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Christian Woman Leadership Podcast with Esther Littlefield & Holly Cain


Jun 16, 2020

Are you struggling to determine how to respond to the collective crises we are facing in our country, the world,  and in the church? There is a lot of pressure on leaders at this time, yet each of our individual situations are slightly different, and how we will respond is different as well.

 

As Christian leaders, we want to respond to national and global crises with wisdom and love. We don’t want to turn a blind eye to the significant pain and suffering of those around us. Yet, there are times when we may be struggling ourselves, either with mental health concerns or significant challenges in our families. 

 

In this episode, Holly and I are talking through our thoughts on the current crises and the challenges that leaders are dealing with. We discuss the factors that can impact our ability or capacity to speak up and how to navigate making this decision for yourself. We also share 6 key things that we can do as individuals when we face collective crises.

 

For the full show notes for this episode, visit estherlittlefield.com/episode104.

 

Key Points Discussed

  • Intro to our topic today [1:00]
  • Ways you can support the podcast [2:15]
  • The crises that have impacted us in 2020 [5:00]
  • Challenges that leaders are facing in this season [11:45]
  • How do we individually respond to collective crises as leaders? [15:32]
    • The added factor of mental health or other personal crises
    • The need for grace rather than shame
    • Esther’s story about attempting to get others to change their actions in the wrong way
  • 6 ways we can can respond as leaders (based on Esther’s blog post) [27:51]
    • Don’t give in to fear [28:40]
    • Be informed, not apathetic [30:55]
    • Pray [36:08]
    • Refrain from judging other people’s decisions [40:11]
    • Support those affected by the crisis [43:36]
    • Lead with wisdom not hype [46:36]
  • Fun question of the day: What’s one summer activity that you can’t wait to do? [52:25]
  • Should we have an event [56:13]

 

Key Quotes from the Episode:

“We need to give ourselves (and others) grace in terms of how we publicly respond to any given crisis.” - Esther

“Give yourself some space and some grace.” - Holly

“If we are not living in the freedom that Christ gives us, then there’s something wrong.” - Esther

“Leaders should not be shaming others into action.”  - Esther

“We need to be very careful with how we are calling out other leaders.” - Holly

“When we shame others into things, we’re only getting an initial response; we’re not getting a long-term change.” - Holly

“Sometimes the silence may look like apathy; that is the challenge, that is the tension.” - Esther

“These days call for wisdom and discernment.” - Holly

“We all have the potential to completely mess things up in how we respond, and that’s why we all need the grace.” - Esther



Scriptures mentioned (ESV):

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:29-30

 

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  - Romans 8:1

 

Esther 4:13-17

Resources & Links Mentioned:

 

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This episode was originally published on estherlittlefield.com/episode104.