“For she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.15

She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Proverbs 3: 14-15 NIV

Did you know that there are “elephants” sitting in our pews? Women in ministry frequently wrestle with them. Not so much what others do in our churches, but what we face alone and often in silence. For a variety of reasons, many female clergy face isolation due to issues that are unique to women.

In order to gain acceptance, at times, female clergy may deny the extent of their struggles in general as well as those related to their femininity in particular. For fear of being categorized as “weak,” “emotional,” or “incapable,” women sometimes ignore their feelings, the realities of changes in their bodies and “stuff” their frustration.

Loneliness, singleness (not by choice), depression, menopause, lack of financial stability, minimal support, jealousy and envy between, “sisters,” etc., all contribute. These issues become “elephants,” in the pews because we behave as if they don’t exist, yet they are looming large.

This year, three female clergy groups have come together to expose the proverbial elephants, discuss them, be transparent about them and together, receive wisdom from God’s word about how to address them.

Friday, July 31st – Saturday, August 1st, 2015, “Sisters United in Christ," (Founder/Facilitator, Rev. Dr. Crystal Walker), “Encouraging the Prophetic Woman,” (Founder/Facilitator, Rev. Dr. Jacquelyn Ragin) and “Women Together in Ministry of Greater Cleveland – WTIM,” (Founder/Facilitator, Pastor Chris Smith) will host,

"Addressing the Elephants in the Pew:  Pursuing Knowledge, Wisdom and Healing."

Join us July 31- August 1st, 2015.  For more information, click on

"Addressing the Elephants in the Pew"