We (my family and I) attended an awesome 2000-seated church on Sunday. The service was contemporary, of course, strategically structured and precise. I was extremely impressed with the speaker. He was solid! I did notice a very similar situation in this contemporary church that I see in the traditional assembly though. When they gave out the announcements there was an event for women’s ministry coming up and they apologized that there had not been anything for women in a long time. I thought how sad it is for the church when women’s teaching is so few and far between.
Paul plainly stated in Titus 2 that the older women needed to be involved in teaching women in specific areas of their life. If you look at the magazine racks in the checkout area of stores you would easily see what women need to be taught and where their interests are. You would see that Paul knew that women were needed to help teach on women’s issues such as their relationship with their husband and children, discretion, chastity and so forth. Women struggle in very intimate areas of their personal life and need the help that only another woman can offer.
I have seen pastors (men) try to teach in these areas. I guess for a lack of female teachers they try and do what they can but it is so distasteful to say the least! We need some women in the church to be more concerned with women’s ministry. I am not talking about crafts and the keeping of the cleaning schedule. I am talking about Titus 2 women who understand that women need to be encouraged and admonished in the things that really pertain to women. God is not concerned with whether a woman can make a quilt but He is concerned about the feminine role in general. I can tell you: we think that women understand their identity better than they used to, but they don't - they actually understand it less! The younger generation of women are more confused than they have ever been. The older women in the church have so much more to offer than what they are giving.
It is in the local assembly that women's lives will be changed. Don't rely on a one time event to take the place of training that comes from consistency and the daily routine. We raise our children, relying on consistency to shape and build who they will become. We wouldn't expect one youth event to take the place of daily parenting. We expect special events to enhance what we have taught. That's what I am saying about women's ministry in the local church. It is needed regularly. Put a high value on the women in your church. Get involved with helping them. Teach and please make it accessible (remember the need for childcare and flexible schedules). Women are worth the investment!!
Loving U Like a Sister,
Regina