in ways that men may not be able to. I believe sometimes women are given entrance into spaces where men may be held at arm’s length. The chance to enter these sacred spaces is an incredible blessing.”

Kari: “People are still surprised when they visit my church and I tell them I am the pastor. I kind of enjoy that moment! And baptisms have been amazing! Each and every one has touched my heart and humbled me to know that I am standing in the same place and doing the same thing that Jesus and John experienced. The Holy Spirit was present and moving at each baptism, and I am so thankful and grateful!”

#3. Contributing to a leadership team

Katie: “One unique blessing is seeing situations from a different perspective. It is always amazing to me how God uses our uniqueness to bless each other’s ministries and help each other solve problems. Each one of us, regardless of gender, has unique life perspectives and experiences. I am blessed to be on a team that enjoys leveraging those for the good of the church.”

How have you seen women leaders bless your church and community?

Our leaders shared these special ways other women leaders have blessed their faith communities.

#1. Ministry Coordination and New Outreach Ideas

Katie: “Women bless people all the time in our church, whether they are leading and caring for kids, leading in worship, or leading a prayer group. One of my favorite ways a group of women has blessed our church is by creating and leading a prayer room experience during Holy Week. Their leadership has prepared many a mind and heart to remember and celebrate all that Christ has done for us.”

Kathie: “I’ve seen ideas birthed into some of the most creative, engaging experiences for our congregation. Two instances come to mind. One is a group of friends who started a clothing drive that has become an annual outreach to our community. The other involves holiday experiences, such as Easter and Christmas. What I love the most in both instances is seeing an idea come to life when women gather and brainstorm ideas.”

Kari: “I found that, in the day-to-day life of the church, it was the women who stepped up with ideas and programming. I do give props to the men of the church; they had no problem taking direction from the women, and men and women worked side by side in the church kitchen for fellowship meals and other occasions.”

#2. Normalizing Female Leadership in Churches

Denise: “[Women leaders in my church] have completed the full-orbed sense of the Imago Dei (image of God) by representing female aspects of humanity as well as the female aspects of the Godhead. They have demonstrated what being a woman in ministry looks like for young girls and women who benefit from seeing this call lived out. Seeing women lead removes the gender barriers that are sometimes present and invites people to respond to God regardless of gender.”

Gloria: “What moves me most are the parents of daughters who have shared their gratitude for the women role models who love Jesus and love people well. There is something irreplaceable about a young girl seeing that reflected in a woman in leadership.”

Challenges Women Face in Ministry Leadership

OK, time for the difficult stuff. Our leaders share challenges they’ve navigated as women in ministry leadership and how their friendship with God has strengthened and sustained them. Perhaps you have noticed or felt these challenges, too.

What’s a challenge you’ve faced as a woman in ministry?

#1. Loneliness

Denise: “The leadership of the church (this may be both male and female) is not always welcoming to women into their full calling to ministry. It can be a lonely journey especially for those of us who have been at this for a while. It is difficult to find women mentors who have been on the journey of ministry and are ‘one step ahead.’ ”

#2. Discouragement

Gloria: “I have spent the majority of my ministry years as the only woman, or one of two, in pastoral leadership positions while most of the support staff were comprised of women. I have often carried the weight of being the lone voice advocating for women’s perspectives at the leadership table. And even with a seat at the table, I haven’t always felt heard. That has been discouraging and exhausting at times.”

#3. Rejection

Kari: “There have been many occasions where I have been challenged but I did not let it bother me. Some particular instances I can recall is several men walking out of a meeting when I stood up to offer a devotional and the opening prayer. They did not feel they should sit under the authority of a woman.”

#4. Condescension

Katie: “There have been a few times when I felt like I wasn’t taken seriously by others (to be clear, not our staff). Sometimes there seems to be an attitude of ‘you just work with the kids.’ ”

#5. Focus on Appearance

Kari: “I have also always been very aware of my appearance when speaking in the church. Most times I wore a clergy robe or a blazer. My dress length was important, and I hardly ever wore pants. Modesty was everything. I did not want anything, including my gender, to detract from God’s message for God’s people.”

