Women’s Ministry in the 21st Century
by Mel Andricks
Women. Yes, us! We are created to be vehicles of innumerable roles in our world ever since the beginning of time. The scriptures presents an array of examples of women whose roles were used by God in mighty ways in spite of their sinfulness, limited education, simpleness, age, multiple inadequacies and cultural backgrounds.
Take for example, the Samaritan woman. She was excluded, barred from society because of her five shattered marriages and other promiscuous lifestyle. Imagine how one would feel about being useless because you are thought of as a second class citizen, only woman of all things? A woman? Yes, a woman! But you are created in the image of God like everyone else. She can do multiple things, multi-task, a function a man cannot do. God used a woman whose reputation does not up to par with what we think as “capable” and “godly” and “culturally acceptable” in our society. Is there any excuse for us not to use our God given skills, gifts, talent and abilities to its full potential to bring people to Himself just because we are women? God forbid.
As we live in the 21st century, things have changed in the way we approach and use strategies in ministries around us. Form may have changed but we should never compromise the substance that we draw from, the sweet, true truth of the Scriptures and our DNA as a woman. The Bible is true from the day it was written. Our humanity has not changed, sins from the old times is the same today. We have to stay pure, true, strong and even more resilient to present the gospel to the areas of the world we live in and the people group we are responsible for. Our responsibility is to present, tell and teach the truth. We are not responsible to transform them, that is the Holy Spirit’s job.
As we move forward and excel in our role as women in God’s vineyard in the 21st century, be the woman that 1 Peter 3:15 describes…
“But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” (ESV)
Be an excellent apologist! May we all stand firm, unashamed, immovable, uncompromising, passionate, intentional, faithful, world changers, to shine bright and be conquerors for Jesus wherever we are.