Leading Women to the Heart of God: Creating a Dynamic Women's Ministry
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Leading Women to the Heart of God: Creating a Dynamic Women's Ministry
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Overview
Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780802480811 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Moody Publishers |
| Publication date: | 01/01/2009 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| Pages: | 288 |
| File size: | 725 KB |
About the Author
SHARON JAYNES is the co-founder of Girlfriends in God, Inc., a non-denominational ministry that crosses generational and racial boundaries to bring the body of Christ together as believers. Previously, Sharon served as Vice President of Proverbs 31 Ministries and co-host for their daily radio feature. She is the author of thirteen books including Being a Great Mom Raising Great Kids, The Ultimate Makeover, and Leading Women to the Heart of God. Sharon and her husband Steve live in Matthews, North Carolina with their son. To learn more about Girlfriends in God, visit www.girlfriendsingod.com
Read an Excerpt
Leading Women to the Heart of God
Creating A Dynamic Women's Ministry
By Lysa TerKeurst
Moody Publishers
Copyright © 2002 Lysa TerKeurstAll rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-8024-8081-1
CHAPTER 1
GET A LOVE LIFE—YOUR OWN INTIMATE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD
* * *
Michelle McKinney Hammond
Love is definitely my favorite subject! And I am most certainly not alone. Every talk show examines how to get the love we want. We are constantly reminded from the pulpit that God loves us. But what about us loving God? Not in the sense that we are all taught to say "I love the Lord," seemingly by rote, but in the sense of cultivating an intimate love relationship with Him. Instead we prefer discussions on how to get God to do what we want. Seven keys to financial freedom. Five tips for stomping on the devil's head (though Christ has already accomplished this, some of us still seem to feel He needs our help) ... how to this, how to that ... but rarely do we have full-blown discussions or teaching about being in love with the Lover of our souls. Why is that? I've wondered. Perhaps we are all so busy trying to dot our spiritual i's and cross our religious t's that we've forgotten the first and most important reason we are in this thing called Christianity. For relationship. Yes, that's it! We are supposed to be having a relationship, a love relationship with our Lord. But why do we spend most of our time concentrating on anything but that?
As I pondered this question, the Lord reminded me of a situation that had occurred in my own life. Several years ago I met a dashing man from France while on Christmas vacation in Ghana, West Africa, where I spent the holidays with my father. He was romantic, passionate, all-consuming, and definitely interested in pursuing a committed relationship with me. We made plans. Big plans. He was to finish his course of study in Paris. I was to learn French so that I could converse with his friends when I met them. And we could reconvene in Chicago, where I lived, to continue our life together happily ever after.
Well! Several months after we had both returned to our respective homes, on the heels of a flurry of phone calls and faxes (there wasn't any e-mail at the time), without any prompting I received a "Dear Mary" letter—you know, the feminine equivalent of a "Dear John" letter. The gist of it was, "Dear Michelle, This is difficult for me but I must end our relationship. I find it impossible to continue this from afar, and I love and respect you far too much to lead you on. I feel that the person who is in my life should be close to me, therefore a long distance relationship is not something I wish to pursue. All the best."
Imagine my chagrin! I just didn't understand. After all, I enjoyed the notion of having a boyfriend ... somewhere! I reveled in the idea of having someone in my life who loved me and longed for me ... somewhere. I loved having the emotional security of a relationship without the responsibility. Without having to do the maintenance work. Hmmm ... kinda like how most of us are when it comes to our relationship with God.
LOVE FROM A DISTANCE
We like the idea that we are loved and protected by this awesome, fearsome, all-powerful God who is there for us ... somewhere. We are happy to know that God knows us and is out there working on our behalf ... somewhere. The truth of the matter is we love the concept of having a relationship with God, having the benefits of being His daughters and the future bride of Christ, without embracing the responsibility of cultivating the intimacy that is needed to maintain any love covenant.
Why do we do that? What makes us shy away from drawing closer to the heart of God? After all, from the beginning, His first agenda was to be as close to us as He could get. He took the elevator down from heaven to visit Adam and walk and talk with him in the cool of the garden every evening. It was never His intention to have to write to us. He longs to speak to each of us individually as He did with Abraham, Moses, and many others we read about in the Old Testament (and as Christ spoke to His disciples in the New Testament). But all of that changed because of one disastrous date with the Israelites. After they left Egypt and were on their way through the wilderness, God told Moses He wanted to meet with His people. They set the date, and Moses gave the people instructions to wash themselves, wash their clothes, and abstain from sexual relations for three days. God wanted to meet with a people who were cleansed without and within, with nothing, not even the distractions or residual effect of any other relationship, standing between them.
