More than a Ministry. It’s a Movement!
One of the most controversial and challenging messages Deanna has ever preached. Recorded live at the Stronger Conference in Orlando, FL.
Host: Judi Cotignola
E Mail: slp@penflorida.org
Web: pfwomen.com
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ABC News recently reported that, “More than 1 million people rallied at women’s marches in the nation’s capital and other cities around the world Saturday…” 
As the women’s ministries director for the Peninsular Florida District of the Assemblies of God, I am hoping this was a wake up call for the church and it’s leaders.
As percentages go, there is a phenomenal amount of support for women’s ministries in our district. Particularly in the last three years – we have seen a record number of churches come on board to establish women’s ministries in the local church as well as participate in what our district has to offer. We are so thankful for all the Lord is doing. Yet, there are some pastors/leaders who are resistant to the idea of having an established women’s ministries in their church or connecting beyond the local church. Here are a few things I’ve heard…
“Our ladies get all that they need through our main services at the church. As far as anything additional, we plan events like shopping trips to the outlets a few times a year. Let’s be honest, that’s what women really want…to go shopping.”
“The discipleship needs of our women are met through the membership track we have at the church, for all adults. There is no need for specialized ministry to women. We’re doing just fine as we are.”
“Frankly, I’m afraid to establish a women’s ministry. That would give the women a place to gather and talk and possibly become negative and gossip and before you know it, I would have conflict in the church. I just don’t need that. I’d rather not give them a platform to meet.”
“Women’s Ministries is an outdated concept and structured like something from the 1950’s. That’s just not where our church is at.”
Well, not surprisingly I have some insights on all this…
First of all women will gather and talk whether a pastor gives them a place to do so or not.
Second, women are longing for more than to spend a few hours at the outlets with their friends. What we experienced Saturday in our nation was a cry in the streets. Are we listening? Without a doubt a lot of women don’t even realize what their heart is truly crying out for. But the church has the answer! What do we do with that opportunity?
Third, I am wondering how many church membership and discipleship tracks are addressing subjects such as abortion, rape, harassment, gender identity, etc. There are issues today’s women are facing that are not addressed from a biblical standpoint in a shopping trip or a membership class.
Fourth, regarding women’s ministries as an outdated concept – when is the last time you checked out what is happening in women’s ministries? I think you will be surprised at what you find. Lives are being transformed from the inside out. I would love to take you on a virtual tour of what is happening in Pen Florida, alone. What God is doing in and through women is nothing short of amazing.
Pastor, women will gather. They will mobilize. Will it be at your church? As spiritual leaders, we must be proactive and approach people even before they reach out to us. On Saturday as they watched the march on television, many spiritual leaders shook their heads in amazement and responded with “What is wrong with these women? They’re crazy!” Some retaliated with rebuttals on Facebook. A better response would be for each of us to ask ourselves, “How can I lead the way in meeting the spiritual needs of women who are crying out for help?” Even better still, how can we meet those needs BEFORE they are crying out for help?
I am not judging pastors. I’ve been one myself for almost 30 years. Now serving in the district office, I spend my life primarily encouraging pastoral leaders and their spouses and women’s ministries leaders. It is with a heart for every one of those leaders and their churches that I share this. I am hoping that every pastor will prayerfully consider what they are prayerfully and strategically doing to help the women of their church and community walk in their God given purpose and destiny.
I spoke with one pastor who said, “Deanna, we might not have a formalized women’s ministries, but there is ‘women’s ministries’ all over our church! Women are serving. They are greeters, they teach classes, they work in the nursery. They serve. THAT’S real women’s ministry.” Respectfully…no it’s not. That is women IN ministry, not ministry TO women. For decades, women were little more in the church than the predominant work force, lacking replenishment for their own soul or recognition for their efforts. In recent years there has been an exodus of women from the church nationwide. Scores of them have taken their gifts and passion and invested it in the business world where they find themselves respected as equals and their work genuinely valued.
The last U.S. Census shows that women are the majority population in the United States by a slight margin and in the church they have historically been the greater margin as well. Not only are they typically the largest population of any pastor’s congregation, but they have greater pressure, needs and influence in the world than ever before.
Author Bev White Hislop says, “The physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs of women may be greater than at any previous time in the history of the United States. There may have been more traumatic circumstances in the lives of American women, but there probably has not been a time when women have had fewer helpful connections and less effective shepherding.”
I plead with you to not simply write off the women who marched as ungodly or crazy. May we look deeper and ask ourselves what we can do to reach out in love and provide a place where women will discover the hope and freedom that only Jesus can provide.
Would you like to have more resources in ministering to the women in your congregation? I am here to help. dshrodes@penflorida.org
Deanna Doss Shrodes is the Women’s Ministries Director for the Pen-Florida District of the Assemblies of God. Deanna is most passionate about investing in leaders and leadership health. Deanna is an Assemblies of God ordained minister and has served as co-pastor alongside her husband Larry, for 29 years. Currently they are lead pastors of Celebration Church Tampa (AG). Deanna is a speaker in demand in the United States and abroad, and is an accomplished musician, worship leader and recording artist. She is an award winning writer and contributing author of five highly acclaimed anthologies and sole author of the books, JUGGLE: Manage Your Time, Change Your Life, Worthy to Be Found, RESTORED: Pursuing Wholeness When a Relationship is Broken, and STRONGER: 30 Powerful Principles for Leaders, all published by Entourage Publishing. Deanna has been featured in many publications worldwide, including The Huffington Post.
By: Deanna Shrodes, Director of PFWomen
Many leaders are hard workers, but lack the outcome they long to see. Truly hard workers find themselves discouraged and depressed wondering, “Why am I seeing little fruit?” Many are on the brink of resigning out of frustration. I have encountered this phenomenon many times, and have pondered possible reasons for it. Being someone who works hard and sees many of the outcomes I’ve dreamed of, I’d like to provide some insight on this. I’m not writing this to appear as if I have it all together. I’ve fallen flat on my face at times. But I’ve also had a lot of successes. I share this as someone who has had dreams come true and wants to help others see their dreams come true as well!
Here we go:
Spend time on the right things.
A leader cannot do it all. Great leaders trust others and develop a strong team. And at the same time, there are multiple areas that must be addressed by the leader personally to move the organization forward. There are thing that cannot and should not be delegated. Some leaders have too much on their plate and others too little. Some have left essential items off of their plate. And, some simply have the wrong mix of things on their plate. Have you prayerfully considered what should be on your agenda?
