I give monthly to Baptist Women in Ministry, because women need to be resourced in fulfilling their calling in ministry and churches need to be encouraged to practice the equanimity of believers taught by Jesus Christ. At our church, as is the case with many faithful Baptist churches, we are blessed by the ministry of ordained women on our ministerial staff. We frequently hear female voices in proclamation from our pulpit. Women have been ordained into both the deaconate and ministry here. Looking at our church, and Baptist churches like us, the need for BWIM might not be apparent.
Yet our church is still not the norm in Baptist life. Many churches still do not consider women candidates during their pastor-search processes. Many pulpits are closed to women preachers except on rare special occasions. Women are still titled “director,” while men on the same staff are given the “minister.” Women seeking to be the ministers God called them to be need the resources of BWIM to overcome enormous obstacles. Churches need to be encouraged to exemplify kingdom values in providing places for women to serve in ministry. Through doing both, BWIM helps us realize the full potential of the community of faith.
Recently, my wife visited our daughter’s church, a church where I formerly served. A couple invited my wife to sit with them. As the service began, a worship leader announced that there was a health crisis in the pastor’s family and that a woman minister on the staff (ordained during my tenure) was preaching. The couple got up and left the service, leaving my wife sitting alone.
There are too many Baptists who believe that God has gifted and called women into ministry but who are still sitting alone. That is why I give monthly to Baptist Women in Ministry.
David Tew is pastor of First Baptist Church, Morrow, Georgia.
Fifty More! Baptist Women in Ministry currently has fifty individuals, churches, and organizations that give monthly to our work. This week we hope to add fifty more monthly givers to that list! Monthly gifts provide dependable income for our work and allow BWIM to continue being an advocate, a network, and a connection for Baptist women ministers! Small monthly gifts of $10 or $20 or larger monthly gifts of $50 or $75 make a significant difference! We invite you to join David as a monthly giver and to be one of Fifty More by filling out the form below.
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