Reaching Women for Christ

February is the month that the Women’s Missionary Auxiliary promotes growth and enlistment to our ministry groups. God’s Word is filled with stories of how He has worked in and through the lives of women of all ages. These are great stories of women who were faithful in service.  Many of these stories portray women of different ages learning from each other and growing in their faith. Remember Miriam, the big sister who watched over her little brother Moses hidden in the reeds along the Nile, yet she dared speak to the princess to protect him (Ex. 2:1-10)? Then there are the stories of relationships like Naomi and Ruth (the book of Ruth) or Elizabeth and Mary (Lk. 1:39-56). When I read these stories in Scripture, I am reminded that God’s message is for every woman – no matter her age or season of life.   But when you look inside, we are still women with similar needs, desires, hang-ups and worries. By focusing on God’s message and encouraging women from each generation to serve and learn together, we will all be blessed and much richer for the experience.  Here are things to remember when building an intergenerational ministry for women: be intentional to reach and involve all ages, and minister to women of every generation; make sure women from every age group are part of the planning team and get their input and ideas; have women from each generation carry out the plan – serving in every area, side-by-side, using their gifts to the benefit of all, but especially the Kingdom; and produce, growth, friendship, and to be a blessing to each other.We have so much to learn from each other during every season of life. Focus on what each generation has to offer and allow these strengths and gifts to be used to the fullest. What a wonderful time we will have! Here are some questions to think about when looking at your women’s group:

  • Is your women’s ministry intent on creating a welcoming atmosphere for the regular attenders as well as quests?
  • Do you know what criterion first-time quests use to decide if they will return to your church next Sunday, or if they will return to a service after visiting your women’s ministry?
  • What kinds of things draw them; what pushes them away?
  • How do the women in your church relate to each other?
  • What does a quest see when she walks in the door? Are there age-cliques?
  • Does she overhear gossip? “. . . walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).
  • Are your women’s ministry programs intent on developing mature relationships with Christ even if it means stepping out of comfort zones?
  • Is there involvement out of love for the Lord and others? “Now the God of peace . . . equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (Heb. 13:20-21).
To reach women for Christ, we must give a little and help a lot.  Women need spiritual nourishment and Biblical truths taught to them.  We need to use faith-building social media to keep them informed of things happening in our ministries.  Our groups should be a sisterhood of women who can share prayer requests, a listening ear, nonjudgmental advice, and a shoulder to cry on when needed.  So, get busy and call that lady and invite her to come with you to the next meeting.  Make her feel welcome and encourage her to become involved.  Sometimes all it takes is a text and asking to reach those ladies.  
 
Charlotte Johnson
National 1st VP
2/2020

   

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WMA  Enlistment         

Charlotte Johnson, National 1st Vice President                                                  10/2018      
Do you have a women’s Bible study in your church?  If so, we would like to invite you to our meeting when the WMA meets at Rogers, Arkansas in May 2019.  At the WMA meeting in 2017, we voted to encourage all women to become a part of the National WMA.  The name of your group doesn’t matter, and the only requirement is that your group be a member of a local BMA church.  All WMA groups are encouraged to reach out to ladies in your local church.  The theme for WMA this year is to Catch the Vision! Will you catch the vision with the National WMA?
 
You’ve announced it in the bulletin. You’ve had a clever media slide that flashes before church services. You’ve even put up signs in the women’s restrooms. “Join our team!” your notices beg. But month after month it’s the same three women who gather to plan the same activities and the same studies and the same old everything. Are you longing for new leaders to join your team? Longing for them to bring fresh ideas and fresh enthusiasm? Google women’s ministry event ideas, service projects, mentoring, icebreakers, or training, and you’ll find many basic resources. What about the behind-the-scenes information? Where do you find answers to the questions people tend to brush aside?  If you’re reading this article as a brand-new-leader-and-not-really-sure-you-want-to-be-one, keep your heart open. Let God guide you instead of letting your insecurities become an excuse. It won’t be easy. Ministry isn’t always fun, but it’s filled with purpose, including blessings of learning through messes, flops, frustrations, and feelings. If you’re still reading this despite believing you have nothing to do with women’s ministry, take a second glance. If you serve women in any way, you are involved in ministry to women. Pray that God opens your eyes to the women He might have in mind to serve. Then think about the women you connect with at church. Who has a great smile? Who offers to help with small tasks? Who do you see welcoming new people at church? Who’s always praying for others? You might even want to go through your church directory one name at a time and consider what each woman could bring to your team.
 
Are you fully relying on Him, or are you relying on tradition, expectations, or those previously-mentioned comparisons? Just because we have done something for years, should we not change if we aren’t growing our groups?  Traditions aren’t bad in and of themselves. In fact, there’s a sense of security that comes with consistency. God doesn’t change. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. However, that doesn’t mean our ministries should be stagnant. What needs to remain—and what gives real security—is a biblical basis and commitment to seek, follow, and honor God in all things. That means details will change as God changes them. Just because something worked once, or for many years, doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for now. Likewise, just because some people want to change something doesn’t mean it should change. God cares about our desires but intends for us to desire Him and His will above everything else. Put pride and self-indulgence aside. It has no place in ministry except to be weeded out.
 
Remember if you have a Women’s Ministry then you can also be a part of your District WMA, State WMA, or National WMA. We hope to see at the National WMA meeting at JOHN Q HAMMONS CONVENTION CENTER, ROGERS, ARKANSAS on MAY 7, 2019
 
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Pastor/Staff Appreciation October is coming, and the question is, “Have you thought about your pastor, youth minister and deacons’ appreciation for the service they do for your church?”  We shouldn’t just wait until one time of the year, but we should show appreciation often for the service they give to your church.  “Often pastors feel like they’re in a NASCAR race, It’s hard to manage it all. You hit the gas and you just go, go, go.”  I want you to know that I know being a pastor or church staff member is the most difficult job in the world. While it has unbelievable high, we know leading volunteer armies and facing an enemy (Satan and his demons) we may or may not encounter on a regular basis. Pastors have given their lives to serve people only a daily basis. Two of the most important words that we can ever say is “thank you.”

  1. Thank you for going to God on our behalf and praying for us daily.
  2. Thank you for studying God’s Word and communicating its truths to us in a compelling fashion.
  3. Thank you and your family for being willing to live in a fishbowl.
  4. Thank you for demonstrating grace, love and patience when people question your motives and competency. Sheep may be dumb, but they bite. And they have a taste for pastors and church staff.
  5. Thank you for putting in countless hours.
  6. Thank you for being men of impeccable character and integrity.
  7. Thank you to your spouses and children for their willingness to share you with us.
  8. Thank you for challenging and then helping us live a life of meaning and purpose.
  9. Thank you for presiding over the landmark moments of our lives—baptisms, weddings and funerals.
  10. Thank you for having the courage to tell us about the sin in our lives and our need for repentance and a Savior.
  11. Thank you for walking with us through tragedy, marital troubles, raising children and life’s great challenges.
  12. Thank you for the periodic phone calls, texts and emails just to see how we are doing.
  13. And most of all, thank you for not quitting each Monday.
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In conclusion, we will thank you every day of eternity for serving us, the church and our Lord so well. “Thank you” is not nearly enough, but I hope these two words encourage you today.

Churches need to recognize the hard work that the pastor and his staff accomplish for the church and the Lord.  How to do this?  Gift cards, handwritten notes, a money tree, a vacation package, detail their cars, baby sit their kids for a night out to eat, old fashion pounding (for those who don’t know what this is—it is staple foods given by members called a pounding), a new suit, but the best gift is your faithful attendance to church services.
 
Charlotte Johnson
1st Vice President