Why I'm Launching a Women in Youth Ministry Cohort

In January 2014 I'm launching a cohort for women in youth ministry. And I cannot wait. I've lead similar groups of women in the past. I called it Eden because I wanted to re-orient ourselves around what was intended in the Garden. We were meant to live in full freedom, equality, and partnership from which God created us. The church is far from what she needs to be to bless women with leadership gifting. Literally, every woman I know with a gift of leadership that's served in the church has experienced some measure of: oppression, pain, minimization, sexism, and even illegal activity. Some have experienced harassment. Others alienation because of their gender. We must be better than this. The world needs our gifts fully expressed, not subjugated to "the fall's" curse.

Last month The Youth Cartel announced the launch of my cohort HERE, and since then there's been such encouraging interest and enthusiasm about this group coming together. I literally needed to create an excel spreadsheet to keep track of responses!! Clearly, there's a need for women to come together for training, support, and connection.

This 10-month whole-life coaching program is all about developing and empowering you as a woman in leadership. Being a woman in youth ministry is different. It demands unique skills and awareness as we approach the challenges and opportunities due to our gender. We will learn across a scope of subjects including theology, practical life realities, leading men, and issues defined by this group. This specialized cohort has 8 women in leadership, and meets twice for 2 days plus 4 times online (2-3 hours each). Each time is very intentional and structured to provide encouragement, challenge, and transformation. This cohort provides customized attention to your specific context and needs as a woman in youth ministry.

A Few Details...

• Limited to 8 women (+ April)
• From anywhere in the country
• Women do not need to be in point leadership roles or even full time, but they must be in youth ministry in some fashion
• Two 2-day, face-to-face meetings in Orange County, CA
• Four online meetings of 2-3 hours each
• 10 month schedule (group chooses exact dates based on their responses)
  • January - face-to-face
  • February - online
  • April - online
  • June - online
  • August - online
  • September - face-to-face
• Participants get four 30-minute phone calls with April Diaz during the year
• Private Facebook group for ongoing support and interaction
• Cost is $1750 (+ participant travel costs)

We'll do a fair amount of reading and cross-disciplinary learning, as well.

I've participated in similar cohorts and paid significantly more. It's worth it. It's one of the best investments, in my opinion, you can make in your leadership. It has been for me. The transformation you'll experience from the other women and myself will be beyond these bullet points!

The group is still forming, but so far 3 women have committed and 6 more are strongly considering, so I'm expecting this cohort to fill in the next month. Already, the women who've committed and are strongly considering are from all parts of the country, different denominations, different life stages, and different experiences in ministry. I'm VERY excited about our "differences" because it will make our learning that much richer and more profound!!

If you're interested in this cohort or a future one, contact me HERE. I'd love to figure this out with you.

Wanna just apply? Complete this YMCP application and contact me HERE for my email!

A Few "Redefining the Role of the Youth Worker" Stories

My first book has been out for 9 days and I'm already SO VERY encouraged by the responses from youth workers, senior pastors, parents, coworkers, and those I've never met. Books have already been shipped to New Zealand, Japan, France, Australia, and Canada. In fact, one pastor in Canada pre-ordered 20 copies to share with a network of youth workers throughout Canada. How cool is that?!? This book is already global! The Amazon reviews are increasing as people read the book. My Twitter feed is filling with very encouraging words. One of the trends I'm most excited about is the book isn't confined to 1) youth pastors or 2) a singular person. This book was written for THE CHURCH and to be read in teams. Those who've read it know if a sole youth pastor reads this book, significant change will not take place. The heart of soul of this book is for anyone who loves teenagers, which begs for groups of people  to read it together and determine the implications for their contexts.

I wanted to share a couple quick stories of how this book is intersecting the dreams and struggles of leaders across the country.

Last week I got these two tweets from Wes Trevor (@thecombackkid):

"Not going to lie, it's been a tough few weeks emotionally in ministry. Lots of pondering. But @aprilldiaz new book has given hope 4 future."

"So friends, it's probably good to go pick up Redefining the Role of the Youth Worker by @aprilldiaz. Great primer for future prof. ministry."

Yes! A deep breath of gratitude that this book is making its way into the hearts of leaders! Then, today I get this email:

I had a long talk with my pastor/boss last Thursday about our youth ministry, my role, Sticky Faith, etc. and I left feeling unsettled and dissatisfied with where we were at in all of these areas. So, the next morning when I was doing my quiet time I randomly had the thought to google "Redefining the Role of the Youth Pastor" and no joke, your book came up right away. I obviously had to order it, because, hello, crazy coincidence (more like divine intervention)!

