All of Jesus' disciples are called to love God with all of who they are and to love their neighbours as themselves.  The apostle James depicts this goal as being "mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:4)  The author of Hebrews confronts his readers, "by this time you should be teachers," and challenging them to "go on to maturity," thus implying that the natural result of growing to maturity is the ability to love and teach others. (Hebrews 5:11)  This seminar argues that this biblical picture of maturity is a synonym for biblical leadership.

The role of women in church leadership positions is a controversial question in the evangelical community.  Because the Forum is a network of participants who view this issue differently, the Forum does not take a position or offer teaching of the various opinions.  Regardless of how we answer this question, every female disciple of Christ should be encouraged to grow to maturity and use her gifts to reflect the character of Christ and to extend His Kingdom. 

The seminar’s speakers will address the following topics:

• Biblical perspectives on difficult relationships

• How to grow a strong Christian mind and evaluate the culture

• The challenges and strengths of women in leadership

The programme will include time for personal evaluation and discussion of the challenges to women in various leadership roles.  The programme includes time in small groups during breaks and meals to encourage relationships and prayer. If participants are interested, there will be opportunities for personal mentoring during the Forum. 

The conference is offered without cost to all women participating in the Forum.  In addition, food and lodging from Friday 21 May through Saturday 22 May afternoon will be provided free of charge. 

RSVP: 

If you want to be a part of this meeting you must write to Kevin at contact@euroleadership.org to reserve a space, meals and room. 

If you cannot come, please let Kevin know as well.

Ann Blaser has a BS and MA in Education and was a teacher in the public school system. While raising two children she began leading and teaching in Bible Study Fellowship, a leading international organisation for getting lay Christians studying the Bible. She has taught a weekly Bible study for 400 to 500 women for 20 years, and led and trained a 60-person leadership team for this ministry. She has been responsible for recruiting and training leaders in how to understand God’s word, and how to shepherd groups of Christians to maturity.

Margunn Serigstad Dahle, the co-leader of the European Media Communicators Network, is Lecturer at Gimlekollen School of Journalism and Communication, Kristiansand, Norway, where she has taught in the fields of communication, media and worldviews since 1991. She is Programme Director of the Communication and Worldviews Bachelor Programme, which is designed to equip evangelical communicators and apologists in various fields for the contemporary Western cultural context. A regular lecturer, speaker and writer in various contexts in Norway, especially connected to her Damaris involvement, she is also Chairman of the Lunde Publishing House.

Nanette Helm is a former public school teacher with her BA and Master of Education. She is married with three adult children who are walking with the Lord. She has lead a Mom’s in Touch prayer ministry and helped lead a church prayer ministry for many years. For the past 23 years she has helped lead a Bible Study Fellowship class through a number of roles. Currently she is the teaching leader teaching the book of John to a class of 380 women in Indianapolis.

Nola Leach is the Chief Executive of CARE (Christian Action, Research & Education), one of Europe’s leading Christian charities which provides resources and helps bring Christian insight and experience to matters of public policy and practical caring initiatives. CARE undertakes a variety of social caring and educational programmes and research.  It is represented in the UK Parliaments and Assemblies, at the EU in Brussels and at the UN in Geneva and New York.  As Head of the Public Affairs team, Nola leads campaigns on topics such as human trafficking, Internet pornography and the value of human life from its beginning to natural end. She has overseen the publication of Living Free, a sequel to the CARE book Searching for Intimacy – a resource designed to help those trapped in the net of Internet pornography. Nola is increasingly in demand as both a writer and public speaker.  She has penned numerous articles, and regularly appears in the media.

Speaker: Nola Leach

Topic: The Journey of Becoming a CEO as a Woman

 It has been said that “leadership is communicating people’s worth and potential so clearly that they are inspired to see it in themselves. It all begins with oneself. How is it that a woman can find herself leading a large Christian charity? Drawing on her experience working in education, the health service, the local church and as a mother, Nola will illustrate how God has put the different pieces of the jigsaw together to bring her to this point. In doing so, she will examine the snares along the way, together with joys and challenges.

Speaker: Margunn Dahle

Topic:  Christianity and Culture

TBA

Speaker: Ann Blaser

Topic: Women in Connection

More often than not women are seen as responders rather than initiators.  A great deal of how we see ourselves comes out of our relationships with others - both men and women.  But our perspective is not always accurate, and God wants to aid and direct us to live in harmony while being useful to His Kingdom.  How did the women of the Bible deal with difficult relationships and what can we learn from them?  This lecture will deal with subjects such as: marriage to a believer or an unbeliever while in ministry, the struggle of yielding to the structure within a ministry and thriving there, as well as recognising responsibilities that are uniquely feminine that require uncommon strength.

Friday 21^st May

You will need to arrive sometime during the afternoon of Friday, 21^st May to register for the Forum and check in to your hotel room. 

18:00-19:00 – Dinner in small groups

19:00 to 19:45 – Lecture, by Nola Leach

19:45 to 20:15 – Q & A

Saturday 22^nd May

7:00 Breakfast

8:30 to 8:45 – Devotional, led by Nanette Helm

8:45 to 9:30 – Lecture, by Margunn Dahle

9:30 to 10:00 - Q & A

10:00 to 10:30 – Coffee Break

10:30 to 11:15 – Lecture, by Ann Blaser

11:15 to 11:45 – Q & A

11:45 to 12:45 – Lunch

12:45 – End of the Women and Leadership Pre-Forum Conference

Participants are strongly encouraged to sign up for Pre-Forum Seminars which take place on Saturday afternoon.

TBA

There will be an organised dinner for all interested women participants of the 2010 Forum later in the week.