Celebration Time:

(Pardon me for this personal post. But you’re going to love the book recommendations!)

I’m celebrating the completion of two more seminary classes -  

(1) Systematic Theology 11 - I’m really celebrating this one. I’m afraid I’m way over my intellectual capabilities, but still enjoyed the class. I probably spent eight hours trying to understand Jonathon Edwards “In Freedom of the Will.”  My term paper was about God’s immediate forgiveness and it engulfed weeks of my life. I just turned it in today and feel like I accomplished a thesis!  Praising God it’s all turned in.

(2) Personal Evangelism 565 - one of the best classes I’ve ever taken. Dr. David Wheeler is excellent. The assignments were multitudinous, but well worth the effort. 

Here are some really great books from the class that I highly recommend: 

          Family to Family (Pipes) - If you have kids, you’ve got to read this book. It’s a great idea book and instruction book for creating a family mission statement so your family will intentionally honor God. Read it!  

The Unexpected Journey(Rainer) - I don’t know how I missed this Rainer book, but it is un-put-downable.  Each chapter holds a captivating interview with a Christian who was saved from a different faith view — everything from mormonism to satanism to buddhism. Each explains how they found the one true God, and gives tips for Christians about how to share Christ with them.

 Share Jesus Without Fear (Fay) - I’d read this previously, but if you’ve missed it, it’s a must-read-twice book.  Quite inspiring and practical.

Radically Unchurched (Reid) - This book will knock your socks off. It is a factual, in-your-face revelation of reasons our churches are unable to reach the majority of our nation’s younger adults and youth.  Well worth reading.

The Art of Personal Evangelism(McRaney) - Perhaps the best book on personal evangelism I’ve read.  Very practical, usable, inspirational. Read it.

Oh, there were lots of other books in this class, but these are some I thought you’d love.

  Just three more seminary classes to go now…

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One more article published this week:

Let’s Worship Magazine Fall ‘08 - (Missions celebration idea)

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Book Signing: One more note–I get to do a book signing during the state convention on Friday evening at 5:30. (for convention details, see www.scbi.org).

I walked downtown Indy last week to watch the deflating of the RCA Dome. The ceremony was tearful as dignitaries reminisced about its history and its impact on the city. The new Lucas Oil Stadium will house the Indianapolis Colts and other large concerts and gatherings, and it’s absolutely gorgeous.

The big balloon-like roof of the RCA Dome was held up with enormous fans, and as they counted down, the crowd shouted the 10-9-8-7-…3-2-1, they shut off the fans. And nothing happened. Or so it seemed.  It took forty-five minutes for the roof to deflate, and looking at it from the ground angle, the view didn’t change all that much. (I have great photos, but still can’t attach them to the blog for some reason!)

I spotted people standing on a roof next to the dome, so I walked there and rode the elevator to the top. Wow! The view from the top told the real picture of that deflated roof.  Nine acres of white sprawled in the huge bowl. I believe I read that it weighed 250 tons, or something enormous like that. It was quite a site.

I imagine that God’s view of our lives is quite different from our view.  We usually see only the here-and-now. We concentrate on things in our world that affect our small portion of it. We rarely think much farther than tomorrow. But God, with His view “from the top” has the big picture. He sees eternity past, present and future. He sees much more than we could dream or imagine.  

With all the changes in our world, I’m trusting that God, with His big picture view-from-the-top, is in control of all the details of my life and yours.  

Comforting, isn’t it?

New articles written by Diana have been published this week in the following publications: 

**Watch for article in Rick Warren’s Pastor Toolbox next week!

The Hawaii Pacific Baptist - October 2008

The Iowa Baptist - October 2008

The Indiana Baptist - October 2008

Fresh Ideas-1000 Ways book (hardbound) was featured in Crossings Book Club catalogue

No matter your age, there is a younger woman in your church that God would have you mentor. 

I love encouraging women on this topic, and enjoyed leading a retreat on the subject.  Here’s one of the handouts.  Take a look at these simple tips to get started:

A Few Small Hints for a

Mentor

Do it.  Mentor. Be mentored. Set an example for others by mentoring.

Who will you mentor as a Christian woman? _______________________________________________________________________

Informal or informal. Make a plan.________________________________

First:

1      Be reverent in the way YOU live…

1      Not slanderers

1      Worthy of respect

      1    Teach what is good.

Then:   

Spend at least a few minutes together every week.

