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Resources for Female Clergy

BOOKS...

Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling: Equipping and Encouraging Female Pastors,

By Pastor Christine A. Smith...

The reality of a stained glass ceiling is familiar to most women called to the pastorate. Despite being more likely to be seminary educated, female clergy constitute less than 10 percent of Protestant leading pastorates—and those who do hold such pastorates are generally paid less than their male counterparts. In light of such statistics, Pastor Chris Smith explores how to overcome the challenges in breaking through the stained glass ceiling—and she goes a step further. She shares the lessons learned and best practices of the success stories—those women who are currently serving in solo or senior pastorates. Based on a national survey of female clergy, this volume is rich in insights based on data as well as personal anecdotes—insights that will empower not only women called to the pastorate but also their male colleagues and denominational leaders who want to support them.

Visit: www.shepastorchris.org or click on the book image above to order your copy today!

Rev. Barbara J Essex, author of Bad Girls of the Bible...

Bad Girls of the Bible: Exploring Women of Questionable Virtue

The first in an engaging series, Bad Girls of the Bible, looks beyond the infamy to show us women of exceptional boldness, courage, determination, and independence.

This popular twelve-week study explores the likes of Eve, Potiphar's Wife, Delilah, Jezebel, Herodias, the Woman Caught in Adultery, and more...

To learn more about Rev. Essex's ministry, visit

http://www.barbarajessex.com/home.html

Lessons Learned in the Darkness: A Minister's Journey Through Panic Disorder and Depression

By Pastor Marilyn Parker- Jeffries, MAPT

Pastor Jeffries has masterful woven her own personal struggles with Scripture references to verify and clarify that God was and continues to be in the midst of working out His plan in her life. Each chapter builds on the next as she leads you on her journey of personal struggles step by step from a feeling of defeat to victory. She leaves you eager to discover what happens in each succeeding chapter of the book. It is both inspirational and informative. She engages you emotionally, intellectually and spiritually as her journey unfolds. It is a must read for those who struggle and suffer in silence; and it is enlightening for those who are unaware of the struggles that others may have in the Body of Christ. It is a challenge for the Body of Christ/Faith Community to create an environment that is safe for all who may be suffering in silence and are afraid to acknowledge it for fear of rejection. This book will motivate and challenge those who struggle with an issue or condition that hold them hostage in silence. They will be motivated to know that they are not alone after reading this book. They will be challenged to tell their story so that other can benefit from their struggle in the darkness. This book also serves as a wake-up call for the Faith Community or Body of Christ for the need to create an environment of safety and love for those who may be suffering in silence so that they will not fear what fellow believer may think of them. It is a call for sensitivity and understanding, further education, patience, and compassion. Dr. Shirley Howard D. Min. (Quote from Amazon site)

To purchase, click on the book image above

Stepping Back to Step Up: A 6-Week Devotional to Recharge, Refresh, and Refuel Women in Ministry

By Pastor Courtney Clayton Jenkins

Upon answering the call of God to work in ministry and serve the local church, many women find themselves not only thrust into a role of pastoral leadership, but also juggling a myriad of responsibilities between family, church and community. In focusing on commitments to others, too many women in ministry put their own personal needs last on the list. As Rev. Courtney Clayton Jenkins has learned from experience, a great leader is set apart by her ability to find balance, strength and stamina to serve God and others while also taking excellent care of herself. Stepping Back to Step Up offers a solution to this common issue through a daily devotional. These devotionals are to be completed Monday—Friday over a period of six weeks, with a core emphasis on balance and strengthening pastoral leadership...(quote from Amazon site)

To purchase a copy of this book, click on the image above

God's Gifts: Double For Your Trouble

By Author, Poet and Psalmist, Authorine Marie McKnight

To learn more about this exciting, uplifting and encouraging new book, visit http://www.intelligentpublishing.org/ or email Minister McKnight at rinimck@gmail.com !

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Assistance Programs...

Women in Transition Program

Cuyahoga Community College

Eastern Campus

4250 Richmond Rd., Highland Hills, OH 44122

216-987-2270Phone

216-987-2139Fax

http://www.tri-c.edu/apply/specialinterest/Pages/Women.aspx

Tri-C - Where futures begin^SM

One College/One Goal STUDENT SUCCESS

"COTAAN" Covenant Outreach Through Advocacy and Agency Networking. A ministry to support women and girls returning home from incarceration. "A soft landing for those who have had a hard start." Minister Kathryn R. Johnson, Volunteer Coordinator, Rev. Christine A. Smith, Executive Director.

visit http://www.cotaan.org/ for more information.

BLOGS...

Shepastor...Would you like to hear the victories, challenges, insights and words of wisdom from other female clergy, locally and nationally? Would you like to share insights and helpful hints of your own for female clergy?Check out the "Shepastor Blog." Click the link Shepastor: A blog for female clergy

Light and Shadow

Challenges in religious and spiritual life

by Julie Exline, Ph.D.

Julie Exline, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. She is a licensed psychologist and a certified spiritual director. Her research centers on religious and spiritual struggles.

To read her blog, visit,

http://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/dr-julie-j-exline-phd

In Their Shoes: Women Walking with Women Worldwide

A companion blog to the podcast series

To read "In Their Shoes..." visit

http://intheirshoesblog.wordpress.com/

Blog editor, Rev. Sandra L. DeMott Hasenauer

Associate Executive Director

American Baptist Women’s Ministries

P.O. Box 851

Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851

www.abwministries.org

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Institutions, Agencies and Denominational Resources

The Cleveland Baptist Association

The Reverend Yvonne Carter, Executive Minister

Ms. Angelica Williams, Administrative Assistant

12200 Fairhill Ave. B/421, Cleveland Ohio 44120

Office: (216) 325-7730

http://www.cbacleveland.org/

Email: ClevelandBapAssoc@att.net

Inter-faith Community Service Initiative

Cuyahoga Community College’s (Tri-C) Interfaith Community Service Initiative was created to raise awareness of educational and workforce development opportunities among members of faith- based communities.

The Whitehouse has emphasized interfaith cooperation and community service as an important way to build understanding between different communities and contribute to the common good. The White House has invited all institutions of higher learning to join this powerful movement.*

Many local faith leaders have expressed a desire to improve the quality of life in our region, and this is one way that a successful partnership can accomplish that goal. Individuals who receive information about education and jobs in a familiar setting are more likely to finish high school, a GED, college or a workforce program.

Through the Office of College Pathway Programs, Tri-C works to promote academic opportunities, workforce development, and innovative and culturally relevant experiences necessary for success and completion of high school and college

To read more, visit

http://www.tri-c.edu/community/community-services/faith-based-community-initiative.html