CDM Archive

Discipleship Ministries of the PCA

Women

Help! I Need a Speaker

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plan women

Karen Hodge

April 4, 2016

 

On a weekly basis, I receive phone calls from women across our denomination looking for help. Some have been tasked with pulling off the annual Spring luncheon. They have someone covering table decorations but now they need a speaker ASAP. I hear the anxiety in their voice and I am not sure if they always appreciate me slowing down the conversation to ask questions I think are far more important than meeting what they perceive as their most pressing need.

Here are at least three questions I always ask that get to the heart of why Women’s Ministry is more important than just events:

1.   What is your purpose?
Why in the world are you planning this event? Is it because you have always done it and now there is an expectation that it will always continue? How does the purpose of this event align with your women’s ministry purpose? Have you even developed a purpose statement? More importantly, how does this event help you accomplish your church’s overarching mission and purpose? For instance, here at Naperville Presbyterian, our purpose is that “Our lives, communities, and world be made new by Jesus Christ for the glory of God”. So the question must be answered, how do I see evidence that women’s lives, Naperville, and the world are being made new through our annual Women’s Holiday dinner?

2.   Where are the equipping gaps?

As You consider the women God has called you to minister to, where have you observed equipping gaps? Often times women just want a speaker and ask for the topics they generally speak on. I always ask, are there areas where you believe there could be spiritual growth? What are your women currently studying in women’s bible study? What are they hearing taught from the pulpit? Instead of a “one and done” event or retreat, how about considering how investing in content with a speaker will move your women towards real and lasting spiritual growth. How can you structure women’s bible studies after the event to complement and unpack the content from your event?

3.   What are you willing to invest?

There is only so much time, energy and funds that can be invested in an event. Where are your time, energies, and money currently being employed not only in Women’s Ministry but also across your church? Will investing these resources hinder or help your church? Do you have a realistic budget to pull this off? Are you seeking to accomplish this event alone or is there a way to spread out the investment of energies by building a team? How could building a team have a lasting impact in Women’s Ministry? Is it an opportunity to create an environment that is ripe for gospel friendship between older and younger women?

You see, Women’s Ministry events should always serve your overall purpose, long-term spiritual growth goals, and the realistic amount of resources you want to invest, not the other way around. Too many times I have seen women weary because they are serving the expectations of the event instead. So take a moment in the planning process, step back, ask the bigger questions, and pray about what God might do with an event that starts by referencing His purposes, His plan to transform us, and the faithful investment of His resources first.

Please, Show Me How to Help!

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helpme

CB Campano

February 1, 2016

 

I imagine most of you have had this thought at some point. A friend suffers betrayal, loss, depression, illness, guilt, or the like and, though you are eager to help, you just don’t know how. For the last ten years, I have had the privilege of helping women who experience all manner of suffering. Below I share a few insights gained through both failed and blessed attempts of coming alongside sisters in Christ.

Be present. Let your friend know you are with her—in your thoughts, prayers, and actions. Prayerfully fight against feelings of inadequacy and help in practical ways. Be sensitive to what is most helpful and respond accordingly. Endeavor to hang in for the long haul.

Limit expectations. A person in crisis may not respond to suggestions, invitations, or help in the way you hope. This doesn’t mean she isn’t benefiting or grateful. Most often it means she is expending all her emotional and physical energy putting one foot in front of another and is left with no bandwidth for much else.

Listen. Before assuming you know what your friend is thinking and feeling, listen intently to her hurts, fears, longings and struggles. Do not allow your story or someone else’s to be the grid by which you interpret your friend’s situation. Suffering, though common, is intensely personal.

Pray, pray, pray. Pray for her circumstances to improve but, more importantly, for her heart in the midst of suffering—that she might not fall into despair, unbelief, anger or bitterness. Pray for the Lord’s comfort to be deep and real. Pray for your own heart—for wisdom, understanding of your finitude, perseverance, humility and gentleness. And, as often as possible, cry out to the Lord together.

Speak truth soaked in gospel hope. Your friend has no greater need than to hear God’s Word spoken into her suffering. Suffering often makes us self-referential, leading us to interpret everything in light of the prevailing hardship. Consistently and tenderly remind your friend of God’s sure promises. Patiently point her to Christ—his suffering, his redeeming power, and his intercession—as her greatest good.

There is so much more that can be said, but I pray these few insights can be a help to you the next time you are called to walk alongside a suffering friend. May the Lord, by his grace, enable us to enter the hard and messy places of one another’s lives for their good, our good and, most importantly, for his glory!

Running on Empty

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Fuel Guage

Karen Hodge

December 2, 2015

 

During this time of the year, there are many indicators that our lives are full. Consider all the delicious food that fills our stomachs at holiday meals.  Our wallets are filled with receipts from gifts purchased. Holiday décor overflows all the way to our street.

So if our lives are so full, why is it that we often feel like we are running on empty?

Today I pulled into my office parking lot on fumes. My fuel light indicator was on and instead of driving straight to the gas station I pushed the button that tells me how much longer I can DTE – Drive until empty. The light cautions me that unless I address this fuel problem, I will be stranded.

