Carrie Sandom is the Director of Women’s Ministry at The Proclamation Trust. I asked her a few questions about Women’s Ministry.

Here is part 2 of our 4 part series, Wednesday is for Women’s Ministry.

Why should the church invest in Women’s Ministry?

They should invest in women’s ministry because un-taught and un-discipled women malign God’s Word (Titus 2:5). Paul is clear that while Titus and the teaching elders in Crete have an important role in teaching sound doctrine and refuting error, the younger women need to be taught and trained by godly older women as well. It’s not that they are needed to teach different things but they can model what it means to be a godly woman in ways the male teaching elders can’t. Teaching and training, mentoring and modelling are important aspects of effective discipleship – and men and women are needed to do them. We’re teaching the same things but sometimes they need to be modelled in different ways.

When should a church employ a Women’s Worker?

Whenever the resources are available to do so – although it doesn’t need to be a full time role in the first instance. One minister used to say that he would always employ a women’s worker before a youth or children’s worker because the investment made with the women would bear longer-term fruit – and impact the youth and children’s ministries as a result. It’s the parents who have the main responsibility for teaching their children so setting up discipleship programmes with them is the priority. Teach a mum how to study the Bible and she will teach it to her children – and demonstrate good parenting priorities as well.

What can a church do to enhance Women’s Ministry even if they do not have capacity to bring someone onto the staff team for this particular role?

Encourage women in their church to start women’s ministry – either by studying the Bible one to one or in small groups. Many churches have these already. If I was starting from scratch I would look for the women who are already serving in some way – either in the Sunday school or the youth group and so some sessions on leading better Bible studies or how to read the Bible one to one with someone. That said, the best way for women to learn is to experience a one to one or a good group study – so that may mean doing it with them for a term or two before letting them have a go with others.

What steps could be taken in a church where Women’s Ministry is stuck in a rut running studies about women in the Bible?

Hmm – I’ve come across ministries like this in other countries but hopefully we’ve moved on from this in the UK! Women’s ministry is not about being a woman! It’s about teaching the Bible to women and they need to hear the whole counsel of God. In our women’s Bible studies at St John’s we study a variety if different Biblical genres and seek to apply them in appropriate ways given the roles we have as women in the work place, in the home in our evangelism and so forth.

 

The Proclamation Trust has an urgent need for a receptionist to come and work in our busy central London office on Borough High Street, you will be the first point of contact for most enquiries – this is an exciting opportunity to join our team.

If you know anyone who could help us please pass on the details below.

The post is available immediately. For full details please visit, www.proctrust.org.uk/receptionist

The post is a maternity cover contract offered for a fixed term of 6 months.

It is a genuine occupational requirement that the office holder be in sympathy with the aims and beliefs of The Proclamation Trust.

The salary is £26,500.

Please send a CV and covering letter to pt@proctrust.org.uk ASAP.

Carrie Sandom is the Director of Women’s Ministry at The Proclamation Trust. I asked her a few questions about Women’s Ministry.

Here is part 1 of our 4 part series, Wednesday is for Women’s Ministry.

What is Women’s Ministry?

We’re aiming at the same things as men’s ministry – namely to proclaim Christ so women come to accept Him as Saviour and Lord and then to grow in their faith so they become spiritual mature. The Bible needs to be at the centre of all this – so women’s ministry is Word-filled ministry and not topic based! We want God’s Word to set the agenda and not bring our agenda to God’s Word.

What was your journey into women’s ministry?

I was converted as a teenager through the ministry of a good Bible teaching church, I went to uni and then trained as a Maths teacher. I was teaching in a secondary school in Cambridge, running the school CU and teaching 8-11s at my local church on a Sunday morning. The senior minister encouraged me to think about going to Bible College because he reckoned I enjoyed teaching the Bible as much as Algebra.

It took me 4 years to be persuaded that getting some theological training would be a good thing but I went to college thinking I would return to teaching afterwards. The Lord had other plans and I’ve been teaching women in local churches for the last 25 years. 

Give us a flavour of what your week looks like at St. John’s Tunbridge Wells in your Women’s Ministry role.

I meet with women’s Bible study group leaders for a prep session every week so we’ve all had a chance to look at the passage that we will be teaching our groups the following week. We’re currently studying the second half of Mark’s gospel. 

