Recently at a YOU Lead women’s leadership training, we had a panel answering questions submitted by attendees. Several past and upcoming posts address those and try to help answer them. Check out other Women’s Ministry Questions here.
Today’s question is: How do you balance desiring to be involved in ministry and having a young family at home whom you also need to minister to?
In a nutshell: “seasons of a women in ministry”! All believers are called to serve in and through the local church, but not all are called to serve the same way or with the same amount of time on an ongoing basis.
If you have small children, and if you are married, those relationships are your ministry as well. And if we put them on the shelf to do “real” ministry, they could possibly resent being left out and could even end up with a very negative perspective of church.
First of all, before accepting a ministry responsibility, pray with your family about it. Include them in the process all along. Let them know what it will take as far as time and commitment. Next, find ways to include them in what you are doing. Can they help you serve, greet women, make items to be used in the ministry? Sometimes it can be beneficial to all the women in the church to plan ministry that includes family members when possible.
Keep in mind, the children will not always be so young as they grow, become more independent and are involved In activities of their own, they don’t need quite so much of mom’s time. If you are married though, your husband must not ever become “second” to other relationships or ministry. If he does not attend church with you, be sure that you work together making decisions regarding your commitments to serving.
At different seasons of my life and ministry, I have had different levels of commitment. There is always a way to serve no matter what stage of life you are in. Pray and ask God what He is specifically calling you to do during the current stage. Ask Him to show you how you can prioritize your personal and ministry time so that you accomplish all He desires. Watch for ways to serve “along the way” as you do life in your family, neighborhood, and workplace. Often we even miss opportunities that happen spontaneously if we are always looking for a “bigger” ministry!
Watch for future Q/A posts!
