COURSE SYLLABUS FOR Women Leading with Influence

3 credit hours Instructor: Mrs. Cynthia Cavanaugh, coachyoulead@gmail.com; 425.949.2930 (available by email, webpage or when on campus during teaching sessions) Purpose: In the ever-changing shifts in our culture, women have unique needs that call for a

diverse approach to ministry. No matter what season of life, they need opportunities to

develop and grow spiritually, emotionally and intellectually. Women have strategic roles

in the home, church, workplace and their communities. Because of this, women are able

to contribute significantly in making a difference in society. Training and equipping

women from a biblical framework influences not only the family but in turn impacts

society. Empowering women creates a chain effect, one woman reaching another woman,

changing one family, impacting a church, inspiring a community and ultimately

influencing a nation.

Course Description

In keeping with the local church mission, this course seeks to further deepen the

principles in Romans 12:4, 5 that the local church is the heartbeat of God’s objective for

the kingdom. It also reflects the growing need to equip and empower women who are

emerging as leaders. It also points to women who have already shown signs of faithful

servant hood in various ministry areas who could benefit from a leadership development

program. This program will also seek to impart biblical truths in each topic that render

the importance of servant-leadership as it applies to the broad scope of ministry and as it

relates to women specifically.

A. Primary Objective

To help further engage women in leadership development for the purpose of

helping them to understand who they are, what their gifting is and how to use it

practically in leading ministry teams, small groups or events.

B. Secondary Objective

To give each woman the opportunity to be connected with an experienced and

seasoned woman in ministry.

This course will seek to equip women in giving them a biblical foundation and

tools of what it means to be a woman in ministry with a broad and practical overview of

serving in their local church and community The course will address how to live out their

unique gifts and for the greater kingdom work.

Course Topic Overview:

Five key training areas will be focused on as a result of Literature Based Research

for the Masters in Leadership Program at TWU. In addition these topics were selected

based on several studies and research from women’s events, extensive personal

interviews, and conferences throughout North America from 2002 to present. From the

interviews and surveys of hundreds of women from various backgrounds and positions

serving in their local churches, these are the topics that most frequently come up as issues

of significance and importance. These are also the topics that women are requesting

based on workshop and seminar attendance at previous leadership conferences. A vast

majority of these women that seek to be equipped and trained are women who are serving

in some capacity in the church and express the desire for further training and

development in these areas. The rationale of choosing these particular topics is to equip

them for whatever role God may be leading them to accept, whether it is a Sunday school

teacher, missionary, director, ministry leader, partner in ministry with their husband, or

many other various roles they might encounter in the church, community, workplace or

home.

1. Identity in Christ: Defining Life Purpose

Learning the key components that God uses to shape people for his kingdom purposes:

• Identity and it’s relationship to effective leadership

• Life Experiences: events that have had significant impact

• Gifts and Abilities: God-designed and spiritual gifts

2. Women in Leadership and the Church

• Understanding your own local church position on women in leadership.

• Developing a personal statement on women and leadership from studying and

reflecting the bible and assigned text and articles.

• Relationships: influential people who have contributed to the overall individual

This portion of the program would facilitate the student being led through a self-

discovery process which would involve exercises in creating a life time-line, personal

mission and vision statement and the opportunity to see “the big picture” of their life as it

relates to current, future, promise and calling in the form of a Life Purpose Plan Portfolio.

3. Finding Your Voice

Focusing on a learning module, which gives tools and resources to help women leaders

communicate more effectively in their environment, will only serve to garner their

influence in a greater way. This will take place by exploring the following:

• Women and men serving together in partnership

• Exercising servant leadership understanding biblical authority both in the church

and in the home with effective communication tools

• Communication in a male dominated organization

4. Work Life Balance: The Art of Self-Leadership

• Learning the tools necessary to maintain health in four core areas: physical,

emotional, spiritual and relational.

• Exploring the benefits of healthy spirituality in leadership and avoiding the

pitfalls. Exercises and assessments will facilitate self-awareness and creating a

program for the student to follow to maintain and implement what they are

learning.

5. Effective Team Building & Conflict Management

• To introduce the importance of building a strong core team to lead and sustain an

effective ministry. Tools and resources for essential strategies and biblical

principles for encouraging, equipping and mentoring a team to go the distance for

maximum influence and impact.

• Tools and resources to gain skills in understanding conflict management within

experiences that occur in ministry and real life settings.

Ministry Project - involves having a mentor to serve as a guide and coach through a

specific ministry project that is designed by the student to be carried out in the context of

our church.

