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#351, sent to over 22,000 wm leaders & friends
Greetings!
Counseling women is one of the most challenging and
rewarding things that a Women's Ministry leader can do. This
week we explore the issue of counseling women with
our WM 101 series, a ministry idea and a top ten list of
books on counseling.
Throughout the issue, all of our tips and resources are
geared to providing you with help in counseling the women
you meet in ministry.
We hope that you enjoy the issue and please don't forget to
visit our wonderful sponsors -- they allow this eNewsletter
to come to you free of charge!
One more thing.
Would you consider copying the information below, pasting it
in an email and sending it to your email list? We need
prayer warriors.
Look for Christian author and speaker Jennifer Rothschild on
the Dr. Phil Show, Wednesday, February 28, and the Billy
Graham TV Special, March 3- 11. Find previews and local
listings at
www.jenniferr othschild.com
I'm asking thousands to pray for the millions
watching the Dr. Phil Show. Specifically, pray the words I
share on the Dr. Phil Show will be a sweet "fragrance" of
the love of God to those watching, and as a result, hundreds
of thousands will be curious enough to tune in to the Billy
Graham Television Special just days later - where they can
drink from a deep well of Living Water presented through
Patsy Clairmont, Dr. Graham, myself, and others. Only God
could have orchestrated the timing of these events. We are
asking God to do great things in the lives of viewers.
After the Dr. Phil Show, Write Dr. Phil
Would you like to see more "faith matters" discussed on the
Dr. Phil Show. After the show airs on Wednesday,
click this link to send your encouraging comments to the
producers of the show.
Let me say up front, that I am not a certified
counselor. I love to read and have devoured many books
on this subject, but the bulk of my experience comes
from my years in ministry and what the Lord has taught
me. I want to share with you some simple tips that I
have learned about counseling women.
1. Listen - The main purpose of a counselor is
to give someone a sounding board, a listening ear.
2. Pray, pray, pray - For me, it is really
important to know that I am in a place personally where
I can hear God lead and know that I am not letting my
thoughts and emotions get in the way. I honestly believe
that if we seek the Lord with our whole heart, immerse
ourselves in His Word and spend time communicating with
Him in prayer, that we will be in a "spirit of prayer"
in our day to day life. Ready to hear Him and respond as
He leads. When listening to someone vent about a
difficult life situation, I must be able to set aside
Robyne and let God direct my responses.
3. Ask questions - Seek to have the one you
are speaking to define why they are feeling what they
feel. If they say they are angry with their husband ask
them "why are you angry?" or "what happened that made
you angry?' Direct the discussion to find the reasoning
behind what they are feeling.
4. Don't give advice - Never tell them what
you would do in their situation.
5. Use scripture - Take them to the Word. Let
them know that whatever they are walking through,
whether they are a victim or the antagonist, or whatever
they are in the middle of, God has a purpose for
allowing it and He wants them to turn to Him.
6. Set specific guidelines - Agree to meet
with them for a specific time period. Typically I set up
a 1 hour appointment in my office the first time. Once
we have talked, I then determine if we will meet again
or if I will refer them to a Christian counselor. I
usually always meet with women in my office for 30-60
minutes. If we cannot make progress in 3-4 meetings, I
refer them to a counselor.
7. Be willing to lovingly confront them - If they
are obviously in the middle of sin, take them to the
Word. Show them what God has to say about their
situation. Sometimes they will be heartbroken and ready
to repent, but other times, they are not ready to admit
they are wrong. If they are unwilling to do what God
says is right, nothing you say or do, will convince them
to turn from their sin. It is between them and the Lord.
Again, if after a few meetings, if they have not moved
any closer to seeking the Lord, I would refer them to a
counselor.
8. Be pro-active - Be willing to help, if needed.
This might mean organizing women to help take meals,
clean house, or drive someone to and from doctor or
counselor visits.
9. Get them involved - Find a small group or
Bible study that will be a good fit and strongly urge
them to join. Or if they are looking for a place to
serve, see where there is a need in your church and help
them to get plugged in.
10. Follow-up - About a month after your last
meeting with someone, check in with them and see how
they are doing.
Counseling women is one of the greatest challenges
and greatest joys of ministry. There is nothing more
exciting than seeing a woman seek the Lord with her
whole heart and find out that He can meet every need in
her life.
Another one of our favorite ideas from a previous
issue.
Ministry Program Idea: Intensive Intentions from
Issue # 105 Thursday, February 7, 2002
Purpose: To share the gospel through counseling
and prayer.
Description: Begin by contacting locals hospitals
to see if they would be willing to call your group
whenever there is a family waiting in the intensive care
unit. You can then visit the family and offer prayer,
counseling, or support. You can also simply deliver
baskets of fruit, snacks, or reading material just to
let them know that someone cares.
This same idea can be used with any type of medical
situation, such as single mothers who just gave birth or
families and friends in the emergency room during a
trauma.
You will need to have a leader and a good group of
volunteers who are mature believers with discerning
hearts. Incorporate new believers by pairing them with
an older believer.
Keys to success:
-Appoint a leader who has the vision
-Pray for your leader(s) and the ministry
-Help your leader recruit workers, and try to recruit
people who are available at different times of the day
Submitted by: Leah R. Ross
Church: First Baptist Church, Maryville, IL
Church Size: 1000-1500
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Watch clips from a conference at bridgettaylor.com,
then book I CHOOSE JOY! for your 2007-2008 women's
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of your church.
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information.
By the way... we have a new online store and
have lots of great recommendations for all areas of
Women's Ministry! Take a couple of minutes and browse
through some of our favorite books and resources.
Java with Jennifer is an informal monthly
ministry update specifically for friends who want to
keep up-to-date on what is happening with Jennifer
Rothschild's ministry of writing, speaking, and singing.
Obviously, because you are receiving this eNewsletter,
you are signed up for the Jennifer's "weekly"
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to get up close, and personal with Jennifer, just click
on the Update Profile link at the bottom of this
email, and select the Java with Jennifer interest
group when asked to update your profile.
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Our very own Jennifer Rothschild appears on the
Dr. Phil Show today (Wednesday, February 28).
Click the photo above and you'll see a slide show of
today's show.
Check local listings here.
The world around us seems to be moving faster than ever,
and stories of heartache greet us every morning in the
news headlines. Disease, anxiety, and abuse abound. Can
we find freedom during lifes storms? Is hope attainable?
Find the answer on the next Billy Graham Television
Special, airing across the United States and Canada
March 3-11, 2007.
In this program, Patsy Clairmont shares her
battle with anxiety, and the debilitating fear that came
with it. Larry San Pedro discusses the terrible
physical abuse he suffered at the hands of his own
father. Jennifer Rothschild tells of how a
disease robbed her of her sight and left her completely
blind. Most importantly, they each tell of how their
faith in Jesus Christ lifted them out of their
circumstances and into a new found peace.
Also featured in the program are live performances by
the Newsboys, Rebecca St. James and Casting Crowns, as
well as a challenging sermon from Franklin Graham.
