|
MIM
E-ZINE SEPTEMBER 2004
VOLUME
3, ISSUE 9
CONTENT
–From
the Editor
–Promote
Yourself, Your Book, Your Speaking or Your Ministry For Free!
–Purpose-filled Ministry
- Interview with Women's Ministry Leaders
–How to Plan Your Own
Women's Retreat
–Children's Ministry
Checkup
– Book Review – A Woman's Touch: The Fingerprints You Leave Behind
–We
Value Your Input
–
Classified Ads
---
From the Editor,
Welcome to the
September edition of the
Ministry in Motion Ezine. The kids are back in school and if your
church is lost most, you're in the midst of gearing back up for a new season of
ministry. Fall is the time when many leaders begin thinking about retreats
and conferences. This month's MIM which focuses on women's ministry, will
address that issue. We've also an included an interview with two women's
ministry leaders. And are fortunate to have two article contributions by
Karen Wingate, one on her regular children's ministry column and another on how
to plan a women's retreat.
Have a great month in ministry,
Teena
Stewart
Consultant/Editor
for Ministry in Motion
---
Promote
Yourself, Your Book, Your Speaking or Your Ministry For Free!
Ministry
in Motion is always looking for good, practical contributions on ministry and
ministry encouragement. You can get exposure for your ministry or yourself
by contributing. Next month's Ministry in Motion (MIM Ezine) will be on
the topic of Men's Ministry. If you have an innovative men's ministry idea,
information on men's ministry resources, an article idea you would like to query
on men's ministry or are involved in men's ministry and are open to being
interviewed, contact us at contribute@ministryinmotion.net.
Before subbing articles or ministry tips, please read our writer's
guidelines.
---
Purpose
Filled Ministry
Interview with
Women's Ministry Leaders
by Teena Stewart
Learning about
people's ministry can help us gain new insight into our own ministries, what we
are doing well, and what we can do better. Recently MIM Ezine had the
opportunity to interview two women involved in two different women's ministries.
Lilly Allison
serves as the Director of Care and Co-coordinator of Women's
Activities at Community Bible Church, Irving, Texas.
Shannon Bridget Murphy is a Women's
Wedding Planner and Advisor and Pre-Marriage and Marriage Counseling Leader for
a church in Fairfax County, Virginia.
MIM: What is your women's ministries focus?
Lilly: Our focus is furthering the vision of the church, celebrate, communicate,
and cultivate life in Christ. Aside from the activities, we offer a Bible Study on Wednesday morning and evening too.
Shannon: Counseling
for women who are in relationships and preparing
for marriage
MIM: Do you ever have retreats or special events for your group?
Lilly: We have an annual spring retreat, a fall get away (we go to a small town that is having a festival and spend Friday night there and shop all day Sat), a monthly night out (we're eating our way around the world this year), we have a thanksgiving brunch, Christmas party, Ladies Day of Prayer, and a church-wide Love Banquet for Valentine's Day. Every other year we have a mother-daughter (or women's) tea. (We also have a game night and dessert night occasionally.) If you want specifics on any of those, let me know.
Shannon:
Yes, we have both retreats and special events. MIM: What is unique about women's ministry as opposed to other ministries?
Lilly: There is a bond built there, that you don't have in other ministries. We have about a dozen ladies
- we are a small church of about 175 - that come out every month for dinner, because it's a special time for them. They can leave the kids and husbands to fend for
themselves. They don't have to cook, and we laugh all night. One woman doesn't want to leave her kids yet for the weekend, but she faithfully attends the dinners.
Shannon: Trying to balance home and ministry. It seems that
the majority of guys who are in ministry do not have this balance to maintain
since it is done for them. The example of the minister's wife
illustrates this.
MIM: What types of programs, lessons do you offer?
Lilly: We offer a Bible study (from a book usually). Last year ago we had a speaker for our retreat who did the personalities, and this year we built on that and did a Daughters of the King theme.
Shannon: We have a monthly
evening meeting where we learn a skill that can
be applied to our homes and/or relationships.
MIM: Do you have guest speakers come in and speak to your group? If so, where do you find them?
Lilly: Sometimes we do, but not always. We have a very limited budget, and wonderful speakers within our church, so we try to stay in-house. I had a CLASS friend speak last year at the retreat, and prior to that we've found people that DTS recommends.
Shannon: Yes, but they are
frequently, if not always, members
of the group. Keeping track of what talents the group has to share is
one of the activities of our group.