I’m also meeting up with a new Christian to read the Bible one to one and a non-Christian mum who did the  Life Explored course last term and wanted to carry on meeting. We usually have a couple of women’s events each term – one for “in-reach” to build up Christians and one for “out-reach” for them to bring their non-Christian friends to, so I’m also preparing an evangelistic talk on the wide and narrow gates from Mathew 7 – after I’m hoping to run Christianity Explored with one of the mums so that she can run it with someone else next time. I’m also responsible for our senior members programme and enjoy meeting with them on Monday afternoons for some prayers, a Bible talk or testimony, with time to chat over tea and cake.

The Women in Ministry Conference run by PT has grown significantly over the last decade. Give us a flavour of what this conference looks like and seeks to do and how you would like to see it develop further in the coming years.

This conference is for any women who have a regular Bible teaching role – whether full time, part time or in their spare time, whether they are on the staff or not, or paid or not! The women who come are involved in a range of different ministries – women’s ministry, international ministry, student ministry, schools ministry, youth ministry, children’s ministry and ministry to the elderly. What we all have in common is a love for the Lord Jesus and a desire to teach the Bible faithfully.

Each year we look at a different Biblical genre and have expositions on that genre from a couple of experienced Bible teachers (usually one man and one woman), workshop groups where we all teach a short passage on that genre to each other and then get constructive feedback from each other and a choice of seminar streams. But outside of the main sessions there are loads of opportunities to talk and share and pray together.

The friendships I’ve developed with people who are in similar ministry contexts to me have been hugely important over the years and the conference provides a way of deepening those friendships as well as making new ones. It’s not all work however and we laugh a lot, particularly over meal times where we get to enjoy someone else’s cooking for a change and don’t even have to do the washing up!

The 2019 Women in Ministry Conference is 21st-24th January at Hothorpe Hall, near Market Harborough. The subject is Apocalyptic Literature and the main speakers are Nigel Styles and Andrea Trevenna.

 

This is the third in our Preachers Profile Series. This time we asked Melvin Tinker questions about his life and preaching ministry.

Melvin is the vicar of St. John, Newland in Hull. He has been the vicar there for 23 years. Melvin is married to Heather and they have three grow up sons and nine grandchildren. Melvin enjoys walking and films. Melvin has also authored a number of books.

We asked Melvin about life and ministry.

When did you preach your first sermon and how long have you been preaching?

When I was a student of 18 (44 years ago!!!) at an evangelistic event held by the CU.

What was your journey to preaching ministry?

Mainly while at university I was given opportunities to preach which began to create within me a desire to serve God in this way. After a short career in teaching, I went to train for the ordained ministry. I certainly would say that the work of PT in the 1980’s under Dick Lucas had a very significant effect in shaping my preaching (for the better I hope!).

Describe the congregation/setting you regularly preach to.

St Johns is a large multi-cultural congregation. It is made up of people from all ages, all walks of life, social groupings and different nationalities. It is the most mixed congregation I know. I minister in the most unchurched city in the UK (less than 0.7%).

What are you currently preaching on/through?

In the mornings a series on John’s Gospel; in the evenings The Apostle’s Creed- the beliefs dealt with expositionally by looking at a particular passage which deals with the article of faith.

What is your regular rhythm of sermon preparation, your usual process and how you schedule it in during the week?

I am usually thinking and praying ahead on the passage to be preached in a week or two’s time, mulling the passage over, thinking of relevant material. Then down to work usually Tuesday morning and using most mornings for preparation (that is when I work best). I will look at the passage and different translations; make notes regarding important features, maybe an outline will be developed as a go through the passage. I will then consult commentaries. Once the main substance of the sermon has been forged I will then note useful illustrations, references and how the text is to engage the congregation- always having a picture of the congregation in my mind as I prepare.

What is your drafting/editing process that you go through in finalising your sermon for Sunday?

Once the sermon has been drafted (I use full text) I then edit, mainly trying to cut it down to a manageable size, noting how to deliver different parts of the sermon, what effect I hope it will have on the hearers. I am keen to ensure that engagement/application takes place throughout the sermon. I give a fair amount of time in crafting a good introduction and conclusion.

What script/notes do you take into the pulpit? 

