In the past two years thousands of women in Seventh-day Adventist churches worldwide have mastered several facets of leadership using a training program designed by the Women’s Ministries department at the church’s world headquarters. In April, the third and final level of the program will be released to Women’s Ministries departments around the world.

“This series, in particular, appeals to issues women in today’s church are dealing with,” said Raquel Arrais, associate director for Women’s Ministries for the world church. Arrais designed this level of the program and has taught several of the training seminars in South America. “Some of the classes deal with how you can balance home and career with specific courses on cultural sensitivity and fellowship activities.”

The program started in 2003 after Women’s Ministries directors from all over the world church asked for such a program, said Heather-Dawn Small, Women’s Ministries director for the world church.

“There just are not enough women leaders in the church, and that is partly because there are not enough women trained in leadership,” she said. “We know that many women in the church do not accept positions of leadership because they feel they can’t do it. Often they just don’t know how things are run and have never felt equipped to deal with the responsibilities of leadership.”

The program aims to equip women with the skills necessary to be successful leaders. The curriculum is divided into eight subject areas: history and philosophy, biblical studies, people skills/personal growth, speaking skills, leadership skills, writing skills, nurture projects and outreach projects. Some of the courses this particular level offers include: small group dynamics, managing volunteers, writing with a purpose and women’s social and legal issues.

“The one I really like is the personality assessment course,” Arrais said. “It helps you find out what your personality is—it helps you know yourself and know others. It’s so important for leaders to know how to interact with a team of differing personalities.”

Small’s department designs the program and then sends it out to women’s ministries directors in the worldwide Adventist Church. It is then translated into several languages. The first level of the course went out in 2003; the second level in 2005. Each builds on the first, with each level going more in depth, Small said.

“I taught the course in Latvia to pastors, their wives and women ministries leaders. The pastors were very impressed and thought the course was one which all pastors should take,” said Small, who has taught leadership courses all over the world. “This program will help women who are already serving in positions of leadership [to] improve their leadership skills.”

Arrais added that she is confident that women who take the courses will be blessed by the information they receive.