Good morning ladies! This month's women's call we started a conversation on setting boundaries for ourselves and for what that looks like in ministry - healthy and unhealthy ways. Grateful for those sharing ways of challenge, encouragement, and growth. Here's a quick recap with some thoughts that were shared from our time together. A “boundary” is a property line. When we think of boundaries, we think of limits. Boundaries give us a sense of what is part of us and what is not part of us, what we will allow and what we won’t, what we will choose to do and what we will choose not to do. This leads to responsibility, freedom and love. They are doors and not walls. We are here to nurture relationships so no one is coming in judgment. We want to help each other think through our lives integrated in the gospel so one way is setting boundaries which is given to us by Jesus throughout scripture. Healthy Boundary - Feeling free to say no and accept it when others say no, if it isn’t a “heck yes” then pause and consider saying no. It is always better to come back with a yes if you have considered it then to say yes right away and then have to come back later with a no. We say YES without fear and NO without guilt. (Carolyn's example) Unhealthy Boundary - Feeling responsible for other people's feelings, emotions, and happiness. If our choices on something may make someone upset, a decision at church or in our ministry may cause people to react poorly and get upset, we can lean into people-pleasing mode where we feel like we have to fix it to make them happy but even more than that, we can allow their feelings and emotions to affect us negatively. (Carolyn's example) Questions to think/ask yourself - How do I view boundaries? As restrictive or freeing? Why? - Do I feel threatened by others’ boundaries? Why or why not? - Are there relationships in my life and ministry where I have been hesitant to set healthy boundaries? Why do I think I have been hesitant? What concerns do I have? - Am I burning myself out because I lack healthy boundaries? If so, what will I do? - What healthy boundaries do I have already set in place? Resources - Bible - Dr. Henry Cloud books - Boundaries - Boundaries for Leaders Challenge - What steps will I take to set healthy boundaries? Will you share with the group or on our next call a step towards the challenge within the next month that you are led to by the Lord? Like this post if you were encouraged.

Posted by Jenny Young at 2024-02-20 16:15:55 UTC