Ladies' Ministry

For many years, I have had the opportunity to speak at an annual Bible Teacher's Workshop in Duncan.  Most of the time it's just a ladies' class, but for the past two years I've done a classes geared towards ladies ministry.  I enjoy teaching the Bible to young children, young girls, and even babies at times, but I would say that my passion is more directed towards teaching ladies.  So teaching and talking to others about different ideas to grow a ladies ministry within the church, is very important to me.

One thing that helps a ladies' ministry grown is to provide opportunities for Christian sisters can get together and get to know each other better.  There are many possibilities to accomplish this goal, but for me one of the best ways I've found is by hosting a yearly spring salad supper for all of the ladies.  It is something that many of them look forward to each year and I do, too.

Unfortunately I forgot to take any pictures of the yummy food or the sweet guests!  I NEVER forget photos, so I don't know what happened!!!  Oh, yes.....I think the talking and fellowshipping got me sidetracked :).  What a wonderful thing to sidetrack my thoughts!!

The scripture at the end of this post is the commandment for the older Christian women to teach the younger women.  For me, as a middle-aged woman, I can learn from those who are older, but also be a teacher to those who are younger.  And actually, when we get together and get to know one another, we can all learn from each other.  We are fulfilling the scriptures and commandments of God and having fun and fellowship with one another while doing it!

For the salad supper, I find inspiration from the tableware in the party shop.  These plates just seemed to be the perfect thing for this years' spring get-together.  For many years I've used square plates, but these seemed bigger on the bottom - and I was hungry at the time! :)  The only downfall to pretty plates, even at more expensive prices, is that they aren't made quite as sturdy as they used to be.  So be careful and aware of that fact.

One of the highlights of the evening each year is the "ice breaker".  This year I titled the activity "Getting to Know You!".  It featured five questions and each guest answered them either on the paper or in their mind, the we went around to each lady as they shared their memories.  Because not as many were able to come, it worked out having this many questions.  It would be too many for more than 10 people.

It's a blessing to get together and learn more about your sisters in Christ.  I look forward to the next event!

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good.  Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children,  to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Titus 2:3-5