Other topics that might be introduced during the course depending on time:

• Passing the Baton: Giving Yourself Away – Learning to incorporate three types

of relationships into our lives in order to leave a godly legacy: Paul – someone

who can nurture and coach; Barnabas – someone who will be a truth-teller and

peer mentor; Timothy – someone to pass the baton and empower for the future

Course objectives: The Student will:

• Have a clear understanding of their God-given unique design, mission and purpose

as it relates to women serving in the roles that God has entrusted to them.

• Gain a foundation in understanding leadership as a team as it relates to healthy

relationships and church communities working with both men and women.

• Learn to develop skills and training for effective ministry in their local church

• Experience from an assigned mentor #1 - One-on-one Flourish Coaching Sessions

• (via email or phone #2 - The student will work with the mentor in designing and

implementing their Women in Ministry project).

• Learn to develop practical skills used in ministry settings and/or working on a

church staff whether the student is single or married and in partnership with their

husband.

• Understand the realities and complexities of personal growth for maximum impact

in life and ministry and implement a practical lifestyle approach to achieve the

balance necessary for health and wholeness.

Required text:

Beach, Nancy. Gifted to Lead: The Art of Leading as a Woman in the Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan 2008 Saxton, Jo. More Than Enchanting: Breaking Through Barriers to Influence Your World. Downers Grove, IL. Intervarsity Press. 2012 Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. Franklin, TN: Integrity Publishers 2006.

Hart Weber, Catherine. Flourish: Discover the Daily Joy of Abundant, Vibrant Living. Grand Rapids, MI: Bethany House 2010 Cavanaugh, Cynthia. Shattering the Myth of Female Leadership Selected Readings. New Hope Publishers 2013 . Course requirements and due dates:

1. Reading summaries of texts due using the following schedule:

a. Text: Gifted to Lead, & Shattering the Myth of Female Leadership.

Summary Essay Due: Two weeks before start date of class Session One.

b. Text: Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Summary Essay Due: Two weeks

after conclusion of Session One (specific essay guidelines to be given in

class)

c. Text: Flourish Workbook Summary Essay Due: Student will have six one

hour interactions using the workbook with their mentor, summary essay on

interaction is due on completion of six sessions. Student will inform

Instructor during the course a schedule they have set up to complete this text.

d. Text: More than Enchanting Summary Essay Due 2nd session of class.

**Note: essay summary guidelines will be given per each text prior to class

2. Attendance of Women’s Conference and essay reviewing the conference

due two weeks after the conference

3. Women in Ministry Project with an assigned mentor (details for start of project and

due date will be explained the first day of class)

Grading Scheme

Women in Ministry Project – 35% of final grade

Text Summary & Conference Essays – 20% of final grade

Text Summary Essay of Mentor Experience – 15%

Life Purpose Portfolio including Rule of Life – 15%

Final Presentation – 15% of final grade

**Final presentation will consist of a class presentation, strategic plan to

implement what they have learned and/or possibly a short oral presentation

Attendance and late work

Participation and attendance is essential since it is 5 sessions, once a month class; for

a total of 30 hours of instruction whichever the configuration. If one day is missed

you are missing 20% if the class. Special permission will need to be granted for

extra special circumstances if attendance at all sessions will not be possible. All

Assignments are due as outlined in this syllabus or as given by the class schedule.

Submitting assignments after the due date is only to be considered by permission.

All work must be submitted to receive a passing grade in this course.

Note: I may change the provisions of this syllabus, if needed, after consultation with the

class.

Bibliography: Cordeiro, Wayne. Doing Church as a Team. Ventura, CA: Regal Books 2001. Saxton, Jo. More Than Enchanting: Breaking Through Barriers to Influence Your World. Downers Grove, IL: Inter Varsity Press 2012. Edwards, Sue; Mathews, Kelly. New Doors in Ministry to Women. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications 2002. Scazzero, Peter. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality. Franklin, TN: Integrity Publishers 2006. Moore, Beth. When Godly People Do UnGodly Things. Nashville, TN: Broadman and Holman Publishers 2002. Moore, Beth. Get Out of That Pit. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson 2007

