EXPANSION has occurred….want to know more? Be at the Godly Gals Mentoring Ministry’s MEET & GREET FELLOWSHIP on Thursday, July 21st, 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Come and find out the vision and goals of this ministry. You would not be getting this invite if the ministry was not something that would be beneficial to you. If you are serious about maturing in your God given purpose, GODLY GALS IS FOR YOU! This is NOT the regular meeting night, so if the date conflict with your schedule but you are still interested in the ministry, just let me know. Hope to see you there. REFRESHMENTS WILL BE SERVED. Directions are at the end of this email.
So that I may prepare for you (materials and food), if you haven't already, please RSVP by Monday, July 18th for the July 21st fellowship.
Here’s a sneek peek of what the Godly Gals is all about, but I encourage you to come out to get ALL the info…..
Godly Gals (Growing Anointed Lady Servants) is designed to provide mentoring to women for the work of ministry. We seek to help women to reach her God-given potential through Biblical teaching, training, real talk discussions, support, accountability, and fellowship. Godly GALS seeks to encourage, empower, enlighten and equip women who are serious about building the Kingdom of God.
Godly Gals will help you with your personal discovery & development of God’s purpose for you. You will learn how to execute and deliver your God given assignments in more effective and impactful ways. Godly Gals are afforded opportunities for gift development.
Congratulations to The former Franchesca James who entered into marital bliss on Saturday, July 9th. In spite of 100 degree temperatures, the outdoor wedding was beautiful and Franchesca was certainly a lovely glowing bride. Be in prayer for this new era our sisters life. Introducing Mrs. Jamel Starks..........
Sonya & Roline volunteered to serve with The Impact Zone (TIZ) Ministry for their first ever "FREEDOM FEAST." Partnering with the Salvation Army, TIZ served grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, Roline's baked beans, chips, and punch to the homeless. So many people came through the doors looking for a meal. We had a blast!
Leaders have used the word visitation when describing an encounter with God’s presence, whether it was on a corporate basis, or an individual basis. The Lord desire is not a VISITATION; rather, He seeks a HABITATION.
An important ingredient to ministering...allow yourself to be ministered by the Word, songs, testimonies you bring forth. What you share is not only for "their" deliverance, but also for "your" deliverance.
Quote of the Day: "Haters are INTIMIDATED by your ANOINTING. If you have NO HATERS, you have NO ANOITNING. Don't hate your haters---they keep you in close contact with the Lord! ~Roline Thomas
In the church there are those who act as if a minister, teacher, or leader in the church should have more Bible knowledge than Jesus. The leader should pray a certain way, look a certain way, talk a certain way, and/or dress a certain way. The "know what you should be doing" person has a plan for your role in the church. You should sing, you should play the piano, you should work with the kids, you should wear a hat! When did God leave the Throne and give these people the authority to tell you what to do?! Expectations of church members are often too high for ministers, preacher’s wives, evangelist, etc. Actually they are usually UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.
For a few years I stopped attending the midweek Bible Study. I also did not show up for EVERY program, meeting or event at the church. {GASP} My children's homework and "at home time" was more important. Since dad is required to be at church, I stayed behind with the kids. I KNOW my kids benefited greatly from my move. However, I had to listen to the "sly remarks" from several members about my absence. UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.
We are to please God and God alone. Since God doesn’t place unrealistic expectations on you, why try to meet another’s? Besides, as much as you try to do what others expect for you to do, they'll still render their grievances and complaints. Ministry workers who fall into the trap of allowing others to determine your ministry-that is what you are to do in the church-do not know their God given purpose. You must not allow outside people to influence you. No one has the authority to tell you your purpose. You must seek God for direction in ministry, otherwise you will find yourself trying to meet UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS.
Creating Balance Between Home and Ministry: "A women's primary role is to her home. The home is a great task alone. However, many women today are called to the ministry. Whether it is teaching, preaching, ministering music, etc., many women are called to areas within the ministry that requires much preparation. There is an old saying, "There aren't enough hours in a day!" God knew what he was doing when he gave man 24 hours per day and created our bodies to rest at least 8 hours of that day. That means we have 16 hours of wake hours. If you daily feel overwhelmed, not rested, and stressed by all the assignments you have taken on, then perhaps you are doing more than what God has intended for you to do..." To read more click on this article's title above.
I know, I know, the Bible says. “There is nothing new under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9). But that doesn’t mean we are to be copycats, plagiarist, or plain old lazy in our preparation to minister the gospel.
Internet sermons can be useful tools in our preparation. They can inspire, offer illustrations, and enlighten. But they should not replace our first and foremost Source, the Holy Spirit. When preparing sermons, never, never, never research internet sermons first. Get into the habit of NOT DEPENDING or NEEDING them. You will stunt your development as a preacher if you choose to preach sermons prepared by others.