How do you face and work through those challenges?

#1. Find community.

Denise: “Don’t try to go it alone! Find your community, and lean into it, and offer community to other women in ministry. Looking for “companions on the journey” or “peer role models” has been life-giving for me. These are women (and sometimes men) with whom we can link arms and share the ministry journey together. In my Ph.D. research, I uncovered the importance of having three types of role models:

• Ministry role models—those who will open doors of ministry for you.
• Pedagogical role models—those teachers/professors who saw potential in you and believe you into being more than you could have imagined.
• Peer role models—those with whom to link arms and navigate the shared journey of ministry. Peer role models understand and give encouragement to help us know we are not alone. They can be that safe place to process both the challenges and the joys of ministry life.”

#2. Remember your calling.

Kathie: “Know that if God calls you into ministry, He will be faithful to equip you and give you what you need to not only lead but lead well. We cannot serve in our own strength and need to have a good foundation to draw from when things are challenging.”

Kari: “I knew absolutely that I was called by God into ministry, and I remained fully reliant on God and asked the Holy Spirit to use me as a vessel. All of God, none of me. I could feel Christ with me in every worship service, every funeral, every hospital or nursing home visit, and generally in all situations I didn’t expect!  I know without a doubt that God put actual words in my mouth to comfort and bless someone.”

Gloria: “I keep going because I believe a woman’s voice is critical to any decision the church makes. When God has me in a room, I will use my voice. And when I’ve reached a point where I can no longer respect the leadership, I’ve made the hard choice to leave. But until that point, I press in, seeking God’s strength, guidance, and wisdom to keep pushing through.”

Author’s note: As I edited this section, the VBS song “Made for This” popped into my head and served as the soundtrack for the rest of this article. If you’d like, download it here to share with all kids at your church!

#3. Lean on God.

Denise: “It is absolutely paramount for me to keep my life of faith fresh and alive in the midst of the work of ministry, let alone being a woman in ministry. Regular times of worship and prayer, Bible reading, retreat, engaging spiritual companions, and service have been key in keeping my perspective and working through the unique challenges of being a woman in ministry.”

Gloria: “My relationship with God is what keeps me anchored when I face challenges especially as a woman in ministry. In those moments, I go back to the truth that he has placed me exactly where I am for a reason. I lean into prayer and into what I know of his character: that he sees me and he hears me.”

Jeannie Martin, another faithful female ministry leader, shares the importance of soul care in this article. Check it out!

#4. Take courage and have confidence!

Katie: “Lead in confidence, trusting God has given you a role to do. When faced with one of those awkward moments breathe, pray, and lead with grace.”

Kari: “Embrace being a woman no matter what God calls you to do. I was the only woman ever appointed to the church where I served. It had been nearly 100 years with only a male in the pulpit. God told me one day to not let that bother me. They had been through conflict, in-fighting, and division. When a female pastor showed up, I was what they needed. God sent them a “mommy” to comfort them, pray with them, and encourage them. I am a mother and grandmother; I understood that assignment!”

Shoutouts to Women in Ministry Leadership!

Our leaders recognize and thank the women in ministry leadership who have encouraged them and pointed them to Jesus!

Who is another female leader that inspires you?

Kathie: “My friend, Kim Botto, is someone I admired from afar for many, many years, but when we began serving together for a non-profit children’s ministry organization, I had a front row seat to how much wisdom she had, how she was able to see what needed to be done and actually make a strategic plan to get it done. She’s a powerhouse! I want to be like her when I grow up.”