MIM: What advice can you give others who might wish to start a women's ministry or who might
be leading a women's ministry?
Shannon: You should check out what resources
are available through the women's business centers where you live.
Although it does not have all of the answers related to establishing a
ministry or Church, it can assist you with your business and be a great
networking support.
MIM: Share anything else about you group that you would like to.
Lilly: I love our ladies ministry! It means so much to me that these women make the effort to come to events and to know our hearts are knit together.
Teena Stewart is a
published writer, and a ministry consultant, speaker and editor for http://www.ministryinmotion.net.
For more information on speaking visit http://www.ministryinmotion.net/speakers_christians.html
---
 Reduce
Volunteer Shortages
Coordinate
Volunteer Ministry
Promote
Volunteerism
Having a good
spiritual gifts discovery class is the first step in getting people to think
about serving but many churches don't know how to connect potential volunteers
after they start offering such classes.
Putting
Ministry in Motion,
picks up where spiritual gift/ministry discovery seminars leave off. It takes
you through the process of setting up an effective volunteer training,
equipping and placement process. Teena Stewart shares from her own experience
as a ministry consultant and volunteer facilitator at two different
purpose-driven churches. The book also shows methods of promoting
ministry opportunities, ways to show volunteer recognition and appreciation,
how to find and recruit ministry consultants, information on creating a
volunteer ministry director position, how to build a ministry team, how
to plan and hold a ministry fair, ideas for leader development and more.
Putting
Ministry in Motion saves
you time and energy by leading you through a
step-by-step process of organizing your volunteers and getting an effective
volunteer ministry in place. The book comes with all the forms and
directions you need to launch a volunteer ministry program and includes a fun
interactive format. Order now and get your church on track to Order
Now. http://www.ministryinmotion.net/gift_spiritual.html
---
How
To Plan Your Own Women’s Retreat
By Karen Wingate
Christian retreats and
conferences can be inspiring times of spiritual growth and renewal. After
experiencing the blessings of a retreat you may wonder why so many women seem
hesitant to take advantage of such wonderful opportunities. For that matter, you
might wonder why you never found the time before to attend.
Most women, especially those with families, find it hard to tear themselves away
for a two or three day conference. Their families might be able to function for
one or two meals but no more! Family members want the assurance of Mommy’s
presence at night. This tugs at the heartstrings of any mom. Lack of funds and
time constraints also keep women away. How else can you provide the teaching and
fellowship women’s retreats offer?
When I lived in rural Kansas, it was difficult to convince busy mothers and
working women to travel one hundred miles or more to attend conferences. So we
decided to bring a conference to the women in our community.
We chose to hold the retreat from 10AM to 3PM on a Saturday. That gave us just
enough time for one workshop, lunch, a concert, and a main speaker. We chose to
charge $5 registration fee which was just enough to cover expenses and
honoraria.
Holding a one-day retreat can be rewarding, inexpensive and easy if you keep it
simple and plan ahead. Here is a month by month countdown for planning your own
retreat:
6 months: Decide on a theme and workshop topics. Develop a list of potential
workshop leaders, main speaker, and worship leader or music performer. Form a
main committee of three people and a prayer support team. Decide on a date and
put it on your church calendar. Arrange for building availability.
Contact your speakers. Give them time to pray about their answer, adding that
you will call them again in two weeks. You don’t need well-known people.
Utilize local people as much as you can. You will be surprised at the messages
these “unknown” people have to share. The major requirements for your
speakers are that they have some speaking experience, have a message to share,
and have a love for the Lord.
4 months: Form your committees: registration, lunch, decorations, and publicity.
Invite people from other churches to serve on your committees. This will draw
registration from other churches.
3 months: Design and print your brochure and other publicity materials.
2 months: Hold a meeting of select women from area churches, possibly the
leaders of women’s groups. Sell them on your program and pass out
brochures.
6 weeks: Mail letters and brochures to area churches and women’s groups. Write
article for church newsletter.
4 weeks: Contact speakers to confirm topics, travel arrangements and audiovisual
needs. Send public service announcements to local radio stations. Place
announcements in area church bulletins for each week leading up to your program.
Check status with committee chairmen.
2 weeks: Write article for local newspaper or put an ad in the paper.
1 week: Refer final registration count to lunch committee. Contact custodians to
set up tables, chairs, microphones, and special needs of speakers.
1 day: Circulate through the building to ensure everything is in place. Pray
over each room for its particular use.
1 hour: Have your registration committee in place. Pray with your main
committee. Greet your speakers and ask if you can be of any help.