DeMoss, Nancy Leigh. Lies Women Believe and the Truth That Sets Them Free. Chicago, IL: Moody Press 2001 Adams, Chris. Women Reaching Women. Nashville, TN: LifeWay Press 1997 Brazelton, Katie. Pathway to Purpose. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan 2005 Weaver, Joanna. Having a Mary Spirit. Colorado Springs, CO: Waterbrook Press 2006 Fincher, Jonalyn Grace. Ruby Slippers; How the Soul of a Woman Brings Her Home. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan 2007 Beach, Nancy. Gifted to Lead: The Art of Leading as a Woman in the Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan 2008 Cavanaugh, Cynthia. Designed for Life: Living Beyond the Ordinary. Surrey, BC 2005 Living Holy: Leadership with Integrity, Surrey, BC 2007 Shattering the Myth of Female Leadership, Blaine, WA 2012

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP COURSE OVERVIEW 2012/2013 Class Topic/Lecture *Reading & **Assignment

Session One IDENTITY

September 29th

Intro to course,

Discussion on More than Enchanting and Shattering the Myth Selections Life Purpose Plan Portfolio

More than Enchanting (all)

Shattering the Myth Selections (all)

**Create Mentor Schedule

**Life Purpose Plan Assignment

Session Two WOMEN IN

LEADERSHIP

October 27th

Discussion on Gifted to Lead and More than Enchanting

Introduction to Flourish Women in Leadership

**Complete Life Purpose Plan Portfolio that wasn’t

completed in class **Statement on Women in

Leadership Assignment Flourish Chptrs. 1-3

Gifted to Lead Chptrs. 1-7

Session Three FINDING VOICE

November 24th

Class presentation: Life Purpose Plan Portfolio Discussion Women in Leadership Statements

Flourish Chptrs 4-9

**Communication Assignment

Session Four

WORK LIFE BALANCE

January 26th

Discussion on Flourish Plan And Emotionally Healthy Spirituality “Rule of Life”

Intro to Team Leadership

Emotionally Healthy Spirituality (all) **Flourish Plan or “Rule of Life”

**Team Leadership

Session Five

TEAM BUILDING & CONFLICT

MANAGEMENT

February 23rd

Team Building Model

Nehemiah

Conflict Resolution

Selected reading on Teams

(all) Book of Nehemiah

(any translation)

**Conflict Styles

CLOSING CELEBRATION

March TBA

Evening gathering with mentors and/or leaders for

encouragement, empowerment and

celebration!!

*Note: Assigned readings are to be read before each

session. **Assignments listed due

for following session

Appendix C

Flourish Coaching Session Samples Six sessions with a mentor will be required during this course. The following outlines

the topics for the Flourish Coaching Model and samples in following appendices.

Used with permission © 2011 Flourish in Life Coaching Training

Session Topic Key Concept Key Scripture Coaching Assignment God’s Invitation to Flourish

You flourish when embracing God’s redeeming Shalom

Psalm 92:12-15 Flourish Path, Flourish Journal and/or scrapbook

Transforming your life to Flourish

You flourish when you intentionally arrange your life to grown in the Spirit

John 15:4-5 Spiritual Practices Inventory Psalm 23 Names of God Exercise

Nurturing Love and Relationships: Relationship Attachment System

You flourish in the presence of God’s love and in relationship attachment with others

I Corinthians 13 Relationship Wellness Inventory

Restoring a Heart of Joy: Joy and Pleasure System

You flourish when facing challenging emotions with a heart open to joy and gratitude

2 Corinthians 1:3-5 James 1:2

Grateful Quiz, Gratitude Exercises, Spiritual Emotional Well-being Inventory

Renewing Peace: Peace and Tranquility System

You flourish when your mind, body and soul are at peace and tranquil

Romans 12:1 Stress Response and Seven Pillars of Health

Encouraging Hope for Your Journey: Hope and Resilience System

You flourish in hope, meaning and purpose when trusting in God’s faithfulness.

Jeremiah 29:11 Flourish Life Plan

Appendix D Flourish Coaching Assignments

Session One: Flourish Path/Failure to Flourish Quiz

Flourishing Path versus A Languishing Path Exercise

On the back of this page draw a picture of what your Flourishing Path and Languishing Path looks like.

©2011 Flourish in Life and Relationships

Appendix D - Session One: Flourish Path/Failure to Flourish Quiz (cont.)

