|
Got Health?
by Susie Larson
How
are things going with your women’s ministry team? How do
you know if your program is a healthy one?
As you know, a healthy program starts with the inner
workings of your ministry team.
Often times women’s ministry groups come about in an
organic, fluid sort of way. But if you were to stop
today and take inventory, would you find that your team
is healthy, thriving, and positioned for growth?
Here are a few checkpoints to see how you are doing:
Age Diversity
~ Do you
have a nice blend of age groups represented one your
team? Older women bring wisdom and experience and help
keep the program grounded. Thirty and forty-somethings
women often bring energy and fresh perspective to the
planning. Young moms often have their finger on the
pulse of the needs of their peers, which helps greatly
in the planning of ministries and events. When the
different generations are represented, you'll often find
a well-balanced program.
Church Support ~
It’s almost impossible for a women’s ministry
program to thrive without the support of the church
staff. Women’s ministries from large churches have had
minimal turnout at their events when no announcements
are made from the pulpit, no messages are in the
bulletin, and no money is allotted for advertisement. On
the other hand, I’ve seen very small churches host large
events, even community-outreaching events, and they’ve
been able to do so simply because the pastoral staff
embraced and endorsed the value of its women’s ministry
program.
Training ~
Growing and thriving ministries are constantly pouring
into their leaders. From soul nourishing retreats to
training in conflict resolution, leaders need to be
continually built up and equipped so they can grow with
the ministry.
Freedom to Share ~
Are your team members able to freely share
their struggles with how things are working? Are you
open to new ideas and fresh perspectives? When the “way
we’ve always done things” is more important than
ministering effectively, the program hits a dead end. A
healthy program is like a river current: fresh life
flowing in and fresh life flowing out.
Room to Grow ~
When your team feels they have found a safe
place to explore their gifts, they will be more apt to
take risks and spread their wings, which is a good
thing. But learning to fly also involves learning to get
up after falling. If your team is strong in integrity,
love, and forgiveness, you have a powerful atmosphere to
grow tomorrow’s leaders.
A
Commitment to Prayer ~
Without a doubt, prayer, or the lack
thereof, separates the ministries that plan nice events
with those that that forever changes lives. Jesus said,
“Apart from Me, you can do nothing.” We are called to
produce fruit that will last long after we are gone.
Impossible to do unless we’re closely linked to the
Vine. Women’s ministry team members must have a
personal and active
walk of faith. Women’s ministry teams must
corporately rely
heavily on their consistent times of prayer for
direction, refreshment, and wisdom. Without a doubt,
this is the single most important component to an
effective ministry. A program fueled by prayer is one
filled with power.
About Susie Larson
Susie has spoken
locally, nationally, and internationally. She is a
multi-published author and a freelance writer for Focus
on the Family. Susie is the author of several books and
many articles. She appeared as a guest on the LIFE Today
Show and has been interviewed on radio stations across
the country.
Learn more about
Susie.
Women's
Ministry Leader Spotlight
by Sue Lennartson
1.
Challenging Issues WM Face
~ There
are studies showing that we have a generation coming up
…a few generations down the line….that will not
experience the life expectancy that our Boomer
generation will experience. The Boomers will be living
longer, healthier, not all moving to Florida and will be
ready to be living out their purpose. On the other side
it is projected that with some future generations down
the line, they will not have the same life expectancy as
the boomers. Why? The projections are showing the
reasons to be additives, foods, obesity…., but the
greatest factor is stress. So how do we as a church…as
women…respond? How will we influence the future
generations and the one we are a part of now? We really
need to focus on our mission. Is what we are offering
through WM real and relevant for our lives today…is
what we are offering through WM about transforming
lives…is what we are offering about growing in our
relationship with Christ and with others in community?
If not, then why are we doing it? Putting effort into
looking at these questions also addresses the challenge
of bringing in a wide range of generations. We often
hear from congregations….where are the young women?
2.
Biggest encouragement for our women ~
We offer a Women’s Bible study called Women In The
Word. It is offered 3 mornings a week and one evening.
Childcare is available at all sessions. There are a
variety of topics and levels of study offered. I watch
weekly women getting excited about God’s Word. The
community is energizing. Through Women In The Word I
have offered a track…a variety of classes focusing….on
wholeness and healing. In all my years of ministry I
have never had the number of women come to me with
concerns about abuse…emotional, verbal, physical and on.
Women are coming out in huge numbers seeking
encouragement. One of the most encouraging experiences
was a class offered for women whose husbands struggle
with purity….addicted to pornography. This was very
hard…believe me…very hard…but was powerfully encouraging
and healing. I praise God for the journey!
3.
Biggest Event Success(es)
~
We hosted a large group event…inviting all women of all
ages with Sarah Groves in concert…WOW!!!!!
