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Best Women's Ministries
- Thread starter Gina B
- Start date
And don't say pole dancing.
In that case ....:smilewinkgrin:
Now-a-days, if it doesn't fit in the microwave, or not available at the Drive-Thru then it's Pizza Delivery night.
A fabulous women's ministry would be offering young women how to feed themselves and their family along with perhaps sewing. One capable of doing alterations will have a job for life and who knows what will sparking an interest in some young person besides having a Black Belt in Texting.
A fabulous women's ministry would be offering young women how to feed themselves and their family along with perhaps sewing. One capable of doing alterations will have a job for life and who knows what will sparking an interest in some young person besides having a Black Belt in Texting.
Thousand Hills
Active Member
Well said, I thought about posting this, but was afraid it would be misinterpreted as being a chauvanist pig (sp?). I'm glad you said it and will take the heat :laugh:, but I agree with you.:thumbs:
OK, this is my second time to erase a post in this thread.
Post #1 erased: I gave Gina an answer to her question. I outlined (and it took me a long time to type that) what the women's ministry at my church does FOR our church, for families, for the the community as a body of Christ, and for each other to help each other grow in Christ.
Post #2 erased: I smarted-off to two men who think it's all about ovens vs. microwave, sewing kits, and abstainence from the cell phone. I'm sorry.
Post #3 (I'm leaving this one here.): Just forget the whole thing. Gina, if you want to know about what the women at my church as women for Christ, then PM me.
Post #1 erased: I gave Gina an answer to her question. I outlined (and it took me a long time to type that) what the women's ministry at my church does FOR our church, for families, for the the community as a body of Christ, and for each other to help each other grow in Christ.
Post #2 erased: I smarted-off to two men who think it's all about ovens vs. microwave, sewing kits, and abstainence from the cell phone. I'm sorry.
Post #3 (I'm leaving this one here.): Just forget the whole thing. Gina, if you want to know about what the women at my church as women for Christ, then PM me.
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Thousand Hills
Active Member
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You won't find anyone with a bigger burden than me for the older women to teach the younger women. We've talked about it at every monthly meeting of our Women's Council since December. We shed some tears about in December, not because the younger women at my church are in a sad state (because they aren't), but because the older women, like us, haven't been taking the lead and doing it.
We hope to have a active plan in place by next fall. Our yearly calendar is full through May and we take off in June and July.
But we aren't so much interested in the cooking and the sewing aspect. I suppose that if one of these younger women wanted to learn to cook, they could come to one of us. But not me. I've never even fried a hamburger or piece of chicken in my life. I wouldn't know where to start. And sewing? Forget it. Cooking and sewing aren't big deals in my life. But there are some women in my church who could help them if needs be.
I'm more interested and burdened in helping them control unruly children, get into their Bibles more, organize their life better, love/respect their husbands more whether the husbands return the sentiment or not, get involved in more lofty ideals, and frankly, learn to organize their wardrobe to present a more dignified self. It's hard for these younger women to shop when ALL stores limit presentable clothes. I want to listen to these women - hear their burdens and lead them to scriptural answers.
I have some other things to say, but it doesn't profit anything.
I just wanted to you know that the older women teaching the younger women in my church is on the verge of becoming very important. And it isn't about picking up a bucket of KFC vs. going out in the hen house, wringing a chicken's neck, plucking the feathers, and cooking three meals a day from scratch.
To me, it's just about bigger things.
I completely agree with you. My homeschool group is doing just that--teaching the kids (not just the girls) to sew and cook and manage money. I see more interest in this with the 30-something and older crowd, though. Not too many of the college/career age women are interested, but the women with kids who WANT to be stay home moms are expressing more interest in caring for their homes. They're learning to preserve food, garden, quilt, homeschool the children, clean house, save money, and more.
Gina, as far as women's ministry, I'm not a big fan of Beth Moore, but I really like Elizabeth George. Her books have helped me in many areas. The best women's ministry I know didn't have a formal name, it was just the church ladies getting together for fellowship, a devotional, and learning a new craft or recipe. It was kept clean of gossip and negativity and focused on us being godly.
