Cinky Jones

The Leader Who Shines.....Connects with Rest

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday
Oct 202010

Submitted by Victoria Robinson

The most effective spiritual leaders lead with a heart that has found spiritual rest.  To do this PWOC leaders must be willing to examine their inner life.  This involves examining priorities and understanding what the “rest of God” means.

This rest is not about inactivity.  It is about a heart that is surrendered to God.   Ministry is an overflow of that rest.

According to Francis Frangipane: “The Hebrew word for rest was “nuach” and among other things it meant “to rest, remain, be quiet.”  It also indicated a “complete envelopment and thus permeation,” as in the spirit of Elijah “resting” on Elisha. God seeks a relationship where he can “completely envelop and thus permeate” every dimension of our lives; where He can tabernacle, remain and be quiet with us.”

Jesus modeled a life at rest with His Father.   He encourages us to receive this rest in Matthew 11:28-29:

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

#1- Come to me

As leaders we need to have a lifestyle of “coming to Jesus.”

This takes intentionality and consistency. Choose a time of day, a place in your home and have everything ready to meet with the Lord. A bible and maybe a journal can help our focus.

#2 –all you who are weary and burdened

When leaders are asked; “How are you?” all too often the answer is “fine.  What if the Holy Spirit asks you the same question?  If you are weary and burdened you need to be honest before God so that He can take the weariness and burdens from us and exchange them for His peace and rest.

#3- and I will give you rest

Too many leaders have a misconception that God wants them to take on more responsibilities, but the goal of the Christian life is to become like Christ.  Once we understand this we can receive the rest He gives.

#4-Take my yoke upon you and learn of me and you will find rest for your souls.

We are to live a life of learning more about Jesus, and then we find His promised rest!

Rest is not inactivity but a surrendered heart.  It is a holy habit of spending time with God.  We are then able to hear from God and order our priorities.  This results in a life of physical, emotional and spiritual rest.

The hymn “Jesus I am resting, resting” helps us know our burdens are lifted and we are leaders made whole by the rest of God.

Jesus I am resting, resting
In the Joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Thy loving heart.

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A Leader Who Shines....Connects with Eternity

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday
Oct 132010

Submitted by Brenda Pace, SE Titus II, W.I.L.D. Leadership Training Team


Here’s the BLUF (Bottom Line Up Front): Leadership is about people!

It’s not about programs, activities, or events; it’s about people.  And, the BLUF about people is: they are eternal!

A good leader will place her focus on what is most important. If the topic were how to lead well in business, the important focus would most probably be a core product. However, we are talking about leading women in the ministry of Protestant Women of the Chapel, and the important focus for this ministry is the value of an eternal soul.

Practically speaking, in women’s ministry we often include components that are fun to do or appealing to the eye. These things are welcome and valued, but they should all be linked to what is most important—the eternal component. I encourage you as you begin this new PWOC year to evaluate leadership accomplishments for their eternal value.

Ask questions like these that will help in the process of evaluating this goal throughout the year:

1) Have the women who attend PWOC been strengthened in their faith in God?

2) Have they been equipped to deal with things that would discourage and defeat them?

3) Have they been challenged to glorify God as their highest priority?

4) And, the most important question: have they accepted Christ as their Savior?

For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done.

1 Corinthians 3:11-13 (NetBible)

In this passage Paul refers to the many things we do that are of temporal value, as opposed what we build upon the foundation of Christ. He makes the point that sometimes we do things that will simply burn and be gone. Those things that withstand the purifying fire from a temporal to an eternal transformation are the things of real value. These are the things we are to build into our lives and the lives of the women we lead.

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Submit comments or suggestions to leadershipdevelopment@pwoc.org

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A Leader who Shines…Connects with Development

Leadership Development
Sep 222010

Submitted By Tracie Warren

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.  Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).”

Ephesians 5:8-9 (NIV)

PWOC’s third aim is, “to DEVELOP in women the skills of prayer, evangelism, stewardship and social service, against a background of personal spiritual development.”  This involves much more than simply teaching women particular skills.  According to merriam-webster.com, the definition of teach is “to impart knowledge; to cause to know something.”  The definition of develop, on the other hand, is “to make visible or manifest; to subject (exposed photograph material) especially to chemicals in order to produce a visible image.”  Do you see the difference?  I can know something, yet not manifest it in my behavior.  I can learn new information, yet never apply it to my life.  If we consider teaching to engage the head, the mind, with information, developing engages the heart and leads to transformation.