Years ago, Saleena Smith*, a pastor’s wife, shared with me that her husband was experiencing depression over their church which was in a state of decline. On the surface it was puzzling because her husband was a Godly man who worked hard. He arose early in the morning to seek the Lord. He prayed about what he was to bring the people from the Word each Sunday. He faithfully pored over commentaries, preparing weekly messages and was an excellent preacher. However, looking beyond the surface into her husband’s weekly schedule brought clarity. It was Pastor Smith’s custom was to spend literally all of his working hours on two things: his Sunday sermon and prayer. When his wife gently spoke to him about the lack of time spent on anything else he responded, “There’s nothing more important than the Word and prayer! That is why I spend all of my weekly time on it! If I just feed the people, the church will grow.” And yet year after year, despite how great Pastor Smith preached and how much he prayed, the church continued to decline.
The reality was that Pastor Smith had the two most important things on his plate, but left some other essentials off. While it is a true statement that there is nothing more important than the Word of God and prayer, a pastor who spends no time equipping the saints for ministry (Ephesians 4) and addressing things like discipleship, leadership development, vision, outreach, etc. will get stuck regardless of how many hours they pray or study. Leaders must accomplish multiple tasks a week to move forward and it’s important to identify the most important items and unapologetically spend time on those.
When it comes to my role in directing PF Women, I can lead great events but if I’m not investing in leading my team members up close and personal, we will experience decline. Things can also begin to stagnate when we focus only on the parts of leadership we enjoy the most. I love preaching as much as the next preacher – but if I exert all my energies into traveling around and speaking and don’t keep a pulse day to day on the administrative matters of the ministry – it won’t take long for things to implode. A good leader identifies what should be on their plate and how much time to allow for each of those areas for the organization to move along at optimum speed.
Spend money on the right things.
Many leaders are focused on what is best for themselves first, and then their staff or inner circle. Here’s a principle I have learned. When I put the needs of the organization first, the resources are there to cover everything including myself and the staff/team. When what you do is based on self preservation, it will decline at some point. Leadership is others-centered. When you keep it that way, it works. When you revert to self preservation you enter decline. Because leadership was never about me or you. It’s about them.
Pastor Rick* dealt with a problem many pastors struggle with in their churches…a lack of financial resources. The church was barely making budget week to week, but he faithfully plodded on in the work of ministry at First Church and he had a small but loyal and hardworking staff. He longed for an increase in the finances to do all of the projects and outreaches he dreamed of.
One week the church received an unexpected financial blessing from one of the members who sold a home. Pastor Rick considered what to do with the financial gift and settled upon the idea of replacing the church phone system since it was so out of date. While the phone system was a blessing to the office staff this did little to move the struggling church forward in any way. Buying a phone system isn’t a wrong thing to do, but the timing in this particular case was unwise. The church hadn’t done any outreach in the community for a long time, due to lack of resources and yet they had a brand new phone system but not many people left to call.
PF Women has experienced the blessing of God upon our finances. Not only did we quickly get out of almost $75,000 worth of debt that was there when I came into office, but we have operated in the black since that time and moved forward to do great things for leaders in the local church as well as giving to missions around the world. Day by day we get stronger. Part of that is good financial stewardship as well as strategizing carefully to spend money on things that will bring the greatest return.
When I’m looking at what we need to spend money on both from week to week and year to year, I consider first what is going to be best for those we serve. Honestly there are quite a number of things in my office that could be replaced and make life more comfortable for myself, my assistant or our leadership team. But leadership isn’t first and foremost about what makes the leader or their team more comfortable. Leadership is about helping others. My goal every morning is to wake up and reach more people and serve them better. As our team does that, guess what?? The resources increase and we are able to acquire things along the way that also help make things better for the team. (Our registration and 1,000 Sisters team is doing a happy dance right now about the new laptops that are on the way to replace the antiquated ones. Truth be told, we needed these laptops three years ago but it wasn’t the proper timing. Because we spent the money on things that increased our reach and our revenue we now have more money for things like upgraded computers.)
There are many things I could share about properly stewarding the finances of a ministry for growth but for time and space sake I will just hit a few:
Get the right people in the right place.
Examine the leaders around you closely. (This article assumes you have at least a few leaders in place. If you don’t that’s another article for another time.)
I make it a practice to recruit what I believe is the right person and with specialized skills being secondary. (I realize it’s different when you are hiring someone such as a music pastor. Obviously a very specific skill set it required.) For instance, when I met Liz Capano of Faith Assembly Orlando, I knew I wanted her on my team. I didn’t even know in what capacity yet. I just knew she was our person. I came to realize she was the right leader to host our radio show and she’s taken it to levels I personally hadn’t achieved on my own. That’s the way it’s supposed to work.
When I’m selecting a leader, generally, “the right person” will have a varied skill set and more than likely serve in several positions over their tenure on the team. Part of that is due to the changing needs of the organization and part of it is, sometimes you have the right person in the wrong spot. Many leaders leave the right person in the wrong spot because of varied reasons such as – they’ve been there for years and are comfortable in that role. Leadership isn’t about comfort. Don’t be afraid to mix it up, or to make course corrections as soon as you discover a change needs to be made. The person overseeing our registration this year may be the emcee next year at our event because we realized – we had them in the wrong spot.
Perhaps nothing is so frustrating as pouring your heart and soul into a place or a group of people and experiencing little of what you’ve prayed and worked so hard for. As a leader I want to help people avoid that frustrating place where they are ready to quit. My prayer is that this article gives a reader in that place even one glimmer of help and hope. I’d welcome a call from any leader in that position who says, “I just need someone to talk through things with, strategize and pray together.”
Here you go: (863) 683-5726, ext 232.
Much love,
Deanna
*names and identifying details changed
Hebrews 12:1-2 “…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our face…”
I Corinthians 9:24-26 asks, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?” and adds, “Everyone who competes in the games [Olympics] goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore, I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air.”
I love the Olympics! I am not usually a couch potato, but when the Olympics are airing, I schedule as much TV-time as possible. There is so much to take in—the brilliant opening ceremony; the diversity of the events and the athletes; the heart-warming commercials encouraging the athletes as well as the viewers to be their best; the personal stories about the various participants; the varied cultures of the countries involved; the medal count…
The majority of what we see on television during the broadcast of the Olympics is the actual competitive event. The race. What we only get a glimpse of through video clips and interviews, is the many hours of preparation and the pre-Olympic trials each athlete participates in to be ready for their Olympic event. We may get only a vague look at the physical and mental exercise each athlete goes through to get to continuous, consistent, and deliberate. No athlete got to this point—the honor being an Olympian—by being half-hearted or lackadaisical. Sure, some athletes are naturally gifted, but that gift has to be nurtured if one wants to become an Olympian. Otherwise, they remain mediocre—yes, gifted, but mediocre.
