Changing Times, Unchanging Truth
by Beverly Weinhold
Director of Women's
Ministries for Vision New England 1989-1991
I am so grateful for
Linda's invitation to share some words. It was in 1989 when I heard
God's voice calling to pioneer women's ministry in New England. It was a
humbling venture to hear God's call to encourage women in their faith,
empower women in their gifts and equip women to give away the Gospel.
Under the spirit-filled leadership of Maggie Rowe and Linda Moore, this
ministry has only skyrocketed.
The times are significantly
different in 2010 than they were 20 years ago. In the words of Gordon
Conwell's former president, James Emery White, "We live in serious
times." Ministry to women is even more crucial. Credible statistics say
that in today's society, a woman is beaten every 12 minutes by her
partner. One out of 4 female children is abused before the age of 7, and
human-trafficking is the fastest growing trade in the business with
over 30 million women, children and men enslaved. Fifty percent of them
are under the age of 18. Presbyterian pastor James Poling notes that
these statistics do not diminish with social class, race, religion or
faithful church attendance. That means that on any given Sunday when you
go to church, approximately 25% of the people you see in the pew are
touched by some form of abusive behavior.
As Christian women who
care about the cause and mission of Jesus Christ, we cannot ignore these
statistics. Rick Warren poignantly points out that for too long we've
ignored the overwhelming mountain of Scripture that commands God's
people to care for the oppressed. Justice is the heart of God and is a
significant part of our mission. As we move forward into the 21st
century, may God break our heart with the things that break God's heart.
The anti is upped in women's ministry in today's world; not only are we
called to encourage, empower and equip but to educate, explore and
engage in justice for all. For God has told us what is good and what the
Lord requires of us; but to do justice and to love mercy and to walk
humbly with our God (Micah 4:5 6:8). May the Holy Spirit of God bless
you, keep you and take you where He wants us to go for His glory.
Beverly Weinhold is a licensed
therapist and ordained pastor. She currently serves as Senior Pastor of
the New Goshen Presbyterian Church in Prospect, KY. Beverly also attends
Louisville Presbyterian Seminary for her Doctor of Ministry degree. Her
dissertation is a workshop for churches entitled: "Healthy Boundaries:
Recovering Our God-Given Limits in the Church."
Beverly serves
the Presbyterian Church in its Congregational Development Unit that
deals with evangelism and church health in main line denominations. Her
passion is helping women particularly in areas of recovering our
identity in Christ and living into our unique calling in the church. For
her contribution in this area, Beverly received an award from Help for
Abused Women and Children (H.A.W.C.) in 2002. |
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