Lysa TerKeurst - Leading Women to the Heart of God: Creating a Dynamic Womens Ministry

TO THE

OF
GOD

TO THE

OF
GOD

CREATING A DYNAMIC
WOMENS MINISTRY

LYSA TERKEURST

GENERAL EDITOR

M OODY P UBLISHERS
CHICAGO

2002 by
L YSA T ER K EURST

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995. Used by permission.

Cover Photography: 2002 Nancy Brown/ImageBank

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Leading women to the heart of God / Lysa TerKeurst, general editor.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN-10: 0-8024-4920-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-8024-4920-7

1. Church work with women. 2. Women in church work. I. TerKeurst, Lysa.

BV4445 .L43 2002
259.082 5--dc 21

2002008165

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I dedicate this book
to every woman who has a desire
to make a difference for Christ
in her sphere of influence.
May God inspire and encourage you through this book.

CONTENTS

PART ONE
FIRST THINGS FIRST

PART TWO
STARTING A WOMENS MINISTRY

PART THREE
BUILDING A WOMENS MINISTRY

PART FOUR
EXPANDING A WOMENS MINISTRY

PART FIVE
MAINTAINING A WOMENS MINISTRY

W hat is a man doing writing the foreword to a leadership book for women? Well, there are several reasons. My mom was a delightful Christian wife and mother. I married a very special lady to whom I owe just about everything. And for more than three decades I served as pastor to some of the most wonderful, godly women in the world. But you want to know the main reason I agreed to write these words? I believe that womenladies like youare crucial to successful Christian homes, vibrant churches, and a redeemed society.

George Barna has written, Women more often than not take the lead role in the spiritual life of the family. Women emerge as the primaryor onlyspiritual mentor and role model for family members.

Now, do I find great comfort in those figures? Not really! I long for and have given my life to encourage men to accept their God-given places of Christian leadership. Perhaps in time they will. We are seeing little hints of progress, but the truth is that in most homes, and in a large number of churches, you ladies are the catalyst for the development of Christian maturity in our society. I know you dont like to hear those thingsbut its the truth.

I have prayed and taught men for years that if they would assume their biblical role the church would be revived and many of societys ills would find healing. I am still praying and teaching. You ladies are key to all of this. Especially as you challenge the men in your lives to step up and take the lead. Yet I return to the factswithout you ladies living the life of Christ and remaining faithful to the call of God in your lives, the church would be only a shadow of what it is today. Thank you.

In churches I was privileged to pastor, we attempted to do several things in ministry to our ladies so that they might involve themselves in meaningful programs and opportunities.

We encouraged fellowship and provided nurture. We taught our women how to pray and offered them the example of godly role models. We equipped them with tools to be the wives and mothers God intended and challenged them to use their gifts and graces for the work of the church. We put great emphasis upon the total persons developing spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

The response was gratifying. In every church there was always a team of godly women who exhibited a variety of gifts and talents and who would come forward and give leadership to our womens ministry. I valued their willingness to be used.

Perhaps as you read these words you are one of those ladies who has given and given to your local church ministry. Youre tired. Youre overwhelmed. Youre weary in well doing. No wonder! Look at all you do, but also look at all God has been doing through you. Dont give upplease!

I will always remember a group of ladies in our church in Salem, Oregon, who began to believe God for something very special. They were moving beyond the ordinary in their commitment to womens ministry. They were taking a bold step to widen their influence.

A conference for women was proposedcalled Oasis. It was one of the first major conferences of its kind in the Northwest. Our sanctuary was turned into a tropical paradise complete with real waterfalls, palm trees, and beautiful flowers. It worked! Ladies came by the hundreds. Our ladies efforts were rewarded. Oasis was a yearly event for more than a decade. Scores of women from every walk of life found renewal and hope because God saw fit to bless the faith of a few brave women. He will reward you in the same way. You never know where your dreams will take you. Dont ever stop dreaming. You, like new wine in new wineskins, are equipped as never before to make a difference in your home, your church, and your world.

Because you do so much, and are probably also often taken for granted, I doubt if you really understand just how crucial you are to the success of your local church. Dont give up. Your absence would leave an irreplaceable vacuum.

It would be very worthwhile as you read the following pages to let the words, like a mirror, reflect in your life. If youre tired, take a step back. Check your priorities and come back stronger. If youre discouraged, seek out one who will understand your concerns, and talk to him or her. If youre struggling spiritually, make it your goal to grow closer to your Lord. If youre overwhelmed as a wife and a mom, or your singleness is a painful reality, quiet yourself, and reflect on how much you are loved by the One who created you, and He will give you the strength you need for the journey and a way out of temptation. You are not required to be a super anythingjust the person God called you to be.

I have often preached a sermon entitled If Mama Aint Happy, Aint Nobody Happy. I found those words to be very true. We really want you to be happy. At our house for the longest time on our refrigerator door was a little square magnet. There were no pictures. We didnt put the stick figures of our grandchildren on displayjust a single magnet that said If Papa Aint Happy, Aint Nobody Cares!