Salvation is a gift. A wonderful gift. But in order to be more than a mediocre Christian, we must nurture this gift. We must be constantly learning, growing, being challenged. We must exercise our spiritual muscles through continuous study of the Word, through consistent prayer, and deliberate exercise of our faith. The ultimate “prize” is the privilege of spending eternity in Heaven (Philippians 3:14, “press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”), but to me, the gold medal is to win someone else to Christ so that they too can win the “prize.”
Today’s PF Women Blog has been written by Robin Davis of Winter Haven Calvary Church.
Robin and her husband (Andy) of almost 35 years have served in music ministry, church administration, and event planning since they were married. Her heart and passion for ministry has bled over into her role at the Peninsular Florida District office as she has facilitated the credentialing process for ministerial candidates for over 9 years. Robin will be entering a new ministry this fall as she goes into the public school classroom as a teacher and graduates from Southeastern University in December of this year with a degree in Secondary English Education and Reading and ESOL Endorsements. Robin and Andy have three adult children and eight grandchildren.
How long have you been leading?
I’ve been leading all my life, even if in an unofficial capacity. In a pack of kids at five years old, I was an influencer in the group saying, “Hey everybody, let’s go this way…”
How would you define your leadership style?
I’m passionate about team building. You can achieve greater things through a team. If you want to build something significant and lasting, it has to be through a team. You can accomplish some things on your own, but there are limitations. Because of this and other reasons, I choose to team build. I’m a confident leader and thrive on finding the potential in others and helping them flourish. On a broad spectrum, enjoy discovering and amplify the voices of others, especially up-and-coming leaders. I get energized when I’m surrounded by the most talented people in the room.
On a practical level, my leadership style on a day-to-day basis could be described as organized with an attention to detail, but I don’t have a problem releasing projects to others and I don’t micromanage. I want people around me who know what they’re doing and trust them to do it.
How will you determine what decisions to proceed with that may benefit some at the expense of others?
Prayer! That is not a pat answer. I am a person of prayer and value it above most anything else in my personal life or in the church. Nothing great happens without prayer and no significant decision should ever be made without it. I’m Pentecostal in practice not just in theory and pray in my prayer language every day – that the will of God be done in all situations.
How do you personally deal with conflict?
There isn’t a neat and tidy answer to this question for all situations. In general, I believe that dealing with things sooner rather than later is wisest. I also believe communication early, often and clearly is important. It’s not just important to communicate something in a timely fashion — it has to be clear to be effective. As a leader you can get up and say a whole bunch of nothing. You’ve communicated but not clearly, and therein lies the problem, many times. We can avoid some conflicts by being clearer in our communication up front. Statistics tell us most people don’t really get something until they hear it seven times. I believe in not only telling people something, but repeating it , and in different ways if they haven’t gotten the message accurately the first, second or third time.
In cases where a person is openly divisive, Matthew 18 is the rule. One of the benefits of building a strong team is that you can call on the team to help you resolve conflict, and utilize them in the guidelines given in Matthew 18. The Bible also says to “mark those who cause division among you.” I have had to mark a few people and allow the leadership to do what leaders should be set free to do – lead.
How do you get people to partner with you when you share a vision?
First I would calculate for myself if it was truly worthwhile. I would not try to convince someone else to give or invest of themselves with a vision I am not fully committed to. I can’t speak with any sense of passion about something I’m not personally invested in. After making the decision for myself I would speak from my own experience of why I have decided to invest in whatever venture is on the table. I would do that through a series of creative communications in whatever areas God led me to use – social media, personal one on one meetings, messages at events, letters, etc. And, I would go first in sacrificing and set the example in giving. I don’t expect anyone to do what I’m not also willing to do.
How do you handle situations in leadership where people try to put obstacles in your way? Have you ever had someone try to sabotage your efforts and what did you do?
Yes, many times. My daily prayer with everything and everyone including myself is this: “Lord, if it be of you – let it flourish. And if it is not of you, bring it to a halt.” I include myself and my efforts in this prayer. I just want God’s will. I pray that whatever is of Him would flourish and whatever is not of Him would not. The enemy has a plot, but God has a plan! When you are fully submitted to God and His will and His way, He fights for you. It’s not about God being on my side, it’s about me being on His. When you are on the Lord’s side, you will not fail. Stay close to Jesus, and let Him win for you. The battle truly is the Lord’s but we must be in the right position – close to Him under His protection and guidance.
For those leading a staff, what are things you believe are important in being a great leader/boss?
Lead the way by example. Don’t expect them to do anything you are unwilling to do. Make the sacrifices first before you ask them to. Care about them as a person first. Ask about their family. Listen. Love them. Be as generous as possible. Laugh together and have fun. Celebrate their accomplishments. Show appreciation. When you do all these things, people who are the right fit for your team will exceed expectations. Lead in such a way that anyone would wish they were on your team or had you for a boss.
What mistakes did you make earlier in your ministry or as a leader that you would advise other leaders not to make?
There are many, but these are a few…
First, if I had it to do over again, I’d take more time off. Particularly in our former pastorate, I set the people up for a level of reliance on me that just wasn’t healthy. I took so little time off and they were perfectly happy to let me burn out. If I could go back and have a do-over I would not be personally unhealthy at the expense of the church.
Second, I would have realized that sometimes you win the smaller battles but lose the war. I fought on a lot of things early on in ministry that were just stupid. Looking back I can’t believe some of the things I went to the wall for.
Third, I would have NEVER tried to talk someone into staying in the church when they wanted to leave. (When you talk them into staying they usually affect others in a negative way and take other people with them when they finally do leave.)
I could go on and on with what I would do over again, but these are just a few.
What are some of your favorite books that have impacted you as a leader?
Communicating for Change by Andy Stanley, Start with Why by Simon Sinek, Developing the Leader Within You by John Maxwell, Secrets of the Secret Place by Bob Sorge, Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek, Just Enough Light for the Step I’m On by Stormie Omartian.
Where did you meet your husband and how long have you been married?
At the University of Valley Forge and we’ve been married twenty nine years.
Do you have children?
Yes, three. Dustin (26), Jordan (25) and Savanna (19)
What are the most important lessons you’ve learned as a mom?
Example is everything. “Do as I say, not as I do” doesn’t work. We have to live a Godly life in front of our kids, for them to succeed. Love them deeply and express it daily. Be affectionate. Don’t spoil them with material things. Give them attention. You can give them too many things but you can’t love a child too much. Be a parent not a pal. Make things like church – youth group – and kids and youth camps as non-negotiables. Don’t major in the minors.
What about as a wife?
Be a great forgiver. Realize that marriage is an everyday exercise in getting beyond your selfishness.
What was the most surprising thing for you, about being a minister’s wife?
The varied, high and unattainable expectations. Every church member has a different idea of who and what you should be and many don’t mind telling you.
If you could give just one piece of advice to a brand new minister’s wife, what would it be?
Read Galatians 1:10 over and over and over. Memorize it. Live by it.
If you could give one piece of advice to a leader in general what would it be?
When everything is going wrong, it’s not always your fault. But when everything is going right it’s not always your fault either.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life? What lessons did that person teach you?
My grandmother, Jura Lewis. She taught me resilience, love, commitment, love for the Lord and His Church.
What do the women in our churches need, in your opinion? How can we meet that need?
They need a lot of things including the basics of spiritual formation – things like a close relationship with God and a prayerful and spirit-empowered life. But something important that also comes to mind is that they need to know they are not alone in the issues they face. I think many of us believe no one goes through what we do in the load we bear. It’s not nice to think of the fact that others are suffering in various ways, but it’s a comfort to know you’re not alone or crazy. We can meet the need by opening a conversation and giving helps we have found to navigate the journey.
What do you believe leaders forget sometimes that’s important for them to do?
Three things come to mind.
What’s your favorite Women’s Ministries event? Why?
Our annual leadership team retreat. I really enjoy pouring into people as a smaller group and not just the big events. This retreat is really impactful and prepares our team to minister to people on a wider scale. This smaller meeting is the catalyst for every big thing we do.
What do you like most about being a pastor’s wife?
Having so much opportunity to make a lasting impact on someone’s life. The door is wide open! The sky is the limit.
What do you like LEAST about being a pastor’s wife?
The varied expectations that I could never meet even if I gave it absolutely everything I have.
What is your favorite Scripture verse?
Joshua 1:5-6
“No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.”
What do you like to do for fun?
Read, write, ride my bicycle, sit on the swing on the patio and watch the rain, take a long bath, be quiet and sip on a cup of coffee or an iced tea. I know that my “fun” is boring to most people
Are you a morning or a night person?
I’m actually both, with an afternoon crash. Ha! I’m raring and ready to go in the morning and accomplish a lot and then usually feel a crash mid-day and get a second wind at night and get a lot more done. Thank God for coffee in the afternoon. (Please do not send me a sales pitch for vitamins, a shake or something to wrap my body in that will fix my afternoon crash. I’ll keep my coffee.)
What is your favorite color? Green
What is your favorite food? Mashed potatoes.
What are some of your “favorites” in life?
Books, writing, classical, jazz, big band, gospel, playing the piano, singing, writing and arranging music, crepe myrtle trees, hydrangeas, roses, dancing (for fun, not performing) cruises, rollerskating, road trips or taking the train, rocking chairs, coffee and tea – the bolder the better, Africa, the tea fields of Kenya, walking through the woods, eating at hole in the walls, being in quiet places and spaces. Solitude – I have to have it to recharge or just to be okay in general. I love people so much and at the same time if I don’t get quiet each day, it’s much more of a challenge to be loving but I try my best to be anyway.
Tell us something people may not guess, about you…
My kids say there is nothing people won’t guess about me because I’m so transparent. I don’t care who knows what about me…sometimes to an embarrassing point for my family. But let’s see…well, I am afraid of putting my head under water. I don’t jump into deep water. The ladies of the church we pastored in Maryland collected money and offered me $700 to jump into a pool. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I tried a few times and got so weak kneed and sweaty I told them to keep the money.
What is your most unusual talent?
I can tell you whether the fries at a McDonalds are good or bad before tasting them. I get a feeling about it when I’m in the parking lot or driving by.
What is the favorite year of your life so far?
My first year as director of PF Women. It was an exciting rollercoaster ride of seeing God’s provision and faithfulness.
What do you like most about your role as director?
I genuinely love every single thing about it. It’s hard for me to pick one thing I love most.
Finish this sentence: “My favorite place to vacation would be…”
Place I have been – Key West or Savannah, GA
Place I have not been – Greece
How do you want to be remembered?
As a person of integrity and love who gave my all at whatever I did, and made a difference in people’s lives and in the world.
Featuring: Lisa Boyd – Pastor’s Wife at Salt Church in Boca Raton, Kristi Hahn – Associate Pastor’s Wife at Crossroads Community Church in Avon Park, Paula Royer, Pastor’s Wife at City Life Church Bradenton, and Deanna Shrodes, Director of PFWomen and Pastor’s Wife at Celebration Church in Tampa.
Deanna: Ladies, after my blog post on 5 Ways to Avoid Posting Things You’ll Regret on Social Media, Paula had the idea of doing a round table discussion for pastors’ wives on this subject. I know I’ve struggled with this issue at times, and evidently it applies to more people than just me. Have you struggled with posting things you on social media you should avoid, and if so in what aspect?
Kristi: I actually do struggle with that from time to time. However my struggle isn’t in posting things myself, but in wanting to respond to other things with my knee-jerk feeling or reaction to something.
Deanna: I totally relate to that, Kristi. I struggle with both things – posting things myself and responding to things other people have posted. The struggle is real!!
Kristi: The struggle is very real!
Deanna: In what situations do you find yourself most wanting to respond with knee jerk feelings or reactions?
Paula: I’d like to know where our boundaries are if any. (i.e. You know someone’s a Christian and you want to say: “You know, Aunt Betty, you shouldn’t be posting things like that. What kind of a witness are you being?”)
Kristi: An area I struggle with is when Christians jump on some political train, or in their efforts to stand up for what they believe in are actually bashing the very people we’re supposed to be reaching. There is a fine line between shaming someone and defending your beliefs. Personally I feel like the truth doesn’t need to be defended. Paula, in a situation like that with “Aunt Betty” I would probably address that concern privately instead of leaving a comment on their post.
Deanna: I agree with you, Kristi, I don’t call people out publicly on those things. I would address it privately. The only time I call something out publicly is if a person continues to post such things on my page after I have asked them not to. If I spoke to it publicly on my page it’s more than likely because they continued on and disrespected what I said to them in private.
Kristi: Agreed Deanna! I also take into account the person to whom I would be responding to. If in general conversations are non-productive then I usually won’t bother addressing the issue and would delete their comments or their post on my wall.
Lisa: I agree, the struggle is often more with responses to others that with your own post. Although, sometimes I will want to post something pseudo political (not obvious on one side or another) but then decide against it due to not wanting to ruffle feathers. I sometimes address family openly. The other day, my cousin had posted a stance on something that affects my immediate family and he was attacking my side. I did shoot out a response defending my side, but I was very carefully worded. I also really struggle when Christians attack other Christians. I usually just end up letting it pass, but I really want to say something. How is that making Christianity look good? “You will know they are my disciples by the love they have for one another” Know what I mean?