Also, I've found my best way to minister to other women is simply one on one. Too often group activities involve too many church politics and boredom. Encouraging each other one on one is more effective for me.
The problem I have, Scarlett O., is that I'm not an Ernest Hemingway. I also realize that on most forums people "skim" over what has been provide an often only read and pick up on those parts that are near and dear to them. So, I often try not to go on and on and on, as not many will read it all to begin with.
Now, as to the Cooking and Sewing..., who am I to tell anyone what they should, or should not do? There are probably some women out there desiring to fly F-15's and eat at the Mess Hall every night. It was just a suggestion; a willingness to participate; a desire to throw out an idea. As I obviously did not offer up what was expected I've taken note and it won't happen again.
It does seem to me however that if any adult can "Flick Their Bic", that creates a "spark" which in turn ignites a fire in a young person, then we're halfway home. I am personally at wits end trying to keep my 14 year old grandson on the straight and narrow as all he can focus on right now is his father that wants nothing to do with him.
As a man, I need to stay out of the business of what any women want to do in or out of church. An ounce of prevention saves a pound of cure..., so I need to tend to myself.
Now, as to the Cooking and Sewing..., who am I to tell anyone what they should, or should not do? There are probably some women out there desiring to fly F-15's and eat at the Mess Hall every night. It was just a suggestion; a willingness to participate; a desire to throw out an idea. As I obviously did not offer up what was expected I've taken note and it won't happen again.
It does seem to me however that if any adult can "Flick Their Bic", that creates a "spark" which in turn ignites a fire in a young person, then we're halfway home. I am personally at wits end trying to keep my 14 year old grandson on the straight and narrow as all he can focus on right now is his father that wants nothing to do with him.
As a man, I need to stay out of the business of what any women want to do in or out of church. An ounce of prevention saves a pound of cure..., so I need to tend to myself.
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I appreciate all of the ideas! They vary widely and seem to represent numerous viewpoints, which was exactly what I wanted. :thumbs:
Scarlett, one thing I've been thinking about has been the sewing/cooking comments on here. It struck me because of two things.
1. I can't sew, but I have one child that would greatly benefit from it if I knew how to alter her clothes after we bought them. There have been many times when a kid was between sizes and I just couldn't find anything affordable that didn't need altered...so I spent more. EKE! Not good.
2. I CAN cook. I encouraged my one daughter to take a home-ec class at school to get some basic skills. I had to snicker at the comment about texting because I haven't gotten to her yet in the "learning to cook" line I have going on. The girl CAN text a mile a minute! HA! I go to my kids to learn how to use my cell phone. She came home laughing from the home-ec class. Yes, laughing! She said "Mom, they don't actually cook." I found out they really don't do what I expected, which was to teach the basics of cooking. Measurements, how stuff interacts, making simple dishes, etc.. They use pre-made pizza crusts, box mixes for cookies, etc..
Why does that bother me? Well, I'm concerned about the future AND the present. What happens when food prices become very high or if someone moves to an area where shopping isn't very convenient? Right now even seeds are being genetically altered, patented, and made sterile. When you control that, you control prices. Whether or not a person ever uses it, I'm a strong believer in being prepared to be self-sufficient. The way things are going, knowledge of how to prepare foods from scratch, can goods, grow stuff, etc. strikes me as a really great idea. For me it's often cheaper to do things from scratch...five kids. I can buy a box of cereal for 2-3 dollars and it's gone in one breakfast. Or I can make pancakes using fifty cents worth of flour, twenty-five cents worth of eggs, water, and about ten cents worth of leaven and salt. I just fed seven people for less than half the cost of cereal and without all the additives.
To me, that's a major deal. I personally consider it part of stewardship in many ways. One is learning to be wise with what we're blessed with and trying not to be wasteful. All the pre-mix stuff takes a lot of energy to produce and package. The plastics, the chemicals, all that aren't the best for us or for the earth we're commanded to tend and care for. The ability to be self-sufficient in a crisis instead of dependent on others or mass producers is also something very beneficial. The time spent teaching our children these things is also precious.
Some people may not believe this stuff is "Christian," but I can't find a way to agree with that.
