Lexi Shipp: Lexi Shipp is a passionate writer, speaker, and Bible teacher. With a Bachelors in Religion and Masters in Human Services Counseling, both specified in Christian Ministry, Lexi is currently serving alongside her husband as Girls Student Ministry Director at London Bridge Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Working with middle and high school girls for years, she has a heart for connecting all generations of women and championing the next generation for the cause of Christ – starting within her own home as a mom. Lexi serves as a regular LifeWay Girls blogger, the Blog Team Lead for the SBC of Virginia’s Women’s Ministry Blog, and as a part of the SBCV Ministry Wives and Women’s Ministry Strategy teams. To read more of Lexi’s writings or to book her as a speaker, connect with her on Instagram @alexisleeshipp.
Serving in ministry, one of my very favorite things is connecting with other ladies who do what I do. Part of it is simply knowing that you don’t have to try and explain how things are, hoping they may be able to grasp a small understanding somehow without having lived it. You just know that they know, because they are in it with you. The solidarity, the companionship. But another thing I appreciate is learning from each other. I recently asked in a chat of fellow Girls Ministers, “What are some events ya’ll have done recently that you’ve loved?” Ministry becomes dangerous when we’re limited to our own perspective. I’m grateful for the varying sounding boards the Lord has given me.
Who we choose to consult in the midst of problems, who we choose to learn from, who we get our ideas from – these all directly impact those under us. It is important that as leaders, we are constantly learners, we are constantly growing–and, that we have wise and safe people to turn to that the Lord can use to direct us.
Currently, there are two books that have been influencing me as a leader: This Is Girls Ministry by Amanda Mejias and Calling Out the Called by Scott Pace and Shane Pruitt.
I couldn’t get past the intro of This Is Girls Ministry without being hit with a line that I meditated on for weeks…
“Imagine Jesus only ever preaching the Sermon on the Mount to His disciples but never actually spending time with them. Do you think the disciples would ever believe anything He taught without witnessing firsthand the miracles or the love and compassion Jesus had for them?”
Ouch.
If you read the title and immediately thought, “That’s not for me, I have nothing to do with Girls Ministry.”, think again. There isn’t anyone who can’t identify with at least one chapter in this book – dads and male Student Pastors included. If you work within Women’s Ministry, this is a tool you need in your belt. If you have a girl in your life at any capacity, you need this book.
The second title is one that my husband (our Student Pastor) and I are walking through with our Student Ministry Summer Interns as its design is to help those who may feel called to ministry. Of course, whenever you are teaching, the Lord is always teaching you.
The writer shares, “When you read the four Gospels, the most common habit of Jesus wasn’t healing, preaching, walking on water, or even serving others. Yes, he did those things. But the practice of Jesus that is described more than any other was of him praying…everything he did in ministry—serving, leading, discipling, preaching, and ministering—-were all from the overflow of his prayer ministry.”
And later, “the ministry you’re leading will never pray more than you do.”
I glean insight from these friends and leaders with the personal challenge: I may be leading well, but am I loving well? I may be planning and communicating in excellence, but how is my prayer life?
I pray that these resources would be a challenge, encouragement, and tool for you as well.
Books referenced:
