“Girlfriend!”
How many times have you made this desperate call? From the store fitting room or the hospital waiting room, a good, godly girlfriend is often the first one we call. We call in crisis or in happier times, like when the last pair of clearance shoes is our size or the test results are benign. Girlfriends laugh, cry, pray and praise in sync with our own heart! This is also the heartbeat of women’s ministry: to connect women on their journey of faith.
Women’s Ministry, Titus 2 Style
by Amy Lively
This article was originally published in the June 23, 2010 “Tip of the Week” newsletter from womensministry.net, a publication of Jennifer Rothschild Ministries.
The first official women’s ministry was on the island of Crete. Ironically, it was set in order by a man when the apostle Paul wisely decreed that women in the church were best equipped to deal with the unique needs and challenges of other women. Titus 2:1-8 outlines the qualifications for women’s ministry leaders, the curriculum for women’s ministry and the characteristics of a successful women’s ministry. These timeless principles still apply to women’s ministry today. Over the next several weeks, we’ll explore each of these topics.
Paul told Titus “older women” should teach younger women how to behave. Before you start counting gray hairs to see who’s most qualified, remember that this word also refers to spiritually mature women. Titus 2 gives us the following qualifications for a spiritually sophisticated women’s ministry leader:
1. Reverent in behavior. She sets an example of holiness. “If the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.” (Romans 11:16).
2. Not a malicious gossip. Gossip is more than spreading a juicy secret; it’s also twisting a story to your favor. This word, diabolos, is also translated “devil.” Devilish tongues have no place on your team.
3. Not enslaved to sin. She shouldn’t be controlled by wine-or anything else, for that matter. Ask the necessary questions to learn if potential leaders struggle with entangling
4. Instructive. She doesn’t have to be a Biblical scholar, but she should be able to explain the hope she has in memorable, applicable ways.
Because these principles from Titus 2:3 are linked to Titus 2:2 by the word “likewise,” or “in the same manner,” we can add these qualifications from verse 2 to the list:
5. Temperate. Calm, cool and collected, she’s aware of other’s feelings and mindful of the consequences of her words and actions.
Building a qualified team of women’s ministry leaders will build up your church as you glorify God together! We will finish up this list right here in two weeks.
I would like the other 5 qualification. Thank You!
Hello, Arnita! The other tips can be found right here: https://amylively.com/more-qualifications-for-women-in-ministry/. Get in touch if you want to talk about Titus 2!
Amy
Thanks