One problem I’ve witnessed is that of preachers allowing research assistants to prepare their sermons instead of just researching the scripture, big idea, or theme. Some of us sitting in the congregation are studious and not stupid. We know you didn’t prepare your sermon. As a matter of fact, we can pretty much figure out which of your sermon writers prepared the message! And here’s a tip to you who choose to continue in this venue—your sermon writers can’t hold water! In other words they will tell someone, who will tell another, who will tell another the truth about your “preparation time.”
The problem of preachers relying on sermons from the internet is growing in the church. I was in a small church setting and heard a guy preaching a message that just didn’t match his personality. I jotted down a few quotes from his message, googled, and WAH-LA—there it was in its entirety on the internet. I was in a larger church setting, and the same happened---same title, same introduction, same body---could this be a coincidence? I think not!
Here me out, I know sometimes you can get into a bind. But don’t fall into the trap of taking shortcuts in your preparation. Internet sermons are shortcuts. They can be a help—especially when seeking out illustrations. HOWEVER, internet sermons are NOT to be the only tool of research.
Recently Beyonce performed on the Billboard awards. I did not see the show, but I saw a clip of her performance that had been posted on Facebook by a friend. Beyonce had been accused of copying the routine of another artist. For proof, the video showed the performances by both artists side by side simultaneously. I must admit, I was shocked by the similarities. Also, I was a little disappointed that the choreographer of Beyonce’s routine could have possibly been a copycat. Beyoncé's team admitted the routine was initially inspired by a similar performance by Italian singer Lorella Cuccarini. Once I viewed Beyonce’s video and the original video, I began thinking that someone has misrepresented themselves. A copycat, internet sermon preacher is misrepresenting the call God placed on you.
My husband has been getting on me about ordering business cards for our ministry. After speaking recently at an event I finally understood why I needed business cards. It seems like every time I speak, someone invites me to speak at their event and/or asks for a business card. Whomever assists me would scramble in search for a piece of paper to scribble the number onto. HOW UNPROFESSIONAL!!! I can't believe I waited this long to get a card.
It was really easy ordering the cards. I went to Office Depot's website and was able to design a card and place an order. I paid about $25 for 200 business cards. It took 3 business days for me to receive them. Whether a Senior Pastor or associate minister, every person in ministry should have business cards. It's more professional to issue a card, than to scribble on a piece of paper. The recipient is more likely to keep and locate your business card verses a torn paper.
Here's my card with the phone numbers scratched out in a very unprofessional manner (LOL!):
That last post was a mess. i don't know what happened to it, but some how the formatting was disoriented. here's a re-post
By Roline Thomas
12/22/10
What God has for me it is for me? Let a good preacher tune up and whoop out that phrase. Watch what happens. Observe the people shouting, running, jumping, naming and claiming. In the moment, it sounds good and feels good. The listener receives and believes the declaration. Yet, FOR SOME who are not being used in ministry, who begin to wonder when will he or she have a chance to operate in the call, “what God has for me is for me” is not very comforting. Sometimes, the slogan has been far removed from their memory bank.
Ever had these thoughts:
When will I be licensed? When will I get an opportunity to preach? I feel an overwhelming sense of unfairness when others are used often, I am not given a chance. There are some in leadership who are holding me back from what God has called me to do because they don’t like me and/or show favoritism to others.
If you ever had these thoughts what happens to “what God has for me it is for me?” Do you really believe because you don’t get opportunity that other people have hindered your call? Stop blaming others for your lack of progress. Talk to God. But beware, he’ll give you an answer, perhaps one that you weren’t expecting.
With God all things are possible. He is able to bring you to, get you through and finish whatever work be has begun in you. So why are you in this stagnant place? Why haven’t you been licensed? Why don’t you get opportunities to preach? I don’t know, but what I do advise is this “DON’T BE DISCOURAGED.” Why? Because all things are working for the good of those who 1) LOVE GOD and 2) are called according to HIS PURPOSE. Here are a few things to ponder:
Do I really live like I love God. Maybe, God can’t trust me with opportunity because I haven’t placed Him first. How’s my devotion to God?
Am I walking in His purpose? If God called you to preach he has an audience for you. Are you really called to preach? What makes you sure?
Am I ready? Preaching isn’t easy. Do you really think you can deliver a sound message in such a way that people will be transformed by the love of God. Maybe you are in a “gift development” season. Use this time to learn how to study and prepare.
Am I serving? Ministering is so much more than preaching. Many called preachers make the mistake of seeking opportunity to preach while missing opportunities to serve.
One final thought. My husband has often asked this question in minister’s training class. If you were driving in the wrong direction, how long would you continue before turning around. If you are going in the right direction, keep moving forward. But if you discover you were not called to preach, turn around before you hurt yourself or someone else.
