"Women's ministry is not about pastoring a church, giving sermons or being ordained," said Tammy Tkach, women's ministry adviser for the Worldwide Church of God.
"Women have spiritual needs that other women can help fulfill," Mrs. Tkach said. "We can nurture each other, encourage each other, become better friends and pray together."
Pasadena women's ministry
"In Pasadena we have started small groups for women, which are led by women facilitators," Mrs. Tkach said. "The women are learning how to open up to each other, trust each other and pray together.
"We also have women's assemblies every other month after worship services and a local newsletter."
"Each woman has a ministry," Mrs. Tkach said. "Whatever we do to serve other people is a ministry.
"Helping the women of the church use their gifts and become better equipped to help others has become my ministry," Mrs. Tkach said. "I feel that God put me here in the right place at the right time for that purpose."
Women's ministry support team
Women's Ministry Support (WMS) was organized to promote women's ministry in the church. WMS is a resource for pastors and their designated women's ministry directors as they establish women's ministry in their local churches.
WMS is coordinated by Mrs. Tkach and Sheila Graham. Patricia Halford is the WMS international representative.
WMS information includes: how to begin a women's ministry program; how to choose a women's ministry coordinator; sample mission statements; a women's ministry philosophy statement; recommended books and videos; and a women's ministry survey form.
"Each church area is unique," Mrs. Tkach said. "Each has different women with different needs and different talents. We offer ideas and guidelines, but the implementation will be unique to each congregation and limited only by their creativity and energy."
Ministerial conferences
Mrs. Tkach led discussions with ministers' wives about women's ministry in the latest round of U.S. regional conferences and in Europe and Australia. Tapes of her presentations were shown at the South African and Philippine conferences.
"The feedback we have received has been mostly positive," Mrs. Tkach said. "When people realize that this is biblical and Christian they begin to see the vision and think of ways they can help each other on their spiritual journey."
Trish Clauson, who serves the Sherman and Paris, Texas, churches with her husband, Arnold said: "Women's ministry is helping us as women in the church to grow in three areas. First, through personal nurturing received by women's small groups, Bible studies and prayer groups. Second, through the physical and spiritual support that we are developing with one another. And third, the ability to be better equipped as a result of this nurturing and support, to share the fullness of Christ with our neighbors and community."
Mrs. Clauson continued: "Women's ministry is not only guiding us in these areas, but has also given us permission and the church's blessings to more fully develop our unique design as women.
"Understanding the possibilities of women's ministry is like finding a buried treasure--only that treasure turns out to be in the beauty of God's feminine design and what we are able to accomplish with his gift."
Said Patty Lohr, who serves the Tulsa, Oklahoma, church, with her husband, Ron: "Every area is different, but one thing we have in common is our goal to serve our families, our church, our community and each other.
"Tammy got the ball rolling with the last conference. She encouraged us all to go back and start something in our areas. Her example of love and concern for the women in the church was a catalyst for me.
"I have said often that I didn't want to get up in front of an audience. I would rather serve behind the scenes. But, Tammy gave me courage to step out. I feel that is catching, and now we have many women in our meetings sharing their lives and ideas of how to serve others.
"As a result we are learning a lot more and getting to know each other better. A closer bond has been created, and we are learning more ways to serve."
Getting started
Before the doctrinal changes, Mrs. Tkach went on church visits and to some conferences with her husband, Joseph, who then served as director of Church Administration, but she didn't have what she considered any role in the church.
When the doctrinal changes occurred, people started resigning. Connections, the church's newsletter for ministers' wives, was without an editor.
"I realized that if Connections was to continue, and I really wanted it to because it had been valuable for the ministers' wives, somebody had to keep it going, so I stepped in."
The assignment for speaking at ministerial conferences also fell to Mrs. Tkach.
"There was a need, I was there and I had the time to do it," Mrs. Tkach said. Her work has all been done on a volunteer basis. She receives no salary.
Something big for women of church
The following is an excerpt of an article that Mrs. Tkach wrote for Christian Women in Touch, a newsletter published by Sheila Graham (e-mail smgnet@aol.com)
"When I first heard the words women's ministry I didn't know what they meant, and I didn't know that I and the women in our church needed it," Mrs. Tkach said.
