Tiffany Garcea’s journey into pastoral leadership within the United Methodist Church was driven by her faith. Her call to leadership was cemented when she was allowed to preach for the first time, a defining moment that propelled her forward. Despite her passion and commitment, Tiffany has faced doubt throughout her career, particularly due to being a woman pastor and mother. Yet, her resilience and determination have been unwavering. She loves exceeding expectations and proving that she can accomplish anything with God’s help.
The best piece of advice Tiffany received from other women in leadership is the importance of self-care. As someone constantly pushing beyond her limits, Tiffany values the reminder to take care of herself to be fully present for others. Staying true to herself has been essential in navigating a male-dominated field. She approaches her pastoral role with authenticity, striving to serve with grace and compassion.
Early in her career, Tiffany made the mistake of making herself available 24/7. Learning to set boundaries and take breaks has been crucial for her well-being and her ability to be present for her family. Tough conversations are a part of her leadership journey, and she oversees them with empathy, respect, and kindness. While she is unafraid to stand against injustice or inequality, she believes kindness is far more effective than aggression.
The influence of other clergy mothers has been significant for Tiffany. Their resilience, ability to balance work and family life, and dedication to service inspire her daily. Balancing her personal life and career remains a constant challenge. However, she makes a conscious effort to set aside Friday evenings as “Family Night,” where work is put aside, and time is dedicated to her seven children. This intentionality creates priceless memories through themed dinners, movies, and board games.
Tiffany maintains focus and confidence by creating weekly task lists, which help her keep ministry goals and other priorities at the forefront. Her advice to her younger self would be to expect the unexpected, as her journey into pastoral leadership was far from what she initially imagined while working as an elementary school teacher.
When imposter syndrome creeps in, Tiffany is reminded of her authenticity and faith. She finds it difficult to wear a mask when her ministry work continuously brings her back to her true self. The hardest leadership lesson she has had to learn is that, despite her best efforts, there will always be complaints. As a sensitive person, developing thicker skin has been a necessary but challenging process.
One of Tiffany’s proudest moments was her ordination as an elder. Years of education, hard work, and interviews culminated in that significant achievement. It was a moment made possible through the support of God, her family, and friends. She has also had to break through stereotypes about women being unable to work full-time while being good mothers. With seven amazing children and a job she loves, Tiffany remains transparent about her priorities and the behind-the-scenes work she does to break down these misconceptions.
Tiffany wishes more people understood that women in leadership and business are some of the most empathetic, hardworking, and multitasking individuals they will ever meet. Her journey reflects resilience, authenticity, and a deep commitment to her faith and family.
-By Nikki Harper