On that very special day, the Lord came down the mountain and announced the Ten Commandments to the people. They absolutely lost it! They freaked out! They couldn't handle the presence of God. His voice scared them. They told Moses it was too frightening to them. They suggested that he go up, talk to God, and come back down and tell them what God said. Little did they know that they forfeited more than the presence of God that day. They forfeited the up close and personal, intimate fellowship with Him that was needed to solidify their faith for facing the impossible. On that day they crossed the line from relationship to religion. Though their fear was appropriate, their lack of interest in relating to God on any level cost them dearly.
This decision affected far more than just the everyday Joe and Sarah; it affected the leadership as well. Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy elders were invited to come and meet God after that. They went, saw God, and were not consumed. The Bible says they even sat and ate a meal together in the presence of God, but their actions later would reveal that they were unable to discern the power and glory of God. They had a religious experience that did not change them within. Perhaps they were too busy concentrating on natural bread to really feast from the spiritual bread God had to offer. Aaron went on to build the golden calf for the people to worship when Moses took too long to come back down the mountain, along with those elders. Nadab and Abihu decided to mix up their own concoction for the incense that was to be burned before God, and they were consumed in the fire for offering the wrong type of worship. So much for having an experience with God! He draws so very close, but we are still so far away in our own understanding if we are unwilling to be open to the fullness of Him in our lives.
Could it be fear that keeps us from drawing closer? What is it about God that causes us to head for the hills when He beckons to us? I think Isaiah the prophet summed it up best when telling his experience of seeing God. He said the first thing that occurred to him was his own state of being. "I am a man of unclean lips!" he cried. I think we avoid real intimacy with God because when we see Him as He is, we also see ourselves as we really are, and we look pretty miserable in comparison. It gets even worse. We begin to see everything through His eyes, and the sight is overwhelming when we view the world from God's perspective. Isaiah said in sad realization, "I live among an unclean people" (see Isaiah 6:5). Seeing things through God's eyes can be quite overwhelming as we realize we are powerless to change the condition of the world as well as ourselves.
Ah, but here is the comfort. God is well aware that we are merely "puffed up dust" as a friend of mine so glibly puts it. He knows we stand in need of His help to become "spiritually correct," and He has made provision for our cleansing through Jesus Christ. Back in Isaiah's day He exhibited this same graciousness by sending a seraph with a hot coal to cleanse Isaiah's lips. As we confess our undoneness, God is faithful to provide the restoration that we need.
But this is only the beginning! Something happens as we enter into right relationship with Him. We are suddenly concerned about what He is concerned about. His burdens and cares become ours. As God pondered whom He could send as a messenger to the nation of Israel, Isaiah, overcome by the presence of God, had the nerve to raise his puny little arm and say, "Here am I. Send me!" How many times in your prayer time have you uttered before God, "Oh Lord, please send someone to do so and so ..." only to hear the prompting of the Holy Spirit saying, "If that is your burden, then you are the one for the assignment. You see the need; go for it!" But, Lord, it would be so much more convenient if You sent someone else, we think. And yet we find ourselves compelled to reach out to a lost and suffering world because we feel God's heart toward His people.
And yet we worry that God is now going to take over our lives. What else will He require of me? I don't want to be peculiar. We shudder at the thought. It seems as though when we give God an inch, He takes more than a mile; the path seems unending with its twists and turns. Where will God take me now that I've said yes to Him? What will He do with me now? How many of my own dreams will I have to give up? We, like Isaiah, ask with great trepidation, "How long will I have to keep this up?"
We worry about how others will respond to the changes in our lives. We, like Moses, who glowed when he came down from his mountain-top experience with God, seek to veil our experiences with God by downplaying His effect on our lives in the presence of others. After all, we don't want to upset anyone or appear too fanatical or religious. And yet we are told to let our light shine before men and women so that God will be glorified. Hmmm, it seems as if it comes down to Him or us, doesn't it? There's not enough room in this temple of flesh for both of us to rule.
