Elaine Moyer has led in both public and private school classrooms, on the athletic field, as department chair and associate athletic director at Bluffton (Ohio) University, as principal of Christopher Dock Mennonite High School, Lansdale, Pa., and now as senior director of the Mennonite Education Agency.

Do/did you have a woman leader as mentor? If so, how does/did she help you?

Growing up in the 1960s and entering professional life in the 1970s was a privilege. Full leadership for a young woman was possible in Girls Missionary and Service Auxiliary and leadership as a vice president or secretary was possible in Mennonite Youth Fellowship. Women led as Sunday school teachers and head of Women’s Missionary and Service Auxiliary. The leadership from within taught me valuable lessons. Both women and men have served as models of servant leadership for me.

Are you mentoring a young woman who may be a potential church leader?

Just as I have been blessed to have mentors, I seek to encourage others to step into leadership. I recommend Thriving in Leadership, a collection of essays from various Christian perspectives, including those who lead from the base of Mennonite/Anabaptist faith. Each chapter is written by senior-level administrative leaders at Christian colleges. See a review here.

If so, how is her experience the same/different from yours?

I see hopeful signs that women are being actively invited to serve on boards, church counsel, in ministry and as administrators. The voice and leadership style that women bring to leadership positions strengthen vision and decision-making. I am encouraged that many boards are noticing that it is essential to have balance of gender and ethnicity at the table.

What impediments have you faced in becoming a leader?

I grew up on a farm with parents who encouraged me to step up and do, learn and lead. I was surprised to enter organized settings where, as a young woman, I was expected to “know my place.” We still have too many church and related ministries where Jesus might frown at the system and turn in support of those that systems ignore.

When you face challenges as leader, what encourages you?

I face many challenges that require prayer, direct communication and collective, honest discernment. I am most encouraged when people of faith come prepared to stay at the table engage difficult issues and questions. “God calls us to be followers of Jesus Christ and by the power of the Holy Spirit to grow as communities of grace, joy and peace so that God’s healing and hope flow through us to the world.” My hope is that we will all faithfully seek to live this vision.