Ashley Allen teaches a women’s ministry class at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
“I abide by what Scripture says,” Allen said. “But at the same time, Scripture provides opportunities for me as a woman.”
In college, Allen knew she was being called to a Christian vocation, but she refined that calling through the example and guidance of the ladies at her church — many of whom didn’t carry a title.
“They were what I define leadership to be now, which is influencing,” Allen said. “When you are influencing somebody else, you’re leading them — good or bad.”
Men, including a seminary dean, a professor and a state convention leader, also championed Allen along her career path. Allen said they invested in her, ran interference and recommended her for different positions.
Today Allen is doing the influencing, and she would like to see more women in Southern Baptist life fostering leadership among their peers in “whatever it may be, but really coming alongside those ladies and giving them opportunities to be able to serve and to use their gifts.”
This article originally appeared here.