GETTING UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL
Why do we need to get past all of these fears and apprehensions to embrace God up close and personal? Because, if we don't, we will never experience the fullness of the blessings and victory we crave for our individual lives, that's why. It is in the secret, intimate place with God that we find our greatest desire is for Him, not the things we struggle to acquire. This is our true reason for existing—fellowship with Him—and all other blessings flow from our peace with Him. If we forfeit the presence of God and interacting with Him on an intimate basis, we lose the greatest key to possessing the faith we need to obtain the desires of our hearts. The Bible tells us that those who know their God will be strong and do exploits! Truly the deeper our relationship, the greater our faith in His abilities to move on our behalf. Our beliefs dictate our actions. Our actions affect our circumstances for better or for worse. Are you getting the connection? It is safe to say that our ability to acquire favor and blessings above and beyond the free gift of salvation have everything to do with how we interact with God.
Now you might say, "You know, Michelle, you are absolutely right! I have allowed my own shame, my own feelings of inadequacy to keep me from drawing closer to God. I have been overwhelmed by all I see around me. I have been afraid of what God would do to me if I made myself available to Him. I've held back because I have not wanted to come out of my comfort zone. Yet I do feel a longing to have a passion for Him. I feel as if I've been merely going through the motions of being a Christian without the joy and the excitement I once had. How do I get it back?"
I hear you. I have been there myself. And God has the answer for us all. In the book of Revelation He advised a church that had grown religious to return to its first love. He acknowledged that its members were good little Christian "do-bees," doing all the right things, but obviously they weren't having a very good time doing it. They were acting out of duty, not love. God wanted them to do the right thing not because they were supposed to but because they wanted to. Not out of a subservient love for Him, but a passionate love for Him. He wanted them to be hot for Him. Not lukewarm. He wanted a people who were on fire for Him. If they didn't turn up the heat in their hearts, He threatened to remove their lampstands. Without light they would not be able to see the path that they should take to reflect His light to the world. Without a light they would be of no use. Therefore they would be removed. The light was crucial to their witness, their ability to be a beacon in their community, their effectiveness, their ability to function as a church. In other words, He wasn't "feeling the love," which meant there probably was not a lot of dialogue going on between them. They were no longer seeking His instruction. They were being obedient by rote. They were on automatic, heading toward darkness if they didn't reconnect with Him.
God asked them to remember the height from which they had fallen. To recapture the excitement they felt when they first discovered His love. I think He was saying, "Remember how rich our fellowship was? How you couldn't wait to be in My presence? To talk to Me or to read about Me?" Recall all of that, and repent. That's right. We owe God an apology. Not just to make an admission that we've been remiss in our relationship with Him, but to really acknowledge our laxness from His viewpoint. Consider how you feel when someone you love ignores you or makes you feel as if you are not an important priority. Mm, hmm, I knew you would understand. On that note renew your relationship with God as an old married couple might renew their vows. Refresh your commitment to Him. Start over. Make new plans to be with Him. Find creative ways to spice up your relationship with Him.
It is important to note that when we get to heaven we will not be attending an employee banquet. We will be the collective bride, attending our very own wedding feast. The honeymoon will not be enjoyable if you are not in love with the groom. As a matter of fact, I think it's safe to say if you're not in love with the Groom, you won't be invited! Those trying to sneak into the banquet will be told, "I never knew you." Oh, my sisters, to know Him is to love Him; the two cannot be separated. He is more than wonderful. A faithful Lover of our souls. Altogether lovely and desirable in every way. Why should we love Him so completely? Because He first loved us! He is the embodiment of the perfect love story.
Every woman wants a hero who will pursue her, fight for her, and rescue her from the dragon. Is that a fantasy? No, it is not. They say that truth is stranger than fiction and that fairy tales are birthed from the true desires of our heart. Well, we don't have to stop at the imagery of being swept away by a knight in shining armor when we can have a love affair with the Prince of Peace, the Lord of lords and King of kings, Christ Jesus. Because the true love story is that He left heaven to pursue us. He fought for us by dying on the cross, descending into hell, snatching the keys of hell and death from that dragon Satan, and leading captivity captive. On that note He ascended into heaven, where He is making plans for our wedding day. He is building us a fabulous mansion where we will live and reign with Him forevermore! Now that's a love story I can get into. You can too. After all, the truth of the matter is if you are a part of the body of Christ, not only do you serve Him who is Lord of all, you are engaged to a divine fiancé! You are guaranteed to have a heavenly romance throughout eternity, but God wants it to start right here, right now. So until our ultimate wedding day, all we have to do is keep the fire in our hearts burning with passion and expectancy.
