By Joy Allmond
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This year’s Lifeway Women’s Leadership Forum won’t look like it has in years’ past, but more women in more locations will be in attendance—even though there will be fewer than ever on site.
The on-site location at Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tenn., is sold out at 500 in-person attendees for the Nov. 12-13 event (capped for COVID safety measures and to comply with local guidelines). But virtual registration is open to any woman, anywhere in the world.
And even though women will be scattered far apart as they hear from sought-after authors and teachers, this year’s forum theme, “unity,” is aimed at bringing leaders together in a time of division.
“The Lord knew we would need to focus on the ‘unity’ aspect of ministry,” said Kelly King, women’s ministry specialist for Lifeway.
“This theme was determined long before so many, divisive, painful cultural moments of 2020 occurred—and certainly before the pandemic was upon us. My prayer is that, ultimately, this theme can help us remember that while it seems everything else around us is changing, our calling to make disciples will never change.”
Keynote speakers include podcaster and author Jamie Ivey, author and pastor’s wife Dorena Williamson, leadership expert Kadi Cole, Bible teacher Lisa Harper, Lifeway President and CEO Ben Mandrell, best-selling author Angie Smith, entrepreneur and speaker Ruth Chou Simons and worship leader Travis Cottrell.
Bible teacher Whitney Capps will emcee from the forum main stage.
The women’s leadership forum is designed to equip:
- Women who lead or serve the local church in women’s and girls’ ministries.
- Women who aren’t on church staff or don’t hold official leadership roles but lead small groups and Bible studies.
- Women who walk out their leadership calling in day-to-day life.
- Women with leadership potential looking for encouragement.
- Entrepreneurs, stay-at-home moms, and working professionals who serve or mentor in their local contexts.
“This year’s unique forum opens the door for women in ministry leadership who have life situations who may not have been able to attend had we carried out the traditional, exclusively in-person format of previous years’ forums,” said King.
“This time, women who desire to get equipped through our forum won’t be constrained by schedule, travel, finances or any other previous limitation.”
Registration for the virtual forum is $150. Along with access to the Nov. 12-13 livestream event (all keynote addresses and four breakout sessions of choice), all registrants will receive:
- Digital on-demand access to all main sessions and more than 20 breakout sessions for 12 months—plus four bonus breakout sessions.
- A VIP box containing select Lifeway resources, a forum notebook accompanied by breakout session handouts and other gifts.
- Access to an exclusive online store featuring discounted resources from authors at the event as well as other Lifeway products such as books and Bible studies.
Keynote speaker Ruth Chou Simons, founder and CEO of Colorado-based GraceLaced Co., explained that this end-of-year event is a critical time for leaders in the church to reflect and set aside personal inclinations.
“We are all longing for unity and peace, as we navigate a difficult year,” said Simons. “For Christ-followers, unity begins at the cross, not with preferences, not with opinions and certainly not with our feelings. The unity we need is the unity that results from posturing our hearts toward Christ—together.”
For more forum information or to register for the virtual event, visit the forum website.
-30-
Joy Allmond is a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources.