             Can only teach if you spend time. When? ___________________

             Listen carefully to her story.        

Use Titus 2:3-6 as a checklist guide after each meeting together: Encourage her…

1     To love her husband. Teach by example and encouragement

1     To love her children. Learn her children’s names. Be there when it counts.

1     To be self-controlled. Model self-control in difficult areas: Spending, eating, time management, priorities, temper, chocolate.

1     To be pure. Modesty. Motives. Priorities

1     To be busy at home. Not busybodies

1     To be kind

1     To be subject to her husband

Be approachable.

Speak well of her.

Introduce her to your friends.

Sit by her occasionally at church…

Remember the pig. (Proverbs 11:22)

Love her in spite of her imperfections.

Invite her to your home at least once.

Occasionally write a Scripture for her.

Help her discover and use her spiritual gifts.

Occasionally invite her out for coffee or lunch.

Recommend great Christian books you enjoy.

Include her in ministry with you when possible.

Set an example of joyful service in the church.

Put her birthday and anniversary on your calendar.

Pray for her daily. How can I pray for you? How has God been working in your life this week?

Always pray aloud for her. Bible study? Read same Christian book? Chats?

Set a great example for younger women in every area of life–body language, dress, attitude.

New published articles by Diana: 

Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist, September 08 issue

The Indiana Baptist - state convention magazine

Texas Baptist Crossroads magazine - article for Texas’ Baptist’s 10th anniversary

The Illinois Baptist, September issue

The Indiana Baptist, state convention magazine

B&H Publishing Group’s Book & Bible Update newsletter

Oh, you’re going to love reading this! It’s the story of a church who determined that they needed to update their women’s ministry, and how God immediately blessed their efforts to serve Him!! They jumped from a small group to an enormous women’s ministry.

Read every word. You’ll be inspired.

Note: I blipped off the names of ladies in the church and just put xxx.

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BEGINNING HISTORY OF LIGHT

FALL, 2008 

      On May 18, 2008, each woman in First Baptist Church, Canton TX, was asked to complete an extensive survey.  This survey was to determine special interests, desire for fellowship outside the church, extra Bible Study times and what the women were already involved in. 

      The first meeting to begin a program called LIGHT was held on June 27th.  The women present looked at the survey to determine what interests were the greatest and what would be offered during the Fall Semester. 

      LIGHT stands for “Ladies Involved in Going, Helping, and Touching.”  The program for LIGHT consists of 3 components:  Fellowship Classes (designed for “me”), a time of Coffee Fellowship and a Devotional (designed for “us”), and Ministry Classes (designed for “them”); hence, the “going, helping, and touching” aspects of LIGHT. 

      The Mission Statement for LIGHT is:  “to provide opportunities for women to know Jesus Christ, experience spiritual and personal growth, build Christian friendships, and ‘light their world’ with the love of Jesus through ministry.” 

      An overall theme was chosen—“Lighting Our World”—and a beautiful logo was designed to be used in all communication about LIGHT and to depict what the Women’s Ministry at First Baptist Church is all about. 

      The verses chosen for the ministry are Matthew 5:14-16 in which Jesus talks about our being light in a dark world.  The song chosen, “Go Light Your World,” was composed by Chris Rice.  

      The Leadership Team is as follows: 

            Women’s Ministry Coordinators—(2) 

            Fellowship Coordinator—

            Ministry Coordinator—

            Registration Coordinators—

            Luncheon/Special Events Coordinators—

            Publicity Coordinator-

      There will be DayLIGHT and NightLIGHT meeting on alternating Tuesdays beginning with DayLIGHT on September 9^th.  The same classes will be taught in both groups.  DayLIGHT will be from 9:30 A.M.– 12:00 Noon, and NightLIGHT will be from 6:30 – 8:00 P.M. 

FELLOWSHIP CLASSES AND TEACHERS for the Fall are  

            …Marriage Enrichment taught by xxx

            …Financial Management taught by xxx

            …Cooking Lite and Healthy taught by xxx

            …Love Crafts taught by xxx

            …Beginning Quilting taught by xxx 

MINISTRY CLASSES AND TEACHERS for the Fall are 

            …Barnabas led by xxx

.  …Hope Crisis Pregnancy Center led by xxx

            …Martha Ministry led by xxx

            …Homebound and Nursing Home led by xxx

            …School Mentoring led by xxx

      xxx has written the devotionals for LIGHT this year. 

      An exciting aspect of LIGHT is the childcare.  GLO (God’s Little Ones) will be led by xxx.  The children will have curriculum- based childcare for both DayLIGHT and NightLIGHT.  Refreshments will be served and recreation led by xxx. 

      The CHAMPS program will be led by xxx.  This is a group of FBC retired teachers who have committed their time for NightLIGHT to tutor and mentor students whose mothers are in classes.  Bible Stories, memory verses, and basic skills and spiritual guidance will be offered.  There will be a time of tutoring and refreshments; and our Minister to Students will plan the recreation time. 

      Special group projects are planned for the year.  Before school began, xxx coordinated gathering school supplies for children of single mothers.  Forty students were supplied with bags.  xxx coordinated the committee and received 1000 recipes from ladies at FBC for our cookbook, Taste and See.  A Birthday Party for the residents in the Nursing Home is planned for September directed by the Women on Mission.  Collection of Thanksgiving baskets for single moms and collections of Christmas toys for Christmas are planned. 

      It was decided that the meetings for LIGHT should be held in the Chapel and in rooms in that building.  There was a great need for the Chapel to be renovated with paint, new carpet, and new accessories.  On Sunday, July 20^th, xxx presented the need at the end of the business conference asking for donated labor and funds to refurbish the Chapel.  Volunteers came immediately to the need; and on Sunday, September 7^th, the Chapel was dedicated to the Lord to be used for His glory.  The verse from Psalm 115.1 is very appropriate:  “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory for your great love and faithfulness.” 

      Because of the need for funds for Kickoff and publicity, xxx coordinated a garage sale at the church Family Life Center on August 22 – 23.  Approximately $2400 dollars were collected for the needs of Women’s Ministry. 

      A skit was presented in the morning worship service on August 24^th with xxx introducing the Fellowship and Ministry Classes through a “Taste and See” skit. 

      The date set for Kickoff for the Fall semester of LIGHT was set for Saturday, September 6, from 10:00 until 11:30 A.M.  This was a time in which booths of everything offered in LIGHT and the total Women’s Ministry Program were set up.  In addition to the booths set up for the classes were booths for Women on Mission, Helping Hands Ministry, Parent’s Day Out, upcoming Special Events, Legacy of Love Conference, Volunteer Opportunities, and Bible Studies offered on different days. 

      The theme for the Kickoff and for the year is “Taste and see that the Lord is good”  (Psalm 34.8).  Teri Sawyer from FBC, Tyler, was enlisted to be the speaker.  Kimberly Abbott, Sign Language Artist from Tyler, and Amy Chalker provided the special music, our theme song, “Go Light Your World.” 

      One hundred twenty-five women came for the Kickoff.  After viewing the booths and choosing where they wanted to be involved, the women heard the program and then took individual candles and lit them from one another and closed the program in prayer and encouraged the women to “Go Light Their World.” 

      The First Annual Women’s Conference will be held on October 18^th, 2008, with Amy Jones from Dallas and her ministry team, “The Journey of Sisters.”  The Christmas Brunch will be held on Saturday, December 6^thwith Chris and Diane Machen, recording artists from Plano providing the program. 
 

Note from Diana: I sent a note to Paula Hearon, the women’s ministry leader, complimenting her on including so many women in planning. Read this great response…

A note from the women’s ministry leader:

Thanks so much, my special friend.  I have tried to listen everywhere I am to really hear what women are saying about their strengths.  If they even mention in a tiny way some area of strength or willingness to get involved (even if they don’t know what I’m about to do!!), I have tried to plug them in.  I was at the house of a retired teacher the other day and she showed me the scrapbook she put together after her son died.  She said she loved to scrapbook—SO…she now has the project of beginning our LIGHT scrapbook!!  The key, as you so well know, is to inspire and let the Lord do the rest.  It’s truly amazing to watch.  There is a lot of untapped talent here.  I’m after it!!!
 
We decided to do DayLIGHT and NightLIGHT to involve as many women as possible.  It would work here because of being a smaller town.  We had 53 in NightLIGHT last Tuesday with visitors from other churches present (which is so much what we desire). The assurance to working women that the same things would be offered them as were the women during the day has been a real plus.  You have to give involvement opportunities, don’t you think?   This isn’t counting the workers we had in CHAMPS and GLO.  This is truly amazing, Diana.  I’ve never experienced anything like this before.  I just wish I had had what I have now earlier in our ministry.  God doesn’t waste any experiences though, and I would not take anything for my “training ground” with you at FBCG.
 