Kristi: Yes, yes…I do know what you mean.
Lisa: I also get really knee jerk like when adoption issues come up. It is a big issue for me and I tend to get heated when someone attacks one method of adoption over another. They are all needed. Some people attack those who adopt state side, even from foster care, because in their words, even the worst foster home here is better than most institutions in other countries. I don’t understand why some people attack no matter what. Some people will just smack their mouth, or use smile emoticon no matter what. They have to have something to complain about.
Deanna: And, I get knee-jerky (I know it’s not a word…lol) when adoption issues come up too at times, from my angle. [As a person who is adopted.] I understand! I think most people get triggered on various issues, and some people are triggered on the same things but from different perspectives. I have learned some helps from Erika (my assistant at PF Women) in this regard. She says that there are times when something hits her a certain way and she knows she should be no where near a computer at that time. Now there are moments I tell myself, “Walk away Deanna, walk away…” I’ve also heard it said that, “you don’t need to attend every argument you’re invited to.” Lately when I get upset about something I see online, I stay offline for a while until the urge to retort with something snarky passes. I ask the Holy Spirit to help me in disciplining this area of my life.
Lisa: Great advice. Erika is wise!
Kristi: I tend to do the same thing. I will hold off on responding to things that trigger me to react and not respond until I’m no longer upset or angry by it. I try to remind myself that Jesus responded, not reacted to people and situations. I also hear my husband’s voice in my head telling me to let it go!
Deanna: So true, on all accounts, Kristi! It’s important to calm down before addressing anything. I think that’s wisdom for all situations.
Kristi: For me, personally, as someone who struggles with a natural, fleshly ability to react (and usually react poorly), coming to the realization that Jesus responds instead of reacts was huge. As well as realizing there is a huge difference between responding and reacting, has really helped lessen that struggle for me.
Lisa: I agree. Usually the way I want to originally react, is not the way I end up responding when I allow myself time to carefully consider my response.
Kristi: I’ve been thinking about Paula’s inquiry on boundaries of there are any regarding social media. It has been a recurrent thought of mine over the years as I am married to a staff pastor, but more than that as a Christian what’s appropriate and not appropriate. While clearly the Old and New Testaments don’t define social media acts, I do think we can still glean and apply principles found in the Bible to our interactions on social media. And they really all tie into what we were discussing earlier about responding instead of reacting. I think if our post or comment isn’t going to edify others or certainly the Lord, then we probably should refrain from engaging in that post. As well as, speak truth in love, which the more I think about it really is the essence of responding verses reacting.
Lisa: Another thing we have to be careful about now regarding social media is the things we “like.” Even clicking like on a friend’s repost that was from a questionable source can be looked at poorly. I know sometimes I just notice the funny meme and not the fact that it came from a source that has an expletive in its name. I now always check where it’s from before even clicking like. I know this is a major issue for men also. I have a pastor friend that was talked to about the fact that he liked a friend’s picture because she “looked sexy”. Honestly she was completely covered. She just is one of those women with great hair and full lips and a classic sexy looking lady. (I know that doesn’t really fit our women’s discussion, I just felt like sharing!)
Deanna: Unfortunately we usually learn the hard way on these things! I’ve liked or shared something I didn’t thoroughly read first. So embarrassing. I’ve had to apologize more than once. In the case of your pastor friend who was criticized for liking a friend’s picture — I think that may have come from a judgmental heart versus the pastor truly doing something wrong.
Lisa: I agree completely! It was definitely more the person criticizing’s problem. Social media has added a whole new dimension to ministry. We now have a public presence to maintain. It’s new territory. It can be used for a lot of good, but we also have to be very careful. A world of good can be undone, just by a post or two that is questionable. We now have to think carefully before we post or like something. The world is watching.
Deanna: I often ask myself, “Would I say this if I were sitting with people in my living room, or in my office?” If not, it’s not a good idea to post. Sometimes people tend to lose the reality that it’s people’s lives we’re dealing with online. The conversations are still real and can do a lot of harm, or good.
Lisa: I think we need to be even more careful than even just something we would say in person. In person there is tone of voice, demeanor, but in text you can’t convey those things. We have to be even more watchful.
Deanna: Good point!
Paula: Where does one draw the line in letting things pass versus. holding sisters and brothers in Christ accountable? Without the person feeling like we are the Facebook police?
Kristi: That is a very real struggle and a good point!
Lisa: I usually just let things go, unless I have a strong relationship with the person. I always do it in a private message or in person.
Deanna: I also use settings on my social media sites to handle issues that may arise and not resolve by discussion with the person. I change the setting so the person cannot see everything I post, or contribute to the conversation. I am not the Facebook police, but I am the owner of my personal page, and if I don’t want something there, it doesn’t stay there.
Kristy: Exactly!
Paula: I agree!
Lisa: Yes, I agree as well.
Deanna: One question I’d like to ask is, how do you personally process hurtful things church members may post — things that you can’t control or speak to at all, but you must forgive and move forward from? These would be comments you have to live with knowing are out there, even if you drop the person from your friends list online, etc. As an example — a friend of mine who is a pastor’s wife had a couple leave their church and spread some negative information. Then a few weeks to months later this couple went to another church in the area and began posting about it on their Facebook pages with jabs such as, “We love our new pastor. It’s so nice to get fed for a change…” or “So happy. We didn’t realize how much we needed our new pastor and church until we made the change. We’d like to invite all our friends to come visit…” I know of so many pastors and their wives who deal with this. One of my friends refuses to be on social media for the simple reason that they find these type of things too hurtful and overwhelming. What are your thoughts?
Kristi: When it comes to things like that or really to people that like to cause trouble like that knowing I can’t really speak to the situation I unfollow them. Like you had said about your wall, it’s my newsfeed and I can control what I see. I don’t need those negative posts affecting how I feel about that situation or reminding me about it.
Deanna: I do the same. My rule of thumb is this…if a person leaves the church on a positive note, I keep them on my newsfeed. If they leave in a negative fashion, I unfollow them. (I may not unfriend them on Facebook – that can cause even more drama with people still attending the church) but I unfollow them and hide everything they post from my newsfeed. I can’t have their comments in front of me and let it get into my spirit. God has too much for me to accomplish and I can’t allow myself to get distracted by negativity. My husband has the same policy. It’s kind of funny there have been people (still at the church) who have criticized him for not responding to certain things, but truth be told — he doesn’t respond because if it’s coming from a negative person, he doesn’t see it in the first place to give a response! Although, I don’t think he would respond anyway even if he did see it, he’d let God defend him.
