Managing Perceptions: From Laity to Leadership

By Dr. Diane Baldwin-Piper

In her book Managing Perceptions: From Laity to
Leadership, Diane chronicles the journey of the author
from the position of laity to the role of a leader. It is a
journey to self-awarenesssometimes humorous and other
times sobering, an ever-evolving project in progress.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 7, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465373816

Dr. Diane Baldwin-Piper

Dr. Diane Baldwin-Piper was reared in the traditional apostolic church known for its strict standards of dress, conduct, and limited view of women in ministry. Diane came up through the ranks of the church, desiring a role in church administration but went on to become an ordained elder. Diane’s heart, affections, and concerns lie within the area of women’s initiatives—spiritually, emotionally, socio-economically—and their physical and mental well-being. Thus began her love affair and initiation of Dr. Diane Baldwin-Piper Ministries. Through this ministry expression, Diane has traveled the United States and Trinidad, preaching and teaching the good news of Jesus Christ. Having been afforded a rare and special opportunity to work side by side with many of the great female leaders of her organization as well as leaders from other denominations. Dr. Baldwin-Piper’s abilities, knowledge, skill-level, and capabilities have been strengthened, broadened, fortified, and ultimately showcased throughout various national and international settings. Diane is submitted under the covering of Bishop Joseph M. Showell, senior pastor of the Greater Gospel Ark Temple Bible Way Church. In her book Managing Perceptions: From Laity to Leadership, Diane chronicles the journey of the author from the position of laity to the role of a leader. It is a journey to self-awareness—sometimes humorous and other times sobering, an ever-evolving project in progress.

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by Dr. Diane Baldwin-Piper.

Library of Congress Control Number:       2011960167

ISBN:         Hardcover                               978-1-4653-7380-9

                   Softcover                                 978-1-4653-7379-3

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4653-7381-6

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

1-888-795-4274

www.Xlibris.com

[e-mail]

105408

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 Hearing and Accepting the Call

Chapter 2 Finding My Niche

Chapter 3 Being Agitated Out of My Comfort Zone

Chapter 4 Pressing Past the Pain

Chapter 5 Understanding and Knowing Who I Am

Chapter 6 Managing Perception

Chapter 7 Then I Woke Up

Post Word

Dedication

This book is dedicated to the memory of my mother, the late Lillie J. Baldwin, who always encouraged me to achieve the best in life, and to Bishop Christopher Moore, who prophesied that there was a book inside of me that needed to be birthed and shared with the body of Christ.

Evangelist Faith Bryant

It was my special friend and daughter who told me well in advance how my life would be changed by writing this book. I am not the same. While the book may be a finished product, I continue on my endless journey to self-awareness. Thank you, Faith, for working untiringly beside me as a friend, sister, and confidant and for believing in my abilities to write this book. Your support, direction, and critiques allowed me to do this. I truly celebrate your life! You said sharing would change my life—and yes, I’m changed!

Apostle Geraldine Harris-McInnis

To the memory of the late apostle Geraldine Harris-McInnis who shared and supported this dream, I am eternally grateful for her direction, prayers, and endless support. I truly miss you and our monthly girl’s night out as the Golden Girls.

Bishop Joseph M. Showell

Words will never adequately express my sincere appreciation to you for allowing me to grow, blossom, and fly. It was through your mentoring, leadership, and pastoring that I am able to walk confidently in the areas of ministry God has assigned to me.

Mona and LaShawn (Grins and Giggles)

You two keep me forever young. Thank you for being a source of encouragement throughout the years. You are my special girls.

Introduction

It was never my desire to become involved in the ministry other than to possibly become a minister’s wife. But somewhere between the concert-singing tours in and out of the United States, serving the local assembly in various leadership roles, and serving the assistant pastor of our Bible college, the ministry bug somehow became attached to my spirit.

Don’t get me wrong; it took several years before I knew there was ministry gifts deposited inside of me. But I knew something was definitely up when I started engaging in conversation with complete strangers about the Lord while riding the bus to work. I found myself asking people everywhere I went about Jesus, sharing the good news of the Gospel and, many times, praying and ministering to their needs. It got so bad that the bus driver on my route began waiting for me every morning when I was running late because he and the regulars riding that time of the morning wanted to hear more about my experiences with the Lord. I had become the person I disdained the most—that vocal, compelling, inquiring, get-in-your-face person, committed to spreading the Word of God to everyone who would listen. Okay, so I was more than a bit zealous, but I got the Word out!

During one of my weekly telephone calls to my friend and mentor in Pittsburgh, I began telling her how I was so on fire. I was chasing people down to talk about the Lord; I was passing out tracks at the bus stop, witnessing to people on the subway and generally making myself a public nuisance. We laughed about it, but she said that the mantle of evangelism was upon me, and I needed to speak with my pastor and acknowledge the call. How do you do this when you have been reared in a church where ministry gifts have been suppressed in women?

I went to the pastor and explained my situation and asked that I be placed in the position of field missionary—a safe place for women who have the calling to do more than the usual. However, I was told that I