Baby Steps into Ministry

Many women are sitting on the sidelines while a few women get into the game of doing the work of the ministry. It’s much like a football game with thousands of fans watching two teams of nine people on the field at one time. The men on the field are having all the fun!

God hasn’t designed us to sit on the sidelines but to get into the action in some way. You may be saying, “How do you know, Angela?” Well, Ephesains 2:10 tells us, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

There are good works which you were created to do. No one else is going to do them. So what is keeping so many women on the sidelines? I asked this very question of some women and here are some of their answers:

• Too busy
• I don’t feel qualified
• Fear of failure or rejection
• I see how well someone else does it and think I could never measure up.
• I don’t feel spiritual enough
• I’m shy and quiet; I could never get up in front of a group.
• I’m not sure what I should or could do. Where do I start?
• 
  

The place to start is with baby steps. In a popular movie “What about Bob” a mental patient is encouraged to take baby steps into each new task he needs to do so that he doesn’t feel overwhelmed. Bob is so overwhelmed by the world that he works out of his own home and is afraid of almost anything. But by using this new perspective he starts taking baby steps, pushing through his fears into a new life.

Many times when we think of ministry it seems too overwhelming. The un-chartered territory, the time commitment, the responsibilities, the people depending on us ,all leave us paralyzed in fear much like Bob.

What are you telling yourself? Is it true? Does it align with scripture? What might be your first baby step into ministry? Think and pray about it and we’ll discuss it in the next post. Feel free to leave your comments as to either why you haven’t stepped into ministry or how you did.

Refresh and Refuel: "Walking With Those Who Have Suffered Sexual Abuse"

The Women of Purpose Conference is offering three Refresh and Refuel Workshops: 1) "Journey to Wholeness" by Carole Showalter and Maggie Davis of 3-D, 2) "Walking with Those Who Have Suffered Sexual Abuse"with Dr. Diane Landberg and 3) "Personality Puzzle" which I am teaching.

I blogged about my subject but another one is dear to my heart also -- "Walking With Those Who Have Suffered Sexual Abuse."When the pain of past abuse became more than I could bear there was no counselor around or small support group to help me. I felt all alone and hopeless. I didn't even know that I needed to share my story. Supernaturally, God brought me to the place where I opened up to a friend and support and healing came flooding into my life.

One out of four women have been sexually abused. Domestic abuse is on the rise and is still very prominent even in the church. These women are frozen in their shame and pain. They desperately need a safe place to find acceptance, validation and healing. If your church does not have a ministry to these women, you need to attend this workshop and pray about beginning a support group.

Dr. Diane Langberg, a practicing psychologist with 35 years of clinical expertise working with trauma survivors, will be teaching this session of the Refresh and Refuel. Dr. Langberg has counseled men and women who have suffered the cruelest forms of abuse. Her book, On the Threshold of Hope, offers hope and healing to abuse victims as well as help to those who walk along side them.

In this workshop, “Walking with Those Who Have Suffered Sexual Abuse”, Dr. Langberg will give advice to those who are “walking beside” abuse victims. Practical advice on how to nuture, comfort and encourage will be shared and a time for questions and answers will be given.

Rev. Laverne Webb, from our Penn Del District has an excellent curriculum, Victory’s Journey, that can be used with men, women or teens who need to process the pain of their past whether it be abuse, rejection, betrayal or abandonment. She would be willing to come train you and others to lead a support group.

For the sake of those trapped in their private pain please prayerfully consider attending this workshop and getting trained to lead Victory's Journey in your church or community.

www.penndelwomenofpurpose.org to register for the Women of Purpose Conference “Flawless” and the Refresh and Refuel Workshop.

Women of Purpose: Refresh and Refuel: Personality Puzzle

As women we define ourselves by our relationships – wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. However, relationships can be difficult at times because people are different. In fact, we are unique – one of a kind, originals by the design of our DNA. Then factor in differences in gender,values, world views and other life influences and it gets a little crazy.

