Dear Theophilus:: March 2003

Women's Ministry: A Deeper Vision

Shortly after the Congregational Winter Retreat 2003, about a dozen sisters and I, headed south to attend the first ever PCA women leaders' conference (semi-joined with a pastors' conference). The meals there were remarkable. Aside from the food, I also really enjoyed the speakers. We had the opportunity to hear the fundamentals of a women's ministry as presented by Susan Hunt. She is an author of several Christian books, and a leading consultant in establishing women's ministries. She is also a grandmother armed with pictures of her grandchildren, and an eye-witness of what God can do among women in the church. After hearing her vision, I realize that there's a lot more to this than I thought. When I first heard that Emmanuel was beginning a women's ministry, I was glad for more opportunities to learn from other sisters. I hoped for a camaraderie that would leave no sister behind or alone. But as Susan Hunt passionately described the possibilities, it sunk in that this is a larger and more powerful calling than I had imagined.

Susan Hunt stressed that we are part of a covenantal community, and that it is our duty as women to pass this covenant to the younger sisters who will then turn to teach their younger sisters. It is a great responsibility to make sure that others are captured by the greatness of God. It has affected the way I view teaching my youth group girls. I hadn't thought about the full effect of my high school students teaching the junior high sisters about following God.

Susan also mentioned that most women only have a feminist background with which to describe womanhood. We are mostly educated in liberal schools and by an even more liberal media. When women enter the church, generally all they know is what they cannot do at church. At church I realize that I'm not very feminine, not "girlie," and I still wish at times I had been born a guy. However, Susan presented an empowered definition of a woman's role as helper. A women's ministry can unleash years of leadership training and skills, and channel them effectively within the established church.

Much to my surprise, on the last night of the conference I met a cute guy... Evidently, I was going 35 to 40 in a 25mph zone. I hadn't noticed, but he sure did. He asked for my name and number, and even my autograph. I got off with a warning for speeding, but got a ticket for missing the inspection sticker. A bit shaken up, I started searching for the potential reasons why God allowed me to get pulled over. I tend to drive fast, so I was thankful this could have prevented an accident I would regret the rest of my life. God knows what I need before I even realize there is a need. But as I crawled back home, a deeper warning sunk into my heart. This wasn't a warning about my driving, but about my life. The congregational retreat drilled in the importance of getting back into the Word. Now the women's conference stressed praying and asking of God. The warning was that I'm self-reliant, trying to depend on Him in form but not in function. And there will be consequences if I continue going my own way. After that I felt like I "got it," understanding the reason for the form. And it's good to be here again. But I fear that I'll forget this lesson and eventually burn out once more. All the more reason why I need the touch of a women's fellowship.