2010 RESOURCE PACKET

 Dear ladies of the  Women's Missionary Federation of the AFLC                             

“Therefore, brothers [sisters], since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.  Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” 

Hebrews 10 : 19-25

As we consider these verses let us keep in mind our need as women to meet together to spur one another on toward love and good deeds and to encourage one another.  The words spur and encourage used in this text are very interesting words.  To spur means :  incite or urge on.  I’m sure many of you are familiar with the spurs used by cowboys.  The spurs are on the boots the cowboy wears and he uses them to urge the horse he is riding to keep going.  Perhaps the spurs we can use to urge others on are kind words, words of instruction, prayer, the Word of God.   I’m sure you can think of other ways to spur others on in their relationship with Jesus. 

The other special word we see in these verses is encourage.  According to the dictionary, encourage means :  to inspire with courage, spirit, or confidence.   When we encourage someone we give them courage, we give them confidence.   As we use kind words, words of instruction, prayer, and the Word of God we can be encouragers for one another.  We can spur one another on to love and good deeds.

As time goes by, and our country seems to fall into more and more depravity, we need one another.  We need one another as sisters in Christ.  We need one another to help each other.  We need one another to teach each other and to share with one another.  We also need each other to reach out to others. 

In order to encourage one another, we must spend time with each other.  It’s hard to understand the needs of other women if we don’t spend time with them.  As we meet in WMF to study the word of God together, we can be an encouragement to one another.  As we meet to pray together, we can spur one another on to love and good deeds.  As we serve together in the local congregation we can encourage and build one another up.    

 God has called us in Hebrews 10 to consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.  To consider one another means to observe one another.  We can’t encourage others if we don’t observe them.  It certainly is not our job to judge another, but to encourage them in their walk with the Lord.  This is certainly one of the intentions of the National WMF.   As the board of the national women’s organization of our church body, we are here to encourage each woman in the churches of our AFLC.

We want to help you be a blessing to one another, to your churches, and to the communities in which you live.  It is very important for us to be faithful in meeting together as women if we are to know one another, observe one another, and encourage one another.  It is important for us to meet together if we are to learn how to reach out to others and be able to corporately give to the various ministries of the AFLC that are supported by the National WMF.    

This year we are emphasizing the original purpose of the Women’s Missionary Federation.  This purpose was not just for fellowship but for service.  “The purpose of the WMF is to awaken and deepen interest in and love for the kingdom of God, at home and abroad, thus sharing in the great missionary enterprise of the Christian Church.”

      To awaken and deepen interest in and love for the kingdom of God, at home and abroad, thus sharing in the great missionary enterprise of the Christian Church.  How do we do that? 

   A.     Awaken the hearts of the women to the great need for worship, Bible study and    prayer together.  As we care for one another we can encourage one another to study the Word and pray together. 

1.      Participation in our Sunday worship services and Bible classes ought to be #1 on our list

2.      Participation in WMF Bible study and meetings is necessary to know the purpose of the WMF and to understand the needs of our missionaries at home and abroad

3.      Mentoring one another – older women taking younger women under their “wing” so to speak to encourage them and build them up.  As we get back to basics in our lives, perhaps this mentoring can take the form of practical life skills mentoring in addition to spiritual mentoring.  Perhaps the younger women can mentor older women in new crafts like scrapbooking, beading, etc.  Older women can mentor younger women in quilting, preserving food, letter writing, or other “lost arts”. 

As we mentor we are not there to criticize but to encourage each other to grow in ways that we can serve the Lord in practical ways. 

B.      As we care for one another and encourage one another we can share together in giving gifts to those in need. 

1.      Is there someone in your congregation who has lost a job? Perhaps they need some encouragement by having you reach out to them and pray for them. Perhaps they need you to watch their children while they look for a job. 

2.      Is there a food bank in your community? 

3.      Is there a soup kitchen?

4.      Does your congregation have a giving barrel for a mission outreach in your community?  Can you give food or clothing to that mission outreach? 

The tangible outreach like that is surely an encouragement to those in need but also to those who participate. 

C.      Will you be “God with skin on” :

1.      To someone who is lonely, hurt, abused, or a victim of addiction to drugs or alcohol? 

2.      As you go on a mission trip to Mexico, Brazil, India or Uganda?

3.      As you go to help storm victims in our own country? 

4.      As you participate with Habitat for Humanity or another organization in your area that helps provide homes to people who need them? 

