Women in the Ministry
I took this title from another blog (Scot McKnight at http://jesuscreed.org/), so I ask his pardon. He's been writing for a while on the topic, but his words this morning have caused me to spend some time thinking about it. Actually, several things this morning have pointed me in the direction of Christian ministry.
Is funny how we define ministry even. Most of us immediately think of a pulpit preacher. Or maybe even a song leader. But that leaves a lot of us out. Or maybe off the hook?
My thoughts are nowhere near as deep as Scot McKnight's, and even the purpose of this post isn't exactly the same as his. But I do want to look closer at my own work.
Can women be in the ministry? Of course. If we're not, I'm not sure we could call ourselves Christians. Can we be pulpit preachers? I don't even want to go there. Maybe because I have no desire to be a preacher. But mainly, because I want to think of ministry as something different from that. I want this post to be about something different.
I read another blog this morning and the individual was a little saddened because at a church he recently attended, looking over their various "ministries," there seemed to be no place for him. It is a shame. But I'm not sure that's necessarily the first place to look for our ministry (which was also one of the points of his blog). Or maybe "looking" isn't even what we should be doing anyway. Maybe we need to be listening.
I think God is actively working in this world. I also believe that He's wants us to join Him in that work. If we should be looking for anything, maybe it's to see where He's already working and join Him there. Or maybe in prayer, we should wait around a little longer to get the answers and direction from Him. (Sometimes it seems we run through our laundry list of concerns and then take off, wondering if God got that all down and maybe even doubting He cares about it anyway. Certainly not expecting any kind of response from Him.)
My ministry can be this:
*I have new neighbors moving in soon...a single woman with two little girls. Maybe offering to watch her girls while she unpacks, maybe inviting them for dinner (well, there is the lack of household goods still...maybe I'll take food over).
*An email of encouragement to a friend I know is going through some serious struggles.
*Teaching my children about the Minor Prophets; they know other parts of the Bible. The minor prophets have much to teach us as well, and they are now at an age that this is possible.
*Taking my husband's dry cleaning in so that he doesn't have to.
*My blog.
*Prayers. Is this not the most powerful thing? We can intercede on behalf of others with the Creator of everything, the One beyond all comprehension. He invites us to do so, and He tells us that He hears these prayers. And not only for our friends and family, but also the persecuted church (and the church complacent...which is in even more danger than their persecuted brothers).
My verse for the week:
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col 3:17)
That means me...a woman. It is my ministry.
Is funny how we define ministry even. Most of us immediately think of a pulpit preacher. Or maybe even a song leader. But that leaves a lot of us out. Or maybe off the hook?
My thoughts are nowhere near as deep as Scot McKnight's, and even the purpose of this post isn't exactly the same as his. But I do want to look closer at my own work.
Can women be in the ministry? Of course. If we're not, I'm not sure we could call ourselves Christians. Can we be pulpit preachers? I don't even want to go there. Maybe because I have no desire to be a preacher. But mainly, because I want to think of ministry as something different from that. I want this post to be about something different.
I read another blog this morning and the individual was a little saddened because at a church he recently attended, looking over their various "ministries," there seemed to be no place for him. It is a shame. But I'm not sure that's necessarily the first place to look for our ministry (which was also one of the points of his blog). Or maybe "looking" isn't even what we should be doing anyway. Maybe we need to be listening.
I think God is actively working in this world. I also believe that He's wants us to join Him in that work. If we should be looking for anything, maybe it's to see where He's already working and join Him there. Or maybe in prayer, we should wait around a little longer to get the answers and direction from Him. (Sometimes it seems we run through our laundry list of concerns and then take off, wondering if God got that all down and maybe even doubting He cares about it anyway. Certainly not expecting any kind of response from Him.)
My ministry can be this:
*I have new neighbors moving in soon...a single woman with two little girls. Maybe offering to watch her girls while she unpacks, maybe inviting them for dinner (well, there is the lack of household goods still...maybe I'll take food over).
*An email of encouragement to a friend I know is going through some serious struggles.
*Teaching my children about the Minor Prophets; they know other parts of the Bible. The minor prophets have much to teach us as well, and they are now at an age that this is possible.
*Taking my husband's dry cleaning in so that he doesn't have to.
*My blog.
*Prayers. Is this not the most powerful thing? We can intercede on behalf of others with the Creator of everything, the One beyond all comprehension. He invites us to do so, and He tells us that He hears these prayers. And not only for our friends and family, but also the persecuted church (and the church complacent...which is in even more danger than their persecuted brothers).
My verse for the week:
"Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." (Col 3:17)
That means me...a woman. It is my ministry.
posted by Kaye @ 7:45 AM
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