More than 60 Women’s Ministry leaders from churches all around Arkansas recently gathered at the Arkansas Baptist State Convention for a one-day interactive workshop entitled “Thrive Collective: Growing Together as Women’s Ministry Leaders.”
The day was designed for women who lead to come together and find encouragement, practical tools and connection with other leaders as they serve the women in their local church.
In keeping with the Arkansas Baptists Women theme for the year of “Growing Together,” the sessions were designed to provide rich teaching content, real life leadership stories from Arkansas women and discussion time around the table for the women to share and learn together.
Shaping discipleship ministry
Lori McDaniel from Grace Point Church in Bentonville led the first session, “Creating Ministry Environments for Women to Thrive.” This session focused on how to help shape discipleship ministry that results in deep and lasting spiritual fruit in the lives of women.
McDaniel shared how “every day with Jesus is a discipleship lab where we are invited to learn and to unlearn rhythms in our own heart.”
McDaniel taught from John 4, where Jesus encountered the Samaritan Woman as he traveled through Samaria, which was not the typical path for that day. She said Jesus kept the end in mind and encouraged the women to “keep the end in mind” and ask, “what is the aim” in ministry?”
“Who is it your women’s ministry is reaching, and who are they discipling?” she asked.
McDaniel was then joined by Traci Smith, from Central Baptist Church in Jonesboro. Smith serves on the Women’s Ministry Network Team as a network leader for the northeast area of Arkansas. Smith shared her story of how God changed her mindset toward how she approached discipling ministry.
The next session, “Creating Pathways for Young Leaders to Thrive” was led by Shari Edwards, who serves as the network coordinator for Arkansas Baptists Women. In this session, women were challenged to consider what it means for women who lead in various capacities in the church to cultivate next generation leaders.
Practical ways to connect
She provided practical ways for older leaders and younger leaders to connect.
“Older leaders can be proactive about intentionally providing opportunities for younger leaders to shadow or apprentice and serve alongside them in ministry,” she said. “Younger leaders can seek out older women who are leading and ask to meet with them and get to know their leadership journey.”
Emily Watson joined Edwards for a conversation about her journey as a younger leader. Watson serves as director of connections and community ministry at Eastside Baptist in Fort Smith. She is also on the Women’s Ministry Network Team as a network leader for the Fort Smith area.
Watson shared insights about her journey as a young leader and some practical ways the women in her church have come together as different generations.
Intentional questions
Each session was followed by intentional questions for the women to work through together around their table. The women were encouraged to write down questions they would like to be answered during the last session of the day, which was a question and answer panel featuring the Women’s Ministry Network Team.
Edwards, who serves as the Network Coordinator for Arkansas Baptists Women, encourages women who serve in their local church to get connected to the Network group in their area.
To learn more, go absc.org/women.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was edited for style, length and brevity, and it was written by Shari Edwards and originally published by Arkansas Baptist News.