1 week after: Write thank-you notes to your speakers and your committee
chairmen. Conduct an evaluation with your main committee and start dreaming
about next year!
Karen Wingate is a teacher of
teachers. She is known for her off the edge activity based teaching
that is still solidly based on the Word of God. Currently, she is
writing curriculum for the Salvation Army’s new Sonday’s Cool programs,
teaches a high School Sunday School class and oversees the Youth Ministry
Team at her local church near
Canton
,
Ohio. You can reach Karen with comments or questions at kwingate@neo.rr.com.
For additional
help on planning a seminar, retreat or conference visit http://www.ministryinmotion.net/speaker_christian_directory.html
---
Need a speaker for your
next women's or men's retreat or banquet or a workshop to help you develop
ministry and equip ministry leaders? Visit our http://www.ministryinmotion.net/speaker_christian_directory.html
---
Save a Bundle on Ink Cartridges - Save a
bundle on ink cartridges. 1, 2, 3 Inkjets sells printer ink cartridge
refills at a fraction of the cost of stores like Office Max and Office Depot. 1,
2, 3 Inkjets also carries HP, Lexmark, and Laser Toner remanufactured
products at great savings. Their prices are great for home office or for church
office use. I have used them for my own business supply needs and have
been very satisfied. They have fast delivery and great prices. Teena Stewart,
Manager of http://www.ministryinmotion.net,
and http://www.almostantiques.net
---
Are You Looking for Traffic for Your Christian Website?
Get targeted traffic to your website. Get your
church or ministry listed in 1,2, 3 Christian's directory. Advertise
with 123 Christian now.
---
 Book
Review – A Woman's Touch: The Fingerprints You Leave Behind
Amy Nappa, Howard Publishing Co., Inc., 2001.
ISBN: 1-58229-159-4. 198 pages.
Reviewed by E. Dian Moore
Amy Nappa writes with warmth and humor and draws women into her book while
leaving her own enduring imprint on the reader's life. Nappa employs delightful,
tongue-in-cheek scenarios to illustrate some of the main points, such as The
Chocolate Touch and Naomi's Diary.
Nappa explores the many ways a woman's actions can leave marks on the lives of
loved ones, friends, and strangers. She challenges women to recognize the
permanent record of their own prints left behind through actions, words and
touching. Are your prints leaving a bruise or are they lifting people to God's
higher touch? Does your touch cause pain in someone's life or does it promote
healing?
The book consists of ten chapters, each divided into short sections illustrating
the different types of touches a woman may experience either through her own
actions or the actions of others:
Your Fingerprints Are All Over the Place! - The Mark of a Woman's Touch
He Touched Me - God's Touch on Your Life
The Touch Treatment - Helping the Hurting
As Good as New - The Touch of Restoration
A Gentle Touch - The Soft Caress of God's Love
Home, Sweet Home - Touching Your Family
Won't You Be My Neighbor? - Touching Your Community
The Hands of God - Touching in and through Your Church
Touch and Go - Random Touches Both Near and Far
I'm Touched - Touching Your Own Heart
This book encourages women to discover their spiritual gifts and offers advice
on how to find out what those gifts really are. Spiritual gifts, when used
wisely, can oftentimes guide women to leave their very best fingerprints behind.
Included in A Woman's Touch are lists of activities which may inspire
women of all ages to begin leaving lasting, encouraging fingerprints that leave
hope in lives, such as: Mentoring, gift-wrapping, house-cleaning, even changing
the oil for single mothers.
Throughout the book, readers are introduced to real-life women who have left, or
who are leaving permanent fingerprints of kindness in the lives of others. Nappa
uses short vignettes of the lives of these women to illustrate her points.
Each chapter begins with a memorable quote and ends with a short prayer which is
accompanied by an applicable bible verse to remember. Nappa concludes with a
section that reminds women to finally touch their own hearts.
This book is recommended for several uses: womens' group leaders, young women's
groups, as a study guide for women, or as a basis for a series of sermons
directed at women. However, pastors should not hesitate to use
A Woman's Touch when teaching men. Many of the principles involved can
be applied to either sex.
A Woman's Touch is easily readable and appealing to women aged 16 and
older, and would make a wonderful 16th birthday gift for young women. Order
this book now.
E. Dian Moore is a Christian freelance writer and editor as
well as the hands behind Hands for Hope, a small entrepreneurship in the
northern panhandle of West Virginia. Visit
http://www.handsforhope.com for
more information.
|
