Women's Ministry

[madison1101]

I am divorced. I was married for 25 years, and have been a Christian longer. I am tired of sitting in church listening to sermons on marriage, and the role of a wife. I am praying about starting some sort of Bible study/ministry for single women, including mothers. I believe the Church is dropping the ball where we are concerned.

Can anyone suggest any books or Bible studies that I can study to prepare for such a work?

Madison

 

[wildthing]

Not that I am going be much help for ya. But I would start look at some of the larger churchs around that might have succusful divorce recoverer classes, (becareful you want to go someplace that is warm and Bible believing). Go there and learn from them. Sometimes I think people get the idea that they need to reinvent the program if there is a succusful already in the area.

 

[madison1101]

I don't want to minister to just divorced women, but all single women, never married, widowed and divorced. But, thanks anyway.

 

[SandyLou]

hmmm. . . . .I just e-mailed one of the pastors at my church last weekend about starting a single women's ministry! I don't know any books. . . . .

My goal is to meet their needs first off. I know what MY needs are, but I need to get a better understanding of the majority. So, I've contacted some single women of various ages & walks and we are going to have a brainstorming session in the next 2 weeks. Some ideas are to have a weekly bible study (which some will & will not be able to attend) focusing on the needs of the many - be that emotional recovery or self esteem or just having a safe place to ask questions & research answers about Christ and God's Word.
Also, planning monthly general meetings - the general meeting will have a guest speaker. . . .I've lined up an interior decorator, a couple handymen types to teach basic home repair, an attorney, and a personal trainer (so far).

 

[wildthing]

I don't want to minister to just divorced women, but all single women, never married, widowed and divorced. But, thanks anyway.

Usaully a church with a succusful divorce recoverer class also has a growing singles group too. Please check it out.

 

[madison1101]

hmmm. . . . .I just e-mailed one of the pastors at my church last weekend about starting a single women's ministry! I don't know any books. . . . .

My goal is to meet their needs first off. I know what MY needs are, but I need to get a better understanding of the majority. So, I've contacted some single women of various ages & walks and we are going to have a brainstorming session in the next 2 weeks. Some ideas are to have a weekly bible study (which some will & will not be able to attend) focusing on the needs of the many - be that emotional recovery or self esteem or just having a safe place to ask questions & research answers about Christ and God's Word.
Also, planning monthly general meetings - the general meeting will have a guest speaker. . . .I've lined up an interior decorator, a couple handymen types to teach basic home repair, an attorney, and a personal trainer (so far).

These are great ideas. thanks for sharing them with me.
madison

 

[elle_christian]

I'd be interested in a good book on ministry to the divorced. My husband left me in '99 and I finally was able to get a divorce from him in Dec. of '04. It's been difficult. THe hardest part is being responsible for everything for the first time in my life. And then it's so lonely. And then, the thought of now that i'm too old and unattractive to find someone else -- i'm left alone.

 

[madison1101]

I'd be interested in a good book on ministry to the divorced. My husband left me in '99 and I finally was able to get a divorce from him in Dec. of '04. It's been difficult. THe hardest part is being responsible for everything for the first time in my life. And then it's so lonely. And then, the thought of now that i'm too old and unattractive to find someone else -- i'm left alone.

I know you believe that you are too old and unattractive, but that is just not so. I tease my mother. She is 78, and has a wonderful boyfriend who has taken her to Italy, London and Paris. Their next trip is to San Francisco. My sister and I are both single, and I tease her that I don't want to wait another 30 years before finding true love. My marriage of 25 years died four years ago.

As for books, I can recommend Fresh Start Divorce Recovery Handbook. It is by Burns and Whiteman.

I totally understand how you are feeling. I am making a mess of my finances, and feeling awfully lonely at times.

Hugs,
Madison

 

[wildthing]

I'd be interested in a good book on ministry to the divorced. My husband left me in '99 and I finally was able to get a divorce from him in Dec. of '04. It's been difficult. THe hardest part is being responsible for everything for the first time in my life. And then it's so lonely. And then, the thought of now that i'm too old and unattractive to find someone else -- i'm left alone.

Hey elle. don't fall for the line that your not good looking. There more to life then that. Don't fall for the line that Hollywood and all those dumb magazines tell you either. You do have beauty, the bueaty that Jesus has in dwelt with you. In all I would rather be with someone who has the inner beauty of Jesus then to be with some shallow "Hottie" that's all worried about looks money and all that temporary stuff.

 

[MotherOfPromise]

I wish I could join Sandy Lou's singles group. I long to be with others that have similar life struggles and blessings. I am the only single in my church that isn't still in their twenties. Many times I find I have more in common with my 22 yr old daughter's
single friends than those married ladies closer to my age. No bad feelings toward them, but if you are older and single you know what I mean. Often we have the young adults over for games and lots of laughs. Ever play Mad Gab or Balderdash with a bunch of goofies? Makes me feel 10 years younger. They graciously allow me to play along and always beg to come back. I'd love to be able to occasionally do that with people close to my same age and single.
Madison,I'd say if the Lord is calling you to do this thing He probably won't leave you alone until you do. I bet you will do a great job, too.

 

[woman.at.the.well]

It's kind of ironic I ran into this thread. I am a Single Women's ministry leader in our little church. It's been kind of a very slow start. Matter of fact the pastor and I decided to put it on the back burner for awhile because I was the youngest one in the group (mostly widows, age 60+) and we need a more "mature" leader that can take the group where that group of people needs to go.

I agree with you on dropping the ball. Which is why I believe I was suppose to start the singles ministry at my church. But there really isn't any lit for singles that I know of. It's sad but true.

I wish I knew a good book to tell you to read but I don't. I just keep reading Christian literature for the individual. But we really do need some books for singles in Christ. Good idea. I love to write. Think I should start? . . .

Anytime you need encouragement or just want to talk look for me on the chats. Maybe we could help each other out. God bless you!

 

[snowiday]

I sure hope this doesn't sound flippant, but why not start with the bible? God has ensured that the women in his word are ones we can really learn from. You can read the story of Ruth at one stage in life and get wonderful insight - then read it again at another stage in life and find whole knew meaning. I would like to see a "study" where women come together then each choose a woman they want to learn about in the bible - then individually they study their choice. "Study" can be whatever way God is leading them, simply prayer insight, other resources, the bible alone, whatever speaks to that woman. Then each woman takes what she has learned about her "bible woman" to share with all the group at the next meeting. Imagine the rich discussion and learning that can come from that? So lets say at the first meeting you have five women at your study. Three ladies choose different women from the bible and two women want the same women. No problem, their insights and lessons will be their own and thus different.Then decide, based on what people in the group are struggling with, - finances, forgiveness etc, and leave each woman at the group to find out one way that her "bible woman" addressed that issue. Then talk about it, then the next week pick a new topic and so on. Studies are great, but I fear that we depend too much on others to give us meaning to things that God wants us to figure out for ourselves. Good luck to you, follow God's nudge and I am sure you will make the best choice.

 

[madison1101]

I am studying the Bible, but would like some reference books and books that address being a Christian Single Woman in America today. I am a Social Work major in graduate school, and want to minister to women, not just study the Bible.