Blog
5 Ways to Grow in Your Prayer Life
Sisters, as women who are called to lead, we often operate from a deep place of competence and capability. We manage the budget, we coordinate the volunteers, we run the Bible study. We are experts in execution. But prayer is where we lay down our expertise and surrender control to the One who guides our steps. It is the core of our spiritual practices, not just a line item on our spiritual to do list.
Here in New England, we are used to rugged independence. We are good at getting things done ourselves. But prayer is the exact opposite. It is an invitation to depend entirely on God, to bring Him our requests, our praise, and even our complaints. It is not about our effort; it is about His presence. A strong prayer life is not just a nice spiritual extra; it is the very breath of effective, Spirit-led leadership. Without it, we are just running on fumes.
5 Ways to Not Burn Out in Ministry
Let’s be honest, friends. Serving in ministry here in New England requires a special kind of stamina. We have that famous Yankee work ethic, combined with a deep spiritual need in our communities. As women leaders, we often add another layer to that: the instinct to nurture everyone, fix every problem, and bake homemade gluten-free muffins for the volunteer appreciation breakfast at 2 a.m.
I remember a distinct moment early in my ministry when I hit a wall. I was juggling leading a Bible study, preparing four hour-long sessions to teach at a retreat, and organizing a women’s luncheon at my church. I found myself crying in the church storage closet because I couldn't find the “right” kind of centerpieces for the luncheon. It wasn't about centerpieces. It was about having nothing left in the tank.
5 Ways to Be Peaceful in Turbulent Times
If you live in New England, you know the specific kind of panic that comes with navigating a rotary in a blizzard. Sometimes ministry leadership feels exactly the same way. You are spinning in circles, visibility is low, and you are pretty sure nobody used their blinker. We wrote our latest blog post for every leader who feels like they are white-knuckling it through a storm. We are sharing 5 practical tips for finding peace when the waters (or the roads!) get choppy.
5 Ways to Carry Christmas into the New Year
The lights are coming down, but the Light stays on. Don't let the wonder of Christmas fade into a New Year routine! Our latest blog post has 5 simple, soul-filling ways to carry the spirit of Immanuel (God with us) into your daily life and leadership. Tap the link in bio to read: “5 Ways to Carry Christmas into the New Year.”
Am I Really Grateful?
We often wonder if we're truly grateful, especially when longing for "more" leaves us discontent. But nothing in this world will satisfy. Find true, lasting satisfaction by taking the advice of Hebrews: look to and meditate on Jesus Christ.
3 Things I Remembered from My First By Design Retreat
After over 25 years in ministry author Kim Findlay attended her first women’s retreat with By Design. Initially excited, she soon felt nervous and insecure, unsure how to simply “be” instead of lead. Encouraged to let God minister to her, she was reminded that God desires her heart, not just her deeds. God showed her three important things:
“But I’m Not a Leader” - By Design’s Philosophy of Participation
Have you ever considered attending a By Design Ministries event but hesitated at the sight of the word “leader” or a registration question asking you to list the position of leadership you hold in your church or organization? Wherever God has you right now, you are leading and influencing others for the Kingdom.
Ready to Serve: Encouraged & Equipped
Knowing the by design ministries’ mission “to develop women who are servant leaders for the equipping of God’s church and the enlarging of His Kingdom” was freeing, as I wasn’t being recruited for something new but being fed, encouraged, and equipped to go back to my home church and serve where God had called me.
Designed for Community
In a quick Google search, you can easily find multiple studies that speak of the loneliness and isolation that can come along with being in ministry leadership. Leaders are often overextended, lacking in support staff, and so focused on serving others that they can forget to actually jump into the communities they are bringing together. I’m ashamed to admit it, but I know that, for myself, the first things to go when I am stressed or busy are spending time with God and quality fellowship with others.
Designed in Generations
It is so important to have women of all generations together. Our society often tells us the opposite. The young are characterized as flighty, lazy, and entitled. The old are characterized as out of touch or too authority-focused. These stereotypes are roadblocks to what our communities could be.
Kinship of Understanding
No man is an island, but it’s possible that in ministry we might feel like we’re isolated on one sometimes. The New England reality we all know is that our churches and ministries are typically not very large. The role that you are serving in most likely has some element of solitariness to it. Especially in the particular responsibilities you carry. Especially in leadership.
Designed to be Human
Women in leadership in ministry and beyond tend to be at a crossroads of expectations. They are often expected to be both meek and strong, in charge but not bossy, compassionate but not too emotional, in control but not heavy-handed, etc. This can create pressure to be perfect, to put on a facade, or to be “on” all the time. This becomes exhausting.