Lisa: I haven’t dealt with that much. But, when people are overly negative in general I usually just unfollow them.
Paula: Deanna, you must be reading my mail! Wow! I’ve had to hide certain people, but they have mutual friends that post their stuff. So then I need to decide if I delete that person or if I just hide that mutual friend’s individual post.
Deanna: Yes! I feel your pain! Ha ha! Sometimes those negative messages slip through because of mutual friends. Sadly there are times you have to hide others’ posts because of repeated exposure to this negative stuff. But then they say, “Didn’t you see my post about my car wreck and needing prayer???” And you’re like, “What wreck??” They don’t realize you can’t see their stuff without purposely going to their page. But what are you going to say? “I have you hidden because you hang with Negative Nellie and I can see her comments and don’t want to…” Sigh.
Lisa: I agree.
Paula: Or you are supposed to see ALL their posts, because we are on facebook 24/7! What about the posts that we share having to do with church events? “Uh…I didn’t see that…” or “when was that?”
Lisa: YES! They expect us to see all but they never knew about the thing that was announced ever week for a month and promoted on Facebook for the past couple weeks!
Deanna: Paula, that has happened to me a time or two where people were offended that I didn’t respond to something but it just slipped by my view and I was not online 24/7. Things going unnoticed can easily happen when you have a lot of friends on Facebook. Lisa, it does come down to unrealistic expectations so many times in ministry and I guess social media is no exception to that reality. I’m not whining, just saying this is the way it is and if we’re going to be effective, we learn to navigate it…don’t take things personally, let offenses go and move forward.
I believe this is the case with all things – social media and otherwise in ministry. We learn to handle things with wisdom through the discernment of the Holy Spirit. He enables us to respond to whatever comes up with grace.
Thank you ladies for joining me for this round table today. All of your insight is so appreciated.
Today it’s my privilege to interview a true “force” to be reckoned with… Jinny Force — wife of our district youth director, Al Force. Get to know this beautiful woman of God…
Deanna: Where were you born?
Jinny: I was born on MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. So, yes, I’m a native Floridian!
Deanna: And where did you grow up?
Jinny: Because my parents were military brats, they were nomadic in my younger years. I lived in Bentonville, Arkansas (home of Wal-Mart), Crossville and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, Madeira Beach, Palm Beach Shores, and Palm Coast, Florida. My pre-teen and teen years were spent in, where I consider home, Ormond Beach.
Deanna: What was your family like, growing up?
Jinny: My family was the all-American family. Dad worked seven days a week; Mom worked 5. We had a lot, but something was missing. Just before I entered first grade, my dad’s new job took us to Crossville, Tennessee, and his new boss, who was a pastor of a church in his spare time. Dad felt obligated to go to the church because he worked for Pastor Bowen. My parents gave their lives to Jesus and never looked back, getting filled with the Holy Spirit, and making church a priority for our family. My dad loved being a Royal Ranger commander, and Mom led Missionettes (Girls Ministries). Our lives changed drastically from my parent’s encounter with God.
Deanna: When did you say “YES” to Jesus? How did you come to know Him?
Jinny: Growing up in church, I went to the altar a few times, but I truly didn’t experience God for myself until I was 17 years old. I was one of those crazy church kids, passing notes on the back pew, and driving the youth pastor crazy. Before I knew it, I was tangled up in sin and involved in destructive life patterns. I was desperate for something, and I found that through the ministry of Teen Challenge. I said “Yes” to Jesus, not really sure I was ready, but He began a miraculous work in me. Jesus loved me at a time in my life when I felt unlovable. Through the ministry of Teen Challenge, I was discipled and taught God’s Word. I remember the day God filled me with His Holy Spirit, and I spoke in tongues for the first time. We were invited to Missionettes Retreat at Masterpiece Gardens, and I went to the altar so hungry for God. He filled me with His explosive power! I never looked back. This experience with God is a huge reason why I am passionate about PFYouth Camp at Masterpiece Gardens every summer. Our students need God’s power at work in them to reach their world for Christ.
Deanna: Did you always feel that you would be a minister’s wife?
Jinny: I saw myself single, ministering to orphans on the mission field. When Al and I fell in love, I was sure to tell him I was going to Southeastern the next fall to study world missions. For some reason, he changed his plans to go to Southeastern, too (wink, wink). I often pray about the dream I had as a young woman for foreign missions, and God has promised me that a dream delayed is not a dream denied. I love the fact that our work with PFYouth includes missions through AIM trips and Speed the Light. I know God doesn’t give dreams to snatch them away. In the Bible, Joseph had a dream given to him from the Lord. However, life took him to places where it seemed he was moving farther away from his dream with every step. In reality, each step was a part of God’s elaborate plan to bring salvation to His chosen people through Joseph’s dream. If God had revealed to Joseph His entire plan, step by step, Joseph may have walked away from it. As I obey God, following Him wherever He leads, my dreams will become reality in a greater way than I could have ever made it happen on my own.
Deanna: How did you meet Al?
Jinny: After Teen Challenge, I returned to my home church and was that person who was at the church every time the doors were open. My pastor and youth pastor gave me incredible opportunities to grow in the Lord. One of those opportunities was a Sunday School class I taught for 4 year olds. The class had 4-6 children in it, but grew quickly to 20-30 kids. Al had just recently given his life to Jesus. He lived in my neighborhood, and gave me a ride to church occasionally. He joined in to help me with the 4 year olds class. Before we knew it, the sparks were flying! At Thanksgiving time, the church held a banquet for Sunday School teachers. My dad suggested I ask Al to go with me to the banquet since he was helping me in the class. I told my dad that I wasn’t the kind of girl who asked guys out…guys asked me. I asked anyway!
Deanna: Can you share with us a bit about your dating and engagement?
Jinny: Al and I were engaged within 3 months of dating and were engaged for a year. In the beginning of our engagement, we were both headed to Southeastern to seek the Lord’s will for ministry. We were each packed up and ready to go. The day before we were scheduled to move into the dorms, I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to pray about our future. As I prayed, I knew God was telling me to stay home, get a job, and work for the year. This didn’t make me happy…I had plans…I was called to ministry just as much as Al was! My father had suffered a severe heart attack, and was in very poor health. Financially, he was unable to help with my tuition. My plan was to take out loans for everything. As I prayed that day, I knew this was no way to start a marriage. God was showing me that–together–Al and I were going to make an impact for His kingdom in a greater way than we could individually. The next day, Al left for Southeastern, and I started a job with the State Attorney’s office in Daytona Beach. I saved up for our wedding and the beginning of our new life together.
Deanna: And where did you get married?