What is our fuel light indicator? Does it show up in your emotions, words, or relationships? What a gift it would be if we had our own red light to let others know of the impending threat. Warning: this woman is hangry (hungry+angry), cranky, anxious, fearful, or despairing.

Popular researcher Brene Brown says, “We live in a culture of scarcity. The not-enoughness of life. We wake up in the morning and we say, I didn’t get enough sleep. And we hit the pillow saying, I didn’t get enough done. We are never thin enough, extraordinary enough or good enough.” The opposite of scarcity is abundance. It is truly enough.

My emptiness impacts others but so does my fullness as it overflows with blessings for others. We have an invitation to be full, to have our emptiness filled and satisfied.  Jesus reminds us that “the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10 ESV).

Blaise Pascal, a philosopher from the 1600’s, said, “What else does this craving, and this helplessness, proclaim but that there was once in man a true happiness, of which all that now remains is the empty print and trace?  This he tries in vain to fill with everything around him, seeking in things that are not there the help he cannot find in those that are though none can help since this infinite abyss can be filled only with an infinite and immutable object; in other words, by God himself.”

We have a God-shaped hole inside our hearts that we are trying to fill with many good, yet not ultimate, things. We seek experiences, entertainment, good works, the approval of others, and a good reputation, all of which ultimately leave us empty. This hole cannot be filled with created things, but only with the Creator. The Creator God in the Garden is the one who creates something out of nothing; he forms and then fills empty things. He filled the water with fish, the sky with birds, the land with food, and he promises to fill us with himself.

Gospel-Driven Hospitality

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hospitality

PATRICIA CURTISS

September 29, 2015

 

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-3, NAS)

For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; (1 Peter 3:18-19, NAS)

Hebrews 12 talks about how we are to run our race and about how Jesus ran his. He endured the cross and its shame for the joy set before Him. What was that joy? It wasn’t sitting down at the right hand of the throne of God. The joy set before Jesus was us! He came for us. He died for us. He wants to spend eternity with us. Where does that leave us? Redeemed. This is the gospel and the gospel drives everything, even hospitality.

The biblical view of hospitality is housed in cultures very different from ours. Biblical hospitality has to do with inviting strangers in. Abraham invited strangers into his house (Genesis 18:1-15); the Shunammite woman invited the stranger Elisha into her home (2 Kings 4:8-10); Job entertained strangers (Job 31:32). In the New Testament, Jesus told his disciples to travel light, because they were to find hospitality along the way (Mark 6:8). The apostle Paul traveled all over Asia Minor and he planned his journeys knowing that people whom he did not know would invite him in for food and a place to sleep.

This is so different picture from our current idea of hospitality, where we feel compelled to create culinary art from whatever is in the pantry, and to be able to set a table that would be the pin-of-all-Pins. But the biblical definition of hospitality broadens things. We were once strangers to God, a people without a home, an unrighteous people, strangers to Him and His holiness. But while we were in this state, he died for us and brought us to God—He invited us in. Bringing strangers to God is gospel-driven hospitality that crosses time and culture, and there are many ways to do it.

Perhaps biblical hospitality can take the burden off those of us who get a sinking feeling when we hear the term “gospel hospitality”, and think that this is just one more area in our Christian lives where we fall short. Maybe we need a fresh way of looking at it—to be motivated by Jesus living in and through us, and not concerned about how clean our house is or what food we might serve on a moment’s notice—so that we can share the gospel and not be burdened by it; so that we can take the initiative and make the invites for the purpose of preparing others for eternity because that’s what Jesus did. He didn’t have a home and he used borrowed food to feed strangers. He made the time and took the opportunities to bring us to God. He knew hospitality isn’t so much about the food or the accommodations, though he is taking care of that, but it’s about bringing estranged humanity to Himself so that they can feast on Him and find a place to rest in Him, and call Him Blessed Host.

2014 Women’s Love Gift

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Starting in 1974, women in the PCA have supported an annual love gift to promote denominational connectionalism and demonstrate our corporate helper-design as women in the church. The money is raised in various ways such as donations, fundraisers, etc. The Women’s Love Gift has blessed committees and agencies such as MNA’s Special Needs Ministries, MTW’s efforts to support the Gonaives, Haiti, Children’s Home, and other such ministries. Showing the annual Women’s Love Gift in your church does several things: Educates the people in the pew, promotes unity and greater understanding of the PCA, and provides good opportunities for monies to be appropriately channeled to specific ministry needs. Below you will find information on the ministry we are supporting this year.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]

love-giftThe 2014 Women’s Love Gift is going

to support CDM!

The Women’s Ministry Love Gift for 2014 will benefit the work of PCA Discipleship Ministries (CDM, previously Christian Education and Publications), and particularly the work of discipleship among women in the PCA. Women play a life-giving role in the life and ministry of the Church, and we must seek to address the needs of women in our culture with the encouragement of Christ-centered community and the redemptive truth of God’s Word.