This presents a challenge to PWOC leaders because simply presenting information is not enough.  Somehow we have to create an environment where women (ourselves included) not only hear the information, but internalize it and allow it to be made evident through our behaviors.  We need to create an environment that encourages life-transformation, an environment that produces spiritual fruit.  That is a tall order, and thankfully, it is one we don’t have to take on alone.  Scripture promises the presence of the Holy Spirit.  It is God who works in us “to will and to act according to His good purpose” (Phil 2:13).  We are not ultimately responsible for the transformation of those we lead, however, we’re not completely off the hook either.  We do have a responsibility to cooperate with the Spirit and encourage transformation within the body.

So what can we do to promote development, to encourage transformation?  I believe the best thing we can do is live it, be a model.  If we want women to be transformed, we need to be transformed.  If we want women to develop in prayer, we need to develop in prayer.  There is a slogan I’ve seen around town recently that says, “Be the Change.”  Let us be the change we want to see in the women of our PWOCs.  Let us lead by example, modeling the transformation that accompanies the Christian life.  Let us live as “children of the light” shining as a “city on a hill” (Matt 5:14).

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The 2VP – Leadership Development update is published on the third Wednesday of each month. Submit comments or suggestions to leadershipdevelopment@pwoc.org

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A Leader Who Shines…Connects with Attentiveness

Leadership Development
Aug 312010

Attentiveness to our connection with Christ is called self-leadership. The term is a bit of a misnomer. In Christ, it should be less of a “self” work and truly a cooperative work with the Holy Spirit, because the most challenging person to lead is usually our self.

Oswald Chambers wrote, “The measure of the worth of our public activity for God is the private communion we have with Him.” These are challenging words for us as leaders to consider.

If the hardest person to lead is our self, then the self-discipline of keeping our self connected to God is crucial. It is an important and intricate balance between allowing God to be God in and through us – and being so self-sufficient that we don’t allow God to reign sovereignly as our Lord.

Paul told Timothy, “Watch your life and doctrine closely” (1 Tim. 4:16). If “doctrine” makes up the formal curriculum – God’s Word, “life” can be both the hidden side and how we live. The Message states it like this, “Keep a firm grasp on both your character and your teaching.”

Character is defined as who you are or what you do when no one is looking – out of the sight of public activity.

But always, the One is looking. As we attend to our private communion with God and His Word through the power of the Holy Spirit, we keep connected and this relationship shapes our character.

Paul goes on to say, “Don’t be diverted. Just keep at it. Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.”

As leaders we carry the mantle of responsibility and necessity to be attentive to our connection with Christ. Our character – our self-leadership depends on it. We have a leading role in leading others to Christ and in the shaping of souls. We can’t lead others where we are not.

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A Leader Who Shines...Connects with Love

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday
Aug 042010

“Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.“ John 13:34-35 (NIV)

A Leader Who Shines… Connects with Love

Christ had a genuine love for the people He served – us. To serve us – He took the earthly form of a man, even though He was the Son of God. To serve us – He became a sacrifice, although He was a King. Christ is our shining example and model of leading with love.

As disciples of Christ we are called to servant leadership. This is not “naturally” an easy thing to do. We enter this world believing “it’s all about me.” There is some heart work to be done by God and our parents right from the beginning! As we step into leadership we really need to examine our hearts’ motivation. As Christ leads our hearts and minds we lead with the right motivation. Our best source of heart leading material is God’s Word.

According to Oswald Chambers, “the measure of the words of our public activity for God is the private communion we have with Him.” Our private communion with God through prayer and His Word is invaluable as a servant leader. Through His Word, God shines light into the dark places and fills those places with His wisdom. The Greek definition of the word for wisdom, sophia, includes the content and truth of the Word as well as the application of the Word. Blessedly, the Holy Spirit teaches and reminds us to apply His wisdom as servant leaders. Left to our own understanding, we can tend to puff up ourselves when we gain a little knowledge and a leadership position. 1 Corinthians 8:1 states that to God’s glory, “love builds up” and that the leader “who loves God is known by God.”  His is a Name to drop! “Yes, I am known by God!”

Jesus counseled His disciples when they got carried away in their understanding and being name-droppers. In Matthew 20:25-28 He fills them in about how man lords position, knowledge and power over others. Not so with His leaders. He calls us to serve and give as He so lovingly did for us.

If we love God and are known by Him, we will love those we lead and they will know that we are Christ’s disciples.

Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3 (NIV)

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Leadership Development Update

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday
Jul 282010

Being a part of the military community, we are always learning new acronyms. One of the fun things about figuring them out is assigning your best guess or your funniest guess to the letters:-) Sometimes these acronyms help us to remember important or memory-worthy information. Although neither of these is military related, two of our latest favs are E.G.O. and W. O. W. E.G.O. stands for Exalt God Only and W.O.W. stands for Women of Wisdom – what Ft. Huachuca calls their seasoned sisters.

