When She Serves

Brenda Leavenworth, Kelly Bell, and Becky Dente continue their five-part discussion of Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by focusing on dysfunction #2, the fear of conflict. They explain that conflict is inevitable in life and ministry and that avoiding it often pursues “artificial peace,” producing passive-aggressive meetings, parking-lot conversations, and unproductive decisions...

Spiritual Gifts: Using Motivational Gifts When She Serves Podcast Host:  Brenda Leavenworth Guests:  Krista Fox & Christy Duff In this episode of the  When She Serves Podcast , Brenda Leavenworth is joined by Krista Fox and Christy Duff for a practical and biblical conversation about  motivational gifts  and how God uniquely equips His people to serve the Body of Christ. Drawing from Romans 12...

In this episode of When She Serves, Brenda and guest Janie Alford begin a three-part series on spiritual gifts by focusing on the manifestation gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:1–11, emphasizing that these are visible works of the Holy Spirit given “for the profit of all,” not badges of spirituality or tools for entertainment or profit. They discuss how the Spirit distributes gifts as He wills and why th...

The Foundational Dysfunction: Overcoming the Absence of Trust on Ministry Teams In this episode, the hosts begin a five-part series on Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by focusing on the foundational issue: the absence of trust. They discuss how unmet expectations can breed suspicion, and define trust as believing the best about others, especially when mistakes, lateness, or fail...

Today, Krista sits down with Sheila Sells of  Poimen Ministries  for a rich conversation about her life and calling to minister across remarkably diverse settings. Sheila has served as an assistant chaplain during her tenure as an officer in the Wyoming Air National Guard, and has walked faithfully alongside her husband as he stepped into the role of lead pastor at Calvary Chapel Cheyenne. Whether...

In this episode, Rosemary chats with Amy Nunnally to talk about her experience as a pastor's wife as they stepped into the new role of leading Legacy Christian Fellowship . She opens up about the faith it takes to leave the familiar, find your footing in a new congregation, and discover how God is uniquely calls people to lead and serve in seasons of unknown. Whether you're in a season of...

In this episode, Brenda and Krista sit down to discuss the real, and often painful experience of entering the empty-nester phase of life after your children move out. They reflect on how your identity, purpose, and calling shift when daily motherhood changes, and how God often uses this season to deepen calling rather than diminish it. Listeners will be encouraged to embrace the season with trust,...

In this episode, Brenda, Kelly, and Christy discuss the process and reasons for crafting their own original Bible studies for the women in their communities. They candidly share the challenges of developing biblically sound content and thought-provoking discussion questions, while also celebrating the profound impact of creating materials that speak directly to the unique needs and experiences of...

In this episode, Brenda sits down with Shannon Deane to discuss her experience and role as her husband Andy ( Cornerstone Community Church ) transitioned to the role of lead pastor right before the COVID pandemic of 2020. She shares some of the challenges, identity shifts, and spiritual growth that came with learning to support her husband while discovering her own place in the life of this church...

In this breakout session from the 2024 West Coast Conference, Robin Lewis explores how Christian women can navigate tension while remaining grounded in truth. You’ll be encouraged to sit in uncertainty without striving for quick resolution and approach hard conversations with courage, humility, and a steady confidence rooted in Christ. We pray that this conversation encourages you to continue to l...

In this episode, Brenda sits down with Kelly and Shannon to explore how women in church leadership can steward their time with wisdom, clarity, and grace. They discuss practical, faith-centered strategies for setting boundaries, prioritizing family and ministry, and aligning your schedule with God’s calling rather than constant demands. If you’re juggling meetings, mentoring, family, and personal...

In this breakout session from the 2024 West Coast Conference, Grace Worholic shares through her experiences of living in various cultures as a missionary and how Jesus gives His people a common culture to share. Through our family of origin, our traditions, our spoken language, and in where we live and our context of ministry, we are all culturally influenced, whether we realize it or not. Through...

In this episode, Brenda, Krista, and Christy explore how intentional Christian mentorship fosters spiritual maturity and builds lasting community within women's ministry. This episode dives into the biblical call for women to walk alongside one another, offering hope and accountability through life’s various seasons. Join us as we share some practical strategies for finding a mentor and creati...

