Advantages of men and women working together

Looking at my own role as the only woman on the team, I eventually learned that I did have important perspectives to bring to the table—not only about women and singles issues but about missions work in general. Our team sometimes had to make difficult decisions that would alter a person’s or couples’ lives forever; my female perspective was often different from that of the guys, but I believe it was valued and respected.

There was also an intuitive component which helped me know what my teammates were really feeling about something we were discussing. I learned to read body language and facial expressions and was often able to detect something unsaid.

When our team was on the platform before our missionary body, I believe my presence on stage with the guys spoke hope and encouragement that one day there might be more than just me in dominant leadership roles in our missionary ranks.

If you don’t have both men and women at the table, on church staff, on church boards, in ministry and missions leadership, something big is missing.

(Excerpt from Dr. JoAnn’s book The Men and Me (c) 2023)