Today’s guest blogger is Shirley Moses
She is an author, Women’s Ministry Team Advisor at Hagerman Baptist Church in Sherman, Texas, and the Women’s Ministry Consultant at the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. She also serves currently as a LifeWay Ministry Multiplier, helping us train women’s ministry leaders across the country.
Shirley contributed to our leadership book, Transformed Lives: Taking Women’s Ministry to the Next Level
She is also co-author of Heart Friends: Beginning and Maintaining a Small Accountability Group
Read here as Shirley shares her ideas about building relationships that we can journey with throughout our ministry on this earth…
Who are you discipling? I wish I could tell you I read the Titus 2:3-5 passage and was being obedient the first time I discipled another woman, but then I would have to ask for forgiveness. It actually came out of a need I had on my state women’s ministry team .
I want to introduce to you Lorie. Lorie had just started the women’s ministry at her church. She was the youngest woman in her church by at least ten years or so, which she felt was a drawback – because she felt so inadequate around older women. Are you surprised at Lorie’s feelings of been inadequate? These feelings are really the normal among younger women. I really saw Lorie in a whole different light than she saw herself. She was smart, attractive and very outgoing. But when I invited her to be part of the team I was in charge of, she was very reluctant to join me. I was quick to tell her I would pray for her and be there for her. Lorie did decide to join me after several phone calls and much prayer on my part.
I can remember our very first meeting. Lorie looked at the other members on the team and said, “I feel like the little girl who gets to come to the big girls’ table." That day Lorie stole my heart. You see, Lori revealed her godly character (humility) to a group of older women and that took courage. I journeyed with Lorie for about three years and she was such a blessing to me. So what did I learn that Lorie needed to have a healthy confidence in herself? I’m so excited to share with you!
1. Lorie wanted to teach, so I gave her the opportunity and guided her to do just that. I let her teach at a women’s retreat. Lorie needed someone to give her a chance.
2. Lorie needed to be reassured about her spiritual gifts. I told her what I saw and suggested books she might need to buy to sharpen her skills and sent her cards of encouragement.
3. Following many conversations, Lorie finally shared why she was so insecure…trust. The issue of trust was huge for Lorie, and before we could move forward, that trust had to be established. Trust is established through time spent together and a transparent relationship.
4. I marked my calendar and each week I would call her. She was so pleased that I would think of her and she always had plenty to share. Don’t we want to know what our friends are thinking? Now we can text, and that is a real timesaver. If you have not joined the young girls who love to do this, ask them to show you how. This is a real generation bridge builder.
I still hear from Lorie from time to time and I must say, it does my heart good. Lorie has far surpassed what she thought she could ever do. I thank God that He brought Lorie my way it really was easy to believe in her. I believed in her and told her often. That is what Lorie needed.
I hope this article will be helpful and encourage you to Journey with someone.
