Beverly Hislop - Shepherding A Womans Heart: A New Model for Effective Ministry to Women

2003 by
B EVERLY W HITE H ISLOP

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.

Scripture quotations marked CEV are taken from the Contemporary English Version, Copyright 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton Illinois 60189, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Editor: Ann Scherich
Cover and Interior Design and Illustrations: Ragont Design

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Hislop, Beverly White, 1946

Shepherding a womans heart : a new model for effective ministry to women / Beverly White Hislop.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ).
ISBN 978-0-8024-3354-1
1. Church work with women. 2. Women in church work. I. Title.

BV4445.H57 2003
259.082dc21

2003005466

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Raymond V. White planted a seed, fertilized, and watered it. This book is the result. He only had forty-nine years on this earth, but what a legacy he left. He modeled godliness, healthy shepherding, and respect for gender differences.
Thanks, Dad, for showing me the way.

James G. Hislop further fertilized and pruned that little oak by validating my gifting and the gifting of the many women who have served with us in the body of Christ. Jim is a leader above reproach whose life portrays a Good Shepherd profile in both church and home.
Thanks, honey, for opening the way.

Section One
Develop an Awareness
Reasons We Need It

Section Two
Deepen Understanding
Reasons to Give It

Section Three
Disperse Compassion
People Who Need It

Section Four
Diversify Skills
People Who Give It

The warmth and expertise of the team at Moody Publishers have increased the joy of this journey immensely! Communicating with you has been reminiscent of my first piano recital. I was both surprised and gratified that people came and that they applauded the performance of my first piece. The greatest amazement was that my piano teacher who had so graciously and relentlessly coached me to the place of readiness to go public did not have her name next to mine in the program. I want to make sure the names of the strong Moody team are on this program! Thank you Elsa Mazon, Anne Scherich, Pam Pugh, and Amy Peterson!

There are many who have indirectly contributed to this book through their input in my life. I am grateful for the teams of women who graciously embraced me and the seedbed of ideas sprouted in this book. I so value the journey we shared in developing and expanding ministries to women in churches in Germany, Orlando, Portland, North Palm Beach, and Gresham.

I appreciate the first team of women at Grace Community Church who were willing to take a risk and be part of an evolutionary process of developing a pastoral care to women approach to ministry to women: Arlys Bucher, Beth Cunningham, Kathy Crannell, Shirley Hadley, Tamara Russell, and Alma Lou Tischler.

The tears of joy streaming down my face as I drove home from that first rebuilding team meeting were evidence that my passion for ministry to women in the local church was stronger than ever. It felt like an essential part of who God made me to be had been rediscovered. Thank you, Shirley, for loving me and opening the door for me to love and be loved by the awesome women at GCC! Thanks to subsequent teams, especially Beth Cunningham and Kathy Crannell, who have continued to include me in their lives and ministry development. You have taught me so much! Thanks to Pastors Dennis and Jim and the elders for their incredible ability to shepherd well.

The support and encouragement from President Bert Downs and Dr. Randy Roberts have been assuring and energizing. To the faculty and staff: Thank you for creating a diet and climate that fosters a ministry of training, resources, and networking for women in ministry like the Womens Center for Ministry. The heart of the Good Shepherd is seen daily in you, Kenine. I count it a privilege to serve alongside you. What a joy it has been to minister with such colleagues of sterling character and can do attitudes. Our students also remind me that no investment is too great when God is in it!

I am grateful for my mother, Connie Stiles, who as a young woman called out to a God whom she did not know personally. God certainly met you and has shown Himself to you through all these years, especially through the deaths of two husbands. Your journey is an incredible testimony of Gods unconditional love and grace. Thank you, Mom, for staying on your knees on behalf of me and my three siblings, Paul, P. D., and Carole and our families.

Thank you, my own precious daughter, Lorraine, for understanding that a call to ministry is a sacrifice that impacts family. Dan, your creativity still ignites my own. Lorraine and Gene, Dan and Maureen you are Gods greatest gifts to us and we are indeed blessed. Thank you for six precious grandchildren, who we imagine will grow up to delight and challenge your hearts, as you did ours: Madeline, Katie, Emma, Hannah, Zachary, and Matthew. And to my incredible husband, Jim, I dedicate this book.

I Have been married to a pastor for thirty-five years and have served as director of womens ministries for many of those years. I understand many of the challenges of the pastoral role. People with the best of intentions often bring new ideas and new resources for the pastor to read and consider. There is little time to read all of the resources and even less time to try to implement them.