MOPS Australia has just passed 21 years! So, on Saturday so we held a party! We invited all our friends to our 21st birthday conference – the Every Mum Conference. Over 200 women joined the celebration – leaders, mums, and special guests from around Australia, as well as our keynote speakers from MOPS International. We also added a Friday night Theme Launch for our MOPS group leaders. Continue reading “Every Mum Conference – Celebrating 21 years of MOPS Australia”
Lexia Smallwood
Being a Servant Leader
Servant leadership is not a leadership style; it is a leadership philosophy, and the Bible has a lot to say about this philosophy.
Mark 10:42-45 says:
Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Philippians 2:3-5 defines servant leadership this way:
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
In John 13:1-17 we see an example of how Jesus served those closest to him and showed them the value of servanthood. Verses 12-17 of that passage says:
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
With this in mind, think about what servant leadership actually looks like.
- A servant leader values others. She knows that every leader has intrinsic value outside of the work she does. The servant leader understands and embraces the unique qualities of each member of the team.
- A servant leader develops others by focusing on the growth and welfare of those following.
- A servant leader takes responsibility for herself, her attitude and her work. She is willing to do the hard stuff and works right alongside the team, because the only way servant leaders succeed is if their team succeeds.
Servant leadership doesn’t require perfection, it just requires faithfulness. Servant leadership isn’t about what you do – it’s about how you think. Jesus was the perfect example of a servant leader. Servant leaders lead with Jesus as their example and with others in mind. Let’s focus on leading like that!
Kelli Jordan
Leadership Development Manager (MOPS International) and Mentor
Listen to more about servant leadership in Episode 65 of Connections: The Podcast
The Art of Connection
Members of the Connection Team have the important privilege of engaging mums in meaningful conversations that lead to deeper relationships.
Here are some tips for leading great discussions. Continue reading “The Art of Connection”
To The Full – SA Conference 2019
Upon entering the SA MOPS conference my heart instantly felt full. The room was full of colour, fun and laughter. Throughout the night we played games that really encouraged us to have more fun, we feasted on lots and lots of delicious food, and shared in great conversation.
Girls having fun – at Tassie MOPS Conference
13 - 14 September 2019 Location: Camp Clayton, Turners Beach North West Coast, Tasmania
The ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’ soundtrack is playing in the background as the evening begins with intentional elements demonstrating ideas about living life TO THE FULL! Continue reading “Girls having fun – at Tassie MOPS Conference”
ACT/NSW Conference highlights
The NSW/ACT MOPS Leadership Conference was hosted by the wonderfully talented women of Oran Park MOPS. Bright decorations welcomed us to the upcoming theme of “To The Full” and even the Oran Park building, with its colourful steeple, seemed suited to the cheery and motivational new theme! Continue reading “ACT/NSW Conference highlights”
WA Conference fun
We knew the second we arrived at the WA MOPS Leadership Conference on Friday night that we were in for some FUN! The bright balloons, crazy hats and fluorescent leg warmers set the scene for what was in store. Continue reading “WA Conference fun”
Living Fully – be women who are fun, fearless & friendly
“What if mothering was invigorating, transformative, and the most fun work we will ever do?” (‘Have More Fun’, Mandy Arioto).
Are we connected – but disconnected? Are we too busy doing for God but too busy to be present with God? Our lives as women and mothers are very full, but are we LIVING TO THE FULL? Continue reading “Living Fully – be women who are fun, fearless & friendly”
Grow leaders, grow mums, grow your group
It’s early in the year but it’s never too soon to be looking for leaders to add to your team. Not just for succession for next year or the year after – but for the sake of the mums themselves. Equipping mums for leadership is a core purpose of MOPS. Continue reading “Grow leaders, grow mums, grow your group”
Your bad day does not define you
Yesterday I listened to a Ted talk on forgiveness. The speaker said we should not define a person by one bad day or one event. That made me think of a day when Jessica, my autistic daughter, was about 5 years old.