Let me start with a simple biology lesson. Women and men are different in every way, not just biologically or physically. We are different spiritually and emotionally. We are not only different on the outside physically but even on the inside biologically. There is a little thing called testosterone that researchers state contributes and drives much of our differences. So, let’s start by examining what testosterone does for men. Testosterone is a male hormone, actually a sex hormone, produced by the testes that encourage the development of male sexual characteristics. Now that we’ve had our little health lesson, it does not take a genius to realize that women don’t have too much of this hormone. Testosterone characterized in men not only drives a man’s physical maturity but it also contributes to the boldness and aggressive nature of some men. Because women lack much of this hormone, there has always been a stigma as it relates to the qualifications of becoming or being a strong leader. A few indispensible qualities of a leader can be defined as confidence, strength, determination, aggression, fast decision making and boldness. Since the beginning of time, women have been considered to lack these things as it relates to leadership. I say this due to the fall of Adam and Eve. It was Eve’s temptation and choice to disobey that led to the fall. What would have happened if she would have ignored the serpent or maybe even had been content with the directions the Lord had given them? I know that’s water under the bridge, but one cannot help but think at least once a month about “the what if” factor. So, we can actually blame Eve for the great separation in genders.

Everything I have stated in this article so far has been based off societal generalizations and prejudices. Women and men can equally be great leaders because we know that leadership actually begins with the condition of the HEART. It has nothing to due with gender or, as some may think, race. The fact is to society I’m a double negative. I’m a female leader who happens to be African- American. By the way, I dislike that term too, but I will have to address that in the next article.  For now, I will address myself as an African- American since it sounds more distinctive. Getting back to the leadership dilemma…  I’m a female leader in the church in a role that is held by predominately males.  This was never really intimidating when I fist began in youth ministry because I did not know anything different. I would say my insecurities were learned behaviors.  It started when I began attending networking meetings.  Not only was I always the only African-American, but I was also always the only female.  As I started to attend conferences and seminars, I noticed that many people did not look like me. I also noticed that the few who did, I had nothing in common with.  Go figure. I’m a leader in a somewhat large church that is very relevant and considerably very progressive. My church embraced the Purpose Driven model about 10 years ago. At that time you could not find many African- American churches that were Purpose Driven.  So, from the beginning, we were always set apart a little different from your ordinary church.  We pushed the envelope in our non-traditional setting and welcomed this fresh paradigm.  With the philosophies we had as a church, it was hard as a leader to find support and mentoring that aligned with who I was. I had more in common with predominately white churches as it related to ministry structure.  It was not until I tried attending a youth network in my area that I realized that wouldn’t fit either.  I e-mailed and called the leader and, much to my surprise, I would never get a call back.  I was desperate for fellowship and to meet people I could learn from.  I actually visited a church of one of the members of the network.  He was very nice and again gave me the person I should contact to become a part of the network.  After months of trying to connect, I gave up. I figured they were not meeting or maybe the guy was no longer a Pastor at the church. In fact, to this day, I’m still waiting to be contacted.  It was not until I attended a conference session for women that I discovered the group I was trying to associate with was particular denomination that did not take kindly to women in leadership.  This was suggested in the session when I stated I was having a hard time joining youth networks in my area.  To be honest, I was oblivious to the situation.  The first church I joined in college had a female Pastor, so I have always been surrounded by female leaders.

Just to give you some brief history about me…  I was totally unchurched until I was about 20 years old, so I had no past history of denominational rules or who should or shouldn’t be a leader within the church.  I was a military brat whose life was filled with diversity from birth to college.  I had no past experiences that would even cause me to think that maybe they intentionally did not contact me.

In that women in ministry session, I heard many of the issues that the female leaders were experiencing.  I was amazed!  I could not believe this was happening in God’s church.  What would Jesus Do?  It brought clarity to some things I had felt but could not interpret.  I made some great connections in that session, and it really provoked me to do some self-introspection.

