As a Christian woman, you may have a mental box defining how God can use you. When we do this we limit Him. The exciting news is that we don't have to be limited in our thinking, for God thinks-and works-outside the box! We should strive for "creativing in ministry," or cultivating fresh ideas about how we can most effectively reach today's generation for Christ.
Creativity is biblical. Even a cursory glance at Scripture reveals that creativity is consistent with the very nature of God. The very first verse in the Bible, Genesis 1:1 tells us that "in the beginning, God created...." The fist mention we have of God refers to his creative acts. With complete effortlessness He creaded something out of nothing-and what a diverse universe He has created! Furthermore, Genesis tells us that god created all people in the image of the Creator which includes this creative element, Ephesians 5:1 commands us to imitate Him. As a result, we have the privilege of expressing our innate creativity to the glory of God. Not only is creativity consistent with the nature of God, but biblical precedent for creativity in ministry can be seen repeatedly. Scripture is full of examples of how God worked uniquely through women. Consider Deborah, a political and military leader, or Esther, a beauty pageant winner who saved the Jews from mass extermination. Tabitha used her seamstress abilities to serve God, while Pricilla was the first tentmaker missionary. God may even work through the person we least expect. Remember how God used sweet little motherly Jael, to be the tent-stake murderer, and therby save Israel (Judges 4:17-24). Tent states aside, the points is clear-God works uniquely through people to meet the needs of others. Creativity In ministry can also be seen in the example and teaching of Jesus and Paul. The very essence of Jesus' ministry represented one willing to be innovative in order to most effectively meet people's needs. Paul too embodied innovation in ministry. He declared; "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22b, NIV). We see this demonstrated in Acts 17, when Paul connected to an affirmed the Athenians' culture, and used their language and methods of communication in order to reach them. We can learn from these ministry examples the tremendous importance of catering one's ministry to most effectively meet people's needs. 1 Corintians 12: 12-12 reminds us that we are one Body, with many parts. Our purpose-full God desgined the Body with diversity, in order for His Body to function effectively. God has provided each of us with a unique ministry "design," making use of our backgrounds, experiences, personalities and spiritual giftings. We honor God when we strive to be who He uniquely created us to be, not trying to fit into some predetermined mold of what an effective minister must be. Not only does God delight in His people developing creative, contemporary, relevant ways to point peoloe to the wonders of Christ, but we will have much more fun int he process, fulfilling who we were created to be. Thankfully, God has never stopped working in diverse ways. He is still using some pretty incredible women, in some pretty amazing ways. Consider Donna. One day, while making donuts in her kitchen, she had a vision and God inspired her to use her culinary background to make a diffence for Him. She now runs teahouses in the Middle East, reaching out to Muslim women. I think of Joan. dedicated to urban ministry, you'll find her in the trenches training leaders to make a differnece in the inner cities of America. Lois is dedicated to helping jews meet their messiah, while Cindy assists teenage girls who have become pregnant and now have nowhere elase to turn. Heidie, a mortician's wife, ministers to families in distress, some who would never darken the doors of a church otherwise. Rhonda who is an endorsed chaplain in Washington State, ministers to motorcycle gangs. Alicia, a former atheist, is now touching women everywhere through her speaking and writing. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. God has worked outside the box" through women in the past. He is still doing it today, and you can be sure that He can work "outside box" through you. |
I. Women's Ministries
A. What is this concept about? B. Why is there a need? C. What are the benefits? II. What is your purpose in the Kingdom? III. Admitting and Affirming the Kingdom Purpose of women in our churches/community. To embrace the opportunity to help the women within the churches that they serve to understand their kingdom purpose. Accepting the responsibility to consider leading women's ministries by seein it as a viable tool for ministry and service. I. Sharing Principles needed for starting a Women's Ministry. A. Doing Ministry - call it what it is. B. Determining a need II. Designing the Ministry A. Developing a mission statement B. Doing Gift(s) assessments C. Centered in the Word III. Developing Leadership A. Pray B. Discovering leaders C. Enlisting leaders D. Training leaders IV. Discernment for Dream Team V. Delegte Respnsibilities VI. Determine your calendar VII. Small Group Activities Suggessted Bibliography Resource The Holy Bible (New Internationl Version)a (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House 1994) Adams, Chris, Women Reaching Women (Nashville: Lifeway Press 2001) Adams, Chris, Transformed Lives (Nashville: Lifeway Press 2000) I. Preparation II. Inviting III. Purpose of Events IV. Promotion/Publicity V. Balance VI. Evaluation |