Find me a guest speaker for our women's conference

[HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

I'm trying to organise a women's conference for October of this year. We've got everything planned, apart from the main speaker! We need a woman (obv) and it's an evangelical church so we need someone to suit this audience. The theme is 'identity in Christ'.
Does anyone have any suggestions for a speaker?? Thanks.

[thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts]

Is this north or south as travelling time is important? And as evangelical is a very broad church does this mean conservative and headship, conservative and not headship, open, inclusive or any point inbetween?

[fizzoclock]

You could try contacting Awesome. They are a network for evangelical female vicars/curates etc. and would probably be able to point you towards a good speaker. Obviously they are in favour of female leadership which might not fit your church.

[HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

Thanks for your replies! It's in the North of England.
I'm sorry but I have no idea what is meant by headship??

[scrappydappydoo]

Arianna Walker from Mercy ministries. Mercy ministries is an amazing charity based in bradford which supports young women who are struggling with eating disorders self harm and other issues. I've heard her speak a number of times have been really blessed.

[thegreenheartofmanyroundabouts]

Headship is the conservative theological stance that says that men are head off the household and so women cannot be leaders. Not all conservative evangelical churches are against women in leadership which is confusing, but just adds to the richness of Christian life!

[HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

Scrappy we've had Arianna Walker speak once before! She was brilliant! We need someone just like her :)
We don't have women elders, but we've certainly had women who hold leadership roles in other churches come to speak, so I don't think that would rule anyone out.

[scrappydappydoo]

that's great I have so much respect for mercy ministries.
Are you connected to a local network like new wine who could recommend someone?

[HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

Yeah we're hoping someone comes to mind in the next few weeks but otherwise we can ask the wider church network for suggestions, but I like discovering new people.
Last year Jen Baker was fabulous. Would really recommend checking out her website and her new book.

[scrappydappydoo]

Is it a large conference or more local? We've asked women in our church to do talks - sharing their testimony or ministry/work which had been very inspiring as it makes it seem down to earth and 'realistic' iykwim. God will provide the right person :)

[newlark]

The speaker from the London Women's convention in 2011 spoke on Identity www.christianconventions.org.uk/lwc/history.php

[HomeIsWhereTheHeartIs]

Thanks everyone. It's not huge in terms of numbers but we do get people from all across the north of England, and we're going to ask women from our church to run the shorter seminars. I'll check out the website Newlark.

[thanksamillion]

You could try Amy Boucher-Pye She speaks on identity in Christ.

[jaynebxl]

I love Elaine Storkey and Fiona Castle. Both great at women's conferences.

[deepinthewoods]

Does it have to be a christian woman?

[Weegiemum]

I would highly recommend Lynn Alexander

She's a friend of mine and an excellent speaker.