Free Newsletters

on LeadershipJournal.net

« Live from Synergy 2008: What Is the Future of Women’s Ministry? | Main | Live from Synergy 2008: Who We Really Are »

April 13, 2008

Live from Synergy 2008: Emotional Responses from Thinking Women

by by Caryn Rivadeneira

As I got ready for the final plenary session this morning, I had "chokey moment" - you know; where you get that catch in your throat and feel tears building a bit behind your eyes. I initially thought it was because I was going to see my kids this afternoon and just realized how much I had missed them. But then I remembered: This wasn't the first time I'd welled up over the weekend here at Synergy. And I'm not a crier.

At Friday night's opening session, I misted up during Carolyn Custis James's talk, "Inhabiting Your Story," as she walked us through Naomi's powerful story and opened my eyes and heart to God's love and redeeming power in ways I had never seen. I did it again during Leigh McLeroy's Saturday morning talk on the ways God can use brokenness for his story - and ours - and how we need to learn to "struggle well." Wow. That got me.

And I wasn't the only one I saw getting a bit weepy this weekend. Another woman cried while sharing her exhaustion and her fear of burnout leading a non-for-profit; yet another got choked up sharing her experience - and frustrations - in women's ministry.

Contrary to what many might think was going on at this "women's conference," I can testify these tears were not shed out of sappiness or sentimentality or because we're just a bunch of girls (not that that's a bad thing, anyway!). Instead, these tears come from the place where you experience what it is to be among women who get you - you know what I mean? Women who have experienced what you have and who not only want to find their own places in the story - as we've talked about throughout the weekend - but want to help you "Find Your Place in the Story," as this year's theme encourages.

And I think we get moved like this because, frankly, we don't often find this. But I can tell you, it's here at Synergy. I wish all of you could be here to experience what it is to learn, to stretch, and to share our experiences, lives, brokenness, and joy - our stories. Because in this experience - in the big sessions, the small workshops, and in the casual conversations - we've felt God - his power and his presence. And that's what brings those wonderful, honest, heart-moved and soul-emboldened tears.

It's been wonderful getting to know some of our readers and contributors in person this weekend. I hope to meet more of you next year at Synergy 2009. It'll be March 6-8 in Orlando. I'm already pumped about the theme: "Your Relationship in the Story: Recovering the Blessed Alliance."

Hope to see you then, but I look forward to chatting with you more here over the coming months!

Posted by Caryn Rivadeneira on April 13, 2008 9:07 AM

Comments

I want to thank Carolyn James for her challenge to us this morning to Inherit the Ezer's Mantle and to Fear Not. I pray that as I leave, as I step back into my real life of raising three teenage ezers and my real life job of being an ezer to a seminary president, that I would remember that God has called me to engage in the spiritual battle, to an overwhelmingly large task, and He is with me...and so are my sisters who were here this weekend. I am not alone, though I may feel that way during the hectic week, and the conversations will continue whether here on this blog or in private. Thank you for an amazing weekend.--Cristi Mansfield

Posted By: Cristi Mansfield | April 13, 2008 10:07 AM

I was just so thrilled to find out that I too am an ezer--a warrior in the image of our mighty God. This has been a terrific conference that has inspired and uplifted me in so many ways. I should be exhausted and worn out and on information overload, but I'm not. I ready to go and live my story!

Posted By: Ezer | April 13, 2008 10:17 AM

I totally relate to this post. I'm not a crier either. In fact, I don't like events that are specifically designed to make you cry. That's one of the things I love about Synergy. Nobody tries to make you cry, but you find yourself teary-eyed anyway. And the tears that come are genuine, deep, and cleansing--not manufactured.

Synergy is such a blessing! I hope to see many more women here next year.

Posted By: Heidi | April 13, 2008 10:17 AM

I wish you could hear what I'm hearing now: the singing, speaking loving voioes of women who love Jesus and want to make His name great. Be at Synergy 09 next March. You won't want to miss this blessing.

Posted By: Leigh | April 13, 2008 10:54 AM

thanks for this caryn. it reminds me of something i heard rob bell say one sunday morning at mars hill church. he said that crying and tears are not in any way a sign of weakness, but rather of strength - tears are an indication that one understands the sheer weight of what is happening. and a lot happened this weekend!

Posted By: hal | April 13, 2008 1:54 PM

Post a comment:





Verification (needed to reduce spam):

Tags

see more

resources