I need some ideas. I am finally stepping out to lead the ladies in my church. As some of you know, I have so very reluctant and lacking boldness and confidence in the past. But, I am ready. I finally received the revelation of how it is high time for me to pastor these women.
If Deanna can remember, she knows that I have been going backward and forward about pastoring the women. She has been offering encouragement to me for at least 4 years( I can't believe I have been on this board for that long). Deanna, I am proud to say, I am ready( I think!)
I ask you ladies for prayer. I need your agreement in prayer for boldness, confidence, trust in God to see me through this and any other prayers you can offer to help me step out and keep on stepping without withdrawing before the task is complete.
I also have 4 small children(ages 5 months, 2, 4, and 6 years); sometimes I feel that I have given them all that I have and have nothing left for the people of God. Pray for this too.
Last, but not least, can you offer tips on a Vision Casting meeting in May. I want to give the ladies my vision for the women. One goal this year is to see them fellowship together outside of church functions and to portray or display friendliness one to another. We have some issues with cliches. I want to break up the cliches and teach them how to be genuinely friendly to each other, trust one another, and become a community, or a family, if you will. I have no idea how to set it up, or what to talk about. Can you all offer suggestions. I love you ladies.
Make your vision casting more than a business meeting.
Ours goes a bit like this:
We come in and share dinner together. This has been done in different ways. Last year I ordered in Cuban sandwiches and Cokes and we just shared that - something very casual, before the actual vision casting. This year we had a carry in (covered dish) dinner together. We decorate in a fun, festive way...something bright and celebration oriented.
We have a few gift giveaways (just small stuff)...this year I think we gave away some great smelling candles, bath stuff, etc.
Then I introduce our leadership team. This year I did a special power point presentation with fun pictures of the individuals on our team, and a team photo. This is important because we don't necessarily have the same exact team from year to year. Some have to come off due to life circumstances, etc., and others are coming in to leadership.
After that we announce the main events for the year and pump the ladies up about it.
We have praise/worship after that.
The evening concludes with a message from me...something that I feel the Lord is placing on my heart for them for the year. And we end with prayer around the altars.
More than anything I want to end with a powerful time in the altars and prayer, so that we see spiritual results leaving from the vision casting.
Also, we have several small groups we really promote that night...getting people involved helps to combat "cliques" as you mention. Also, I ask my leaders to all sit at a different table...spread out, connect with others, and helps others connect...keep things positive at the tables, and introduce new people.
A big key is, develop a few leaders, spread them out in the room...let them carry your vision to the other women...
