Goodness but you all are lovely.
All you remarkable women from all walks of life and zip codes and countries and languages and stories who make up the (in)courage community. We love you all something fierce. This is a snapshot of some of you from our April (in)RL {short for “in real life”} conference and it makes us grin so big that sometimes our facial muscles get all creaky.
And we especially love how you love each other!
Watching hosts lead (in)RL Meetups and women step out of their comfort zones and communities form – well it was flat out breath-taking and life-giving and uplifting.
And it showed us something…we need you to keep on leading the way you’ve been doing.
This community – it needs women invested in it beyond blog posts.
It needs women who will reach out, connect, share, love on, pray with, follow up, laugh, cry, shout and celebrate with one another. We see how many of you are already doing that, already connecting within the community. And we’d like to support you in that beautiful effort.
So, today we’re opening a call for (in)courage community leaders.
And no, that’s not the official title – we’d love you all to help us come up with a name that beautifully describes who you are and what you do over here at the (in)courage beach house.
We want to invite women who are already engaging, leading, cheering for their sisters to partner with us and lead unique communities within the (in)courage community. And like Jesus modeled with his disciples, we want to pair you up with a friend so you can lead a group together.
Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two ~ Mark 6:7.
How do you know if this is something that might be a good fit for you? Check out the list below:
- You resonate with the heart of (in)courage that is behind everything we do here.
- You love encouraging your sisters in Christ – it’s pretty much second nature to you to reach out to other women and speak love and joy and encouragement into their day.
- There is a particular area within the (in)courage community that is close to your heart – be it Christian singleness, empty nest syndrome, adoption, social justice, new motherhood – you name it, we want to be sure to serve it.
- You can think of a friend who shares your passion and would be interested in partnering with you to lead an (in)courage community. But we can always pair you up with someone if you can’t think of a specific person.
- Social media is one of your love languages – in other words, you’re comfortable hosting a Facebook group or using Twitter, Skype, BlogFrog, Google Meetups or any number of other ways to connect your group.
- You feel called to serve the (in)courage community – there are so many good, wonderful places we can spend our limited time. We invite you to pray and listen and feel free to pass on this one. No pressure to apply. Listen to your heart and if this is where you’re called to serve, we’re so thrilled to have you.
What would the responsibilities of a community leader be?
- Creating an online space where your group can connect on a regular basis – how you feel led to connect with your group is up to you. Whether your group gets together once a month for a Skype Room Chat or you plan a weekly Online Bible Study, start a Facebook group or a live BlogFrog chat—it’s up to you! {Oh and whether your group is private or public – it’s totally up to you}.
- Connecting with your group at least once a month. Sure, the more times you connect the merrier, but we’d like to see groups know there’s at least one specific date they can look forward to catching up with each other.
- Encouraging your group to join all the (in)RL festivities – we’re kicking off an (in)RL Check-In series in September to connect with each other and see how we’ve grown in community. We’d love your group to share their stories since April with us!
We picture the groups being about 15-20 women – so nice and cosy for connecting and getting to know one another more deeply.
Sound like something you feel called toward? Just click here and come over to apply – easy peasy.
Deadline to apply: Friday August 17. Sure can’t wait to meet y’all!
With much excitement, Lisa-Jo, community manager for (in)courage and cheerleader for God’s daughters everywhere.
PS Feel free to ask any questions you might have in the comments – we’d be happy to answer them.
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Lisa-Jo Baker - tales from a Gypsy Mama says
[…] over on (in)courage today, where my full time job is encouraging women through social media, we’re so excited to […]
Chrissie says
Hi, have just looked at the groups you currently have, and it seems there is not one in the UK?
Keep up the good work!
Blessings to you all.
Chrissie xx
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Hi there Chrissie,
Actually these aren’t quite the same as our (in)RL meetup groups. These would be online groups unlimited by geography and connected purely on the basis of shared interests. So please do go ahead and apply if you feel called to lead one. Or wait till we have the group leaders in place and then come and join one!
Warm wishes
Lisa-Jo
Sarah says
Just wondering: If we lead a group say on Facebook, if other ministries share articles/videos that we’ve found helpful, can we share them with our incourage group?
