The Red Letter Disciple Episode 7

007: Kadi Cole on What Women Are Never Asked in the Church

In today’s episode, Kadi Cole talks about the difference between leadership and discipleship, and specifically how to develop female leaders. She explains why the best discipleship happens when people are close to the leader and what that means for the church. And, as a self-proclaimed lover of potlucks, she gives us her breakdown of the best and worst foods to bring to a potluck.

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Resources mentioned in the episode: 

Developing Female Leaders: Navigate the Minefields and Release the Potential of Women in Your Church by Kadi Cole

Leadership Academy 

Christ Fellowship Church in Palm Beach Gardens

Key insights from the episode:

Kadi Cole -

For most of us, we interconnect leadership and discipleship, but they are two different things. 

In discipleship, we are all equal. However, leadership has qualifications. You can be removed from leadership, you cannot be removed from discipleship. – Kadi Cole

Most people won’t serve in full-time ministry roles or pastors, and we do our congregation a disservice when we don’t allow them to grow as disciples in their own spaces. – Zach Zehnder

It is almost universally the experience of women who have leadership gifts that they are not often asked into formal leadership roles in the church to find more organic influential ways outside the church. – Kadi Cole

The higher calling that Scripture talks about is not your career path but to follow Jesus with your whole life.  – Kadi Cole

Women’s role in leadership in the church is not a theological issue; it’s a leadership issue. – Kadi Cole

You have to say it. Godly women will assume they are not welcome in leadership unless you say it. What men leaders can do is articulate where they want women to serve at church.Kadi Cole

We need to systematize how we develop leaders so that organic leadership can happen. Kadi Cole

Small church accountability and familiarity are the foundation that allows you to grow exponentially. – Kadi Cole

God’s not looking for success; he’s looking for faithfulness.Kadi Cole

The further away a new believer is from a mature leader, the harder discipleship is. – Kadi Cole

There are seasons for church, and God will send you the people you need in certain seasons. – Zach Zehnder

Mature believers need more accountability and more oversight, not less.Kadi Cole

One of the ways you can tell God’s timing is by who he sends you. – Kadi Cole

Kadi Cole’s challenge for the week: Find freedom and flexibility in the way in which you connect with God.  

Lead yourself (and your church) to be more like Jesus. Red Letter Challenge

For so many Christians, the discipleship process isn’t very clear.

They know they need to go to church, pray, not sin, and maybe attend a small group. While these are great things, they don’t outline a clear path leading people to live more like Jesus. 

We’d love to introduce you to the 40-Day Red Letter Challenge.

When you and your church take the challenge, you’ll have a clear 40-day discipleship path that will help you master five key areas of discipleship.

You can learn more about the challenge here!

Some not-so-key insights:

Kadi declares Chris the winner of a controversial Scrabble game. Kadi’s favorite letter in Scrabble is Q.

The best things to bring to potlucks are Kraft Mac and Cheese, and Rice Krispy treats.Kadi Cole

Zach padlocks his fridge and refrigerator from his kids. 

Do I dumpster dive? Sure. – Chris Johnson

Watch the entire season for free: 

We’ll be uploading every episode of season one of The Red Letter Disciple on our YouTube Channel. If you aren’t subscribed already, you can do so here!

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