Contrary to the general view
that Baptists repress their women by beating them to death with the "be
ye submissive" precept, the backbone of every church are of the female
gender. They are the nurturers, heartbeat, and conscience of every
local congregation. Without them, Sunday school classes would go
without teachers. The choir would only be 30% filled. The decore
of the church facility would be sterile. Furthermore, the church
would be nothing but a boys club with little heart or soul. God uses
women in a tremendous way to complete the mission and function of His churches.
Building a strong church
women's ministry necessitates an understanding of those things that are
important to women. Whether it is the pastor's wife, a lady in the
church who has a real burden for other women, or a group of ladies who
simply want to reach women and their families in the community, the truth
is that good godly women are a necessity if a church is ever going to fulfill
it's responsibility to the Gospel.
Furthermore, a pastor and
church that realizes the importance of building an effective ministry to
women will reap benefits for years to come. Women bring the kind
of heart, soul, and feminine touch that is vital to the life of any congregation.
Women Enjoy Fellowshipping
with Other Women
The traditional "Ladies Bible Study"
group that met every Tuesday at noon for a luncheon and tea at the church
has received a thorough working over by the current generation of Baptists.
It has evolved (even Baptists use that word) into a multi-faceted ministry
that includes everything from small group in-home prayer meetings to large
attendances with nationally known women speakers. In between are
a variety of ministries that both involve women in the work of the church
as well as facilitating what they bring to God in their service to the
blessing of all. |
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Women Care Deeply About Those They Love
The Bible is replete with
accounts of women whose love for God bespoke of total commitment as well
as their love for husband, children, family, and all those within the circle
of their lives. Wise is the church that continuously reviews its
understanding of how women can be used effectively to reach out to those
whom they love and care about. In truth, women are the civilizers
of society. Even moreso, a strong spiritual ministry to and for women
will both bring peace to a church as well as the kind of loving stability
that is so important for it to function in harmony with itself.
Women Love to Serve God
Few men are able to spend
an hour on a Sunday morning with a toddlers class or group of third graders.
Stick most guys in a nursery with a dozen screaming babies that need to
be diapered and the result is going to be far less than acceptable.
Furthermore, it would be a strange choir indeed with the men filling in
the saprano and alto sections. Women love to serve God and all the
men are exclaiming, "AMEN!"
It is true. Baptists
generally reserve the office of pastor and deacon to the men. However,
it is common to find women fulfilling the rolls of leaders in every aspect
of church ministry from leading the educational ministry to guiding the
music program to filling prominent roles in the everyday functions of the
overall ministry.
What pastor has not admitted
repeatedly that, without his godly wife, he would not be near so effective?
What deacon has not sought the counsel of a truly spiritual wife when confronted
with the need for understanding regarding situations that arise in that
function's responsibility to support the pastor and lead the church well?
Pastors who uplift the essential
importance of women in the ministry of the church will find themselves
leading a growing, happy, prosperous church. Women who work together
with the leaders of the church will be a blessing to everyone who attends.
Those women who abuse their standing in the church by imposing their wills
when contrary to the leadership of the church can destroy it. That
is the power of women in every local body of believers.
Women who commit their lives
to Christ and serve Him in the church are sure to be a blessing in all
that they do. |
