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11-19-06 -- Missions and Mentoring
On the Road Again
In keeping with the teaching in Titus, many churches encourage mentoring relationships between older and younger women. New Hope Christian Church (Everett, Washington) also incorporates these instructions into its philosophy of women’s ministry, and in the process creates opportunities for missions as well as mentoring.
"Part of our strategy is connecting women of different generations," says Beth Ladd, women’s ministry director at New Hope. "But we also want each woman to consider her own ‘spiritual profile.’ We challenge women to stretch themselves and become more spiritually rounded. For many ladies this includes participating in short-term mission trips."
When the hurricanes hit New Orleans in 2005, Ladd combined both areas of focus by coordinating a weeklong, women-only trip to the Crescent City. Eight women, ages 25 to 75, drove to New Orleans to restore the facilities and programming of an after-school initiative in the inner city. Each woman raised $200 for the trip, and several took a week off work to participate.
"It’s a three-day drive each way," says Ladd. "I remind the ladies that the journey is part of the gift."
This year’s group, which leaves at 3:00 am the day after Thanksgiving, will include businesswomen, a former FEMA worker, and a 75-year-old retired nurse who Ladd says "worked circles around the rest of us last year!"
"This one experience provides women with a chance to reach out, bond across age differences, and become more mission-focused," she says. "You couldn’t ask for a more fun time."
www.nhcc.org
Adoption Support
National Adoption Day occurs each year on the Saturday before Thanksgiving—a fitting time for the millions of families grateful for their adopted children. More than 100 of those families participate in the "Born in Our Hearts" ministry at RiverTree Christian Church (Massillon, Ohio).
The program began five years ago when several couples in various stages of the adoption process met informally to share stories and prayers. When one of the families brought home a new child, group members gathered at the airport to welcome them home, prepared meals for the tired new parents, and celebrated the successful adoption.
Group members still enjoy the airport welcomes, but the ministry also includes several annual events. Easter egg hunts and an autumn party include children, who have fun together and develop friendships with other adopted children.
The group also schedules adults-only sessions to hear guest speakers and plans a just-for-parents "luau" each summer.
"The adults need a time to connect, ask questions, and support each other," says Susan McClain, who leads the ministry. "We intentionally make time for that as well as the fun family activities."
Most of the participating families attend RiverTree, but church membership is not required and Born in Our Hearts is open to the community. A monthly newsletter provides updates, prayer requests, and celebrations.
"Adoption can include so much heartache—birth mothers backing out, countries closing," says McClain. "But God is always faithful to provide joy. It’s an exciting, and exhausting, ministry."
www.rivertreechristian.com
Family Communion
This year Tomoka Christian Church (Ormond Beach, Florida) experienced a "great problem"—although its children’s church for first- through fifth-graders grew in attendance, the Communion time began posing a challenge.
"We tried to focus the kids and make it meaningful, but we needed to change methods," says Carrie Graham, children’s pastor.
To help children appreciate the significance of Communion and benefit more from the experience, Graham created a Family Communion Room. The church encourages parents to visit the room with their children, lead in prayer or reflection, and take Communion together. In addition to wafers and juice, the room’s seating areas include written Scriptures and prayers to help parents get started. Subdued lighting and soft music add to the room’s appeal.
Tomoka opens the room during each of its five weekend services, but reminds parents that this special family time is in addition to weekly worship, not a substitute for attending services. "Each family chooses when and how to take Communion during the weekend," says Graham. "This is just an opportunity to help parents provide spiritual leadership and to help children grow in faith."
www.tomokacc.org
Jennifer Taylor, one of CHRISTIAN STANDARD's contributing editors, lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
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