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Women in the Church
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by Viki Rife
I might as well confess it--I'm tired of the controversy over the roles of women in the church. I'm tired of discussions about what women can and can't do. I'm tired of women being doormats, and I'm tired of women fighting for their "rights." This is not what God has called us to.
On the other hand, I rejoice when women humbly rise up to the calling God has on their lives. Such an attitude has to come from the inside, from a woman communing with her God in the private place of her heart. It comes from digging deep into His Word and obeying it, and learning to listen to His guidance through prayer and contemplation. Then a woman's ministry comes from the inner self, where God is developing a quiet and gentle spirit.
Jesus modeled so well for all His disciples the approach we should have in life. He was not afraid to speak the truth, lovingly wrapped in mercy. But He never insisted on having His own way. He let people make their decisions. He did not revile when He was treated badly.
What if the women's ministries in our churches were places that truly modeled how the Body of Christ should function? What if we came together as sisters and prayed fervently for the needs of our church and for our leaders? What if we made sure that each woman had an opportunity to discover and develop her gifts in a safe group of loving, understanding sisters? What if the whole culture of women in our church was one of unity and the fruit of the Spirit? (read more)
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| Looking to Start or Revitalize your Women's Mininstry? |
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Do you want to develop a culture of Christlikeness in your women's ministry? Do you want to nurture your current ministry, or start a new one? Check out our resources on developing a women's ministry.
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| Prayer Watch |
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 Is your women's ministry preparing women to deal with the changes happening in our culture? Let's spend this next month praying for wisdom to help each other grow in our ability to influence our culture. Pray that God will show us how to be watchmen, alert to pray for the needs around us, and that He would raise up prayer warriors among us who know how to intercede. Maybe you are one of them!
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| Do What You Can with Pat Ashcraft |
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"Do what you can" applies to so many things in life. It can apply to spiritual issues as well as daily living.
Our neighbors have been busy the past two months fixing up their yards with flowers and beautiful hanging baskets. We would love our yard and porches to look like theirs. But my husband and I are both dealing with health issues and cannot garden this year. So we did what we could. We planted a few flowers around the little fence in front of our yard. And we put a few flowers in a large pot by the back porch. Yep, that's it. It was what we could handle.
It's easy to get caught up in comparing ourselves to what others do, leaving us feeling we can't live up to their example. So we shy away from doing anything. Some women can get up in front of a crowd and teach for an hour while others would have a major anxiety attack if called on to speak in a small Sunday School class. But that woman who is afraid to speak in public may have a very tender heart for the new mom with a colicky baby. Her listening ear can be the thing that new mom needs.
When it comes to giving, are you doing what you can? Are you able to support WGUSA as we seek to encourage ministry to women in churches and build women leaders in those churches? Your faithful giving matters. Do what you can! Donate here
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| Opportunities at Flinch Conference - Newark, New Jersey |
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 Women's Celebration sponsored by Women of Grace USA
For each of us, a time comes when we are haunted by the question, "Is God worth the risk?" Whether it's a sense of calling, a challenge to keep our integrity, or a death threat, how we answer that one question will determine our final decision. We are excited to invite all women attending Flinch Conference to this time of reflection, fellowship and celebration. Join us to interact together with personal stories of women who have taken risks for God, and examine our theme for this year, "Stand Firm." You will leave with a desire to personally answer the question, "Is God worth the risk?" The session will be Friday, July 23, at 2 p.m.
Breakout: Prayer on the Edge
How would we pray if our life or family was in danger? How can we learn to celebrate the opportunities that hard times bring? Come explore with other men and women the prayer dynamic of the persecuted church. You will experience prayer like you never have before! This breakout will be Saturday morning, July 24, at 11:15.
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| Live, Laugh, Love, Let Go |
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June is synonymous with graduation and the end of school. Commencement speeches always run along the lines of "where we've been and where we're going." Time for reflection. We are marking this milestone with our oldest son, Matt. While he's wrapped up in cap and gown and saying goodbye to friends, my husband and I are taken back to our own high school graduations.
Funny thing: milestones. First steps. First word. First day of school. Milestones in our culture that go back generations and mark the place where you transitioned from one stage of life to the next. I was once just as young as Matt is now. But, (sigh) the cruelty of words coming back to haunt you. What a shock to my ears to have my child candidly blurt out, "I can't picture you being young!" Ouch! (Hey, Dad, it may be thirty-three years late but this is your daughter saying, "Sorry.")
Dave and I are always being complimented on our parenting skills. continue reading
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| Upcoming Women's Leadership Studies Classes |
| Revive '15 & FGBC Fellowship Forum |
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Make plans now to join Women of Grace USA at Revive '15. We'll join 2,000 other women for this leadership conference hosted by Revive Our Hearts and True Woman. Several mealtime gatherings for our Grace Brethren women are being planned where we can interact and share what we're learning. For more information on this forum, click here.
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| Prepare by J. Paul Nyquist |
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 Review by Viki Rife
It seems like the general consensus among American Christians today is that we are losing our freedoms in a culture that is becoming increasingly hostile. No reason to fear! In Prepare: Living Your Faith in an Increasingly Hostile Environment, J. Paul Nyquist, president of Moody Bible Institute, shares why we can rejoice in the changes we are seeing. He carefully guides us through an understanding of how suffering fits into our calling as believers, showing us how to prepare to stand firm. He lays the groundwork to help us celebrate the opportunities we will have to influence people for Christ, and points out the truth about five myths that have held us back from fully embracing God's plan for us. This is a victorious approach that will leave you expectantly anticipating what God is about to do among His people. This is definitely recommended reading for any Christian who wants to further God's kingdom. (read more)
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| Shop Amazon Smile |
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Do you shop on Amazon.com? You can select Women of Grace USA as your charitable organization and we'll receive a portion of your purchase total as a donation. Simply click here to sign up and be sure to use smile.amazon.com when you shop.
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| Mark your Calendar |
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WLS - Biblical Foundations of Leadership, August 28-29, Winona Lake, IN
Revive '15: Women Teaching Women, September 25-26 Info
WLS - Principles of Effective Bible Study, October 30-31, Columbus, OH
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| What's going on? |
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with Women of Grace USA
Check our Facebook page to see some of what God's been doing among women through Women of Grace USA.
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