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April 13, 2008

Live from Synergy 2008: Who We Really Are

by by Amy Simpson

Fear not.

That was one message in today's final plenary session. And it was one overarching message of the entire Synergy conference. As humans, we tend to be afraid, to fear life's battles and even our own gifts. And as women, many of us practice fear our whole lives. But as women made in the image of God, created to fight the lifelong battle of the ezer, we need not - and must not - live in fear.

So how do we let go of the fears that bind us and keep us from fulfilling God's calling? We remember the God who created us and who he has made us to be. And we find our strength in him.

This morning, Carolyn Custis James reminded us of the ways we usually identify ourselves and introduce ourselves to others. We talk about our friends, our husbands, our jobs, our children, our homes. All important, to be sure. But all fragile. All can be taken away - as the lives of Naomi and Ruth demonstrate. Our value and identities come not from the roles we play or the people who surround us. Our identity as ezers - God's image bearers and indispensable warriors - can never be taken away. It's with us from birth. That's who we really are.

This is life-changing truth. If you've read the other posts our team wrote from Synergy, you've seen a glimpse of what makes this gathering so special. But to be honest, we've struggled with these posts and found ourselves frustrated: our descriptions can't do justice to these gifted women or to the work of the Holy Spirit in this passionate group.

I wish all of you could have been at Synergy with us. This Gifted for Leadership community needs a place to gather and bless one another. That's why we've joined the Synergy Women's Network in hosting this event for women in leadership. I envision a great gathering of Gifted for Leadership women in Orlando, worshiping and learning together, forming new friendships, and challenging each other to deep and courageous living. Life-minded and yet diverse. Understanding each other and learning together. Lifting each other up yet challenging one another to courageous living. Let's do it next year. Please start making plans to join us at Synergy, March 6-8, 2009.

For those of you skeptical of this suggestion, let me just say that if you don't really like women's conferences, this is the conference for you. It's different - no doubt about it. As one conference attendee put it, Synergy goes beyond encouraging women simply to be spiritual. It calls them to be theological, to think critically, and to grow deeper.

As a woman gifted for leadership in the body of Christ, you simply have to consider this one-of-a-kind event. I hope to see you at Synergy 2009!

Posted by Amy Simpson on April 13, 2008 8:27 PM

Comments

As I was at church Sunday evening following the Synergy weekend, I had a chance to tell many what Synergy is all about. It's hard to bring it down to a few words. Synergy's desire is to encourage, equip and connect women in ministry. And those things happened this weekend. But so much more happened. Amy and her partners at GFL have said it well. I think my summary is that what Synergy is doing is giving women a vastly bigger vision of God's desires and intentions in creating them--He has so much MORE for each of us than we can ask or imagine. And there is help to discover and live in that MORE. I found myself using the word powerful many times. I trust many more will join us next year!

Posted By: Judy Douglass | April 14, 2008 6:24 AM

The conference sounds great. I love Carolyn James and her thoughtful approach to scripture. Can I ask if the conference is a comfortable place for women who are evangelical and egalitarian in their theology of women in leadership? I don't think I could handle a weekend of feeling slightly second class for having very thoughtfully landed in that camp. Oddly, it has been christian women who have often been the biggest source of judgement and pain on the topic of women's roles in the church in my life. I don't need to pay money for that! But this blog has been such a breath of fresh air on the topic, it makes me think a Synergy conference is worth checking out next year.

Posted By: Sharon | April 17, 2008 2:02 PM

Sharon,

One of the things I love most about Synergy is the fact that we are able to come together, build strong friendships, collaborate, and encourage one another despite the fact that we don't see eye-to-eye on a wide variety of topics that are hotly debated among Christians in other venues.

We are not a debate forum. We haven't come together to sort out our differences. Rather, we are focused on the kingdom work God has called us to do. We collaborate to become problem solvers, bridge builders, and strategic thinkers for the Gospel. We want to forge strong ministry alliances with our Christian brothers. We're convinced we can do more if we work together, than if we work alone.

So, to answer your question, I think you'll find Synergy a very welcoming, comfortable, affirming, refreshing place—and so will women who hold a different view from yours.

I hope to see you at Synergy2009!

Posted By: Carolyn Custis James | April 22, 2008 10:33 AM

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