It sounds like we share the same heart, recognizing that there is value in having ministry for women. And yet, we need to embrace our changing culture in fresh ways. In this new day, we see people less committed to programs or institutions, while hungering for relationship. How do we do ministry in a new way, in these days? We need to wrestle with this question, in our Women's ministry.
Regarding the workshop that I led at the Day of Encouragement, I think we just began to scratch the surface. We talked about the need for all of us as leaders to be wholistic in our ministry - that God's Word needs to inform and shape us, as we engage community, while walking in the fellowship of believers. We also talked about the need to be pouring into the next generation.
Perhaps the greatest thing that came out of the workshop was the recognition that we need to pour into the life of another. For many women, there are opportunities to mentor other women, perhaps even somewhat informally. We can identify someone who could be encouraged in their leadership, and simply offer to pray for them, and walk alongside them in their journey. Or we might intentionally walk alongside someone who is far from God - pray for them, initiate conversations that might go to spiritual things, etc.
Too often we have rested in the 'programs' of church, of which Coffee Break is one. While I believe programs can be so helpful in discipleship, I also believe that if we're not doing this on a personal level, the programs begin to fall flat. Jesus poured into the lives of his 12 disciples (his small group) and more intentionally into the life of 3. So, who are your 12, and who are your 3?
2 Tim. 2:2 demonstrates the need to continually pour into the life of others, through teaching. It speaks for 4 generatioons of Christians. Each one of us can read the passage, and see where we fit into the picture. Am I passing on the faith, through my life rubbing onto the life of another? Am I salt and light in my church, and my community?
I have thought about having a forum as Marianne describes - gathering people together to wrestle through the question of women's ministry in today's changing culture.
Please let me know - What are your thoughts about Women's Ministry in the current culture?
Yes, you should definately be posting these questions - that's the idea! We want this to be a place to share ideas and resources.
I connected with a Coffee Break group today, who shared a "giving" idea for Christmas. In a couple of weeks, they will draw names for Christmas for a secret gift, but the gift is meant to be a gift of self. They are not encouraging purchased gifts, but rather a gift of your talent or time. Some suggestions shared were to make a gift (cards, knitting, baking, etc.) or to give the gift of time - offer babysitting, take someone out for coffee, visit someone. Women were challenged to give a gift that flows out of who you are, rather than feeling the need to purchase a gift. On their special Christmas celebration, they will give these gifts, and share together over coffee and treats.
Another thought might be to involve your women in a service project, for half the morning; finish with your brunch and social time. Serving others will grow your heart!
You might consider some of these ideas:
- have everyone bring some personal care items for the homeless, and put them together in packages for a shelter
- everyone can bring items for a baby shower for a local women's shelter - package them up and deliver
- everyone is asked to bring home baking --> prepare packages wrapped in cellophane and deliver to the neighbours around your church
- ask a community agency what they might need - see how you might assit them
Thanks Freda, for sharing about your Coffee Break ~ it sounds like things are going very well. Thanks for the renewed call to prayer, to God's Word, to the practice of meeting together, and to being open to God's Mission! May we all be encouraged to follow God's leading as Coffee Break continues to embrace the greater mission of God!
These are great helps Sam! One thing that has worked well in our small group, is to separate the men and the women for prayer. We find that when we are in different rooms, the prayers in both groups come more freely. I'm sure its the smallness of the group that encourages participation, but also the single gender in each group allows for some freedom in prayer.
In another Bible study group that I host, we also will divide into small groups of 3 or 4, for a short prayer time, which encourages each person to pray, while developing closer relationships. Our journey to God, is something that should be practiced in deep community with each other. Smaller groups for prayer encourages these deeper relationships.
Thanks Freda, for opening up this discussion! And thanks to all of you for giving such great ideas.
I am doing a workshop on this theme, this Saturday (Oct. 15) at our Day of Encouragement, in Hamilton, ON. I look forward to an open dialogue about Women’s Ministry, to wrestle with the dynamics of our changing cultural context. I am excited to read of the interest and enthusiasm from the rest of you as well! Perhaps I’ll see some of you at my workshop. It’s important to keep the dialogue going as we seek to do relational ministry with women to bless the neighbourhoods and communities in which we’ve been planted. I look forward to more comments & posts.
This is a great summary of the discussion, and of the main themes of Coffee Break. I've been thinking a lot about the Leadership Development piece, and about how we might continue to grow the Leadership of women, in our churches. In Ontario, we're planning a Women's Leadership Retreat for the end of September, for any woman who wants to grow in her leadership, and in whatever she believes God is calling her to. If you're interested in this retreat, please send me an email [email protected].
Also, it might be helpful Sam, to post this conversation on the Coffee Break forum as well! Are you able to do that? Or I could do it, with your permission.
Emptying ourselves ~ its really what we do when we come to Christ. And its the manner in which we do ministry, as we recognize that its not what we bring, but its what God can do. I believe this is a constant battle, to not be driven by our own agenda. The challenge is to be open to the 'surprise' of God, and also to help others to be open to this as well. It's about listening to God, in the midst of the busy agenda.
Posted in: Simple Steps to Faith Sharing
Thanks Keith, that's helpful!
Posted in: Consider Women's Ministry
Thanks Marianne,
It sounds like we share the same heart, recognizing that there is value in having ministry for women. And yet, we need to embrace our changing culture in fresh ways. In this new day, we see people less committed to programs or institutions, while hungering for relationship. How do we do ministry in a new way, in these days? We need to wrestle with this question, in our Women's ministry.