5.      There are no doubt many other opportunities to be “God with skin on” that we come across.  Remember we are the only “Bible” some folks will read!

       

D.      Will you give money and prayer time to our missionaries and home mission pastors?  The work they do in foreign countries and in home mission congregations is truly phenomenal.  The time they spend away from their family and friends is a human sacrifice some of us would be hesitant to make.  The language and cultural changes they must make to minister in the country to which they are called are also something many of us would not be able to do. We must pray and give as God has given to us. Go to the world mission’s and home mission’s websites to read about the work these people are doing around the world.

E.     Will you give to short term assistants who are called to help various missionaries around the world to assist them and serve them so they can do the work of missions God has called them to?  Perhaps they help teach missionary children.   Perhaps they help minister to the children at the Miriam Infant Home.  Perhaps they help with youth ministry.  Whatever work they do to help the missionaries, we know they are used by the Lord as they are willing to serve.   

F.      Will you help Parish Education by providing the necessary funds to print Sunday school material that is Biblically sound and based on Lutheran doctrine so that children and adults in our congregations can grow and work together in the Kingdom of God?  Will you help them provide other materials that are sound in Biblical doctrine for our education and edification?

G.    Will you give to the Schools of our AFLC? 

As men and women attend our Bible school, may they learn to love the Word of God and grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Savior.  Many have been called to Christian service at our Bible school. 

AFLTS, our seminary, has trained many men to serve as pastors and missionaries.  Let us continue to pray for the faculty at AFLTS that they would continue to focus on the Word of God as the only means by which people can come to the understanding of salvation through Jesus Christ.  May they continue to uphold the confessions and doctrines of the Lutheran Church as they relate to the Word of God. 

      WE LIVE IN HIM – We are the branches

You are a “branch” which bears fruit as you participate in God’s work.”

What will you do to participate in God’s work?  Will you study the Word so you have a strong root system which will result in growth?  Will you minister to others and share the Word with them? 

      WE WORK IN HIM – We are servants

You are a ‘servant’ as you help fulfill God’s will in Christian service.

What kind of Christian service will you do? Will you serve in the kitchen at your church when there are times of fellowship?  Will you organize special events like baby showers or wedding showers for families in your congregation or community?  All of these are ways to serve the Lord!  You are reaching out to others.

      WE SPEAK IN HIM – We are witnesses

You are a ‘witness’ for Him through your support of the ministries of the WMF.  Will you attend your WMF meetings and women’s Bible studies in your church? Will you support the ministries of the WMF through prayer and financial gifts?  Will you support the ministries of the WMF by volunteering to share the ministry of the Women’s Missionary Federation of the AFLC with new WMFs in your area?  Will you lead the Bible study at your WMF meeting or your ladies’ Bible study?  Will you be on a committee to plan a retreat?  Will you pray for the women of your church and community?  Will you invite them to participate in a Bible study?  Will you mentor someone who is young in the faith?  These are all ways you can be a witness to others of the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

I pray that each of us will dedicate our lives to be encouragers to others in 2010.  We know the time each of us has on this earth is short.  We have much to do to share the Word of God with others.  We have much to do to share with others from the resources God has given to us.  The time is short.  The needs are great.  Will you spur one another on to love and good deeds in your women’s group?  Will you be an encourager, pray for, and share the Word of God with your family, your neighbors, church community, town, state, nation, and the world?  I pray that as we consider the original purpose of the WMF, we will see that it is relevant to the needs of today’s women.  The programs might look a little different, the meeting times might be different than before, even the ages of women might be different, but the Word of God does not change so if our WMF is based on the Word of God its relevance has not changed either.  God bless you as you consider this.

In Christian love,

Lorilee Mundfrom

President

Women’s Missionary Federation of the AFLC

 MINISTRY  TO  WOMEN

By Laurie Nash

Consider a woman’s world in the early 1960’s about the time that our National WMF and AFLC came into being. Almost everyone got married and the average age for getting married was 20 years old for girls. The divorce rate was very low; chastity and virginity were virtues. Sex outside of marriage was considered shameful. Only 30% of the women worked outside the home. Life for women was very different 50 years ago! Contrast the 1950’s TV mom, June Cleaver (Leave it to Beaver) who was a happy fulfilled housewife to today’s TV icon, Ellen Degeneres, an avowed lesbian and comedian.

Ministry to women has been greatly affected by these changes in our culture.  Yet the need to minister to women has never been greater!!  How do we as pastor’s wives and WMF leaders effectively reach and encourage our women?

Our message must be solidly based only on God’s Word. In a recent email survey to the ladies of my church, the ladies consistently asked to dig deep into Bible study. Our message must not change but how, when and where we provide such opportunities to study God’s Word is where we can creatively adapt to reach this culture.

Take a hard look at the women already within your church, their ages and the seasons of their lives. Look at women in the neighborhoods around your home and church.  What are their needs? Find out through surveys, email surveys, facebook, or just pick up the phone and ask. One church moved their women’s Bible study to Wednesday night because their children were involved in church activities that night and that freed up a night for them to be at home. Offer other studies at different times or on another day based on the schedules of all your women.  One church with many young mothers just started a MOPS group to encourage these young mommies and to also reach out to their neighborhood.  I know of several pastor’s wives who are effectively reaching out to their unsaved neighbors through a cooking class or a Bible study on marriage.

The needs are great and often overwhelming but my God is greater and HE IS ABLE!!! Prayerfully seek His direction to creatively minister in these days for He promises that   “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally... and it shall be given him”. James 1 :5

THESE ARE GREAT IDEAS TAKEN FROM PREVIOUS RESOURCE PACKETS!

Keys to an Effective Bible Study Group

A committed leader

The WMF officers or the entire group should select a leader whose first commitment is to the Lord and then to the others.  Since it may consume several hours a week, it should be her only major-level commitment.  Her responsibilities may include : training discussion leaders, teachers, and any other women helping with the study.

Clear goals

Know why the group exists.  Set and state clear goals.  Be realistic.  Ask yourself, “What does God want to accomplish in the lives of these women?”  even though your program may benefit from including crafts or other activities, keep your primary focus on spiritual nurturing.

Warm atmosphere

Provide time and activities which will allow the women to get acquainted with one another.  Use name tags; even though you may all know each other, it makes your group visitor-friendly.

Sing together, it will be a unifying factor.  Keep the discussion focused on personal applications.  Encourage women to share their testimonies of God’s work in their lives, to share their struggles and to pray for one another.

If you meet in a church building :

•      Assign a hostesses to greet the women as they arrive.
•      If possible, use a smaller, warmer room rather than the sanctuary or church basement.
•     Arrange group in small circle or around a table.

If you meet in a home :

•      Use the same location for each meeting, so guests will begin feeling comfortable in their surroundings.
•     Use an informal, casual room with adequate lighting.
•     Eliminate distractions from the room; magazines, pets, television.
•     Have telephone calls handled by an answering machine.
•     Prepare light, healthy refreshments

Group loyalty

Commitment to one another can be established and expressed in many ways :

•     Encourage regular attendance and lesson preparation
•     Choose identifying name for the group.
•     Build group traditions together.
•     Publish an address/phone list and encourage people to phone or write encouraging notes to others in the group.
•     Be alert for practical ways to minister to one another.
•    Agree to maintain confidentiality.     

 FURTHER ENRICHMENT BIBLE STUDIES

So – you have several women – all age groups – who are meeting together monthly to be blessed in the Word through the WMF Bible study “The Higher Perspective.”   You’ve committed yourself, given the time to promote monthly Bible studies.   Praise the Lord!  But don’t stop there - - -

For further enrichment, consider adding a section of weekly Bible studies to your WMF calendar.  How about a 10 week section in the spring of the year using another Bible study from your Christian bookstore?  Consider :

• SEEKING HIM  By Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Tim Grissom

• WOMAN TO WOMAN,  preparing yourself to mentor BY Edna Ellison and Tricia Scribner

Many of the video Bible study curriculums are excellent.  Consider :

• A WOMAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART  by Elizabeth George

• BELIEVING GOD  by Beth Moore

To build enthusiasm for this new venture among the women of your church, take a lesson from the women of the AFLC church -  St. Paul’s in Gifford, IL :

(1)   create a pink heart-shaped valentine with the name and dates of your WMF Enrichment Bible study.  Also on the valentine ask them to “start praying if it is God’s plan for you”  and indicate where they can sign up.  At the bottom point of the valentine, glue a candy kiss!  Put several of these on one sheet of paper, then through a copy machine and cut out.  Hand these valentines out to each woman and older female teens just after Thanksgiving.