Are there bigger things? Certainly! The stuff you and others have mentioned that are fundamental to the Christian faith...having the right attitude, growing spiritually, raising kids right, loving and respecting their husbands, those are wonderful things. Yep, they come first. I'm really amazed at how ill-prepared many young women are for life and how undiscipled so many believers are.
That comes first. I can't say it doesn't rule out the possibilities of other ministries either though. Perhaps in a small church of spiritually mature people, expanding out with some of these other things like cooking and sewing could be beneficial. Maybe they could even be used with people with bigger spiritual needs to build those bonds with more spiritually mature women and the other stuff will naturally fall into place as part of it. There's something about creating together that gets women talking and bonding. Some of the deepest conversations in our house seem to take place when we're cooking together. We start discussing things like family and marriage and stuff they're going to be coming into soon. (three of mine are teens)
I certainly don't judge those who can't cook or sew. I can't sew either and stabbing myself with a needle usually results in things coming out of my mouth that make my own husband blush. (pretty pathetic, I hate cussing and that's the one and only thing that students know result in an automatic office referral from me) We all have our gifts. And non-gifts.
Hopefully I said things in a way that aren't offensive to you and allowed you to better understand why something like that could be considered important. I probably think a little crazier than others so I'll make it clear that these are my thoughts only lest others come and jab me with needles. LOL
Scarlett, one thing I've been thinking about has been the sewing/cooking comments on here. It struck me because of two things.
1. I can't sew, but I have one child that would greatly benefit from it if I knew how to alter her clothes after we bought them. There have been many times when a kid was between sizes and I just couldn't find anything affordable that didn't need altered...so I spent more. EKE! Not good.
2. I CAN cook. I encouraged my one daughter to take a home-ec class at school to get some basic skills. I had to snicker at the comment about texting because I haven't gotten to her yet in the "learning to cook" line I have going on. The girl CAN text a mile a minute! HA! I go to my kids to learn how to use my cell phone. She came home laughing from the home-ec class. Yes, laughing! She said "Mom, they don't actually cook." I found out they really don't do what I expected, which was to teach the basics of cooking. Measurements, how stuff interacts, making simple dishes, etc.. They use pre-made pizza crusts, box mixes for cookies, etc..
Why does that bother me? Well, I'm concerned about the future AND the present. What happens when food prices become very high or if someone moves to an area where shopping isn't very convenient? Right now even seeds are being genetically altered, patented, and made sterile. When you control that, you control prices. Whether or not a person ever uses it, I'm a strong believer in being prepared to be self-sufficient. The way things are going, knowledge of how to prepare foods from scratch, can goods, grow stuff, etc. strikes me as a really great idea. For me it's often cheaper to do things from scratch...five kids. I can buy a box of cereal for 2-3 dollars and it's gone in one breakfast. Or I can make pancakes using fifty cents worth of flour, twenty-five cents worth of eggs, water, and about ten cents worth of leaven and salt. I just fed seven people for less than half the cost of cereal and without all the additives.
To me, that's a major deal. I personally consider it part of stewardship in many ways. One is learning to be wise with what we're blessed with and trying not to be wasteful. All the pre-mix stuff takes a lot of energy to produce and package. The plastics, the chemicals, all that aren't the best for us or for the earth we're commanded to tend and care for. The ability to be self-sufficient in a crisis instead of dependent on others or mass producers is also something very beneficial. The time spent teaching our children these things is also precious.
Some people may not believe this stuff is "Christian," but I can't find a way to agree with that.
Are there bigger things? Certainly! The stuff you and others have mentioned that are fundamental to the Christian faith...having the right attitude, growing spiritually, raising kids right, loving and respecting their husbands, those are wonderful things. Yep, they come first. I'm really amazed at how ill-prepared many young women are for life and how undiscipled so many believers are.