Your gift of $25, $50, $100, or any amount will equip women to understand God’s Word better through Bible study or to serve the body of Christ well through training designed to develop teachers and mentors. Our goal is to raise $120,000 with which we hope to create and distribute a variety of resources designed for women in the local church:Goal Thermometer-final

  • Video-based training for ministry leaders
  • Intergenerational resources for life-on-life discipleship
  • Exegetical Bible study materials
  • Scholarships for women to attend training events
  • “Seed money” to offer regional training throughout the PCA

If you’d like a way to promote this year’s love gift at your church then view our video below explaining our need or click here to order the same video in DVD format. We also have bulletin inserts available, click here to order those. (There is no charge for the DVD or bulletin inserts.)

How to Give
If you would like to contribute towards this love gift contact the Women’s Ministry Coordinator at your church or click here to make a contribution online. (The link will bring you to the general CDM online giving tool-just select ‘PCA Women’s 2014 Love Gift’ when prompted to designate the contribution.)

If you have any questions about this love gift, click here to contact your regional adviser.

Ordering and Useful Information:

  • The DVD and bulletin inserts are available at no charge. Order from the PCA Bookstore using the links below:
  • Click here for ideas and information on presenting the Love Gift in your church.
  • View the Love Gift video by scrolling down, or clicking here.
  • DEADLINE TO GIVE: FEBRUARY 28, 2015

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_separator][vc_video link=”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH07qKj2C3o”][vc_tabs][/vc_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row]

2013 Women’s Love Gift: Ridge Haven

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[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]Starting in 1974, women in the PCA have supported an annual love gift to promote denominational connectionalism and demonstrate our corporate helper-design as women in the church. The money is raised in various ways such as donations, fundraisers, etc. The Women’s Love Gift has blessed committees and agencies such as MNA’s Special Needs Ministries, MTW’s efforts to support the Gonaives, Haiti, Children’s Home, and other such ministries. Showing the annual Women’s Love Gift in your church does several things: Educates the people in the pew, promotes unity and greater understanding of the PCA, and provides good opportunities for monies to be appropriately channeled to specific ministry needs. Below you will find information on the ministry we are supporting this year.[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_gallery type=”image_grid” interval=”3″ images=”2133,2132,2131,2130,2129,2128″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” img_size=”200×200″][vc_column_text]Testimonial

Alexia Newman’s memories…

“When I think of places and events that have impacted my life and stir sweet memories, Ridge Haven is at the top of the list. I remember the first year Ridge Haven was a reality. I was staying in the brand new Lodge that was nice and new! We didn’t understand the impact then, but I think many sensed that this was going to be a special place. We had no idea what the Lord had in store from this incredible gift to the PCA from Ken and Polly Keyes!

I have watched the Lord call people to himself on the rec. field, on a hike to the waterfall, sitting by the pool, in a bunk bed late at night, in the chapel service, or after a conversation in the dining hall. God’s Spirit is always working at Ridge Haven!

At the 2013 General Assembly in Greenville, SC, I saw many men and women whom I met at Ridge Haven: Some were campers, others were counselors who came to Ridge Haven thinking they were pursuing one career but were called to full time ministry while serving for the summer, still others use their gifts to impact the school system, the medical profession, and the corporate world. We see them as ruling elders and women active in the work of the denomination. No doubt the training and experiences at Ridge Haven were formative in establishing their gifts and callings.

The beauty and rich heritage of Ridge Haven make it a special place where the Lord has blessed his people – from the covenant child to the senior saint!”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]

heartThe 2013 Women’s Love Gift is going to support Ridge Haven!

Ridge Haven was established in 1978 by the PCA as a year-round ministry outreach to individuals, families, churches, PCA and other ministry organizations. Spiritual rejuvenation is as important as physical relaxation and Ridge Haven’s goal is to provide the means for you to have the opportunity for both.

A Growing Ministry
Over the last three years the Lord has given us extraordinary and even historic growth:

  • Serving people from 29 States
  • Conferences in conjunction with MTW, stretches the impact of our ministry worldwide
  • 2012 Summer Camp nearly quadrupled to almost
  • 1,700 campers
  • Fall, Winter, and Spring Retreats at an all-time high

The Love Gift
With all of the growth and improvements that have taken place at Ridge Haven, one thing has remained largely unchanged is their dining hall. It is simply not equipped to handle the growth. The Dining Hall represents much more than just somewhere to eat. With all of the different activities going on at Ridge Haven throughout the day, the Dining Hall is a special place where everyone can all gather together to share a meal, swap stories, laugh together, build friendships, and bond as one body of believers. Please help Ridge Haven to continue to be a place where all of this can be a reality as their ministry continues to grow.

If you’d like a way to promote this year’s love gift at your church then click here to view a video from Ridge Haven explaining their need or click here to order the same video in DVD format. We also have bulletin inserts available, click here to order those. (There is no charge for the DVD or bulletin inserts.)

How to Give
If you would like to contribute towards this love gift contact the Women’s Ministry Coordinator at your church or click here to make a contribution online. (The link will bring you to the general CEP online giving tool-just select ‘PCA Women’s 2013 Love Gift’ when prompted to designate the contribution.)

If you have any questions about this love gift, click here to contact your regional adviser.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]