Historically women in black Baptist churches are not given the platform, visibility, encouragement, or training to fully exercise their God-given gifts. Women with leadership gifts of preaching, pastoring, prophecy or exhortation are often overlooked and relegated to more tolerable offices for the expression of their gifts. They are often chairpersons of committees, directors of Christian education or ministers of music. They are rarely acknowledged as a minister, at least, or pastor, at best. Their calling is mystified and many do not know how to effectively use her. She is not viewed as the male pastor's colleague in ministry but his daughter. Many seek to not upset the patriarchal balance of the church and will allow this woman to spiritually die or suffer in silence then to give voice to her story. Her voice is not heard, her gifts are not shared and as a result the body of Christ suffers from the absence of this gifted woman. She is not given equal leadership opportunities, opportunities for professional growth and development, or supportive communities. Women are beginning to fight against the traditionally acceptable roles in which they are often called to serve. They are beginning to realize that God has given them a voice and are looking to use their voice for God's kingdom. The issue is one that when women begin to seek alternate opportunities to utilize their God-given gifts they will be underprepared for the challenges they will face. They will lack experience, acceptance, affirmation of their gifts, and the sources they need to prepare them for their roles. As a result, many women will fail and will attribute that failure to a misunderstanding of God's call and not to a lack ofpreparation. This project has a two-fold purpose. It will first serve as a resource for women who need personal, professional and spiritual development tools and resources, and be a source of pastoral and spiritual care for those broken and wounded by misuse. God gave gifts as God chose to give gifts. The gifts were not gender specific and are to be used for the "perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ." The project will affirm the gifts God has given to women and encourage them in knowing God created them for a purpose. Over a 6-month period personal, professional, and spiritual development opportunities for women of faith will be offered. The course offerings will serve as a tool for their growth, training and development and the ability to interact with like minded women will serve as the supportive community they need. The project will be evaluated with surveys at the end of each series and personal testimonies from the women.
