By Denice M. Orr
I remember wrestling for about a year to become comfortable with the words Women's Ministry. It also took me about that long to really grasp what the words meant. Until I did, I think a part of me was hoping they would go away.
Why such a struggle? I think mainly because our denominational use of the word ministry was limited exclusively to ordained ministers. Therefore minister and ministry somehow became synonymous with men only. And, of course, our historical teaching of a men-only ordained ministry makes the words ministry and women's together seem uncomfortable.
We are moving away from many of our in-house words. Now, we are more commonly using words such as Jesus, love, ecumenical and the brotherhood of Christians. As we do this, we understand and are understood by our fellow Christians more easily.
The term women's ministry is in common use among other evangelical Christians. Remember that we also are developing children's ministry, teen ministry and men's ministry. None of these programs are about ordaining children, teens, women or men either.
Ministry simply means service. Yes, minister means servant. But not all servants are ordained. Mr. Tkach has emphasized all members have a ministry (an area of service they are particularly gifted for) and that one of the goals for the church this year is for all to discover our gifts and use them in the service area (ministry) that God has prepared us to enjoy and be effective in.
Don and Katie Fortune's book Discovering Your God-Given Gifts is an exciting stepping stone to finding your ministry. The test they offer is to discern your motivational gifts. These are the ones you really enjoy using for a good purpose. The authors include a chapter titled "Every Christian a `Minister,' " which lists several pages of possible ministry.
Women's ministry is women serving women and the community. It is important to realize that your ministry may not be in the sphere of existing church programs, but may be in the community. If you have a passion to teach slow readers the joy of reading, you have a ministry of your own.
If your heart goes out to unwed mothers you will be motivated to serve them. Finding your gifts and finding the field where you have a passion to help will bring you to your ministry. Ask God to show you the way.
Christ commissioned all of us into the ministry of loving one another as he loves us. Using our gifts in the appropriate ministry is the way to share God's grace to us with all people.
Women's ministry is an important safe haven to help women develop leadership, receive encouragement, healing and strength to multiply our effectiveness in serving others. I'm thankful for it.
Denice Orr is managing editor of Connections, a newsletter for ministers' wives.
February 18, 1997, WN, page 7
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