Out of breath and wheeling my suitcase to the front desk at the hotel, I pulled the confirmation papers out of my purse to prepare to check in. It was the Pen Florida Women’s Fall Breakaway a few years ago and as our group leader, I was preparing to get the room keys for the 40 or so ladies that I had brought with me from our church.
Standing next to me in line was a leader from another church and we talked for a few moments about how excited we were about the conference. “I’m so glad you’re here!” I said. “I know it takes a lot to get your ladies registered, but here you are!”
“Oh, no…it actually took me absolutely nothing to register them,” she said. “I didn’t do registration this year. We’re all adults. I told them registration was on their own. I decided not to go through the frustration of organizing a group from the church anymore. If anybody from our church wants to come, they can handle it on their own.”
“Oh…okay…” I said haltingly. “And how many are here with you?”
“Well, just two of us. It’s just myself and one other lady from the church…” she said. “But that’s okay. God has here who he wants here this year.”
Okaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay. [Face palm.]
Let’s talk, gals.
Let me say right up front that for those of you who are pastors’ wives or women’s ministries leaders, I know the road you walk. I’ve been doing this for 27 years and I’m STILL doing it. (I’m still a pastor’s wife and leader in the local church.) I realize how much effort it takes to be the one handling registration.
A few days ago I asked for a response on Facebook from pastors’ wives and women’s ministries leaders about what their frustrations are regarding registering women for conferences in general.
The responses
- “They complain about money.”
- “They say they have so many things going on…”
- “They don’t get back to to me by the deadline.”
- “They have ‘Goldilocks Syndrome'”…
- “Some complain that they don’t want to drive too far.”
- “Others say they’d rather travel further away.”
- “Some say there are too many activities on the conference agenda.”
- “Others say there aren’t enough.”
- “Everyone has different perspectives!”
- “You can’t please them all…”
- “They sign up, then back out at the last minute.”
- “They sign up, back out, and expect you to find them a replacement.”
The registration person often “catches” all of these complaints and frustrations.
I get it!
I really do.
So, what do I want you to know?
First, I want you to know that we’re here for you. We in the PF Women’s office as well as our experienced team of reps stand ready to give you encouragement and wisdom on this. (As well as a safe place to rant, if needed. LOL) Just reach out. We’re here. And we’ll give you practical help to get your group here.
Email us at women@penflorida.org and we will help you as well as connect you with your rep.
What is the value in making THRIVE a priority?
- When the time for service comes and I see my ladies gathered at the altar, tears streaming down, crying out to God – IT’S WORTH IT ALL!!
- When a woman or girl is saved, filled, healed and changed, it’s worth ANYTHING I had to go through as a leader.
- You can’t put a price tag on a changed life, nor is any investment of time and effort not worthwhile.
- When a marriage is restored because of something life-changing a woman heard or experienced at the conference, it’s worth it.
- When our group gathers around at the close of the conference and prays together in unity with strongholds broken — it’s worth it!
- When they can’t stop talking about what happened at the conference for months or years afterwards IT’S WORTH IT.
I can identify with the leader who, when in the midst of handling the registration says, “I’m just not going to do registration again next year. I don’t need the frustration of having to organize.” I know, I really do. I’m an organized person and sometimes the way people respond (or their lack of response) gets on my last nerve too.
BUT WAIT!!!
This is exactly how the enemy wants us to respond. Because he knows people’s very lives and destinies are at stake.
And yes, we can do “our own” church conference or retreat, but there’s something unique – something divine about going beyond ourselves…beyond “just us” and reaching out to other sisters in the body of Christ. There’s something to be said for gathering with sister-churches and worshipping together.
Unless a leader in the local church cares enough to handle the group registration for a conference, not many from that church are going to come. And it’s possible nobody from your church will attend.
Will someone press beyond the challenges so that God-ordained breakthrough will happen in hearts and lives?
What miracles may not take place in a woman or girl’s life unless somebody takes responsibility to get them there?
Will someone miss out on what would have been the most critical moment of their life?
Will connections in their life take place that God has ordained for them?
It’s about LEADERSHIP.
John Maxwell says, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”
It’s really true.
Your ladies are dependent upon your leadership.
Can a group of them go to THRIVE without your help?
Technically yes.
But is it likely? No.
It’s as simple as that.
Pastors’ wife, women’s ministries leader — your leadership is valued and critical.
Please know, we are praying for you.
We honor you.
In fact, we’re going to honor you personally right at the outset of THRIVE. Count on it.
And it WILL be worth it all, at the altars of THRIVE.
~Deanna
