Have any of you ladies ever doubted your call, or rather doubted the position you are currently in? I'm struggling, and trying to determine whether it is Satan trying to stop me, or God trying to speak to me, or just my own insecurities creeping on me.
I know 100% that I am called to fulltime ministry. My gifts are teaching, exhortation and administration. However, I'm trying to start a church and I'm just not sure I can do this. Brother Bill, the only male in our fellowship, went home to be with the Lord last week (June 19th). All we have left are 3 women, myself included, and one 20-year-old young lady who shows up sporadically. Sure, there are 3-4 million who watch on-line every week, the local "fellowship" is small, and currently all women.
Conflict - I'm not sure as a single woman that I am equipped to lead and handle church conflicts. We've had several visitors who were "trouble", and after much prayer they haven't returned. However, today an older lady came in, first time, and after the service proceeded to tell me everything I did wrong (in her opinion). SHE is an ordained minister herself. SHE has a doctorate degree. SHE didn't know any of the songs we used. SHE didn't understand why I didn't pass the offering plate (between 2 people?). SHE suggested I advertise in the newspaper for a worship leader. SHE will be back Wednesday with her list of other suggestions.
Have you ever just wanted to throw up your hands and say, "I can't do this!". Or rather, I don't know how to do this. Or I'm not sure I'm supposed to do this.
I guess I am questioning if a single woman with no male deacons or elders, should really be trying to pastor a church all by herself? I'm praying of course for the Lord's guidance, but I would love your input.
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Rejoicing in HOPE, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12)
Feeling better today - I started a new part-time job as Admin. Assist for the Pastor at a local Southern Baptist Church. He supports women ministers 100% ! I guess I'm just disappointed that our church is growing (locally) like I thought it would. PATIENCE. That's in that big Spiritual fruit-bowl, isn't it? Anyway, I'm sure I will learn alot from Pastor Will, and the part-time income is a true God-send.
Love you ladies!!!
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Rejoicing in HOPE, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12)
It sounds like you are doing better after you wrote the first post.
I do believe a single woman can definitely pastor a church however, I believe it's important to be able to work well with both men and women and incorporate men into the church and eventually into leadership. I believe having a good balance in leadership is key to having strong people of both genders in the church.
I find if there are any significant people groups missing, whether gender or race it's hard to get more people involved. For instance, because the church we currently pastor is multi-cultural already, we have no problem getting people from many different races and nations. They feel comfortable. However in our previous church which was all white, we desired to pastor an international church and it never happened. We would get a person or family of a different race and no matter how hard we tried to include them or get them involved we always heard, "there's just nobody else here like us..." and they would move on. The frustrating thing for us was...if we couldn't get one to stay, how would we ever add more? I know this is your frustration right now. You need a few men to stay, so that other men will feel comfortable coming in and staying at the church. It's not that they are not comfortable with your leadership, but just that "balance" there.
I'll be praying that this will happen for you soon.
Thank you so much. We need more people, period. And we definitely need men. I would love to have someone who could/would handle the music too. I'm praying about it, but I'm not led yet to advertise for one. I know God has me here for a reason. I just want to be sure I'm not missing it. Plus, being in a small town, there is little to no support for women ministers anyway.
How did I get into this anyway? I started doing a radio broadcast. Moved to the internet radio station... started preaching in the chapel there. I was there working all the time anyway, couldn't find the right home church for me after visiting for 2 years... so we just started "holding services" in the chapel at the radio station. The viewing audience is tremendous, but on a local level, it's just not "happening". I know I need to be patient, but it's been 2 years. How long before you decide, "hey, maybe this isn't what God wants me doing"? (trying to start/pastor a church).
Thanks for the prayers.
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Rejoicing in HOPE, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer (Romans 12:12)