"Those two words, or rather the Holy Spirit, touched something inside of me that day. My mind seemed to fill up with a vision of something that could be big for the women in our church. I didn't know how, but I knew this could be the vehicle that could provide encouragement and opportunity to many women.
"It's vital to the health of a church that the leadership provides every member the chance to recognize, develop and use their spiritual gifts. Jesus rent the veil and made us a priesthood of believers. All members of the body of Christ have been endowed with spiritual gifts, and he will empower us to use them.
"We as women represent a vast pool of gifts and energy and if the church is to grow and do all it can to advance the kingdom of God, we must follow Christ's example. Jesus did not hold anyone back, but offered the opportunity of kingdom work to women as well as men.
"The Titus 2 model for women is one of mentoring each other, so that not only physical knowledge is passed from one generation to the next, but also spiritual understanding.
"Many women have been hiding in caves of isolation, fear and loneliness. Coming out of our caves means we need to learn to trust each other with our spiritual selves. With a bit of trust, we can then practice a little confession, instead of keeping our sins and weaknesses locked up inside. A small group is a wonderful tool that enables us to share ourselves, talk about and study Scripture, and pray together.
"God has given gifts and he expects us to use them. Women's ministry can enable women to recognize their gifts and provide a safe atmosphere in which to exercise them. The leadership skills we have been practicing at home or at work will have a chance to emerge or shine more brightly through the opportunities that arise in women's ministry. Don't be afraid to try new things! It can hurt to stretch, but it's necessary if we want to grow.
"A strong relationship with the Savior, a good biblical foundation, close ties with the women in your congregation--all of this adds up to empowerment for ministry.
"Ministry, or service, is the reason we are here. God created us and gives us gifts that build up and support others. Given all that God has done for us, how can we not respond to his love? He equips us through our relationships with him and each other.
"With our unique female perspective, we can fulfill the Titus 2 command to help and teach each other. We can minister to our sisters and the rest of the church, and we can bring some heart to the body of Christ.
"During the time of Jesus Christ, with the institution of the new covenant, the paradigms for ministry changed. Women in the New Testament church were allowed and even encouraged to participate in proclaiming the gospel of the Savior. Women such as Priscilla, Dorcas and Lydia were active and visible members of this new church. They had a ministry of loving, compassionate, Christlike service.
"They were not ordained, but they were not afraid to speak openly with knowledge and faith in their own homes and at the river while doing the wash, to other men and women in the church. Priscilla even filled Apollos in on some of the areas where he was lacking understanding, such as on the subject of the Holy Spirit."
Whole lot of encouragement
Mrs. Tkach said: "All of us are sisters in Christ and we need to reach out to each other. If we look at the women in our congregation as sisters we'll realize that there's a whole lot of love and encouragement out there.
"Christ values each of us, and we derive our identity from him. When we realize that our identity comes from Jesus, that should be all the encouragement we need to go out and do the work that God wants us to do."
First book you should buy: Women's Ministry Handbook (Victor Books) edited by Carol Porter and Mike Hamel, is the most comprehensive book we've found so far on starting a women's ministry, Mrs. Tkach said. This resource is full of organizational and ministry tips that can be adapted to any size church. To quote from the book jacket, "Women's Ministry Handbook begins with the `whys' of women's ministry, then thoroughly discusses spiritual as well as personal qualities of leadership, including spiritual gifts and temperament tests.''
Resource Guide for Women's Ministries, by Linda R. McGinn, Broadman Press.
The Women's Ministry Leader's Handbook, by Pat Clary, W.M.I. Publishing. (This book may not be widely distributed, but you can inquire about it by calling 1-818-345-1488.)
Effective Ministry Management, Organizing Your Ministry for Growth by Becky Bryant.
Leadership for Women in the Church by Susan Hunt and Peggy Hutcheson.
By Design by Susan Hunt.
Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt.
(Books by Susan Hunt may be ordered through the Christian Education Publications Bookstore, 1-800-283-1357.)
Operation Changed Lives, the Role of the Small Group Bible Study Leader by Teresa Daniels.
