Rejection?

I am feeling a little rejected in my ministry today – but don’t feel sorry for me! It means that through me the Spirit of God is under fire because of the awesome things God has in store for His people.

Also – wasn’t Jesus Himself rejected in His home town?

Nb. These things help but it still sucks a little!

Tasmanian Women's Bible Conference

The Tasmanian Women’s Bible conference exists as a ‘day conference for women whose desire is to have their minds, hearts and lives shaped by the Bible.’

It began in 2005 and for two years it was a ‘night-away’ experience, with women all over the state attending. In 2007 the format changed to a day conference – one in Launceston and one in Hobart.

It is a day set aside for preaching and teaching of God’s word in order for the women in the area of Southern Tasmania to learn more about God and grow in their faith.

The women who attend, belong to different local churches from the South of the state, it is an inter-denominational organization.

This year it will be held on Saturday 28th March at Hope Christian Centre, Tasma Street, North Hobart.
The main speaker is Louisa Pfitzner from Sydney, it is great to have an interstate speaker, to remind us that we are not on our own in Tasmania, that there is a wider ministry in Australia that we are part of. She will speak to us from 1 Peter on the subject of 'Knowing God'

The day will begin at 9am, we will have both main talks in the morning (with a morning tea break inbetween) After lunch (again women can take advantage of cafes and such or take their own) there will two elective time slots. The theme for the day is ‘Knowing God’ and the practical electives ( all run by local women in this area) relate to this:

The sovereignty God (Jo Kelder)
The trinity (Alison Sayer)
Guidance (Ruth Jones)
A holy God – sin (Roxanne Maher)
The existence of God (Anne-Petra Green)
Spiritual warfare (Christina Flinn).

I have a great passion for this conference and hope that you might consider coming along this year. If you have any questions - post them! Or you can email us on twbcsouth@hotmail.com.

We look forward to hearing from you

Welcome to the Women's Ministry blog

Hi there and welcome. This blog was created for the team of women that oversee Women's ministry in the Kingborough Reformed Churches. It is also a great way for you to have your say on anything that is posted, to contribute ideas and thoughts. Most of us have never done this before but we look forward to sharing with you and in turn you sharing with us.

My name is Belinda Straatsma and I coordinate the ministry team. It is an awesome joy and privilege and I am thankful to our God for the opportunities that He gives me through this role. I also thank Him that it is with His strength that I can do anything at all!

So this blog will contain things specific for Women's ministry, ministry in general and occasionally a little window into my world! Enjoy.

Some thoughts on Women's Ministry...

Women's Ministry is the sort of thing that could conjure up in your mind all sort of images: women sipping lattes whilst discussing home renovations, trying to keep some order as hundreds of toddlers turn up to play group for the first time, or attempting to discuss the subject of sexual purity with a recently engaged young woman! Does the idea of women's ministry frighten you?? It does when I think of these possible scenarios!

Beyond the jokes, I think women's ministry is so much more and so much less. By so much more, I mean that we could simplify it to a few basic ministries like coffee time together, but its so much larger and broader than that. Its about meeting women's needs in all walks of life, whether Christians or non-Christian. It's about getting alongside those younger women who need encouragement and teaching, its about inviting the woman you just met at the gym over for dinner, its about connecting with women in the community by finding out the needs out there, its about sharing Jesus over coffee by being intentional in the everyday things we do with other women, and its about setting up ways in which other women can serve each other and share Jesus.

On the other hand, its so much simpler than it seems. In the end its about grace. The grace that extends from Jesus to all women, the grace that we rely on everyday to manage our own responsibilities at home/work, the grace that covers every wrong turn and stuff up I have and will make, and the grace to make a small difference in the lives of women both within the church and in the world we are trying to reach. I rest in this grace everyday cause otherwise I would break!

This quote is something I often read to encourage me and keep me going in ministry:

Hudson Taylor, missionary to China wrote:

"Who spoke of rest? There is rest above.

No rest on earth for me. On onto do

My Father's business. He, who sent me here,

Appointed me my time on earth to dwell,

And set me all my work for Him,

He will supply me with sufficient grace -

Grace to be doing, grace to be suffering,

Not to be resting. There is rest above.