Engaging the younger women in ministry is a constant theme today. Recently, we had a meeting of various ages of women’s leaders here at Lifeway. Our guest blogger today, Karen Alexander Doyel was one of our experienced leaders in attendance. She shares some thoughts about this topic we addressed in this post today.
It seems women around the country are wondering how to get the young women in their church involved in women’s ministry. As I thought about this question and listened to many share their ideas, I was reminded of some simple truths. Maybe these will help you, as they have been a good reminder in my own life.
As I think about women’s ministry, I believe one thing that we can do that will never lead us in the wrong direction is go back to the basics! Follow our Leader!
Let me be simplistic in this blog post and take you back to the example Jesus lived for us as He taught and served while here on earth.
1. My relationship with God must be my priority.
Do you walk a God-first relationship with your women? This up and coming generation is all about authenticity. They are looking for the “real thing”. They don’t just want to hear about your relationship with God, they want to see it.
Matthew 4:10 “You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.”
2. Live Out God’s Word.
Matthew 4:4 “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Teach your women to listen to God through His Word and to walk it out. Young women of today are very intelligent. They study God’s Word, but do not want to stop there. We need to provide opportunities to live out what they are studying. These are women of action, compassion and mercy. Walk with them in study and service.
3. Love and Forgive
Matthew 22:39 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”
This truth seems so obvious, why am I even mentioning it? If we work with women, we will have disagreements and frustrations. Are you teaching your young women how to love those they disagree with? Are you living forgiveness in front of them? My girls are not going to be part of a ministry that criticizes each other or breaks off into groups of competitors. They want to see love lived out and forgiveness freely given.
4. Go and Tell
Matthew 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
At the dinner table this week my son’s wife, Lisa began to share how her coworkers (all in the science community) were asking about her story. We have to be intentional about teaching the young women to share their faith. Helping them to see that each day of their life is a part of God’s story. As we share God’s story in our own lives they will begin to recognize His work in their lives.
There are so many truths we could cover. Giving, prayer, fasting, scripture memory, the list goes on but take some time to see if you are covering the basics with your women. Are they growing, serving, sharing? Provide examples and opportunities and I believe you will see this younger generation join in with great enthusiasm.
Karen Alexander-Doyel is a speaker and conference leader, former pastor’s wife, and Lifeway Ministry Multiplier from Lenoir City, TN. She is a writer for the Tennessee Baptist Convention Ministers’ Wives blog. Karen was married to Dr. Douglas R. Alexander, former pastor of First Baptist Church, Lenoir City, Tennessee until his untimely death a few years ago. They served in ministry in Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Ohio and Tennessee. Karen established and led women’s ministries in each church she attended and is a conference leader and writes and teaches Bible studies. She especially has a heart for ministers’ wives and wants to help them love their special calling in ministry. Karen is married to Jim Doyel and is the mother of three grown sons.