I use full script. This is crucial to ensure that everything that needs to be said is said, there is discipline in delivery (avoiding waffle and going off point)-but I ensure that I am very familiar with the sermon, it is preached, not read.

What is your routine before preaching on a Sunday?

If I am preaching in the morning then before breakfast I go through the sermon, making last minute alterations and spend time in prayer.

What feedback structures do you utilise in improving on your preaching?

There are no formal structures. My wife remains my best critic and friend. But I have other staff members who are willing to give feedback, and we occasionally carve out time to do this in staff meetings of the ministers.

What areas are you currently seeking to develop in your preaching?

Nothing in particular. I am continually challenged and inspired by the preaching of my colleagues – we hold each other to a high standard.

What do you do on the days your preaching did not go very well?

Reading  Spurgeon’s talk ‘The Preachers fainting fits’ is good – prayer, reflection and a determination to do better next time by God’s grace.

What one piece of advice would you pass on to someone starting out as a preacher?

Avoid trying to cover too much in one sermon; walk before you can run, work within your limits. Be yourself and don’t try to imitate others (but do emulate good preachers).

What are some of the best resources you have found on preaching?

Lloyd Jones ‘Preaching and Preachers’; Spurgeon’s ‘Lectures to my students’; Stott ‘I Believe in preaching’; Piper, ‘The Sovereignty of God in Preaching’.

This short new devotional book on the Psalms from Matt Searles is wonderfully honest, biblically potent and deeply pastoral.

It is not triumphalist superficiality to ‘propel’ you into your day, but 34 devotions rooted in reality where the full gambit of human experience is acknowledged. These devotions constantly nudge the reader to take a wider, longer view of present trials in light of the sovereign and faithful God revealed in his Word.

There is an accompanying album which ponders and portrays similar themes. The two together make for a very enriching devotional experience.

The real strength of the book is the pace at which Matt guides the reader gently through the verses in question. It is meticulous without being monotonous, incisive without being exhaustive. In an age where so much devotional material is about breadth, covering great chunks of material in as few sittings as possible, the relaxed and reflective style in Tumbling Sky is deeply refreshing to the soul.

There is also the advantage of each devotion having one resonant and overarching idea that sticks and reverberates throughout the day. These daily devotions are digestible, a couple of pages each (including the text) meaning that people in the depths of the experiences described are given every chance of benefiting from their counsel. There is also an incremental ascent in these devotions, almost imperceptible at the beginning but by devotion 34 you look back as on a mountain trek and marvel at how far you have come as you peer back to the valley below.

Particular highlights for me were the 4 devotions in Psalm 13 and the 3 devotions in Psalm 46. This book made me pause for thought and ruminate on the richness and realness of the language.

I would definitely recommend this book to someone who had grown a bit stale in their devotional life, it is a different kind of devotion to most, slow and saturated.It is also particularly pertinent to people in the midst of trials, struggles, doubts and despair. It is very real and pastorally very sensitive and helpful.

I think Matt through experience has written a real gem in this beautiful little volume.

Useful for: Anyone who wants a refreshingly honest devotional. Particularly those struggling (a great present).

Reading level: Very accessible and easy to read.

Price: RRP £7.99

ISBN: 9781911272861

Publisher: 10Publishing

Rating: *****

From 8-13 Nov Carrie Sandom (Director of Women’s Ministry) will be in Dubai leading a Workshop on Biblical Exposition (WBE)  in partnership with the Charles Simeon Trust.

Women from 20+ different countries who are living/working in the UAE will be attending the workshop on Titus that is being hosted by John and Keri Folmar of the International Christian Church (ICC) in Dubai.

The key components of the of the conference are sessions on Principles of Exposition, model expositions from the leadership team and practical workshops. Each delegate has been asked to prepare a short talk on a passage from Titus and during the four day conference will present it to their small group. The leaders of each group will then give them feedback so everyone can learn how to better handle God’s Word.

This tried and tested formula has been the bedrock of PT conferences for many years and Carrie’s leadership of the Women in Ministry conference (22-25 Jan 2018) provides women in the UK who are regularly teaching the Bible (whether to women, students, youth or children) with a similar training opportunity.