The Bible tells us in Romans 12: 18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” If living at peace depends on me then I need some tools for knowing how to get along. Knowing the personalities and understanding what motivates them can help us to get along better. We will know how to adjust our expectations so we aren’t as frustrated.

For example: The Perfect, Proper Melancholy wouldn’t think of being late to anything; she’s usually early. She expects everyone to respect her need for promptness and starting on time. However, the Playful, Social Sanguine is seldom on time because she is socializing or has just lost track of time in her busyness. In the Sanguines attempt to get along better she can work at being more aware of time and being on time. On the other hand, the Melancholy can adjust her time expectations so she won’t be so frustrated.

My husband is part Perfect Melancholy who needs his space and some alone time to unwind and re-energize. Being the Social Sanguine that I am, I expected his undivided attention when he arrived home. I sometimes felt neglected early in our marriage when he went off alone after coming home from work.. Once we learned about one another’s needs we gladly compromised so that both our needs were met. Getting along is not that difficult when you understand that the differences are not intentional but wired into our design.

At the Personality Puzzle workshop during the Refresh and Refuel sessions you’ll have a chance to learn how to recognize the different personalities so you can put together the pieces of the relationship picture.

The Refresh and Refuel sessions are on Friday morning from 9:00 – 11:00 am at the Hershey Lodge. They are a part of the Women of Purpose Conference “Flawless” on November 12 and 13. Check out the website at www.penndelwomenofpurpose.org.

Missionary Associate Lisa Ward

In June, we had Lisa Ward share what she will be doing in Albania as a Missionary Associate. Here are a few of the questions and her answers:


1. What is a Missionary Associate? A Missionary Associate is a person who goes through a rigourous application process with the Assemblies of God. They have been trained and commissioned by the Assemblies of God to go overseas and come alongside a veteran missionary to spread the Gospel of Christ.

2.. What will you be doing in Albania? I will be working with the staff at the International Protestant Assembly of Tirana. I will be starting a Women's ministry program, helping develop the prayer ministry, help with some administrative duties and with other projects that come up. I will also be traveling the region, when invited, to pray, teach, and encourage others in the Body of Christ. I also hope to be involved in the Bible School.

3. How long will you be living in Albania? The assignment I am going on is for two years. I am pursuing a career as a Missionary Associate.

4. What are some of the challenges in Albania? Albania is the poorest country in Europe; many people are after financial gain. Albania is also one of the main routes in and out of Europe for Human Trafficking. Also, it's a communist country and mostly atheistic but the Muslim presence is growing quickly.

5. How did you pick Albania? I did not pick it. God caused me to fall in love with the people there and see their need for Him from the first trip I took there in 2000. The desire to live there came in time as God worked in my heart and he called me there.

6. What is the Christian church in Albania like? The church in Albania is young, it is is 18 years old. Most of the Pastors and church leaders have not been Christians for more than 18 years. The churches are very small in size, congregations are usually not more than about 50 to 100 people in size.

7. How do you get financial support? I have to raise support myself by asking family and friends for help. I have to raise my entire budge before I am allowed to go.

8. How much support do you need? I need $2400.00 in monthly support and $7300.00 in my cash budget.

10. How much support have you raised? As of June 30, 2010 I have raised $3000 of my cash budget, so that leaves $4300 to be raised in cash. I have raised $620.00 of my monthly budget, so that leaves $1780.00 left to raise for my monthly budget.

11. How would I go about helping you financially? You can send any gift to Assemblies of God World Missions, 1445 North Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802-1894. You would need to include my name, Lisa Ward, and my Missionary Associate number, #294891-7. You can also ask me for a support form and you can mail it in or fax it to the number on it. I would also be happy to mail it for you. Please partner with me and help me to take the Gospel of Christ to the Albanian people. I covet your prayers and your financial help.


We have an opportunity to help one of our sisters in Christ fulfill her dream and destiny while helping Missionaries in Albania. Please pray about what God would have you do.