An Update On FPCâs Womenâs Ministry
by Mandy Williams
Iâm closing out my 4th month as Director of Womenâs Ministry, and it has been such a joy to serve such a wonderful group of women! In the past 4 months, Iâve had the blessing of hearing from ladies of FPC in every age and stage. I wasnât surprised to hear that the ministry is fulfilling the mission statement to encounter Godâs Word, serve the body and beyond, love our sisters in Christ, connect in loving fellowship. I am so thankful for the faithful servant leaders that have gone before me, allowing me to step into an already robust and fruitful ministry.
From these conversations/reflections there are common themes. As women, we wear many hats! No matter the age and stage, we have full plates! Considering this I began to ask myself; how can we care well for the women of FPC as we fulfill our God-given roles? How can we steward each otherâs time amidst busy lives?
One thing is evident through the evaluation of the ministry. The women of FPC have many gifts and graces! In light of that, how does the ministry need to operate to use these gifts to build up the church? How can we best carry out Romans 12:4-8?
âFor as in one body we have many members and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.â
With these questions in mind and through the advisement of the women of FPC, leadership of FPC, and wisdom of many womenâs ministry leaders; we have made a slight change in how we accomplish ministry.
One of the many things I love about FPC is the leadershipâs commitment to unity in mission and purpose. Part of my call as director is to ensure that the womenâs ministry is in step with all other ministry teams of FPC, and to make sure that the womenâs ministry is supporting the vision set by our Session. In order to rest under the umbrella of FPC and align with other ministry teams, the Womenâs Ministry Council will move from the larger 20-member council to a council of 8-10 servant leaders.
These servant leaders will, as needed, build teams to accomplish ministry initiatives. Many of these teams will minister together for a short season until the goal is completed. For example, a council member will form a discipleship team when itâs time to kick off our fall Bible study. This will be a team of women gathered from outside the council to serve together until the mission is accomplished! A team will be formed to carry out shepherding efforts, fellowship events, and acts of service, etc.! The hope is this will allow more women to use their gifts and graces and for a more diverse group of women to share in ministry. These teams will accommodate women whose schedules may not permit attending the monthly council meeting. Hopefully, this will be a blessing for those with hectic schedules to not be bogged down with meetings!
Some women think that the council IS the womenâs ministry! Not true! Every woman is ministering to someone! You need only look over your shoulder to find that someone is following you. Whether it be the women in your community group, children, co-workers, friends, or neighbors we are all leading and ministering to someone! My hope is that the women of FPC recognize this, that we support each other in our callings, and that we care well for our sisters in Christ. Our aim is for every woman at FPC to feel she is an important member, not just to the womenâs ministry, but to the family of God!
Be on the lookout for more information from the following ladies as we serve one another side by side:
Bethany Johnson
Wendy Whitley
Evelyn Storey
Stephanie Hill
Brittni Hall
Helen Chivers
Stacey Pardue
Lisa Oates
Susanna Pippel
Staff Resource: Jessica Baker
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