CHAPTER 2OUT OF THE FISHBOWL AND INTO THEIR HEARTS
* * *
Yvette Maher
The speaker left the stage as the women gathered their things. Based on their reaction, her message to the women at Bible study had clearly been well received. She thanked the Lord for equipping her with peace and the words that would reach the hearts of this hungry group. She put on a big smile and set about meeting and greeting the loyal members of her weekly meetings.
How did she prepare for her talk that day? What was her process for hearing from the Lord? When had she found the quiet time to listen with an obedient ear? How does a public person sort out and do "life" while being seen by eager onlookers? When is she "real"? When does she let her hair down and show her true emotion? Webster defines real as this: "Existing in fact, not merely seeming. Her emotions are real, not imaginary."
Have you ever heard someone described with the phrase "She is just so real"? What does that look like? If a well-known personality is being critiqued, her successes may be summed up by observing that she is knowledgeable, outstanding, articulate, or, in some cases, even anointed. The icing on the cake is to observe a speaker after the podium experience as she interacts with people. Perhaps you can catch a glimpse of the person's "realness" at dinner that evening.
Everyone wants the "inside scoop"—what I call the "fishbowl" observation. As a well-known personality, leader in the community, women's ministry director, wife of the pastor, or daughter of a father whose name has just made the headlines, you must accept that people are watching and talking. Some speak with admiration, some with just plain old gossip. Whatever the case may be, you are the fish and they are looking to see your "realness."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Leading Women to the Heart of God by Lysa TerKeurst. Copyright © 2002 Lysa TerKeurst. Excerpted by permission of Moody Publishers.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTSPART ONE: FIRST THINGS FIRST
1. Get a Love Life-Your Own Intimate Relationship with God
- Michelle McKinney Hammond
2. Out of the Fishbowl and into Their Hearts
- Yvette Maher
3. How God EQUIPs Us for Ministry
- Lysa TerKeurst
4. Building Your Confidence to Lead and Teach
- Sharon Jaynes
5. Keep the Home Fires Burning-Finding BalanceBetween Ministry and Family
- Lysa TerKeurst
PART TWO: STARTING A WOMEN'S MINISTRY
6. It All Starts with Prayer
- Mary Ann Ruff
7. Creating a Contemporary Women's Ministry
- Bobbi Grossmiller and Nancy Schrumm
8. Promoting Your Women's Ministry
- Glynnis Whitwer
9. How to Work with the Men in Your Church
- Diane Passno
10. Principles for Feminine Leadership
- Amy Stephens
PART THREE BUILDING A WOMEN'S MINISTRY
11. Building the Foundation of Your Women's Ministry on Biblical Principles
- Lisa Harper
12. Stress-Free Women's Ministry
- Gayle Haggard
13. The Journey of a Woman's Heart
- Renee Swope
14. Women Mentoring Women
- Bobbi Grossmiller and Nancy Schrumm
15. Mentoring Changes Lives
- Michele Rickett
PART FOUR: EXPANDING A WOMEN'S MINISTRY
16. Thinking Outside the Box to Reach Women
- Chris Adams
17. Reaching the Next Generation One Woman at a Time
- Cheri Jimenez
18. Time to Reach Out-Church and the Single Woman
- Michelle McKinney Hammond
19. Reaching Out to the Community with Lifestyle Evangelism
- Renee Swope
20. Extending God's Love Globally
- Michele Rickett
PART FIVE MAINTAINING A WOMEN'S MINISTRY
21. Developing Leaders Within Your Ministry
- Susan Miller
22. The Power of Encouragement
- Sharon Jaynes
23. Practical Ways to Deal with Team Conflict
- Sheryl De Witt
24. Networking with Other Women's Ministry Leaders
- Pat Davis
25. Special Encouragement for the Pastor's Wife
- Gayle Haggard