Women have served in many roles in the church for centuries, and have incredible gifts that continue to be used today. While many women are often silenced and limited in the areas they serve, our gifts, input, ideas, and presence are valuable and necessary in the body of Christ. It is time that we are empowered and equipped to fully operate in our God-given purpose and calling. Women are not simply present as props, but uplift, strengthen, encourage, lead, and unite others together to advance God’s kingdom. Your voice matters. Your “yes” to God’s calling and purpose for your life is connected to you using your gifts. Do not shrink back.
Here are 10 ways women are a source of strength in the church.
1. Women Lead Well
God has called women to lead. Whether you lead a women’s ministry, preach, teach Bible Study, serve with children, lead a church food drive, or are lead pastor, God has called you to lead others with courage, boldness, and conviction. When challenges arise, women pray, problem solve, and are persistent to act. Women lead to minister and impact those they have been entrusted to serve and empower the next generation. Esther and Deborah are two biblical examples of women who led well. Read the book of Esther to learn more about her leadership and Judges 4-5 to learn about Deborah.
2. Women are Prayer Warriors
In ministry and within the church, women are mighty prayer warriors. When asked to pray, we will stop and pray at a moment’s notice with power, clarity, and unwavering faith. We pray individually, in small groups, Bible study, and in the pulpit. Our prayers are spoken and unspoken. When we serve and speak with others, God will prompt us to pray privately for that person. Our prayers are consistent and shared with great expectation. Women pray the word of God and believe that God will keep His promises. Today, I invite you to keep praying. Pray for healing, restoration, unity, justice, peace, and strength. Your prayers are valuable and have purpose. The body of Christ needs the restoring, redeeming, and righteous prayers of women.
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3. Women are Compassionate
Women are compassionate and the church needs compassion. Amidst challenging times, a compassionate heart encourages and uplifts the downtrodden and brokenhearted. When someone seeks the love of Christ, a compassionate woman listens, encourages, and represents Christ’s love. Despite our shortcomings, a compassionate woman gives hope and strength to the weary. During seasons of restlessness, uncertainty, or loss, another sister’s compassion has uplifted and comforted me.
4. Women Have Diverse Gifts to Offer
Women have unique and diverse gifts to contribute to the church and the body of Christ. You may have the gift of encouraging others, hospitality, teaching, preaching, praying, or organizing. Each unique gift matters and strengthens your local church and the body of Christ. When each believer uses his or her gift, God gets the glory and lives are impacted. Use your God-given gifts with authority, strength, and enthusiasm. If you are unsure what gifts you have, pray to God for direction, and take a spiritual gifts assessment. Often, God gives us gifts that align with our interests, natural abilities, and personality. As women serve together using the unique gifts God has given them, God moves mightily. When serving in ministry, remember that your gifts will make room for you. God will provide the specific opportunity and resources you need to flourish using your gifts.
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5. Women Unite Together
Whether it is praying, planning a retreat, or serving on an outreach committee, women strengthen the church by unifying and coming together. Despite individual or collective challenges, women stay the course and work toward a common purpose. Our goal is to glorify God and advance His kingdom by serving in love. Women of God unify and serve together. God uses women of different races, socio-economic classes, denominations, education, and experiences to serve Him and God’s people. Today, I invite you to continue to unify.
6. Women are Encouragers
Women are strong encouragers who provide a listening ear, sound wisdom, and hope to those who feel hopeless and down. Encouraging others is necessary during seasons of uncertainty, loss, grief, and despair. Send a card, pick up a phone, share a scripture, or personal testimony. God uses women to encourage and uplift the brokenhearted, lost, discouraged, and those needing reassurance of God’s love and presence. Keep encouraging those God places on your heart.
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7. Women are Determined
When life knocks us off course, women are determined to keep moving forward. Through sickness, trials, and insecurities, we continually show up and serve. God provides us with the energy, strength, insight, and stamina to live out our assignments and minister to those who we are called to serve. Philippians 4:13 reminds us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
8. Women are Motivators
Women motivate others in the church by encouraging and providing resources to help them accomplish their God-given purposes and potential. We motivate ourselves and others by listening, sharing God’s word, prayer, and providing guidance. Life is difficult and draining at times and there are moments when we may want to give up. During trying seasons, let us be motivated by God’s grace, love, strength, and courage.
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9. Women Are Nurturers
Women are nurturers and very attentive to the needs of God’s people. When we nurture those who are in need, we represent God’s love and care for the least of these. With the help of God’s guidance and direction, women can discern when someone may be struggling and in need of kindness or care. While it is a blessing that we nurture others in the church, we also should continue to nurture our own physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being. As we minister to others, let us continue to let God nurture and attend to our souls.
10. Women Are Wise
As women listen and are attentive to the needs of those in the church and ministry, they also share valuable wisdom. Our wisdom comes from God’s word, personal experience, and life lessons. When we grow and mature in our faith, we can encourage and help someone else who may be going through a similar circumstance. God cultivates and strengthens our wisdom as we grow in our relationship with Him. There is wisdom in recognizing that we have human limitations and should continually depend on God to supply our needs.
As women continue to lead and serve in the church and in ministry, let us do so with God’s courage, determination, and humility. In times of uncertainty, weariness, or doubt, seek God for reassurance and renewal. The body of Christ is continually strengthened by the ministry of women. Go forth and lead well, pray with boldness, be compassionate, motivate, encourage, nurture, be determined, and share God’s wisdom with those whom you have been called to minister. Our biggest source of strength is recognizing that God sustains, empowers, and equips us to minister to those in the body of Christ.
Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Sai de Silva
Originally published Friday, 14 August 2020.