We took
a group of women into the boundary Waters into Northern
Minnesota and Canada for a dog sledding trip. Oh my….it
was fabulous. We studied Jesus and his wilderness
journey. What is ours? I will never forget the whole
experience…we challenged ourselves and we grew through
the challenges of Jesus.
4.
Biggest Event Disaster ~
We had
the wrong program for an event. We had a speaker for a
large group outreach event and.the content got touchy
feely…way to interactive for that venue. The content
would have been more appropriate for a retreat setting.
Women who brought friends were uncomfortable and some
people were turned away. The speaker was very good…but
the wrong fit for the event.
5.
Marriage Tips
~ Lift
your husband up in prayer and ask God to help you in
growing as a Godly wife.
My
husband and I just watched a DVD by Mark Gungar entitled
“Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage and Unlock the
Secrets to Life, Love and Marriage." This was so good
for us to watch together…we watched it with our couples
small group. I recommend it for couples of all ages!
6.
Parenting Tip ~
Discover and see your child’s strengths; make sure that
they know their strengths and talents also - then
encourage your child in every way to use
those strengths. A road that get’s a lot of traffic
will be widened….but a road that isn’t getting used
will be in need of repair…help your child to be aware
of their strengths and then watch those areas that seem
weak be lifted up. Sometimes we take too much time
working at bringing up the “C’s” in life.
7.
What
Encourages Me
~
*
People…God’s messengers with words of encouragement
and care.
*
When I experience glimpses of excellence, that
encourages me.
*
Children encourage me…especially my
grandchildren!!!!!!
*
A good laugh encourages me.
*
The challenge of an adventure (like dog sledding)
really gives me energy.
*
The fact that Jesus loves me blesses me speechless!
8. Book’s I would recommend ~ Well here it is ladies: there are so many wonderful books
on Women’s Ministries…from organization to mentoring…
program ideas to curriculum for Bible Study….but here
are my latest favorites.
*
Check out Group Publishing out of Loveland
Colorado…they are putting a major emphasis on
Women’s Ministries resources and I think that they
are right on the edge of great material for Women’s
Ministries.
* I
have been teaching from Katie Braselton’s material
on Purpose…our women are loving it…”Pathways to
Purpose”…”Conversations on Purpose”…”Pathways
through Prayer”…and on and on. Katie has a great
coaching school for women…it is worth looking into.
* I
would recommend any curriculum written by Carol
Mayhall, Kirkie Morrissey, Beth Morre, Kay Arthur,
Anita Renfroe, and Luci Swindoll
*
But here is the book that I am pouring into, it’s
called “Simple Church” by Thom S. Rainer and Eric
Geiger. Honestly, this material is changing the way
our Women’s Ministry will move…WOW! It is calling
us all to the simple Gospel-sharing methods of
Jesus….it is challenging…but go with an open mind…
It is engaging, offering hope and focus for leaders!
I found it extremely helpful with a recent
consulting session with a Women’s Ministry team. The
Simple Revolution has begun!!!!!
9.
Favorite Christian Author(s)
~
Phillip
Yancy, John Maxwell, Carol Mayhall, Kirkie Morrissey and
Joyce Meyers.
10.
Favorite Christian Music Artist ~
Babbie
Mason, Michael W. Smith, Hillsongs with Darlene
Czech and Denver and the Mile High Orchestra!
11.
Favorite Movies
~ "What
About Bob", "Hotel Rwanda"
12. Tips
& Challenges for WM Leaders
~ Leaders,
do you have a personal Board…a group that encourages
you, prays for you and helps you with accountability?
As a
leader, are you practicing Spiritual disciplines:
A. Reading God’s Word. It is one thing to know
about God…but another to know God. W need to be
in his letter to us.
B.
Memorizing God’s word.
C.
Praying.
D.
Fasting.
E.
Keeping a Sabbath. Take good care of yourself
leaders. God needs you balanced, healthy and
energized to reach others for Christ!!!!! I will be
the first to say…all of this takes work and
commitment. The world demands our attention, but
God is waiting there….for us to listen to him…to
help us order our thoughts…to tell us how much we
are loved.
13. Encouragement for Women
~ Sisters, our minds are wired in a most unique way. We are
connecting this to that…this event to that experience…to
that person….and that concern…this opportunity…and on
and on. Wow - we don’t have a “nothing” place in our
brains!!!!! Celebrate who you are, that as a woman you
are very unique and there will never, in all of history,
be another you…you are it!!!!! So, know your Spiritual
Gifts, be aware of your strengths and talents. Use all
that you are …all that God has put in your hand to
continually grow as an authentic follower of Christ!
Cherish the past-learn from it….embrace the future…and
touch the future. Let’s reach our families, our
neighbors and the world for Christ!!!! Phil 4:13…”we
can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!"
About Sue Lenarston
Sue is the Ministry Pastor
at Eagle Brook Church in White Bear Lake, MN.
Are you interested in
networking with Sue?
651-429-9227 or
Sue.Lennartson@eaglebrookchurch.com
|
