Any female church leaders here ?

[ChromeC]

NC for this but I'd be interested to hear from any female church leaders and if you have encountered any subtle or overt sexism toward you?

I'm considering applying for ministerial training within my denomination. I feel really called to it, but although nationally my denomination is very pro-women leaders, on a local level it doesn't feel like that's always the case.

In order to be accepted, I'd need to serve a placement in a local church and so right now, for family reasons and not being able to leave the area, I'd need to be placed within the church I currently attend.

It's a good church. The senior leaders are outwardly supportive and are very happy to back my application but sometimes (often times!!), I perceive this 'men's club vibe'. All the leaders are male and basically everything (apart from the crèche and children's work) is run by the men. There is a female preacher once or twice a quarter but otherwise not much female involvement that I can see, outside of the usual 'women's jobs'.

I don't think it's deliberate but to me it feels like an unconscious bias - they gather together as men and if a project needs heading up, they usually pick a man.

All of these thoughts are delaying my possible application as I think I would struggle to serve in that environment. The irony is that in my current career, I lead a team, am responsible for significant budget/huge responsibilities, so it puzzles me why they wouldn't want to utilise any of those skills within the life of the church.

As a female church leader, have you experienced anything like this? How do you do your job in an environment which appears to 'favour the boys'?

NC for this. I am not a church leader. But you have not seen the tip of the iceberg. It will be tough, then tougher. And then tougher yet. And you will get all sorts from women. Do a Deborah. She always strikes me as doing things her way. The bee and the palm tree are so feminine symbols of how to do things so very differently. You can do this. You will find support in strange places, and opposition at the lest expected moments. You already have a team. Which is quite a lot. Also there is nothing unconscious in the bias. Being accepted will be your moving post. It will eventually happen but you will be under scrutiny up until the day you leave. It is what it is. The standards will not be the same. You will truly be a minority and will understand what it means. You need to reach out to other women in ministry in your faith community even if they do not work in your own country. On a national level consider yourself as a true missionary and a pioneer. You are paving the way for a lot of other bright young women. We need you. You have all my support.