That comes first. I can't say it doesn't rule out the possibilities of other ministries either though. Perhaps in a small church of spiritually mature people, expanding out with some of these other things like cooking and sewing could be beneficial. Maybe they could even be used with people with bigger spiritual needs to build those bonds with more spiritually mature women and the other stuff will naturally fall into place as part of it. There's something about creating together that gets women talking and bonding. Some of the deepest conversations in our house seem to take place when we're cooking together. We start discussing things like family and marriage and stuff they're going to be coming into soon. (three of mine are teens)
I certainly don't judge those who can't cook or sew. I can't sew either and stabbing myself with a needle usually results in things coming out of my mouth that make my own husband blush. (pretty pathetic, I hate cussing and that's the one and only thing that students know result in an automatic office referral from me) We all have our gifts. And non-gifts.
Hopefully I said things in a way that aren't offensive to you and allowed you to better understand why something like that could be considered important. I probably think a little crazier than others so I'll make it clear that these are my thoughts only lest others come and jab me with needles. LOL
I would do something regularly (your choice as to weekly, monthly, bi-weekly or whatever) where you can choose a skill and learn it. Have the women who excel in that skill teach for you so you're not always teaching. But there are SOOOOOOOOOO many things that can be done - planning a menu, shopping wisely, cooking bread, cooking cakes and cookies, cooking breakfast, lunch, dinner, cooking for the freezer, making soup, canning, preserving, etc. That's just the food portion!! Then there is finances, house keeping, parenting, being a godly wife, how to be a godly woman in an ungodly world. Man, I can easily see a full few years' worth of stuff to put together!!
I can't resist this one...STORY TIME!
So yeah, we've chopped off hen's necks, dipped them in water, and stripped the feathers. I personally like KFC. :laugh:
One of my first lessons? Do NOT use a hot axe! We had a poor headless chicken make it all the way to the neighbor's house. They called.
"Hey, did you just slaughter a chicken?"
Yep.
"It's in our yard flopping around."
We'll be there in a few.
It's not uncommon for some flopping, but if you just got done chopping or the axe blade has sat in the sun, the heat can work to help cauterize the veins and that chicken can go for a lot longer than you'd ever think possible!
Ah. Memories. LOL
Another thing I see in women's ministry is a need to mentor singles, and give them opportunity to mentor as well. So many things just don't apply to the single ladies, like being a godly wife, parenting, homeschool, etc. Sometimes I think the single women feel left out. I'm talking about the divorced or never married ladies who listen to numerous teaching about the home, husbands, children, who need something that applies to them. Personally, I am probably the only person on the planet who doesn't know how to text or use a digital camera. I need more computer skills. Someone more career oriented could show me how to do all that. ALL of us women have something we can use to help edify others, it's not all just about cleaning house and cooking dinner.
I remember all too well sitting there as the only divorced woman in the groups. I didn't fit in with singles so they put me with the marrieds, where the focus was on having a good relationship with your spouse, having devotions together, the evils of divorce and how to avoid such, blah blah blah.
I wanted to cry every Sunday and felt like walking in with a big fat scarlet letter on my blouse just to make it official.
I wanted to cry every Sunday and felt like walking in with a big fat scarlet letter on my blouse just to make it official.
Oh, I've been there, too. As a child, I watched my mother, aunt, and grandmother wring the necks of many chickens. And my aunt would always cover it really fast with a wash tub. I was always surprised at how much force a dead chicken could thrust against an upside-down wash tub. The things would almost knock my aunt over as the lay her body on top of the wash tub.
And my problem is that I fly off the broomsti.....er....fly off the handle way too easily. And I'm sorry.
If the younger women at my church need helpful hints with cooking and sewing and things like that, they NEED to have an older group of women at my church to turn to. This is where my burden for them lies. We, as the older women, just aren't there for them - in any capacity - not just domestic skills. And I am ashamed of that. That's why we are trying to put something together to start in the fall.
Having taught 14-year-olds for 27 years, I can tell you that the best thing for you to do is to pray and to just be there when the walls coming crashing in.
Of course he is focusing on that dad who wants nothing to do with him. I've seen that more times than you can count. All kinds of children - boys and girls alike - who are just like you describe your grandson. And from the examples that I have seen, the walls do indeed come crashing down and they need a stable force in their life to catch them. Just be there for him whether he appreciates now or not.
And you are right about that "spark".
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