Jinny: On July 28, 1990, we were married at Calvary Christian Center in Ormond Beach. Our wedding took place in the gym, which then was referred to as the sanctuasium. The wedding was followed by a reception in the fellowship hall where I had to stop my grandmother from adding champagne to the punch fountain.
Deanna: Can you tell us a bit about your children?
Jinny: Our lives have been incredibly blessed with our boys: Al and Jake. After 9 years of marriage, a devastating miscarriage, and 6 ½ years of trying to conceive a child, God performed a miracle. We had been through every fertility test, and the specialist had described the surgery that might have results, but wasn’t covered under insurance. With no promise it would work and the financial limitations of a youth pastor’s salary, we were very discouraged. We went on a missions trip to El Salvador, working with local doctors in a medical clinic. They asked to pray for me. Seven weeks after returning home, I felt horrible. My best friend told me that was how she felt when she found she was pregnant. I took a pregnancy test and cried with joy at the positive result. God is so good! Our sons love being PK’s and both feel God has called them to ministry.
Deanna: Where have you and Al served in ministry together?
Jinny: We were youth pastors at Jacksonville Oceanway Assembly of God for 10 years, 1993-2003 with Pastor Danny and VonNell Baggett. The Baggetts were fundamental in training us for ministry. They took a chance on a really young, really inexperienced youth ministry couple. We learned so much through the ups and downs of those first 10 years. In 2003, God spoke very clearly to me and Al, separately, during a church service that we were to move back to our home town and serve in our home church. So we moved home to Ormond Beach and became Pastor Jim and Dawn Raley’s youth pastors. It was wonderful being home, working with people we had such history with. Of course, the Raleys’ passion for serving God and people is still a constant source of inspiration for us. In 2010, we moved to Lakeland to work for Pastor Terry and Athena Raburn at the district office as District Youth Directors. We absolutely love working with the Raburns and the district staff, who are all some of the most servant-hearted, kingdom-minded people we’ve had the privilege of knowing.
Deanna: What is the thing you like best about serving the youth of PenFlorida?
Jinny: Al and I live in a perpetual state of joy at what we get to do. We work with pastors, youth pastors and leaders, helping them grow and facilitate student ministry in their churches. We creatively organize and inspire students through life-changing events such as Youth Camp, Fine Arts, Fusion, PK Retreat, Speed the Light, and Bible Quiz. We take students and leaders on foreign missions trips and encourage them to begin giving to missions in their teens through Speed the Light. We also love to build community among youth pastors, leaders, and students, showing them the church is so much bigger than just themselves or their local assembly. Every bit of this is so exciting and fun!
Deanna: What was the most surprising thing for you, about being a minister’s wife?
Jinny: The fact that loving people and giving your life to serve them doesn’t mean they’re not going to hurt you. In ministry, if we’re doing it right, we make ourselves vulnerable to being hurt. We have to learn to place all those hurts at the feet of Jesus and keep going, shrugging off disappointment, hurt, and unmet expectations. When we keep moving forward and don’t allow hurt to root itself in our spirits, we walk the walk of Jesus and share in His glory.
Deanna: If you could give just one piece of advice to a brand new minister’s wife, what would it be?
Jinny: Be yourself. God made you in His image for a unique purpose. He creatively and purposefully gave you gifts and insight that are specific to you. Never doubt the power of your uniqueness. Don’t try to imitate and compare yourself to others…it’s a trap that will steal your joy and cause you to never quite measure up.
Also, just love Jesus! Make loving God your priority and everything else just falls into place. Don’t pursue ministry like its a career…let Him open doors that no man can shut.
Deanna: What would you say are your greatest passions in life?
Jinny: Loving God and loving my family.
Deanna: What do you like to do for fun?
Jinny: I love cooking and entertaining people. I can throw a dinner party together in a couple hours, but sometimes I spend days planning them. I love decorating my home, too. I’m a serious shopper–I may get lost driving somewhere, but I know my way around every great mall in Florida.
Deanna: Favorite vacation spot?
Jinny: Because our schedule is so crazy, we are prone to mini vacays of 3-4 days. Our fallbacks are the Sarasota area beaches, Orlando theme parks and St. Augustine. We go to those places multiple times a year.
Deanna: Favorite clothing store?
Jinny: H&M is our one stop. They have something for everyone in the family, the fashions are the latest, and it’s cheap.
Deanna: Favorite home store?
Jinny: As we travel through the state, I go to every Home Goods and West Elm I can find.
Deanna: What is your favorite color?
Jinny: Aqua…every true Floridian’s favorite.
Deanna: What is your favorite food?
Jinny: The truth is, I like everything…UGH. And, I have coffee running through my veins.
Deanna: What is your favorite TV shows?
Jinny: HGTV is my go-to.
Deanna: Reality TV shows…love them or hate them?
Jinny: I like Duck Dynasty but really dislike shows where they have to bleep out every other word.
Deanna: Favorite movies?
Jinny: Right now, my favorite is The Book Thief. I will NEVER change the channel if Pride and Prejudice is on. I love period and historical films with a passion.
Deanna: What genre of music do you listen to?
Jinny: Mostly praise and worship, but in youth ministry you have to have a serious love of hip hop.
Deanna: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us today?
Jinny: I want to encourage everyone out there to remember that life is too short for us to major in the minors. We have to evaluate our lives on a regular basis and discover what we are majoring in. Make sure you’re putting first what’s most important. If we live for the unimportant, we’re wasting our time. Money and ego are minor in the sphere of eternity. Leaving a legacy of loving Jesus and sharing His love with others is major!
Today it’s my privilege to interview Kathy Powell — daughter of God, wife, mother and minister. Kathy is the wife of our Pen Florida District Council Secretary, Rev. Steve Powell. Get to know this precious lady. ~Deanna
Deanna: Kathy, it’s such an honor to have you share with us today. Let’s start with where it all began. Where were you born?
Kathy: Chicago, Illinois
Deanna: And where did you grow up?
Kathy: The inner city of Chicago.
Deanna: What was your family like, growing up?
Kathy: I am the oldest of 4 girls. I am a full blooded, 100% Slovak. Both my parents are full Slovak. My mom came to the states from Czechoslovakia when she was 3 years old. I was raised very European. My parents are born again Christians and I’ve been blessed with a Godly heritage. We attended the Stone Church in Chicago, where my dad was a board member. We never missed a church service or revival service and it seemed like we lived at church. When the church doors were open, we were there. God, church and music were vital components to our home.
Deanna: How did you come to know Jesus?