It already came and I'm almost done reading it and it's exactly what I needed for this particular time/stage in our ministry. That is actually how I found out about the cohort because I went to your website to find out more about the book before it arrived. Also, another moment of divine intervention.

Thanks so much! Jessica

I am hopeful this is the beginning of some real movement toward integration in our churches, families, and communities. Undeniably, God is on the move and I'm so grateful my little book is part of that movement!

Women Who've Shaped Me

I started reading the book Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg. I'm only a few chapters into the book, and I wish I would've written it. Besides the fact this book is a raging success, it's also filled with raging reality and truth, particularly that women's voices in leadership is desperately needed. I'm quite confident this blog will continue communicating stories, opportunities, and resources for women in leadership. This is only the beginning of my voice being heard and collecting the voices of strong, beautiful, broken, and gifted women. Let's be clear: no one is a self-made man...or woman. We all have a line of human beings to thank who've molded us into the leaders we are today. As a woman who's been leading for my entire life, I know women need each other. We need other women to push us, move us, mentor us, inspire us, kick our butts, soften our hearts, and pour into us to become the leaders we were created to be. Yes, I wouldn't be the leader I am today without some incredible men in my life (my husband at the top of that list!), but it's the women who've kept me in the game.

Therefore, today, I want to begin by acknowledging some of the women who've shaped my leadership. (I'm sure to get myself into trouble by surely missing a few.)

• My mom and Grandma Getz - Mom, you removed barriers for me, looked into my soul and said "GO". Granny, if only you were born in another generation...but you were through me and you've never ceased to be my cheerleader and ever proud of me.
• Jeanne Stevens, Rebecca Lujan Loveless and Kelly Petersen Skiles - You are my BABs, my girls. Jeanne, miraculously, you were my first boss in the church and continuously pushed me until I thought I would break. You didn't stop believing in me and caring about my character as much as you did my contribution. Becca, the prophetic strength of your leadership and tireless voice for women moves me beyond words. You have a faith and hope and love that astounds me. Kelly, my first partner in ministry and faithful encourager. Your leadership gifting and faithfulness to continual growth challenges me. Together, you three are my running partners and dearest friends. I'm so grateful to call you forever friends and leadership co-laborers.
• Nancy Beach and Nancy Ortberg - When I began my formal leadership journey at the tender age of 18, you stood before me and showed me that being faithful to God's call sometimes meant more than your family. I watched your lives and wondered if I could be like you when I grew up. I've grown up and I'm ridiculously grateful you are both still present in my life, speaking into it now 17 years later. Thank you for pioneering ahead of my generation and reaching back to pull us along.
• Mindy Caliguire - Ten years of investment is impossible to convey in a few lines. Your personal commitment to soul health and leadership strength has given me a compass for spiritual leadership. Countless coffee dates, cross-country phone calls, and endless prayers have brought me to a place of confidence, strength, and brokenness in my leadership.
• Kara Powell - When I read your books in college, I had no idea that you'd become such a dear friend and mentor. You've taught me more about being a "working mom" than most anyone. Your executive leadership capacity, enormous mothering heart, and relentless pursuit of Jesus have deeply informed me. And you lead some of the best meetings in the world.
• Erin Kim - My dear friend, you embody servant leadership in its purest form. You love the ones our God cares most about - orphans - and compellingly invite us into the grand adventure of loving the orphan with you. Your life and leadership is chock full of authenticity, authority, humility, and reckless obedience.
• Women staff at Newsong Church - Forever it's been my dream to serve alongside fantastically strong women in leading God's people. Never has there been a day where that's been truer than today. Julie, Rehana, and Liz - you spearhead the way for a generation of women throughout our community. You are so very good.

Last, but certainly not least: Addise Aster Tarike Diaz. You've shaped me, my daughter, in every way, everyday. Even at 3 years old, you are clearly a strong, strong leader. I lead so one day you can lead with less limitations, restrictions, prejudices, and injustices. I lead so you can see an obedient momma who's committed to the calling God's placed in my life. I lead so you will see modeled that developing the gifts God has created you with is so very important. I lead so you know you can lead, too.

Women, we need each other to lead in the ways God's called us to. There's enough societal - and even religious - pressure not to lead. But we must. We must lean into the divine callings God's placed within us and not settle for anything less. May your list of women who've shaped you remind you that you are who you are because of God's people. And may you thank them today for depositing those leadership offerings into your soul.