The Charles Simen Trust have been running WBEs for regular and occasional preachers in the UAE for some years and this is now the second workshop for women. Many of the ex-pats are only there for 3-5 years and will then move on to major cities all over the world. We hope the Bible handling skills the women develop and hone on this conference will equip them for ministry with women in small groups and 1-1s for years to come.

Please pray for Carrie as she travels and serves in Dubai. Pray for great fellowship, real sharpening and much fruit from this key conference.

This is the second post in our Preacher’s Profile Series. This time we asked Paul Rees questions about his life and preaching ministry.

Paul is the Lead Pastor of Charlotte Chapel in the city centre of Edinburgh. Paul is marries to Shiona and they have four children (3 at Uni and 1 at High School.

We asked Paul some questions about his life and preaching ministry.

When did you preach your first sermon and how long have you been preaching?

1991 in Dundee – Halfway through preaching the sermon I realised as I preached that I did not really understand the Bible passage I was preaching on.  Some kind older people still said it was nice to see a young man in the pulpit.

What was your journey to preaching ministry?

Hearing consistent expository preaching as a student whilst attending St Helen’s Bishopsgate, London 1986-1990.

Being asked to preach in Brethren churches.

Studying at Cornhill Course, London 1993-1994

Working part time as a dentist, self-financing ministry in my home church; during which several churches invited me to work for them full time.

Studying at Moore Theological College, Sydney. Working in student ministry with Simon Manchester (North Sydney) and John Chapman/David Mansfield (department of evangelism).

Describe the congregation/setting you regularly preach to.

Charlotte Chapel -is a gathered city centre church affiliated with the FIEC.  Founded in 1808. A multi-generational church with a strong student and international’s ministry.

What are you currently preaching on/through?

About to start a series on the book of Hebrews – helped by attending the Spring Ministers Conference with Doug Moo on the book.

What is your regular rhythm of sermon preparation, your usual process and how you schedule it in during the week?

Monday – day off.

Tuesday – am – Pray & start text work.

Wednesday -am  Pray and commentaries

Thursday – Pray & sermon outline am

Friday – pray & write sermon – all day; and sometimes Saturday if prep has not gone well.

Sunday AM – some reshaping if fresh ideas have come, pray & preach.

What is your drafting/editing process that you go through in finalising your sermon for Sunday?

It’s never finished – but just need to get up and preach what you have got; a better outline sometimes comes to mind the Monday afterwards!

What script/notes do you take into the pulpit?

What feedback structures do you utilise in improving on your preaching?

Staff feedback time Tuesday afternoon staff time – was the bible understood correctly; what was helpful; what could be improved.

What areas are you currently seeking to develop in your preaching?

Starting earlier – in order to feel less anxious as the Sunday deadline approaches.

What do you do on the days your preaching did not go very well?

Same as when it seems to go well – spend Monday with my wife Shiona; walking the dog, going for a cycle, relaxing.

What one piece of advice would you pass on to someone starting out as a preacher?

Be a faithful herald of what God says in his Word and then its not about you.   Spend time listening to your congregation and with young Christians and prepare so as to apply and be a blessing to them.

What are some of the best resources you have found on preaching?

I think my year at Cornhill – gave me tools and an approach that has largely shaped my preaching and then having older preachers mentor you and give you honest feedback is a great help.

Finding a good commentary on the bible book you are preaching through is a massive blessing.

Doug Moo spoke on Hebrews at our Spring Ministers Conferences in 2017.

This year we have Garry Millar speaking on Deuteronomy.

Senior Ministers 23-26 April

Younger Ministers 30 April – 3rd May

Benin, Cuba, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Romania, South Africa, South Korea, Togo.  Just a few of the nations visited by those who gathered for the PT Cross Cultural Preaching Training in October.  It was a wonderful day meeting with brothers who shared a concern to see expository preaching develop and flourish around the world.

We were envisioned from Isaiah 19 and God’s global gospel goal – his guaranteed plan to gather the nations to worship Him for eternity, even from those who might seem least likely to do so.  We were humbled as we considered the character needed for cross-cultural preaching training and the importance of humility, integrity, servant-hearted flexibility and patience.

We were reminded of key convictions about expository preaching and the nature of training preachers.  We were helped by Neil Watkinson generously sharing masses of resources and his experience in running training courses, thinking through the content and style of such training.  We were equipped in thinking about the cultural differences we might face and how best to consider and speak into those different cultures.  We were encouraged as we talked with each other over food about different experiences we had faced in different settings.  We were strengthened as we prayed together, depending on our Father for help in this ministry.