Appendix E Flourish Coaching Assignments: Session Two

Psalm 23 Exercise The Names of God

Jehovah-Roi—my Protector The Lord is my Shepherd

Jehovah-Jireh—my Provider I shall not want

Jehovah-Adonai—my Master, Lord He makes me to lie down in green pastures

Jehovah-Shalom—my Peace, wholeness He leads me beside the still waters

Jehovah-Rophi—my Healer He restores my soul

Jehovah-Tsidkenu—my Righteousness He leads me in paths of righteousness

Jehovah-Shammah—my Divine Presence Though I walk through the valley

Jehovah-Tsebaoth—my Warrior I will fear no evil for You are with me

Jehovah-El Elyon—my Defender Your rod and Your staff they comfort me

Jehovah-Nissi–my Victory, Encourager You prepare a table before me

Jehovah-Mekaddesh—my Righteousness You anoint my head with oil

Jehovah-El Shaddai—my Nourisher, Blessings, Fruitfulness My cup runs over

Jehovah-El Elohim—my Protector, strength Goodness and mercy shall follow me

Jehovah-El Olam—my Eternity I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever

Consider the image of God that you hold in your heart. Which aspect of God strengthens you on your journey at this time?

Characteristics and Descriptive Names of God

Goodness. Holy. Merciful. Wise. Faithful. Full of grace. Comforter. Father. Mother. Shepherd. Judge. Defender. Nurturer. Rock, fortress. Safe hiding place. Refuge, tower, shelter. Protector. Provider. Rose, Lily. Door. Vine. Potter. Dove. Light. Living Bread. Living Water. Love. Peace. Spirit. Healer. Friend. King. Teacher. Kindness. Mercy, grace, patience. All knowing. Creator of heaven and earth. God of all comfort. Passover lamb. Redeemer. Savior. Wisdom.

What images and Names of God are you drawn to at this time on your journey?

©2011 Flourish in Life and Relationships www.HowToFlourish.com

Appendix F Flourish Coaching Assignments: Session Three

Relationship Inventory

Who do you ‘do life’ with? Who are the closest five relationship attachments in your life?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Does it seem like you have too few, too many, the right kind, or a good amount of relationships to help you flourish?

In my life it seems like I have some people that tend to fill me and then some that tend to be more of a drain on me.

List the relationships that fill you and those that drain you?

Relationships that fill me:

Relationships that drain me:

As you reflect on your relationships and others who are close to you, ask yourself: Who do I want to become in this relationship? Make note of your response next to each name.

©2011 Flourish in Life and Relationships

Appendix F Relationship Attachment Chart

What do you think your overall relationship attachment style is? Explain.

Secure

Views self as lovable & valuable, able to reach out & get the love they long for Views God as reliable, loving & there, God cares & is available & responsive Views others as trustworthy & caring, others will be available & responsive Secure way of being: comfortable giving & receiving love, understands & expresses core emotions, able to make sense of relationship disruptions & repair hurts when they arise

Life Experience: loving, caring, love is reciprocal.

Anxious (Preoccupied)

Low view of self, worry about their worthiness to get the love they long for High view of God: God is able to love me but is there for me based on my worthiness High view of others, but doubt the availability & responsiveness of others Anxious way of being: works hard to be seen & noticed & be deserving of love. Longs to be connected but worries others & God won’t want to be close Can be emotional, often mixed emotions

Life Experiences: intrusive or inconsistent relationships

Avoidant

High view of self Low view of God: God does His part, I do my part, God is there but not necessarily involved, God desires obedience Low view of others: unsure others will be there for me Independent & self-sufficient way of being: substitute things & goals for love & comfort. Uncomfortable with emotions

Life Experiences: rejecting, unsympathetic, dutiful

Fearful (Avoidant)

Low view of self: perceive themselves as unworthy of the love they long for Low view of God: if God really knew me He’d reject me, God is not available or supportive

Low view of others: others won’t be there, long for love but fear others will hurt & let them down A mixed way of being: I need you, come close, then I push away as I fear being hurt, gives mixed emotional messages

Life Experiences: abused, neglected, hurt by caregivers

Appendix G Flourish Coaching Assignments: Session Four

Grateful Quiz

Take this quick quiz to assess your level of gratitude awareness. It is not a test, so there is no right or wrong answer for each question. The scale merely gives you some sense of how much you value and practice being grateful in your life.

Select one of the following ratings and enter it alongside each of the ten questions:

1 = none of the time 2 = Some of the time 3 = Most of the time

___ 1. I am aware of having much to be grateful for in my life so far.

___ 2. When I wake up in the morning I feel especially blessed by God.

___ 3. When I pray I thank God for His goodness to me as well as share my requests.

___ 4. Not a day goes by that I don’t reflect back and give thanks for something.

___ 5. I show appreciation to the people in my life I am grateful for.

___ 6. I don’t feel resentful toward people who say life is great for them.

___ 7. I don’t feel envious of people who seem to be more successful than me.

___ 8. I feel appreciated by others.

___ 9. I feel that people really care about me.

___ 10. As I get older my feelings of gratitude get stronger.

___ TOTAL SCORING: Add up your score for all 10 questions. Your maximum score can be 30.

Score: 25 to 30—You are living with an attitude of gratitude.