And Chrissie, I’m in the UK too. 🙂
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Absolutely – Facebook would be a perfect way to connect and lead your group! And yes, we’d love you to share whatever you think would encourage, inspire, speak to your particular group – it doesn’t have to come from (in)courage. We’d just want it to be in line with the heart of (in)courage which you can read over here https://aws.incourage.me/heart/
InSpirit says
r u looking for responses from Canada?
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Open to leaders from all over the world – the beauty of an online group is we’re not limited by geography 🙂
Amy Tilson says
What an amazing opportunity this is. Looks like two people (Sarah and Chrissie) have just found each other. 🙂 Building community in a post before it even gets started. Love it!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Amen! 🙂
Marcella Snyder says
I am interested in starting a community in Indiana. I have a friend who might be interested also. However, I am older (70s) and not sure there would be an interest in my age group? Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Hi there Marcella,
Yes, we NEED your wise and wonderful age group to join us. I think we have readers from all demographics and would love to have a group they could connect with. The idea is it would be an online group that can connect and encourage each other via email or Facebook or whatever medium you’re most comfortable with.
Linda says
Hi Marcella,
I’m sixty-five and have been wondering the same thing. I live in Texas but would love to be a part of a group of older women.
brittany says
I just wanted to pipe in here and say that the (in)RL meet up I went to was all ladies in an older age group. In fact, I was about 40 years younger than anyone else there!
It was lovely to gain their insight and we continue to meet up every month for dinner.
Claire says
That is so lovely!
Anonymous says
Marcella, I am from Indiana and I know of at least 4 ladies in my area of northwest IN that are near or in their seventies, love the Lord and are active on the Internet!
Ashley Urke | Domestic Fashionista says
I was wondering if I am allowed to invite my own blog readers to my community group. I would love to continue in investing in women I already have a relationship with.
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Absolutely! Serve the women who are already coming hungry to your table. And connect them to our (in)courage readers around a specific topic you all have in common. Love it.
Mary J says
I am not techno-savy enough to be a community leader, but I would sure love to be part of one. How do you go about doing that? I have a heart for women and love to encourage and walk beside them.
Lisa-Jo@thegypsymama says
Hey there Mary – we’d LOVE you to join one of our (in)courage community groups. We’ll be announcing the themes and how to join in September. Stay tuned!
Ana says
This sounds like us mexican girls would enjoy. Technology is great. Why not start something here too.
Pattie says
Hey Ana. I am in Mexico…where are you located? We are missionaries in Southern Baja. I was wondering about having a group here.
Lisa M. says
Very much looking forward to joining a group in September. Praying for you all and the work you have ahead of you for choosing leaders (I’m sure you’ll have a great group to choose from), and praying for whoever the leader of the group I join is. 🙂
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Thanks for that encouragement, Lisa. Looking forward to it as well!
Richella at Imparting Grace says
(in)Courage continues to be such a great model for online applications for all kinds of ministries. Thank you for everything you do!
I’m wondering if it would be too simple to call the community leaders (in)Couragers?
Libby says
Love that idea!
Courtney F. says
I love that idea, Richella! 🙂 I think that name fits perfectly with what (in)courage does for all of us. I know it lifts me up and pours love into my heart every time I read a post or comment here.
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
oh such a great suggestion – thanks Richella!
Jamie says
To my older sisters in Christ: We are all on our own personal spiritual journey. No matter the physical age, our experiences and the wisdom we have gained can be shared. Often, it is in the sharing that we are lifted up, recognizing someone else has travelled a similar path and come out the other side. Count me in!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Amen!
Jolene @ The Alabaster Jar says
This sounds so wonderful (and scary!) I just started a forum on my blog this past weekend because my heart truly aches for women that are struggling and hurting. I’ll look more into what I need to do to host a community through (in) courage. Oh, and I just love Richella’s idea of it being called, (in)Couragers! : )
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Lovin’ that idea too!
Jolene @ The Alabaster Jar says
Lisa-Jo,
I looked at the app. and everything looks great, however, I’m partner challenged! I’ve been blogging just over a year now and I’ve met some ladies on line but are you looking for us to find partners in our area of the world or does that matter?
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Hi there Jolene, nope partners don’t need to be limited by geography. As long as you have the area where you hope to lead in common, that’s all that counts 🙂
September says
I am loving this idea Lisa-Jo! Your heart is truly evident in your purposes. Thank you for sharing the heart-beat of the Christian walk here at inCourage!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Thanks for being part of our community September!