Denise: “Dr. Linda Canell was my doctoral advisor, and I found her commitment to serve children while teaching in higher education compelling and inspiring. My female colleagues at Bethel Seminary and Sioux Falls Seminary/Kairos University have been wonderful companions on the journey as we together seek to follow our calling. In the global domain I have been impacted by Sylvia Foth, Dr. Rosalind Lim Tan, Dr. Esther Zimmerman, Dr. Sheryl Grunwald, and Dr. Seble Asrat who I have had the privilege of working with as we seek to learn from our global sisters and brothers and speak into the global spaces.”

Kari: “Honestly, the first two names that come to mind are Harriet Tubman and Esther from the Bible. In both cases, these women were amazingly strong and brave. They risked their lives to save others and went against cultural norms. Also, both women were humble and put the call and the needs of their people ahead of themselves. I pray for that kind of courage and the wisdom to follow without looking for the easiest route.  I’m sure there are many others I could list, but this is what came to me first and foremost.”

Let’s Wrap Up With a Story

Kari shared this heartwarming story. May it encourage you to consider all God might have in store and who you’ll celebrate with in heaven!

“Once I had a gentleman ask me why I ever chose ministry. The answer always was and always will be, ‘I didn’t choose this, God chose me.’ From the time I was 4 years old, I would ‘play church’ instead of cooking pretend meals or doing puzzles. My great-grandmother would be my congregation, and we would sing familiar hymns and pray the Lord’s Prayer. Great-Grandma would say, ‘You are a great preacher; too bad you are a girl and you aren’t’ allowed.’ I remember being devastated. But here we are decades later, and my time in pulpit ministry has been God-led, God-fed, and God-affirmed. When I see my great-grandma in heaven, I can’t wait to tell her all about it!”

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Find out more about these wonderful leaders!

Be sure to follow the links and find out more about the amazing ways they serve God’s Kingdom.

Kathie Phillips

Kathie serves as the Senior Director of Next Gen Ministry at Central Presbyterian Church in Baltimore, Maryland, where she lives with her family. She has lent her voice to help other leaders through her blog, numerous published articles and podcasts, book contributions, and national conference workshops. Her first book, Top 50 Object Lessons, was released in 2017. Her second book will be published in 2027. She also recently contributed to Group’s Team Family, along with her daughter, Kennedy.

Dr. Denise Muir Kjesbo

Denise served as Professor and Program Director at Bethel Seminary in the M.A. in Children’s, Youth and Family Ministry for 25 years and continues to serve as the Director of the Cory Center for Children’s Ministry at Bethel Seminary.  She leads the Nurturing Faith Collective. Denise is passionate about facilitating partnership between church and home and has recently co-authored a research-based book “Partnering Church and Home: Discipleship for the Next Generation.”

Gloria Lee

Gloria is a UC Berkeley and Talbot School of Theology graduate with over 30 years of experience in ministry with kids, students, and families. She is passionate about equipping leaders and parents to help kids and teens love and follow Jesus. Gloria has contributed to Children’s Ministry Magazine, Ministry Spark, International Sports Ministry curriculum, and several blogs and books. She serves on staff at Pacific Crossroads Church in Southern California and enjoys Wonder Woman, the beach, discovering new restaurants, travel, and unwinding with a good book or show.

Kari Swigart

Kari served Trinity United Methodist Church in Lewistown, Pennsylvania for 17 years. She also served as an interim pastor for three congregations in Central Pennsylvania. Kari is currently retired and filling in pulpits when pastors take a Sunday off for refreshment, vacation, or family matters. She lives with her husband, Steve, who is also a retired pastor. They have three adult children and seven grandchildren. Prior to going into the ministry, Kari was an elementary school teacher for 23 years!

Katie Bliss

Katie lives in Bayport, Minnesota and lead Children’s Ministries at Hope Church in Oakdale, Minnesota. She has an M.A. in Children’s and Family Ministry from Bethel Seminary and a degree in Elementary Education from University Northwestern. Katie and her husband have three adult daughters, two sons-in-law (going on three), and a beautiful granddaughter. She also works with an organization called the Nurturing Faith Collective where she helps oversee free articles and ministry helps for children’s ministry leaders.