A super day that was hugely encouraging and stimulating, both for those who were new to teaching overseas and for those who have done so for years.

Many thanks to Neil Watkinson and the PT team for laying on the day.

This is a very short book (67 pages) and aims to “give you an accessible introduction to the many questions that surround the transgender issue, as we hold our questions up to the big story of the Bible: the story of creation, fall, redemption, and glorification.” It is written for Christians and is highly accessible and readable.

The book is essentially structured into three parts.

The first two chapters deal with what ‘transgender’ is, the problems people who have gender dysphoria face, and how our culture responds to it. It has useful facts, figures and the outcomes of studies. Roberts was careful to express love and sympathy to the LGTBI community and encourage people not to judge. He is also very careful to say that having these sorts of feelings are not a sin in themselves.  These chapters also tackle the swift move of our culture to being completely about the individual. It discusses how we are pushed to just ‘be ourselves’ and ‘define our own identity’. In light of this the reaction of our culture will always be ‘yes!’ to people who want to be their ‘true selves’, such as people who have gender dysphoria.

The second part of the book (chapters 3-5) is an overview of the bible. It explains creation, the Fall and then rescue by Jesus with passing references to gender dysphoria and same sex attraction. This is the majority of the book. It is right and vital for us to use the Gospel as a way of explaining and shining truth on every difficult issue.

The final part is the last chapter, titled ‘Wisdom’. I thought this chapter was the best and I would have loved more, it was very brief. It is about how to apply the bible overview to specific situations lovingly and without putting people who are transgender in their own special category.

There were some parts of the book that I was not totally at ease with. I thought the binary response of Yuck or Yes to transgenderism was slightly insensitive. I also longed for some wisdom about how  churches could set about loving and serving people in their turmoil would have been helpful.

Overall, if you know very little about the topic and would like a brief introduction that is sound and biblical this is the book for you. These 67 pages are a wonderful introduction and an excellent starter on what is a complex topic that we need all the help we can get to understand and respond wisely to.

Useful for: Anyone who wants an introduction to this complex topic.

Reading level: Very accessible and easy to read.

Price: RRP £2.99

ISBN: 9781784981952

Publisher: The Good Book Company

Rating: *****

Love Story – The Myth that really happened  – Glen Scrivener (reviewed by R. Brown on 9/10/17)

This short accessible book presents the Easter Story as a ‘True Love Story’ or ‘The Myth that really happened.’ It addresses the secular view that the bible story is a myth and seeks to dispel this and defend the bible account as true. Scrivener does this by showing that whilst the Easter Story has all the ingredients of a great fairy tale, it is in fact not myth but truth that centres around Jesus Christ as the historical hero.

It may have been written with the sceptic in mind but it is also a book that helps the believer think more carefully about using true-story-telling to resonate with the world, something increasingly potent in todays world.

Scrivener  begins with the backstory to Easter. He draws clear reference to love being the thread from the beginning, in the very nature of the triune God. He continues the love story theme in each chapter walking the reader through Love Stoops – Jesus washing his disciples feet | Love Suffers – Jesus in Gethsemane | Love Sacrifices – Jesus’ crucifixion | Love Stands – Jesus’ resurrection.

At each stage Scrivener engages the reader with great storytelling and illustrations from ordinary life. He has a masterful way of succinctly and clearly explaining details of the gospel writers accounts, whilst keeping the flow and colour of the story. Whilst using several gospel accounts, there is good contextual faithfulness in the handling of these. This facilitates resonance with the reader that leads to a call to respond to the unfolding truths.

I am not in the sceptic camp but this is certainly a book that I would put into the hands of a sceptic and encourage them to read. It also gave me a fresh joy in the Easter story and may prove to be an encouragement to the believer who is struggling with doubt. Definitely one I would recommend.

Useful for: An Easter give away at an evangelistic service or to put into the hands of the congregation to give away to others.

Reading level: Very accessible and easy to read, a good evangelistic resource.

Price: RRP £4.99, (drops to £1 each for bulk buy from 10ofthose)

ISBN: 9781784981204

Publisher: 10ofthose

Rating: ****

Reviewed by R. Brown