Stepping Back to Step Up: A 6-Week Devotional to Recharge, Refresh, and Refuel Women in Ministry

Upon answering the call of God to work in ministry and serve the local church, many women find themselves not only thrust into a role of pastoral leadership, but also juggling a myriad of responsibilities between family, church and community. In focusing on commitments to others, too many women in ministry put their own personal needs last on the list. As Rev. Courtney Clayton Jenkins has learned from experience, a great leader is set apart by her ability to find balance, strength and stamina to serve God and others while also taking excellent care of herself. Stepping Back to Step Up offers a solution to this common issue through a daily devotional. These devotionals are to be completed Monday—Friday over a period of six weeks, with a core emphasis on balance and strengthening pastoral leadership. As a result, readers will find themselves challenged to live out their call with renewed strength The book offers five key areas, focused on strengthening the visionary leadership of women serving in a local church setting through devotionals and action steps: •Monday Balance •Tuesday Excellence •Wednesday Vision •Thursday Strategy •Friday Perseverance It is all too easy to be consumed by the rigorous personal and professional demands that come with ministry: in just six weeks, Stepping Back to Step Up offers a clear path through this challenging, rewarding and enjoyable calling while also offering personal benefits in a well-paced, balanced life in which women clergy take care of themselves as much they do their flock.

A visionary pastor and teacher representing a new generation of leaders, Rev. Courtney Clayton Jenkins serves as the Senior Pastor and Teacher of South Euclid United Church of Christ. Just months after a fire completely destroyed the church edifice, Rev. Jenkins made history when she became the first woman, first African American and the youngest pastor called to lead this special congregation. With a new campus and name, South Euclid United Church of Christ is experiencing exponential growth under her leadership and gaining recognition as one of the region's most dynamic congregations. Rev. Jenkins holds a Masters of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary with a concentration in Preaching and Congregational Ministry. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Spelman College.