TWO are better than one
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Walking alongside one another is a gift and a privilege. As a woman in ministry I have found it vital to my leadership and my good mental health to have others in my life who I can be open, vulnerable, and honest with. Not only that, but it is also necessary to have those who will speak truth in love to me when I need encouragement, guidance, or even correction.
I came to these conclusions the hard way, after a difficult and discouraging season of burnout. Ministry is hard, life is hard, and sometimes, it all comes together in a perfect storm and is too much. Then the body says, “Nope, I’m out,” forcing you to step back and care for yourself whether you want to or not.
In honesty, I was trying to work in a silo. I mistakenly believed that if God called me, I could just work like a machine, trusting that He would empower me and equip me. I assumed I didn’t need anyone else, just me and God. But this is simply a lie, straight from the pit of hell: a great way for the enemy to distract and disrupt our leadership. We are created for fellowship, for community, for parakaleo.
During my time of burnout, I experienced 6 weeks of moving slowly from my bed to the couch, barely able to do anything else. It caused me deep grief, shame, and embarrassment, so much so that I found myself isolatingfurther from those who would have surrounded me with love and compassion. My experience with burnout even kept me from enjoying time in the Word and fellowship. I struggled with making sense of anything I tried to read and couldn’t handle being around anyone.
I sensed the Father calling me to come, to come and crawl up in His lap and rest. So that’s what I did for the first 6 weeks of my 6 months off from ministry. I felt ashamed that I just couldn’t get it together, but in the midst of the frustration, I sensed His loving and gentle embrace that held me without any expectations. He was loving and gentle in His kindness. During that time, it was all I could do just to be.
The Lord understood my tears that I didn’t even have words for. In those days, He revealed to me the necessity of having others who would surround me with love and support. It would mean that I would have to let the protective walls fall that I built to surround and protect me. As I committed to Him to build a community around me, I found hope returning and my spirit encouraged. I prayed about the right people and trusted Him with all of it. He has placed some incredible leaders around me, both women and men who I am honoured to call friends as well as colleagues.
To know you are known, seen, and deeply cared for is soul filling and protects against burnout. To know I have a community to reach out to in the good, the bad, and even the ugly fills me with confidence. It is an incredible thing to know that when someone in your close circle speaks a word of correction, that it is with love and for your good, not to tear you down. I encourage everyone reading this to find their community, find those who will be vulnerable and create a space for you to be vulnerable. Iron sharpens iron and walking together is more powerful and life-giving than walking alone.
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Natalie Gidney has been gifted with multi-faceted gifts that she uses to ignite hope in hard places. She is a writer, having authored several books, editor, leader, and pastor. Currently, she serves as Director of Donor Engagement at World Hope International Canada and can be found connecting with like-minded friends across Canada, sharing stories and helping others learn how they can join the mission of Jesus through the work of World Hope.
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As a Wesleyan family, we believe women are called and gifted to lead, and we are encouraged by organizations like CBE International, which puts that conviction into writing, community, and action. Daniela was leading the online workshops and couldn’t be at the denominational lunch at E2026, but she was so excited to know CBE President and CEO Mimi Haddad brought copies for everyone. They are such a rich resource. Start here with this short video—it’s a great entry point into their world!
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Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy has a long history of creating events for women exploring and living out their call to ministry and the ministry leaders who support them. E2026 was a unique opportunity for 650+ women clergy to connect with like-minded women spanning many denominations. Watch the main sessions and select workshops here: E2026 Main Sessions Playlist
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