Score: 20 to 24—You are a grateful person most of the time.

Score: 15 to 19—Your gratitude attitude can do with some improving.

Score: Below 15—Be more intentional to practice gratitude.

©2011 Flourish in Life and Relationships

Appendix H Flourish Coaching Assignments: Session Five

What is Your Stress Story?

What’s your ‘stress’ story?

We are each on a journey and have stress stories to tell. Past and present. What are your stress triggers?

How has stress impacted your life? How have you managed stress - in not so healthy and healthy ways?

What are you stressed, worried, fearful or anxious about right now?

Are you struggling with transitions or change? Are you in a crisis due to intrusive events? Are you experiencing internal uprisings?

What are the symptoms of stress that are disrupting your life?

Other symptoms?

Physical Mental Emotional Other symptoms Headaches Backaches Chest Tightness Fatigue Stomach cramps Difficulty Breathing Diarrhea Loss of sexual interest Insomnia

Difficulty Concentrating Forgetfulness Worrying Thoughts of death Poor attention to detail Perfectionist tendencies Indecisiveness Feeling helpless Catastrophisizing (Blowing things out of proportion)

Anger Anxiety Depression Poor self-esteem Moodiness Suspiciousness Guilt Weeping Loss of motivation

Increased alcohol use Cigarette smoking Increased Caffeine Drug use Violence Overeating Weight gain or loss Relationship conflict Decreased activity

©2011 Flourish in Life and Relationships

Appendix I Flourish Coaching Assignments: Session Six

My Flourish Life Plan

1. My definition of what it means to flourish is?

2. The flourishing botanical metaphor I relate to in this season of my life is...

3. The name of the road that best describes the journey I am on at this time is...

4. Things I am afraid of as I begin the pathways to flourish are ...

5. What are possible roadblocks on my path to flourish that I will have to overcome?

6. Flashing forward five years from now, after being on the flourishing journey, this is how I would describe my life. These are the images and metaphors that reflect my flourishing life in the future.

7. Cultivating my flourishing self I will daily nurture and nourish my life with the vibrant Spirit of God and be aware of what drains, depletes and causes me to languish.

Languishing Flourishing

What drains, depletes, wilts me

What energizes, fills, nourishes me

8. The spiritual pathways that reflect my unique temperament and help me best relate to God, draw near to Him and feel most fully alive in Him are . . .

9. The streams of Christian faith traditions (contemplative, holiness, charismatic, social justice, evangelical, incarnational) that are most life giving to me are . . . (refer to Session #2)

10. The spiritual practices that energize me, nourish me and make me feel the most fully alive to the Spirit of God that I would like to include in the rhythm of my life are . . . (refer to Session #2)

11. The new pathways, faith traditions and spiritual practices that I would like to explore for renewal and a fresh flow of the Spirit are . . . (refer to Session #2)

12. This is my plan to flourish during the challenges of a dry desert or cave experience:

13. For this next section, you may want to refer to the Flourish Practices for Well- Being assessment in Appendix B.

Write a narrative description of what your flourishing life would look like. Include all areas of your life and all the emotion virtue systems covered in this book. Be specific with goals and daily action steps.

14. Consider creating a flourish journal or collage of pictures, Scriptures, quotes and other images that express and inspire you on your journey to flourish.

©2011 Flourish in Life and Relationships

Appendix J

Effective Team Building: Nehemiah Model

PASSION  Knowing  God's  Heart,  planting  the  vision  in  

prayer  Nehemiah  1  

*Vision  and  passion  for  your  ministry  area  

POSSIBILITY  Faith  and  taking  risks  Nehemiah  2:1-­‐10  

*Journey  and  process  

POTENTIAL  Vision  Casting  

Nehemiah  2:17-­‐20  *Engaging  your  team:  networking  and  developing  leaders  

PLANNING  Mobilizing  and  equipping  

Nehemiah  3  *Mission,  &  Vision  

Statement.  Goal  Setting  :  empowerment.  

PERSEVERANCE  Courage  and    commitment  

Nehemiah  4-­‐6  *Action  steps:  Encouragement  

PROMISE  Renewal  and  Resotration  

Nehemiah  8:-­‐13  *Flourishing  team,  unity  

and  celebration!