Heart After God, the Spiritual Formation of a Leader by Prudence Dancy.
Designed to Disciple, the Mentor's Role in Developing Leaders by Terrie Purgason.
The Gentle Touch, Knowledge, Skills, and Techniques for Women Counseling Women by Margaret House, Ph.D., and Charles House, Ph.D.
BOREHAMWOOD, England--Women in the United Kingdom and Europe are inspired by the direction given by Mrs. Tkach to develop their abilities and leadership skills in serving one another as well as their communities," said Pat Halford, women's ministry representative from Europe.
Mr. Tkach wrote in The Worldwide News after the June regional directors conference that the key theme throughout the conference was "diversity within unity."
Diversity in women's service has varied from country to country. Culture and size of the church play a part in how we use this tool, as does age and the gifts of the people involved.
At a U.K. ministerial conference the women met to share ideas of how women were serving in their areas. The range included everything from raising money for Romania by the women putting on a neighborhood coffee morning, to women's small group meetings in one another's homes. We are cautiously encouraging women to take more active participation in congregations.
Through prayer, patience and encouragement from one another, the women are growing in confidence and a selflessness in using their gifts and talents for the strengthening of the churches here in the United Kingdom and Europe.
The Women's Ministry of the Worldwide Church of God provides opportunities for women to fulfill their calling to share in the Great Commission Christ gave to his church. Through service to others, support from other Christian women and through important social contact, Women's Ministry enables women to establish and strengthen their relationship with Jesus Christ, develop in godly maturity, and share the message of Jesus Christ with the world.
We value the commission of the church and women's responsibilities to fulfill that commission.
We value our relationship with Jesus Christ and our responsibility to nurture our relationship with God and with others.
We value the spiritual gifts God has given to women and our responsibility to provide opportunities for meaningful service.
We value the spiritual gifts God has given to men and recognize the importance of complementing those gifts in Christian service.
We value our children and youths and our responsibility to nurture their relationships with God and Jesus Christ.
We value the unique needs of women and our responsibility to help meet those needs.
* To identify, utilize and nurture the spiritual gifts God has given to women.
* To provide a positive climate for women to experience growth in service to Jesus Christ and his Body.
* To equip and empower women for effective ministry to others.
* To be Christlike examples to our children so as to help and inspire them to use their gifts for God.
* To reach out to our neighbors, treating them with acceptance and respect, nurturing our relationships and providing an entry point to the church.
* To address the concerns of women in a multicultural, multiethnic context.
* To bring women's perspectives to the issues in the church that affect women.
* To provide avenues of meaningful Christian service for women according to their gifts.
"Ministry is not a choice from a biblical perspective. It is what Jesus did, and he asks us to follow in his footsteps" (Dorothy Dahlman, women's ministries consultant).
Jesus Christ defined ministry as servanthood (Matthew 20:26-27). His was a ministry that required self-denial and sacrifice. "Take up your cross and follow me,'' he challenged his followers. The New Testament records that in spite of the real dangers and hardships they faced, women as well as men heeded Christ's call to go forth to carry out his Great Commission.
Theirs was not a quest for status or prestige. Many were tortured and died. They denied themselves even the basic comforts so that the gospel of the kingdom could be preached to all who would hear. With those New Testament pioneers as their spiritual heritage, women today who are stirred by the same Spirit to serve Christ have a need to be encouraged and equipped to do good works.
Christian women today are better educated than ever before and have more skills. They desire to be involved in their churches in areas where they can use those skills and abilities. Women's ministry is an opportunity for the church to provide a path for women to develop their relationships with Christ and with other members. Women seek for meaning and purpose in life through their relationships. An organized women's ministry program is a way that spiritually mature women in the church can provide that service for the newer women members.
Church growth is difficult without personal acceptance within the congregation. A women's ministry program can create an environment where women are accepted. Designed to fit the special needs of women, women's ministry would not be just a church program, but would be interwoven into the very fabric of the church. Our women's program would fit into a fully organized program under the leadership of the church pastor that would serve all the members. Men and women worked together in the New Testament church to serve Jesus Christ in building the body of the church.
Sept. 17, 1996, Worldwide News, page 9
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