Am I a Leader? by Unzu Lee

"From the time I was a child, I believed I should serve God. Now I am studying theology but my church does not yet ordain women. I am waiting for God to do a new thing here.” Grace Rugut Chelagat, a Kenyan woman, spoke these words at the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) consultation on “Gender, Leadership, and Power” held in Limuru, Kenya, June 2007.

Considering that Presbyterians have only recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of women’s ordination as deacons, we do not need to stretch our imagination too much to think of a time when most people considered heretical the notion that women can be leaders. Many women have come and gone while waiting in the borderland between God’s call and the Church’s refusal to accept their calls. Many women of faith, like Grace, continue to live in such a borderland even in today’s world. This legacy is still part of women’s lives, even among those of us in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who believe we have left it behind.

Many women are leaders without even knowing it! Learn about ways to redefine leadership and explore your gifts for leadership in the March/April issue of Horizons.

Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2008 issue (HZN-08-210; $4 plus shipping).

Unzu Lee is a program associate for Presbyterian Women in Louisville, Kentucky.

Illustration by Sandra Charles

Other Articles Online This Issue


Many women are leaders without even knowing it! Learn about ways to redefine leadership and explore your gifts for leadership in the March/April issue of Horizons. Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2008 issue (HZN-08-210; $4 plus shipping).	Am I a Leader? by Unzu Lee "From the time I was a child, I believed I should serve God. Now I am studying theology but my church does not yet ordain women. I am waiting for God to do a new thing here.” Grace Rugut Chelagat, a Kenyan woman, spoke these words at the World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) consultation on “Gender, Leadership, and Power” held in Limuru, Kenya, June 2007. Considering that Presbyterians have only recently celebrated the 100th anniversary of women’s ordination as deacons, we do not need to stretch our imagination too much to think of a time when most people considered heretical the notion that women can be leaders. Many women have come and gone while waiting in the borderland between God’s call and the Church’s refusal to accept their calls. Many women of faith, like Grace, continue to live in such a borderland even in today’s world. This legacy is still part of women’s lives, even among those of us in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who believe we have left it behind. Many women are leaders without even knowing it! Learn about ways to redefine leadership and explore your gifts for leadership in the March/April issue of Horizons. Call (800) 524-2612 or subscribe to Horizons or order the March/April 2008 issue (HZN-08-210; $4 plus shipping). Unzu Lee is a program associate for Presbyterian Women in Louisville, Kentucky. Illustration by Sandra Charles Other Articles Online This Issue Vocation—Who, Me? PLSE: A New Program Helps Young Presbyterians Catch the Beat of Christian Service The Call Toward Joy God Called, I Answered! Am I a Leader? God Has Done Great Things for Me! It Hurts to Be Real "God Has a Task for Me to Finish!" Toward a More Colorful Vision of Vocation Installation Service for Presbyterian Women Dispatch from Forbearance Presbyterian Church Nurturing Our Faith Health Connections Mosaic	Current Issue MAR/APR 2008 About This Issue Contents FREE Resource How to Use In Our Next Issue Items underlined can be seen in this Web site, all others appear in the March/April 2008 (HZN-08-210) issue of Horizons magazine. to Horizons, call (800) 524-2612 or this issue ($4 plus shipping/handling)

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