FEBRUARY

ENLISTMENT MONTH FOR WOMEN’S MISSIONARY AUXILIARY

February is the month that has been set aside by the National WMA to encourage women to become active in their local church’s women’s ministry.  Due to COVID, many of our churches and their ministries have experienced a decline in attendance during the past two years.  Hope-fully we will soon see an end to this pandemic.

The National WMA theme for 2021-2022 is “INTENTIONAL”. Ephesians 5:15-16 says “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”   As we try to build our attendance back up, I challenge each lady of your women’s ministry to be “intentional” in encouraging new ladies to attend your meetings by making the most of every opportunity.

Ways to be Intentional:

• Individually invite each lady in your church to come to your meetings or Bible Study (in person, by telephone, text, or email)
• Have the meetings or Bible Study times printed in your church’s bulletin, Facebook Page, and website
• Promote the topic of your meeting or study with colorful posters placed in strategic places in the church
• Be excited about your ministry and share the things you are learning in conversations with those ladies not attending
• Look for ways your group can meet the needs of all the ladies in your church
• Poll the ladies of the church to see what they would like to get from your ministry
• Have an informal get-together with finger foods to let the ladies of the church become more personally acquainted
• Have special events such as Mother/Daughter teas, Valentine’s Banquets, painting parties, etc. to get the ladies interested in meeting together
• Make sure your meetings and Bible Studies are bathed in prayer and are structured to provide spiritual growth for each lady in attendance

Let’s strive to enlist new ladies in our women’s ministries during this new year.

                                                                                                Brenda Hornaday

 

Reaching Women for Christ

February is the month that the Women’s Missionary Auxiliary promotes growth and enlistment to our ministry groups. God’s Word is filled with stories of how He has worked in and through the lives of women of all ages. These are great stories of women who were faithful in service.  Many of these stories portray women of different ages learning from each other and growing in their faith. Remember Miriam, the big sister who watched over her little brother Moses hidden in the reeds along the Nile, yet she dared speak to the princess to protect him (Ex. 2:1-10)? Then there are the stories of relationships like Naomi and Ruth (the book of Ruth) or Elizabeth and Mary (Lk. 1:39-56). When I read these stories in Scripture, I am reminded that God’s message is for every woman – no matter her age or season of life.   But when you look inside, we are still women with similar needs, desires, hang-ups and worries. By focusing on God’s message and encouraging women from each generation to serve and learn together, we will all be blessed and much richer for the experience.  Here are things to remember when building an intergenerational ministry for women: be intentional to reach and involve all ages, and minister to women of every generation; make sure women from every age group are part of the planning team and get their input and ideas; have women from each generation carry out the plan – serving in every area, side-by-side, using their gifts to the benefit of all, but especially the Kingdom; and produce, growth, friendship, and to be a blessing to each other.We have so much to learn from each other during every season of life. Focus on what each generation has to offer and allow these strengths and gifts to be used to the fullest. What a wonderful time we will have! Here are some questions to think about when looking at your women’s group:

Pastor/Staff Appreciation October is coming, and the question is, “Have you thought about your pastor, youth minister and deacons’ appreciation for the service they do for your church?”  We shouldn’t just wait until one time of the year, but we should show appreciation often for the service they give to your church.  “Often pastors feel like they’re in a NASCAR race, It’s hard to manage it all. You hit the gas and you just go, go, go.”  I want you to know that I know being a pastor or church staff member is the most difficult job in the world. While it has unbelievable high, we know leading volunteer armies and facing an enemy (Satan and his demons) we may or may not encounter on a regular basis. Pastors have given their lives to serve people only a daily basis. Two of the most important words that we can ever say is “thank you.”

In conclusion, we will thank you every day of eternity for serving us, the church and our Lord so well. “Thank you” is not nearly enough, but I hope these two words encourage you today.