Kathy: I really don’t remember. I accepted Him as a very little girl. I don’t have an actual date. I’ve always loved the Lord, but my true life changing encounter with the Lord was while in high school and one Sunday my pastor asked those that felt called into full time ministry to come to the altar. I didn’t know what I was going to do in the ministry but I knew I would be a minister’s wife.
Deanna: How did you meet your husband?
Kathy: Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri. My roommate knew him and we all hung around together.
Deanna: Can you share with us a bit about your dating and engagement?
Kathy: Steve and I were both dating someone else from our home churches. We met each other through my college roommate and were all friends for 1 year. Then the ones we each were both dating had finally told us they never felt called into full time ministry so we broke up with them. (unbeknown to either one of us) After our heartbreaks were over, we started dating each other for 1 year and then became engaged for 1 year. We knew each other for 3 years before we got married.
Deanna: And where did you get married?
Kathy: Stone Church in Chicago, Illinois
Deanna: What is married life like, today?
Kathy: After 40 years I am still in love with my husband and enjoy doing things with him. I want to grow old with him. I volunteer at his office just to be near him. Usually, Friday night is date night going to Ybor City for dinner and a movie.
Deanna: That is wonderful and an example for us all. Can you tell us a bit about your children and grandchildren?
Deanna: What is the most important lesson you’ve learned as a mom?
Kathy: Many things!
Deanna: What was your first ministry assignment together with your husband?
Kathy: Associate/Youth pastors in Morris, Illinois for 2 years.
Deanna: And what other ministry assignments did you have before coming to the district office?
Kathy: We pastored 2 of the greatest churches in the nation each one for 10 years: First Assembly of God in Hammond, Indiana and Bethel Temple Assembly of God in Tampa, Florida.
Deanna: What was the most surprising thing for you, about being a minister’s wife?
Kathy:
Deanna: If you could give just one piece of advice to a brand new minister’s wife, what would it be?
Kathy: Be yourself and NO ONE ELSE! Be what God created YOU to be. Be confident in your gifts, talents and abilities and be an example of Christ.
Deanna: What do you like to do for fun?
Kathy: Garage Sales, being with family and relaxing on the beach listening to the crashing waves.
Deanna: Are you a morning or a night person?
Kathy: I’m a morning person and love to watch the sunrise.
Deanna: What is your favorite color?
Kathy: I don’t have one. I pretty much love all colors, but I can tell you what color I don’t like and that is the color orange.
Deanna: What is your favorite food?
Kathy: Slovak food which would be Polish sausage, dumplings, haluski, cabbage rolls, pierogies, poppyseed cake and sauerkraut soup.
Deanna: What’s your favorite dessert?
Kathy: Anything coconut!
Deanna: What is your favorite TV show?
Kathy: I don’t watch much TV. But I love The Voice, Call the Midwife and Downton Abbey.
Deanna: Do you enjoy hospitality?
Kathy: I love to entertain and throw a party and love watching it grow into a production. Decorating is one of my passions, whether it’s a party or home decor. .I love Paula Deen and cooking. Even though I barely cook anymore (‘cause we’re never home) when I do get the chance, I go all out.
Deanna: What are some of your “favorites” in life?
Kathy: I love BGMC, singing, playing the piano, Ballroom dancing, cruising, hydrangeas, sewing, redecorating, cooking and even cleaning. I enjoy reading – favorites are the Bible, Nicholas Sparks, The Shack, Redeeming Love, mystery novels; As far as music – Jazz, Blues, Big Band; Warm and Fuzzy movies like Hallmark Channel Stuff @ Christmas Time, White Christmas. And…I believe a girl can never have enough BLING BLING and shoes!
Deanna: Do you collect anything?
Kathy: Precious Moments, Rockwell plates and Nutcrackers. I love old vintage things and antiques. Garage sales are the best. One of these days, my dad and I will write a book on “Garage Sales for Dummies.”
Deanna: What is one of your greatest dreams?
Kathy: I dream about growing old and being surrounded by my family and friends. They have all been a blessing to me in ways they will never know.
Deanna: Tell us some things people may not guess, about you…
Kathy: I can still play the accordion. I modeled clothes for Montgomery Ward. I am a spelunker and would do it again if I was a few years younger. I love skydiving and just did that with my daughter 3 years ago. I also love to Indian arm wrestle. I like even more when I win.
Deanna: Wow!!. What don’t you do? Amazing! I want you to bring the accordion in to the district office one day. Just sayin’! Is there anything else you’d like to share with us today?
Kathy: I am an Assembly of God credentialed licensed minister and I love the word of God, but get frustrated that I don’t read it more than I do. My favorite Bible verses are: Joshua 1:9, Proverbs 17:22, Jeremiah 33:3
Deanna: Priceless! Wonderful words of wisdom. Thank you so much, Kathy, for sharing with us today. You are so appreciated and loved.
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
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?
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
July 5, 2014
Deanna Shrodes
If I cry, there’s a really good reason.
Some women cry and don’t know why.
Not me.
I always know why.
It means something realllllly good is happening.
Or, something bad.
Or, the Holy Spirit is touching me in a profound way.
The latter happened over ten years ago at an Assemblies of God Women in Ministry Conference. Susanne Cox was one of the speakers. As she shared her life story which has now been chronicled in the book, Call it Incredible, I wept. And wept. And wept some more.
I also laughed.
A lot!
And most of all, I changed.
Coming home changed from a Christian women’s conference is exactly what should happen. And this was definitely one of those times. I called my husband from the conference and said, ‘”Babe, we need to bring Susanne to our church in Tampa!” We did, that same year. And what a weekend we had!
Over the weekend, Susanne and I became dear friends, and our heart connection has blossomed over the past decade. This seems to be the case with so many of the pastors, pastors’ wives and women’s leaders that she meets. Susanne will move powerfully in the altars and then stop you in hallway to give a hug, or chat over a cup of coffee. She’s as real as can be! I marvel at the way she reaches people.
Week after week I notice the reports on her Facebook status updates of lives changed all over the world — women saved, filled with the spirit, and healed!
We are so blessed to have Susanne Cox with us for the entire THRIVE (Breakaway) weekend!!!
One thing I feel strongly about is that our teen girls be in services with us at the conference. We will have breakout sessions and separate activities for them, but I believe they need to experience ALL of the main services with us. Girls and women of every generation experiencing Pentecostal power together is going to be UNFORGETTABLE!
We are in for more than a “treat” or some light inspiration. We are in for a transformation!
Do everything you have to do to get there — and bring your daughters! Everything you need to register is right here at this link! If you have any problems downloading the information, or have a question please don’t hesitate to email at women@penflorida.org or call us at (863) 683-5726, ext 232. We’re here to help!
I love you and can’t wait to share the weekend with you. The best is yet to come!
Much love,
Deanna