(2)   Recopy this valentine and put it in your church newsletter in December and January – giving more details

(3)   Create a bulletin insert – giving all needed details – for the last two weeks of January.

(4)   Begin your Bible study during valentines month – February.

Depending on how many women sign up, you will need to pray then ask women from your church to be small group discussion leaders – so that you have 5 to 12 women in each small group.  When discussion/Bible study groups have more than 14 women, some will not have an opportunity to share.  Another item to consider is to ask a young post high school woman who is spiritually mature to lead a group for the teen gals from your church - maybe a young woman who is attending an area college.  It’s good to begin involving teens in your WMF program – even at this early age!  You may decided to have their WMF Enrichment Bible study on weekday evening – all together – with several small groups.  It brings encouragement to all as they meet together as a large group opening session, divide into small discussion group, then get together again toward the end of the evening to view the video. 

You may choose to have your WMF Enrichment Bible study during the day or two groups – one during the day and one in the evening.  Please prayerfully consider the addition of this section of time for the women in your church – FOR FURTHER SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT.

A Program for Moms

If you are in tune with the women of your church, you may have observed that most young moms have a few common threads – they appear exhausted, lonely, and frazzled.  If you are one of the more sensitive, tuned in women of the congregation, you may be asking yourself, “what can I do?”  The following is the story of a woman, Mary Ann, who did something - even though she had no children of her own. 

Mary Ann went to the leadership of her church and asked, “What is the church doing for young mothers?  Are there any programs specifically targeted for their unique needs?  She discovered that there were circles and a few Bible studies sprinkled throughout the week, but nothing specifically targeted for young mothers.  With the blessings of her church leadership, MaryAnn began to explore the possibilities.

Mary Ann began with prayer.  Two other women joined her and agreed to spend time seeking God as to what He would have them do to help young mothers grow in their relationship with Him, as well as what they could do to reach out to community young mothers.  The trio decided to start by offering a summer Bible study which was held in a woman’s home.  The group commissioned college students to babysit the children in the basement while the mothers gathered upstairs for their Bible study time.  High School students could also be asked to fulfill this need.  Ten women, eager for adult interaction and hungry for God’s Word, gathered that day.  The group met for ten weeks. 

In the fall, another 10 week series was planned with the same 10 women in attendance, but God had a much grander idea in mind.

Before the winter/spring semester, these “ten” wanted other young mothers to experience the love and care they were privy to in such a group, so they decided to host an event.  They invited a speaker, passed out flyers, and invited their friends to attend a luncheon.  Much to their surprise, 50 women showed up.  From that event, three other Mornings for Mothers groups were begun.

Because child care became an issue, Mary Ann approached the church leadership and presented Mornings for Mothers as an outreach opportunity.  They all agreed that this was a unique opportunity to reach out to the women of their community and offered child care out of the church budget.

Over the next several years, Mornings for Mothers continued a pattern of hosting an outreach event with a speaker, followed by sign-ups for the following semester.  Later Mary Ann and her family moved to Charlotte, North Carolina and the process began again.

For detailed information about how to build your own Mornings for Mothers program, go to page 189 – 193 in the book, BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE WOMEN’S MINISTRY by Sharon Jaynes – Harvest House Publishers – ISBN 0-7369-1609-1.  This practical guide for women’s ministries has many other chapters on leadership development, group dynamics, programs and special events, outreach, and growing pains.

MINISTRY TO SENIORS

Most churches have twice as many seniors (adults over fifty-five) as youth (ages thirteen through twenty.)  According to the Women’s Ministries Handbook, edited by Carol Porter, the growth    rate of this older group is three times that of the national population.     In the AFLC, as well as in other denominations, we are already seeing the “age wave” crest on our shores.  Seniors can be reached and discipled in significant numbers.