One of the sweetest ministries is our Barnabas Ministry.  A lot of the Night class went in there.  There were 69 names on the board of our church members with Sept. birthdays, the SS teachers,  and others, and every name on the board was written.  Women were carrying out their little envelopes to go mail the next day.  This class will be the one to gather goodies for college and military boxes to be sent, along with other activities.
 
Thank you, Diana, for all your inspiration and encouragement.

Take a listen to this radio interview about Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry on CDR radio, by Chad Bresson.

There’s a fabulous book review on Amazon.com about the book, too!  You can link to it or read it pasted below:

Most Helpful Customer Reviews (on Amazon)

Among the BEST Resource of Its Kind - Inspirational, Purposeful, Impactful, September 4, 2008 By  L. MCDERMEIT (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews    I recently purchased several (>5) books on getting a women’s ministry started or going again… and of all the books I purchased, THIS ONE is the one that provided me with the most inspiration and ideas. It truly contains “fresh ideas” and “creative plans”! Using this book as my guide, I put together a five-month plan to radically upgrade our church’s women’s ministry, and presented that plan to our pastor. We’ve been a small congregation that started growing rapidly, so we need to take our current women’s ministry to the next level and grow with our congregation — their needs and our church’s ministry needs. I’m in the process of implementing that plan with our pastor and the church staff — all of whom were impressed with the concise, thorough plan. I told them that this book provided the inspiration, ideas, and templates. As I read through the book, so much of it resonated with me — so many of the ideas and tips gave voice and validation to my own hopes and plans for reviving our women’s ministry. The easy-to-follow examples and templates for surveys, leadership position descriptions/duties, classes, ministry opportunities, and more helped me to quickly put it all together. Throughout the book, the author emphasizes that women’s ministries need to be more than social clubs. To truly be a WOMEN’S MINISTRY, it needs to be about ME, US (church and community), and HIM. A well-balanced women’s ministry more than meets each woman’s need for fellowship, it helps to cement life-long friendships, diversity, teamwork, and most of all, purpose — taking our rightful place as the body of Christ to minister to one another, to our community, and to our world. And it’s not as difficult as it sounds! The author has laid out sound biblical principles, spiritual advice (pray! get your pastor’s buy-in immediately), and ideas on how to apply these ideas and plans to every church, whether building a new ministry or reviving an existing one — for any size church!

What a fun weekend! I got to participate in Ohio’s state Baptist women’s retreat, leading a breakout class about Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry book. They had a huge crowd of joyful ladies, and the setting was gorgeous.

And I had the privilege of sharing at the annual Ladies Day at Eastern Heights Baptist Church in Jeffersonville IN. You wouldn’t believe what a lovely event they planned.

Over the weekend, though, several different women shared their own personal story of salvation with me.  One lady from another country told how, at an extremely troubled point in her life as an atheist,  she knelt and prayed for God to find her! Then, she said, “I met David Jeremiah!” She didn’t actually meet him; she found him on the radio, and proceeded to devour his teachings, prayed to receive Christ while sitting in her living room, and discovered that she needed to find a local church for discipleship and service. “So here I am!” she said.  An active, faithful member of the church, she continues to grow in her love for Christ.

They had a lovely setup for a book signing in Ohio, with sofas by a fireplace, and an opportunity to sit and visit with ladies who came.  Three different ladies told me about how they found Christ as their Savior. Three more amazing stories of a great God providing an eternal plan for an individual person. 

As I reflected on the weekend, many blessings could be listed, but the greatest one was hearing the life-changing story of how women found God’s salvation.

And after all that, Steve and I got to spend Sunday with our wonderful son in Ohio on his birthday. What a blessed weekend!

Here’s another email I received from a Women’s Ministry Leader:

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“I have been reading your book “Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry” with great interest and I might even say relief.

You have so many great ideas. The Elders at my church asked me to officially take on the Women’s ministry at my small church. I have at times felt like I am totally out of my league and alone on this crazy path! Last year at one point I was in tears with my Minister’s wife not know what to do next…

and this summer I saw your book, Fresh Ideas for Women’s Ministry, in a book club flier and now I feel like I have a tool to give me some direction.Your book gives me a lot of excitement for possible events to try with our little group.

