Our Mission and Values
Rationale for the 2023 Updates to our Mission, Vision, and Values
Values should not just be factual, they should be aspirational; grounding, and guiding. This is where we return to in order to remind ourselves both who we are and who we desire to become. These are “anchors and flares” to give shape to our activities, programming, leadership formation, and advocacy.
Our Mission
Young Clergy Women International creates a holy and authentic community that sustains generous collaboration, embodiment and solidarity for and by Christian clergy women under 40.
Our Identity
YCWI is especially designed to center the experiences of women in ministry. We affirm the gender identity and participation of trans women. Genderqueer, non-binary and agender persons who feel their participation in a women’s organization aligns with their lived experiences are also welcome in our membership and leadership.
Our Vision
We witness the theotokos, God coming to earth in the body of a woman, and a resurrection first preached by women (John 20:18). From beginning to end the ministry of Jesus was surrounded and uplifted by those on the margins of the established male-dominated system; their legacy should not only be remembered, but celebrated. Our ancestors of faith inspire our call to preach, teach, equip and empower the work of the church in the 21st century.
Our Values
We live out our mission, identity and vision:
- With generous collaboration in the professional community. We are not alone! Under the umbrella of kinship we affirm that we are part of the body of Christ which is not ordered according to white hetero-patriarchal structures. We believe in the power of connection across denominational and ecumenical space. We collaborate together, sharing resources and fostering safe spaces to find support and help.
- By embodying leadership and empowerment. We unapologetically claim and advocate that the global church is healthier, holier, and braver when diverse and marginalized voices are empowered to lead. We believe that all bodies are a reflection of God’s self in the world and reveal attributes of the divine. We strive to grow leaders and authors by collaborating, sharing leadership, and lifting up those who struggle to have equal power to their voice in this area. We champion the words and work of our membership knowing that it benefits not only our ministries but all of creation.
- In solidarity with one another in the world. Knowing that we are a work in progress and we are working towards a kin-dom that is here but not yet – we aspire to be in solidarity by advocating for the movement toward Christ’s kin-dom, including anti-racism, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, and accessibility justice. In seasons of joy and sorrow, struggle and perseverance, we create spaces of safety and trust so that all may be fully authentic and vulnerable. We celebrate and build our capacity to become the religious leaders that the world needs. We strive to live into this by proactively including and privileging the voices of Black, indigenous and people of color, disabled people, and queer people.