Many of the needs of seniors can be addressed through the regular ministries of your church and WMF.  Specialized needs can be met by additional programs specifically designed for seniors.  Here are three suggestions from this handbook :

A.  Begin by developing a profile of the seniors in your congregation and your community which includes :

1)     Age-groups

2)     Marital and family status

3)     Mobility and physical condition

4)     Needs

5)     Skills, interests, hobbies

Structure your ministries based on the findings.  Begin with the seniors in your congregation.  A good program will encourage seniors to invite their friends : expect the group to grow.

B. Provide ministry opportunities suited to the experience and interest of the seniors.  They make good visitors to the hospitalized, home-bound, or lonely singles.  Use them in teaching young children who benefit from the love of a surrogate grandparent.  Supply the prayer warriors among them with up-to-date information for intelligent praying.  When planning events, remember to include active seniors.  If you’re planning a church banquet, think of specific jobs seniors can accomplish while sitting.

C. Challenge them to continue growing spiritually, mentally, and emotionally.  This might be through a Bible study suited to their needs.  Since many older citizens prefer to stay home in the evening, consider holding small group Bible studies during the day.

Depending on gifts and experience, use senior women as disciplers of young women.  Use the Titus 2 principle wherever you can.  It’s God’s gift to seniors to increase involvement with the youth as well as a boon to the youth who need the stabilization seniors can provide. 

Educational and social/recreational development should be encouraged through seminars.  Continuing intellectual growth which raises one’s self-esteem contributes to mental health.

Ministry to Active Seniors can include :

Field trips, programs, and sometimes services such as lawn care, housekeeping such as window washing, regular telephone calls to those without immediate family in the area.

Ministry to the Slowing-down Senior :

This person needs additional help in order to participate in senior’s activities.  Transportation is needed in many instances – to church, Dr. appointments, shopping.  She also needs personal contact so you could set up a rotating schedule of phone calls at lease once every two or three days.  Provide an occasional meal and company.

The Convalescent Center or Homebound Senior :

Visit :  Convalescent homes are filled with lonely people.  Plan extra time to talk and share the Gospel with other needy people who are on the edge of eternity.

Celebrate birthdays, ask a Sunday School class to draw birthday pictures.  Let the senior know she is important to God and to the church.  Emphasize her value as a prayer warrior.  Have those who have been touched by her life write to let her know she made a difference in their lives.

WEBSITES FOR HELP IN WOMEN’S MINISTRIES 2010

• www.aflc.org         (There are links to the Bible School, Seminary, Home Missions, World Missions, and Publications from this site.)
• www.aflc.org/women  (AFLC women’s ministries)
• www.wmclb.com    (Church of the Lutheran Brethren women’s ministries)
• www.efca.org/reachnational/women’s-ministries     (Evangelical Free Church of America women’s ministries)
• www.juliabettencourt.com        
• www.christianworkingwoman.org
• www.proverbs31.org
• www.women’sministry.net
• www.lifeway.com/women
• www.christianbook.com 
• www.reviveourhearts.com
• www.authenticgirl.com
• www.parentingtodaysteen.com
• www.motherwise.org
• www.focusonthefamily.org

DISCLAIMER :  The Women’s Missionary Federation of the AFLC does not necessarily endorse everything on some of these websites.  While we do not believe there is anything on them that would go against the Word of God, we would ask that you use your own judgment and discretion in using them. 

AFLC Missionaries 2009

Missionaries to Brazil

Pastor Jonathan and Tamba Abel

April, Thomas & Michelle    

Caixa Postal 450
87001-970 Maringa, PR
BRAZIL, South America

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Pastor Paul and Becky Abel

Caixa Postal 1097, 

83.601-980 Campo Largo , PR 

BRAZIL , South America

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http://www.paulabel.org/  

Missionaries to Mexico

Pastor Todd and Barb Schierkolk

Rachel, Megan & Kristie

       Apartado Postal 439,  Jerez , Zacatecas, 99300 Mexico

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Missionaries to Uganda

Pastor Nate and Rhoda Jore

Elijah, Judah & Hannah

PO Box 304, Jinja , Uganda

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http://jorenews.blogspot.com/

Missionary-at-large

Pastor Connely Dyrud

8938 Oakview Lane N., Maple Grove , MN 55369

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