Loneliness in life and ministry ebbs and flows in many shapes and forms. In this breakout session from the 2024 West Coast Conference, Christy Duff talks through her experiences and invites us to cling to Jesus and to community. The Lord equips us to walk through these moments and helps us to minister to those who are walking in seasons of loneliness, especially in this holiday season. We pray tha...

In this episode, join renowned author and scholar Rebecca McLaughlin as she speaks at Day 2 of the WSL West Coast Conference 2024. She explores the pivotal role women played in Jesus’s ministry, revealing how their faith and courage illuminate deeper truths about the gospel. Rebecca is the award-winning author of  Confronting Christianity  and  Jesus Through the Eyes of Women , and holds a Ph. D....

In this episode, join renowned author and scholar Rebecca McLaughlin as she speaks at the WSL West Coast Conference 2024. She explores the pivotal role women played in Jesus’s ministry, revealing how their faith and courage illuminate deeper truths about the gospel. Rebecca is the award-winning author of  Confronting Christianity  and  Jesus Through the Eyes of Women , and holds a Ph. D. in Englis...

In this episode, Brenda, Janie, and Janice explore the often-overlooked issue of ageism in the church and why older women continue to play a vital role in ministry and community life. This conversation highlights the biblical and practical importance of intergenerational relationships, showing how every age group brings unique strengths to the body of Christ. Together, we’ll unpack how fostering a...

Serving in women’s ministry is a calling filled with joy, but it can also leave us exhausted and stretched thin. In this episode, Brenda, Christy, and Grace talk honestly about the weight of expectations, the creep of fatigue, and the struggle to balance service with rest. Together we’ll explore how to find refreshment in God’s presence and practical rhythms that help us continue serving with both...

Today, Brenda sits down with Cicely Corry to explore why Gen Z is showing a greater spiritual openness than previous generations, even as women are leaving the church at higher rates than men for the first time in decades. They delve into the cultural forces and personal experiences fueling this change and offer practical ways that churches can create a more inviting space for women who may be spi...

Join Brenda Leavenworth as she interviews celebrated author Robin Gunn about her life, writing, and the inspiration behind her beloved books. Robin reflects on her most impactful books, shares stories from her writing journey, and discusses how she weaves biblical truth into narratives that speak to readers across generations. Robin Jones Gunn   is the bestselling and award-winning author of more...

Listen in as Kelly sits down with Irene Berheisal, director of Camp Alandale, for a candid conversation about her role, leadership, and experiences. Camp Alandale’s mission statement is “to introduce more and more abused children to the life changing and healing reality of Jesus Christ and equip them to lead meaningful and productive lives,” and she and her husband Tyler have been faithfully livin...

Join us as Brenda, Kelly, and Rosemary discuss some of the unique dynamics of being a pastor's wife and how that can affect relationships with other staff members of the church. They explore some topics such as authority, friendship boundaries, and navigating your role when you're neither boss nor employee in a church setting. We pray that this conversation encourages you to continue to lead with...

In this podcast, Brenda and Krista addresses the difficult reality that women in ministry will inevitably face seasons of profound loss and crisis within their congregations, from sudden deaths to community tragedies. They offer biblical wisdom and guidance for leading through difficulties, building resilience in your congregation, and finding hope when your community needs it most. We pray that t...

In this episode, Kelly interviews Debbie Martis, founder and CEO of Rebirth Homes, an anti-trafficking organization dedicated to supporting survivors of human trafficking. Since 2013, Rebirth Homes has provided safe housing and comprehensive care through a two-year program designed to address the spiritual, mental, and physical trauma experienced by survivors. Debbie shares insights from her faith...

In this episode, Brenda and Krista explore the common struggle of feeling unqualified or insufficient in ministry work, examining how God uses weaknesses and perceived inadequacies as vessels for His strength and glory. They go over some practical strategies for silencing the inner critic, embracing your calling, and finding confidence in Christ's sufficiency rather than your own abilities. We...