Created For Community

Earlier this week, I had an incredible opportunity to attend the 2014 Women in Ministry Conference, started by D'Esta Love a few years ago.

At the conference, a young lady by the name of Amy McLaughlin gave a wonderful sermon, titled "We Need Each Other."

Her sermon was so completely captivating that I could not put my pen down. Her insights and tips for women in ministry were insights we should all be aware of, which is why I have chosen to share them with you.

Growing up in the Church of Christ, I never really caught on to the gender equality issue until I was in high school. I became deeply disturbed by it as my exegetical understanding of the Bible increased. My family found home at three different CoC congregations growing up, but it was the third and final church we planted our feet in that I saw the voices of women starting to be heard-even if it was simply through being on stage as a part of the worship team, reading Scripture, or reading the bulletin announcements. Change was happening, and that was a big deal to me. I was starting to feel like an equal.

I am a 20 year old rising senior at the private CoC University I attend here in Nashville, TN. Already, I have had the honor to serve on the worship team, lead the church in its call to worship and in communion as well. This would have never even been considered at the other churches I grew up in. I have also already had the opportunity to preach at the University I attend. Here I stand, a 20 year old young woman, and I have already been able to accomplish more than some women have ever been able to their entire lives. What a blessing.

That doesn't mean that going into ministry is easy. Ministry is NOT easy. I've faced so much and I'm not even there full time yet! Every day is a new one and it must be approached with open eyes, open ears, and most importantly, an open heart.

 Ah, but wouldn't it be incredible if we could drop the word "gender" and just have equality?

Although our roles in church as women are limited, we should certainly take the opportunities that we are given with as much gratitude as our hearts have to offer. As difficult as some of the things that we face at times are, we should still see what we do as a privilege, because through it, we remain faithful in honoring God. We are here for Him. He has called us to this place and He is going to use us in this place in one way or another. The way of the cross was never easy. Things are unfair for us quite often, but the opportunities are there, and opportunities lead to even more open doors for us to stick our feet through. We must approach all that we do with a sense of humility and patience.

For any woman in the church, this isn't just your story.

For every woman in the church, this is our story.

Too often we play the game of isolation. We learn to be independent and grow a thick skin as a woman to gain our education. I've been there. Many of my classes, if not all, are predominantly male. And many of them joke about women's roles. It hurts.  And as a result of playing the game of isolation, we become isolated in our hurt. We cannot do this to ourselves.

When you hurt, don't hurt alone.

Ask God your questions.

Listen to God for His answers.

Dream.

And do.

Ladies, we need each other.  For many reasons:

+ To become who God intended for us to be

+ To approach the church in such a radically different way that it change our faith communities 

+ To become the community God intended for us to become. God made us relational beings with whom He can be relational. Know this.

True Christian community is life in relationship, sisters. Be relational with one another.

Look at the story of Elijah and Jezebel in 1 Kings 19, God is engaging Elijah when he is most isolated! When one of God's leaders felt isolated and was certain he was the only one, God steps in and tells him to go and anoint people; to go and make community with those around him; to raise up leaders. God does the same for us. We were not made to be isolated. Never has God intended for it to be that way. Do not live this way.

With all of this being said, it is also important to realize that our end goal cannot simply be to build community. We must seek true fellowship with ALL sets of people, and that includes those against us. We must love them- fully.

I think about the many criticisms I have received as a woman entering the field of ministry, from both men and women, and realize that by listening to their words I return as a player to the game of isolation and hurt even more. That's what Satan wants me to do.

Well guess what, Satan? I've got some news for you.

I won't do it.

I don't serve you.

And I certainly don't live for you.

God wants me to do much more. He wants me to love those around me; those who are for me and those who are against me. Because that's what He does. He even makes it look easy. If we strive for this and truly invest in seeing and loving everyone in the way that God loves and sees us, we might be able to make it look easy too.

Our goal is to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God with our gifts so that we may truly seek His desire for our lives as individuals and the authentic, loving community that we are called to be.

We can't do this alone, which is exactly why we need each other.

Hold on to this Truth and walk in it, ladies.

Be abundantly blessed today.

About the Author :

Emily Townsend is a 20 year old southern girl who has a heart for loving Jesus, loving others, and serving the world. She is currently pursuing a career in ministry as she continues to fall madly in love with Jesus by the day. Emily is also a lover books, coffee, koalas, Pinterest, Pilates, and weddings. Her daily dose of life consists of a little bit of coffee and a whole lot of Jesus. You can also find her blogging on her personal blog The Joy of My Joy.