Why Another Ministry?

This was originally posted on THE AROMA OF INFLUENCE blog at www.beyondordinarywomen.org, the website of the new ministry founded by Kay.

Is there need for another ministry, especially at a time when so many great organizations request funds to help those living in poverty and with injustice? Is our mission necessary to the extension of the kingdom of God? As I asked God about beginning Beyond Ordinary Women Ministries, I sensed that his answer was yes.

Why?

Are You a Servant or a Leader?

George Barna’s latest poll of Christian women reveals that 49% characterize themselves as servants while only 36% call themselves leaders. When only one out of every three of us sees herself as a leader, it is no wonder that 75% of us feel that we should be doing more to serve God. We have likely misunderstood the value that God puts on each and every Christ-follower to influence her world.

   

It’s time that women in the church have a radical change of mind about leadership. 

The Spicy Hot Climate

If Texas summers were food, I would call them spicy hot—day after day of temperatures over 100 degrees, little rain, and few clouds. Even the water in swimming pools is too hot to really refresh! Many of our plants are suffering by drooping and dropping their leaves and flowers, but not all of them. Our crepe myrtles are flourishing with abundance blooms. I think God made them for the spicy hot climate.

For what climate did God make you?

Buried Secrets

Recent reports of another spiritual leader’s failure are troubling; his attempts to bury his secrets only multiplied his sins with hypocrisy. I am concerned for his immature followers who may struggle to trust God when the man posing as His representative isn’t trustworthy. Integrity is essential for leaders of all kinds, but especially for us as Christians; we must be the same people both publicly and privately.

You may not call yourself a spiritual leader, but you move others closer to or further from God —your children, your co-workers, your neighbors, your friends, or an entire church. How you walk teaches them either that the church is full of hypocrites or that it includes real people with real struggles who honestly face their sins and shortcomings and choose to grow more like Jesus by God’s grace.

   

I am not so naïve to think that we live out Christ’s example perfectly. I certainly haven’t! Leaders aren’t faultless, but we should be transparent. Taking responsibility for who we really are allows God and our followers to give us the grace to change.