Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58, KJV

Yesterday, during the C.D. Hubert Lecture Series (sponsored by the Interdenominational Theological Center, Baptist School of Theology, Atlanta, GA) at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church, I was blessed to participate on a panel with three other female pastors. Our initial topic for discussion was "Women in the Community, the Academy and the Church." However, as we began to introduce ourselves and say a little bit about our experience as female pastors, several painful realities emerged:

• Many female pastors wrestle with loneliness due to the lack of support from their spouses, limited numbers of female colleagues and congregational insensitivity.
• Women frequently oppress other women for a myriad of reasons.
• We are still looking for ways to confront and change these unfortunate truths.

Despite all of these painful realities, God is still opening doors for women.

One of our panelist Rev. Billie Cox, is the newly elected pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Conyers, GA - a historic African American Baptist Church.

Another panelist, the Rev. Dr. Valerie Tate Everett, serves as the University Chaplain/Director of Religious Life, Clark-Atlanta, GA. There she holds services througout the week and on Sunday mornings, reaching a crowd of students of over 500 weekly!

Another panelist, Rev. Anita Green, serves as a chaplain, ministering to individuals, families and scores of others in need of support during times of tragedy and life transitions.

Each of these women shared stories of triumph in the midst of struggle. Certainly, "we have come over a way that with tears has been watered!"

I praise God for the opportunity to have met these powerful women who have persevered, stood through the storm and are coming out blazing trails and opening doors for other female clergy!"

I was privileged to share themes from this my first book, Beyond the Stained Glass Ceiling: Equipping and Encouraging Female Pastors, during the panel.

Women of God, let us remain faithful to the call of God. Although the struggle can feel daunting, through Christ, we shall prevail.