Melissa says
Lisa-Jo, this is a fantabulous idea! I filled out an app but left the partner blank. I have one in mind but want to talk with her first and have her pray about it.
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
OK, sounds good to us, Melissa!
Courtney F. says
Did this girl apply? Yes ma’am! I would be so thankful and so blessed to be a part of something so wonderful! I LOVE social media and would love to reach out to other women through Facebook, Twitter, and blogging. Thank you to (in)courage and Lisa-Jo for giving us the opportunity to be a part of yet another something wonderful at the (in)courage beach house!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Thank you for your enthusiasm in joining us, Courtney!
Jennifer D Harris says
I’ve been encouraged over the last year by many of the blog posts here at InCourage. The writing has inspired me and encouraged me greatly!!!
I do have a genuine concern about the vision for online community groups here though. I assume (I could be wrong) that InCourage is under the umbrella of a business, not a local church and I understand it is a Christian ministry that provides wonderful resources and teaching materials. So my concern centers around the question: where does the authority and accountability for these groups come from if there is no Elder to oversee them? If anyone can apply and lead one of these groups, isn’t there a danger that perhaps a leader could start up an online Bible study with her group and have very unbiblical teaching and doctrine and perhaps lead many women astray into wrong teaching causing a lot of hurt and damage to one’s spiritual life?
I think InCourage has done a great job as being a Christian women’s network and I’ve recommended it to many people including many of the resources and books that y’all recommend! Having this community is great and exciting to see so many interacting already within it. But I’m curious to know how this would affect the local church if groups are formed and anyone can become a leader for those groups. Shouldn’t Christian women be focusing their limited extra time on building community face to face with women in their local church body which provides pastoral oversight, accountability to correct theology and biblical doctrine and meeting the needs of people in their physical communities? Women are already so over saturated with technology from their iphones to computers and facebook, instagram, twitter, blogs. I’m just afraid that InCourage might be taking the place in meeting a need that should be filled by a local church, which is the local Body of Christ and for which Christ died and rose and is coming back. Many churches are using Facebook and other social networks like The Table or The City to have Bible study discussions and forums within the church community providing pastoral protection over the teaching that is given to its members for their spiritual health. It also provides the pastoral/elder oversight to deal with conflicts that come up between members, doctrinal issues, and how these things impact the church culture.
Thanks InCourage for all you do! God is using your blog ministry as a “refuge”, a “safe harbor” for many women! Many blessings!
Love Jen
Phronsie Howell says
I’m not a person in charge with (in)Courage but I thought I’d share how I see these groups.
First off, personally, I wouldn’t use anything to lead a Bible study that wouldn’t be approved by the leadership of my church. That aside, I see these groups as additional “places” for people to meet. There are some people who can’t leave their house because of medical reasons, there are some who have busy schedules and try to make it to in person church functions but it isn’t always possible, etc. I understand the concern but at the same time I know that I’ve gained a lot by being part of online groups. I would hope that if there was a group that had non-Biblical teaching, that a member of that group would speak up and say “Hey, this isn’t right.” You know?
Mothering From Scratch says
{Melinda} Just heard Holley and Stephanie speak at She Speaks last month. Really appreciated their hearts and encouragement to women. Excited about this opportunity to create a small group community under the larger (in)courage umbrella …. just filled out an application!
Melissa Ens says
I’m sure you all will think of this as you’re coming up with group ideas, but just in case it needs to be mentioned: MISSIONARIES, please. : )
Thank you! Looking forward to hearing what comes out of this…
Tammy K. says
I sent an email a while back but haven’t heard anything. Will we be notified if we are chosen? Thanks!
Diane Bailey says
Hi Lisa-jo, I have applied with my friend Susan. Will we hear back if we are going to be involved with (in)courage?
~Di
Danaye Taylor says
I just realized while going through the cancer treatments I missed the deadline to sign up. Will you be taking additional applications later on to add to this program once it is up and running?
Thank you,
Danay’e Taylor
Maria says
Phenomenal idea! I just discovered this page but it looks like the deadline has passed to apply. Let me know if you have a need for leaders. Included my website with background info.
Welcome to the Incourage Chronic Illness Community - Faith Family Fibro says
[…] Karen on September 2, 2012 A couple of months ago, (in)courage put out a call for women to be leaders of community groups. I responded and was chosen to be the […]