Regarding the workshop that I led at the Day of Encouragement, I think we just began to scratch the surface. We talked about the need for all of us as leaders to be wholistic in our ministry - that God's Word needs to inform and shape us, as we engage community, while walking in the fellowship of believers. We also talked about the need to be pouring into the next generation.
Perhaps the greatest thing that came out of the workshop was the recognition that we need to pour into the life of another. For many women, there are opportunities to mentor other women, perhaps even somewhat informally. We can identify someone who could be encouraged in their leadership, and simply offer to pray for them, and walk alongside them in their journey. Or we might intentionally walk alongside someone who is far from God - pray for them, initiate conversations that might go to spiritual things, etc.
Too often we have rested in the 'programs' of church, of which Coffee Break is one. While I believe programs can be so helpful in discipleship, I also believe that if we're not doing this on a personal level, the programs begin to fall flat. Jesus poured into the lives of his 12 disciples (his small group) and more intentionally into the life of 3. So, who are your 12, and who are your 3?
2 Tim. 2:2 demonstrates the need to continually pour into the life of others, through teaching. It speaks for 4 generatioons of Christians. Each one of us can read the passage, and see where we fit into the picture. Am I passing on the faith, through my life rubbing onto the life of another? Am I salt and light in my church, and my community?
I have thought about having a forum as Marianne describes - gathering people together to wrestle through the question of women's ministry in today's changing culture.
Please let me know - What are your thoughts about Women's Ministry in the current culture?
I hope to hear from you!
Blessings,
Marian
Posted in: Looking for Special Brunch Ideas
Hi Michelle,
Yes, you should definately be posting these questions - that's the idea! We want this to be a place to share ideas and resources.
I connected with a Coffee Break group today, who shared a "giving" idea for Christmas. In a couple of weeks, they will draw names for Christmas for a secret gift, but the gift is meant to be a gift of self. They are not encouraging purchased gifts, but rather a gift of your talent or time. Some suggestions shared were to make a gift (cards, knitting, baking, etc.) or to give the gift of time - offer babysitting, take someone out for coffee, visit someone. Women were challenged to give a gift that flows out of who you are, rather than feeling the need to purchase a gift. On their special Christmas celebration, they will give these gifts, and share together over coffee and treats.
Another thought might be to involve your women in a service project, for half the morning; finish with your brunch and social time. Serving others will grow your heart!
You might consider some of these ideas:
- have everyone bring some personal care items for the homeless, and put them together in packages for a shelter
- everyone can bring items for a baby shower for a local women's shelter - package them up and deliver
- everyone is asked to bring home baking --> prepare packages wrapped in cellophane and deliver to the neighbours around your church
- ask a community agency what they might need - see how you might assit them
- sing carols in a nursing home
I'd love to hear more ideas from others!
Blessings,
Marian
Posted in: Is Coffee Break a Missional Small Group?
Thanks Freda, for sharing about your Coffee Break ~ it sounds like things are going very well. Thanks for the renewed call to prayer, to God's Word, to the practice of meeting together, and to being open to God's Mission! May we all be encouraged to follow God's leading as Coffee Break continues to embrace the greater mission of God!
Posted in: Praying Together in Small Groups
These are great helps Sam! One thing that has worked well in our small group, is to separate the men and the women for prayer. We find that when we are in different rooms, the prayers in both groups come more freely. I'm sure its the smallness of the group that encourages participation, but also the single gender in each group allows for some freedom in prayer.
In another Bible study group that I host, we also will divide into small groups of 3 or 4, for a short prayer time, which encourages each person to pray, while developing closer relationships. Our journey to God, is something that should be practiced in deep community with each other. Smaller groups for prayer encourages these deeper relationships.
Posted in: Women Reaching Women
Thanks Freda, for opening up this discussion! And thanks to all of you for giving such great ideas.
I am doing a workshop on this theme, this Saturday (Oct. 15) at our Day of Encouragement, in Hamilton, ON. I look forward to an open dialogue about Women’s Ministry, to wrestle with the dynamics of our changing cultural context. I am excited to read of the interest and enthusiasm from the rest of you as well! Perhaps I’ll see some of you at my workshop. It’s important to keep the dialogue going as we seek to do relational ministry with women to bless the neighbourhoods and communities in which we’ve been planted. I look forward to more comments & posts.
Blessings to all of you!
Posted in: Five Missional Themes of Coffee Break
Thanks Sam,
This is a great summary of the discussion, and of the main themes of Coffee Break. I've been thinking a lot about the Leadership Development piece, and about how we might continue to grow the Leadership of women, in our churches. In Ontario, we're planning a Women's Leadership Retreat for the end of September, for any woman who wants to grow in her leadership, and in whatever she believes God is calling her to. If you're interested in this retreat, please send me an email [email protected].
Also, it might be helpful Sam, to post this conversation on the Coffee Break forum as well! Are you able to do that? Or I could do it, with your permission.
Thanks!
Marian
Posted in: Surprises
Emptying ourselves ~ its really what we do when we come to Christ. And its the manner in which we do ministry, as we recognize that its not what we bring, but its what God can do. I believe this is a constant battle, to not be driven by our own agenda. The challenge is to be open to the 'surprise' of God, and also to help others to be open to this as well. It's about listening to God, in the midst of the busy agenda.