Women leaders light the way

One of my dear friends and mentors who made a difference in my life was Lt. Colonel Janice Buchannan. She is in heaven now, but her work continues on in the lives of many. Here are some words of wisdom from her writing:

“Life is a journey that many walk in darkness: ‘The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.  But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.” Proverbs 4:18-19 NIV

As Christians we will never be without the light.  No matter how great the darkness, we carry the light with us wherever our life journey may take us.  As we walk in the light it will never decrease—just the opposite—it will shine ever brighter until we come to complete and full knowledge of truth.

Women’s Ministries Leaders serve as teachers, counselors, preachers, and advocates for women who journey through life in such darkness that they cannot even see what makes them stumble.  We have just what they need—we have the light! 

What are women stumbling over?  Shine your light on it!  Help them see!  Help them with their journey!  Bring them along with you so that they too may come to experience the full light of day.”

Are you a woman leader in The Salvation Army? Are you a Christian woman in leadership? Then, these words are for you. Women’s Ministries Leaders serve. We serve as teachers, counselors, preachers, and advocates for women.

Often I am asked what I do as the Territorial President of Women’s Ministries. I suppose that many of the gender specific Salvation Army appointments can seem quite nebulous or mysterious to both those in The Salvation Army and those looking in from the outside. It is interesting that I rarely hear anyone ask my husband what he does as the Territorial Commander. As a Territorial Leader alongside my husband, my first responsibility is to help lead the territory. Second it is to be a specific advocate for the cause of women and girls. I have just what they need. I have the light that shines in the darkness. I am responsible to find out what women are stumbling over and to shine the light on it. I am responsible to help all people with their life journey and bring them to the full light of day.

What a privilege I have! It is an awesome appointment and responsibility. All of those who serve as Divisional Directors of Women’s Ministries, Divisional Secretaries for Women’s Ministries, Territorial Secretaries for Women’s Ministries, Zonal Secretaries for Women’s Ministries, Territorial Presidents of Women’s Ministries, World Secretary for Women’s Ministries and World President of Women’s Ministries are truly blessed to serve as women leaders specifically tasked with helping make a difference for women in this world. That does not mean we get to neglect men who need the Light of Jesus, but it does mean that The Salvation Army has taken a stand to say that women and women’s issues are important enough to merit a gender specific focus and leadership appointments. That is something to celebrate.

“Women’s Ministries Leaders serve as teachers, counselors, preachers, and advocates for women who journey through life in such darkness that they cannot even see what makes them stumble.  We have just what they need—we have the light! 

What are women stumbling over?  Shine your light on it!  Help them see!  Help them with their journey!  Bring them along with you so that they too may come to experience the full light of day.”

God bless you in your life journey with an ever growing light that shines for all to see.

By Commissioner Debi Bell