Serving to Please

The foundation of ministry is servanthood.  If you are serving with a desire to be noticed and appreciated, to gain power or achieve status…good luck.  By its nature, servanthood is an occupation that is NOT noticed.  Besides that, we won’t find joy in ministry if we are doing it in the power of the flesh because the flesh tires quickly, is easily inconvenienced and avoids discomfort and work.

The responsibility of the servant is to be faithful to his master–obedient to the master’s wishes, not distracted by those who would assign other tasks.  A servant can’t serve two masters–there will always be a conflict.  A servant may not please other members of the household, may not please some of his or her fellow servants…but if he pleases his master, he is a good servant.  As leaders in women’s ministry, pleasing our Master is our responsibility and should be our primary focus.  We need to pray that God will make clear those things that He wants us to spend our time doing.

A New Year – 2013

The time has again rolled around where we take stock of our lives and possibly set goals for the year ahead.  This may also be a good time for your women’s ministry to take stock of the prior year and prayerfully consider the new year ahead.  Since it appears that we are nearing the “last days,” our goal should be to make this year count in our women’s ministries–to reach as many women as we can, to serve our women, to minister to those who are hurting and to provide opportunities for our women to grow in the Lord through Bible study, fellowship and serving.

Begin praying for your women’s ministry and any events that you are considering for this new year. Have your leaders read an inspiring book on ministry (www.retreatinabag.net/recommended-reading/#ministry).  Take your 2013 calendar and have a prayerful brain-storming session.  Discuss your options for ministering to women this year.  Be open to new ideas and new direction.

May 2013 be a year of endless possibilities to serve your women!

Stick to your Guns!

Your retreat information is printed and the retreat price is settled and written in black and white.  Registration for the retreat is open.  Done deal, correct?

Unfortunately, no.  Now a new discussion begins….   This is a test of your flexibility…and your patience.

“What if I just come for the day, and don’t stay the night(s) in the hotel?” ” What if I leave early?”  “What if I bring my own special meals?” “What if I will have to leave one evening and miss a meal?”   CAN YOU LOWER MY PRICE?

It is good to decide ahead of time if you can allow any flexibility in pricing your event.  If there is flexibility, we suggest putting that choice on your registration form.  Many times, your venue is not flexible, and that easily settles the matter.  Our choice is to not allow much, if any, flexibility.  If someone can only attend one night of a two-night retreat, her cost remains the same–because the basic retreat cost was figured on the full amount being paid.  While some may have legitimate excuses, lowering the price for one leads to more people with more reasons that their costs should be lowered.  Our suggestion to you:  STICK TO YOUR GUNS!  THE PRICE IS FIRM!