Read Part 1 of this series Possessing a Common Bond.

March 2015

Now that we’ve looked at some of the common things that bind us together as Christian women in "A Common Bond for a Medley of Women", how do we go about using those things to move our women’s ministry forward in working and serving together with all that range of diversity? We know the Bible even speaks of our differences in the body of Christ.

For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Romans 12:4-8 (KJV)

A wide range of gifts is needed in the body of Christ. It enables us to do different things but function as one. The question is, how do we encourage our women to use those gifts and differences to carry on and forward through our groups in our local churches?

Through Motivation

We should be motivating our women. As leaders, we want to motivate them to live better, know God better, and to be stronger Christian women in general.

When we think of motivation a lot of times though, we think of it as just moving someone to do something any way we can. That’s all great and good because that’s one of the things a good leader does. However, I think sometimes we fail to look at one essential element and that is to look at the motive behind the motivation.

Why do we want our women to be active, attend, and participate in our women’s events? Why do we want to inspire, influence, propel, or push them into action? Our motive for everything we do in women’s ministry should be all about Christ. It is one of the common bonds that unite us all.

It brings us to the point that things shouldn’t be all about us. It shouldn’t be all about what events, activities, and group meetings we want to push. It shouldn’t be self or program motivated. It should be Christ motivated.

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 1:11 (KJV)

We should be doing everything we in our women’s groups to glorify the Lord.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)

Through Restoration

Since we have that common bond in Christ, doesn’t it make sense that we should be getting along within our women’s groups? There is so much in God’s Word about fellowshipping and loving one another but the fact is that a lot of women’s ministry groups need to work on restoration.

First we need to work on restoration with the Lord. When we don’t get along with each other it usually begins with a heart problem. We need to get things settled with God. We need to ask for forgiveness.

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:1:7-9 (KJV)

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Psalm 51:12 (KJV)

Next, we need to get things right with each other. We need to get our forgiveness in check. We need to stop harboring bitterness. We need to start forgiving one another.

It might be the route of Biblical forgiveness that needs to be taken.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matthew 18:15-17 (KJV)

It might be that we need to get our tongues and our actions under control. Instead of tearing one another down, we need to start lifting each other up.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:29-32 (KJV)

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3:12,13 (KJV)

Through Renovation

With the common bonds that we as Christian women share, don’t you think it is time that we do some mending and repairing in our women’s ministry groups to make them strong and fruitful?

It might be that we need to encourage more Bible study. We might need to work on the variety in our events and programs so that more needs of the women are met. We might need to tweak things.

I think about Nehemiah rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. The way that the wall was rebuilt was by all those people pitching in and doing what was necessary to make that wall strong. They worked at it. They “had a mind to work”.

So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. Nehemiah 4:6 (KJV)

Through Preservation

Our women’s ministry groups should always be evolving. It does us good to change out our programs. It’s refreshing to switch out our events. We should change the focus from time to time to be in tune with the needs of the ladies within our local church congregations.

We do have to be careful though that we keep our foundation. We don’t want to tear down the things that support the women’s ministry. One thing I think of is the Word of God. We want to keep our focus on that strong. We want to weave it through all of our programs and events.

Another thing I think we can’t overlook is those elderly ladies who have probably carried on the women’s ministry for years in our churches.

Sometimes we have a tendency to want to get rid of what they have always stood for in the past. We want to push them aside and bring in the new programs and things we are adopting in women's ministry. However, we have to accept those people as part of the whole. We can’t forget that just because these ladies may not be as involved anymore because of age, they are still part of the body of Christ too.

We have to work in a way that balances what the group is evolving to and what it was in the past but we have to preserve those things that strengthen our women’s ministry. Remember what Jesus said about the men who built their homes on the sand and on the rock?

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:24-27 (KJV)

Conclusion

Our differences as women can be a real blessing. It’s great when we don’t all think alike and do things exactly alike. It helps the body of Christ to be diverse and helps us grow and develop. However, when we start making our differences with other women an issue instead of the blessing, that’s when we need to refocus.

We need to get back to the things that bond us. We need to get back to the fact that we are serving Christ. We need to be a sweet medley and mixture of women that’s moving forward in our service for the Lord.

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23,24 (KJV)

Copyright ©2015 Julia Bettencourt

Read Part 1 of this series A Common Bond.

Find more training helps in the Leader Training Index.

• Leader Vault
• Blog
• Home