Blog
7 Ways to Love People into the Kingdom
We want to tell people about Jesus. What in life could be better than knowing Him? I’m sure that, like me, you want so badly for every single person on the planet to know the freedom and joy and peace and forgiveness and sheer transformation that comes from life in Christ. But let me be real here for a second. People are sometimes wary of Christians.
5 Ways to Grow in Your Prayer Life
Sisters, as women who are called to lead, we often operate from a deep place of competence and capability. We manage the budget, we coordinate the volunteers, we run the Bible study. We are experts in execution. But prayer is where we lay down our expertise and surrender control to the One who guides our steps. It is the core of our spiritual practices, not just a line item on our spiritual to do list.
Here in New England, we are used to rugged independence. We are good at getting things done ourselves. But prayer is the exact opposite. It is an invitation to depend entirely on God, to bring Him our requests, our praise, and even our complaints. It is not about our effort; it is about His presence. A strong prayer life is not just a nice spiritual extra; it is the very breath of effective, Spirit-led leadership. Without it, we are just running on fumes.
5 Ways to Not Burn Out in Ministry
Let’s be honest, friends. Serving in ministry here in New England requires a special kind of stamina. We have that famous Yankee work ethic, combined with a deep spiritual need in our communities. As women leaders, we often add another layer to that: the instinct to nurture everyone, fix every problem, and bake homemade gluten-free muffins for the volunteer appreciation breakfast at 2 a.m.
I remember a distinct moment early in my ministry when I hit a wall. I was juggling leading a Bible study, preparing four hour-long sessions to teach at a retreat, and organizing a women’s luncheon at my church. I found myself crying in the church storage closet because I couldn't find the “right” kind of centerpieces for the luncheon. It wasn't about centerpieces. It was about having nothing left in the tank.
5 Ways to Be Peaceful in Turbulent Times
If you live in New England, you know the specific kind of panic that comes with navigating a rotary in a blizzard. Sometimes ministry leadership feels exactly the same way. You are spinning in circles, visibility is low, and you are pretty sure nobody used their blinker. We wrote our latest blog post for every leader who feels like they are white-knuckling it through a storm. We are sharing 5 practical tips for finding peace when the waters (or the roads!) get choppy.
Drawing Closer to Our Shepherd: A Meditation on Psalm 23
Guided meditation is helpful in quieting our hearts, refocusing our attention on Jesus, and putting our feet on the path of being more like Jesus Christ. Recently, we have been encouraged, challenged and strengthened by the study of and meditation on Psalm 23. May God's goodness continue to lead us back to the living waters and peace that He alone provides.
Lasting Impact: The Graceful Influence of Every Woman
I believe we all owe Martha an apology. No human was ever created to serve solely as a sermon illustration. Why are we tempted to continually pit Martha against her sister Mary? No one has ever written a book titled, “Don’t be a Peter, be a John.”
Find Your New Favorite Book
One of the great joys of this ministry is the opportunity to share the resources created by the women associated with by design. This fall, we have the honor of sharing some relevant and important books authored by these brilliant and godly women. We hope that you enjoy perusing the list and that you'll choose one or two to pick up as your fall reading. Enjoy!
Breathe, Rest, & Listen
As I settled into my chair for our opening evening of welcome and worship, I reveled in having nothing to prepare, nothing to lead, nothing I had to be “on” for. I could smile at each woman entering, or bow my head in preparation, just breathe, rest, and listen to God. Each and every year I attend, I find that I am renewed, uplifted, and refreshed.
What Does Apollo 13 Have to Do with Church Ministry?
He expects us to understand that lives are at stake – eternal lives. He expects us not to look around for someone else to do it or to stand about complaining about our assignment. Instead, He has equipped us to utilize every person He welcomes into the family and the supplies He’s provided to deliver a “square” gospel into the “round hole” of the times in which we minister.