I don’t want our Ladies group to be a social club, or a craft group. I have been searching for ways to serve God in the community, and here your book has several ideas that maybe our small bunch can try this year.

My question is, you have a great name Light, or Night Light, and I was wondering is there any restrictions to using that name if we decide to? We are getting a bit tired of calling it “Ladies Group” every month! I think the name captures what I have been feeling for a long time, that a simple Women’s group can touch the community by being lights in the valley. (My answer to her question, of course, is “yes, go for it!”)

This month we are doing a tiny kickoff to explain about a Bible study our Pastor’s wife is leading, and our knitting group, and then I am going to hand out a survey to find out what ladies are interested in.  We are going to be a part of Samaratin’s Purse program, so I will send the ladies home with a shopping list and then in October we’ll gather to pack the shoe boxes. 

So you have given me a bump in the direction I was struggling to go!
Thank you for you encouraging book.  I am sure it was no accident that it appeared just when I was struggling!”

Go LIGHT your world, friend!

If you’ve never had the privilege of spending a couple of days at one of our six Southern Baptist Seminaries, you’ve missed a blessing!  God is working in a miraculous way in the lives of young men and women who are preparing for ministry at those campuses. 

Last year, my husband, Steve, spoke in chapel at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (Fort Worth; his alma mater), at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (Louisville) and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Wake Forest NC). As we traveled to each of them, I marvelled at the uniqueness of each one, and the quality and commitment of their faculty and students. 

We’ve also had the privilege of visiting at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (New Orleans) and Golden Gate Theological Seminary (San Francisco) in the past.

The only SBC seminary we’d never seen–until last week–was Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City MO.  The MBTS campus is beautifully situated on a hill overlooking Kansas City, and the students and faculty on that campus are amazing. It is obvious that God is at work there, and the atmosphere is charged with an enthusiasm about sharing Jesus. The school had invited several state executive directors for informational meetings about the school, and Steve was invited to share a word about Indiana Baptists during their chapel service. President Dr. Philip Roberts and his wife, Anya, were wonderful hosts and we enjoyed hearing their heart for preparing future Christian leaders.

If you’ve been following the path of Hurricane Gustav, you may know that New Orleans seminary was evacuated. Their preparation for such an event is extraordinary, however, and seminary classes continue via Internet until students return later this week.  God’s work must go on!  An email from Dr. Rhonda Kelley, President’s wife, says “Thank you very much for your prayers. We feel them. God has been faithful to protect us.” Check their website for updates, and keep on praying for NOBTS.

Our Cooperative Program dollars are well-invested in these six academic training institutions dedicated to teaching future ministers.

I also had the privilege of visiting the campus of the Cuba Baptist Seminary in Cuba this spring, where training has exploded off the campus. We heard personal testimonies of men who spent many years of their lives in prison because they were seminary students. I was on Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary’s campus last month to take a graduate class, and observed a beautiful campus with an enormous commitment to God. Steve and I were at Kiev Theological Seminary last year and were enthralled with our IMB missionaries teaching church planting to Ukrainian pastors. God is raising up many committed young people to vocational Christian ministry across our globe, and He is using seminaries across our world to train and inspire them for service to God.

Pray for our seminary leaders and students! Encourage them. I’ve pasted a chapter of ways to encourage seminarians from my book, Fresh Ideas-1000 Ways to Grow a Thriving and Energetic Church. (pasted below)

RECENT PUBLISHED ARTICLES:

“Fresh Ideas” articles were published this week in the Illinois Baptist and The Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Witness.

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SEMINARY STUDENTS

“I chose you before I formed you in the womb; I set you apart before you were born. I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

God’s called them. We’ll encourage them. Need fresh ideas to lift up seminary students from your church?

Recognize Them

Encourage the church to faithfully pray for church members who are called to fulltime ministry by occasionally printing a list of seminary (more…)

It’s always an exciting day when Rick Warren uses a “Fresh Ideas” article on his website.  Don’t miss the current newsletter on Rick Warren’s website, Ministers Toolbox–they’ve used one of my articles. What a joy! 

Ministry Toolbox offers bimonthly newsletter of wisdom and tips to encourage ministers. The website subscription is free.  

We’re in Iowa for another day. Steve’s meeting with North Central States leadership and I’m going with friends to ride a water taxi on the Mississippi River tomorrow. What’s a water taxi????