Lament as leadership: A study of lived practices of vulnerability and healing among women leaders in Living Waters Philippines

Abstract

This study explored how lament, vulnerability, and healing shape the character formation, leadership development, and missional witness of women leaders in ministry contexts. While lament and healing have received increasing attention in pastoral and theological discussions, limited research has examined their influence on leadership formation, particularly among women leaders in evangelical settings in the Philippines. Using a qualitative narrative research design, this study investigated the lived experiences of selected women leaders from Living Waters Philippines (LWP). Data were collected through surveys, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software to identify recurring patterns and themes within participants' narratives. The findings revealed that lament serves as a pathway toward vulnerability, healing, and spiritual transformation. Participants described how acknowledging grief, emotional wounds, and personal brokenness fostered deeper dependence on God, greater self-awareness, and healthier leadership practices. The study further found that healing-centered leadership cultivates safe spaces characterized by authenticity, acceptance, discipleship, and spiritual accompaniment. As participants experienced personal healing and restoration, missional witness emerged as a natural outflow of transformed character and relational wholeness. This study contributes to the growing conversation on leadership formation by highlighting the formative role of lament, vulnerability, and healing in ministry leadership. It suggests that leadership development within Christian communities should move beyond performance-orientation and create environments that support emotional honesty, healing, and holistic transformation.