Many people ask me what struggles I’ve experienced being a so called “Double Negative.” To be totally honest, race has never been an issue for me.  Since I can remember, since elementary school, I have always displayed leadership qualities and have been entrusted by many with leadership responsibilities as early as 3rd grade.  I can only recall two incidents that made me feel somewhat uncomfortable. One happened when I was around nine.  I was a proud girl scout, a.k.a. “the cookie queen,” for my troop.  That means I sold the most cookies yearly.  This earned me quite a lot of respect.  The troop that I was a part of was in an affluent section of my town.  I was the only African-American participant in the entire program.  I was somewhat naïve to that in the beginning until the big divide happened.  All the girls in my troop were invited to a sleepover except me.  I remember feeling like an outcast.  Why didn’t they invite me?  It’s funny to even write about it because I have buried that experience and did not recall it until a few moments ago.  I remember that feeling like it was yesterday.  I felt rejected; a feeling that I would only experience two additional times before adulthood. I have no idea why the other girls did not invite me. Maybe they forgot.  Maybe it was because I was African-American.  Or maybe it was because I did not attend the same school as many of them did.  Who’s to say?  I will never know the real reason, but I do know the feeling that experience left me with.  My key learning from that experience: Color does not define you.  If others want to discriminate against you because of their own prejudices, that is their loss.  The feeling I felt years ago is the same uncomfortable feeling I get from time to time as I take my journey down the path of leadership.  I’m reminded that I am not defined by my race.  I am first a Christian.

In the women’s session I attended, I was not only enlightened but it also removed a few blinders I’ve worn.  Just because I may not experience many of the issues I heard did not mean it does not exist.  I began to understand and empathize with some of my female leaders.  It actually challenged me to be an encouragement to other female leaders.  I never use my race or gender as a crutch or as an excuse. Not to say that other women do this.  Everyone’s experiences are different and we all face different challenges.  I understand that my leadership abilities have to do with my calling.  This is something I have been anointed to do.  It’s something I’m destined to become.  So if God has called me, he has also equipped and prepared me for everything I will need to conquer every challenge and to stand bold in every situation.  I admit sometimes I forget this, many times when things become difficult or frustrating.  At those times I know I must tap into the resources of the courage giver.

I have developed over the years as leader.  As I look back, many of the issues I’ve faced have not been because there is a lack of testosterone or the presence of melanin in my skin.  It has been because of my on personal hang-ups.  This has been a journey about discovering, embracing and walking as the person God has created me to become.  Because once you discover that there’s not a person alive that can disqualify you, tear you down, look over you, remove you or STOP YOU, anything’s possible.  It’s about perspective.  My battle and struggles have been with my inward self and not others.  Because of past experiences, I have struggled with confidence in certain areas and battled fears and insecurities which affect me as a leader. So sometimes you may tend to blame others, but as you examine yourself at the core, you discover things you sometimes don’t even know exist. Ultimately, it’s not about testosterone.  Having plenty of that can still make you a terrible leader.

Leaders are classified by their character and their servant heart that reflects the heart of Jesus.  There are many qualities that make great leaders, and neither gender nor race are included. So it’s not about men being better leaders.  It’s about the leader God has called you to become.  Leadership styles may differ between genders, and that may make you a great or a poor leader.  Let’s look again at a few qualities of a leader: Integrity, Vision, Willingness to listen, Willingness to serve, Adaptability, Trust, Communication, Confidence, Influence, Being inspiring, Being a motivator, Patience, Passion, Perseverance, Teamwork, Wisdom, and Problem Solving. These qualities don’t require a specific gender, race or ethnicity.  They require a condition of the heart which can only be purified through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  My journey as female African- American leader in youth ministry may not have been your story but it’s a story.  All of our stories are different.  All of our challenges are different.  My discovery is on-going.  I’m challenged each week in some way.  At the end of the day, for me it’s about knowing who God has called me to be.  With that comes the courage and boldness that allows me to overcome any obstacle.   So, no I don’t have much testosterone, I’m not an aggressive woman, and sometimes I lack the boldness I need.  Many times I let my insecurities take over.  But at the end of the day, I’m a woman of God who has been called to serve the next generation and I just happen to be African-American. I’m a leader who lacks testosterone, and that’s alright.  I’m becoming just who the Father intended for me to become as I mature and grow! So if you are facing challenges because of rules, prejudices, fears or insecurities, know that the Lord is with you, He sees you, He will comfort you.  Be bold, courageous and stand firm. If He has called you, he has prepared you to pass every test that will come your way.
Scriptures that guide:

• Isaiah 40:31
• Hebrews 13:
• Isaiah 43:2
• Philippians 4:13
• Joshua 1:9
• Psalm 118:5-6

Books to read:
Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren
Why Not You 28 days to Authentic Confidence by Valorie Burton
What’s really holding you Back by Valorie Burton
Living the Life you were Meant to Live by Tom Paterson
21 Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell
The Making of a Leader by Frank Damazio

By: Latasha Morrison

We are hard at work getting this ready ready for you. It won’t be long now.

What would you like to see from a blog like this?