We picked up the last acronym during a W.I.L.D. Weekend. Speaking of acronyms – our Trainer bag has a subdued imprint of the W.I.L.D. logo on it. Most likely, Women Intent on Leadership Development is not the first guess most people have when they see it as we travel. As people take a really close look and see it spelled out, plus Protestant Women of the Chapel International underneath – there is usually a little smile that follows or a question. Some of our theme apparel and accessories receive some interesting glances too!

The W.I.L.D. Weekends have been fabulous!  We have incredible godly and dynamic sisters serving on our Regional boards! WoW! It has been such a treat and a joy to partner with them to meet and train this new season’s PWOC leaders! Some of you reading this update were there! We pray that you were as blessed and encouraged as your Training Team was in the time and energy that you invested to be there.

It would have been absolutely grand if all of you in leadership could have been there or were able to attend the upcoming one in your Region! Those of you who are hearing in your spirit a call to leadership would also have been blessed by the information on spiritual leadership and the wisdom shared by the seasoned leaders – our W.I.L.D. WOW!

The main purpose of W.I.L.D. Weekends is definitely not to exclude leaders or pre-leaders. As Brenda shared earlier in her June 9th PWOCI blog entry, the purpose is to provide more intentional spiritual leadership and board position training, as well as an opportunity for board team building as a foundation to the teams being built at your local installations. This is where we start “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:12)!

The Leadership Development Team would like to share some of the information presented at this season’s W.I.L.D. Weekends on the PWOCI Blog’s - Leadership Wednesdays. We are going to start off using the acrostic LEADERSHIP over the next 10 weeks or so.  It’s not exactly an acronym, but close!

Look for more of this year’s leadership curriculum in the Leadership Development workshops at the PWOC International Conference in Dallas this November. A few more Web–based resources and possibilities are coming your way too!  Woo hoo! Technology to His Glory!

W.I.L.D. is the Heartbeat of Protestant Women of the Chapel International’s Leadership Development!

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10 more days till Christmas!

Seasonal teaching
Dec 152009

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!” Luke 1:39-45 (NIV)

Ten more days until Christmas! Have you already been asked at least 10 times this week if you’re ready? It seemed that each time I heard that I’d feel a bit more anxious.  I know that it is one of those rhetorical pleasantries, but it really made me think and ask myself, “Am I Ready?” Being a good Army wife, I had to do a little research on readiness.  So, I went to my SOP, to come up with a plan and glean some strategies from others getting ready for ‘Christmas.’  I landed at Gabriel’s departure and Mary’s arrival at the door of Zechariah and Elizabeth.

What was Mary’s plan of action? She accepted her special commission, got up and got going to see the first issue of God’s great possibilities!

What was Elizabeth’s readiness response?  What was the response of the baby in her womb? Elizabeth received the favor and proclaimed the blessings of the Lord!  John leapt for joy!

My Assessment and Readiness Plan: Only through Christ is it possible for me to be shown the favor of being chosen, royal, holy, special and His own – one called out darkness and into His marvelous light!  The next time I’m asked if I’m “ready for Christmas” I will say, “Yes, I am blessed!” – and with great joy I’ll leap (with one foot or two, depending on the available space J)!

Oh, I can’t wait to be asked again!

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Are you W.I.L.D for Jesus?

Friday Fruit
May 132009

Cinky Jones, PWOCI 2VP Leadership DevelopmentAre you W.I.L.D. for Jesus?  PWOCI is!  Women across the WORLD are taking part in PWOCI’s Leadership Training Seminars because they are Women Intent on Leadership Development!  During the course of a day, PWOC teams are walking into what may feel like a distant jungle called leadership and learning more about the way God wired them, their teammates and the community He’s given them to minister to for this season.  Through this journey, we discover that God has a plan for each of us, our PWOC’s, and our communities.  A plan for us to carry out PWOC’s 1st Aim – To Lead Women to Christ.  It is such a blessing to take the time and come together to catch sight of the variety of women at our PWOC; to hunt for where God wants us,  and pursue brave fresh trails to Him at our installation.

If your PWOC hasn’t requested a W.I.L.D. Seminar, talk to your President about it.  If you’ve been to one, it would be such a treat to hear how God used it in you, your ministry or PWOC!

<!–[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]–> WILD for Jesus!  Cinky Jones, 2nd VP Leadership Development

You can email Cinky at LeadershipDevelopment@pwoc.org

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