Making Ministry More Effective: Connecting Across Ministries, Part 1 (Plus Give Away)

Connecting Across Ministries:

• What does that look like?
• What does that mean?
• How do you even get started on something like that?

There are so many times when you spend your day (your life) in ministry that you get so caught up and focused on what your ministry is doing or even what your church is doing that you tend to forget that there are so many other people out there doing the same thing as you and sometimes even better.

For years it has been a part of my ministry philosophy to share, connect, and encourage others in ministry.  I like to meet with leaders from other churches or ministries and get to know them.  Figure out how we can mutually help each other, share ideas, dream together, and just have someone to talk with that totally “gets them”.

Connecting Across Ministries: What does that look like?

Just last week I went to lunch with the Kids Ministry Director at another church in my area and just spent two hours laughing, dreaming, sharing, but importantly just listening.  In the course of our time together it became evident that she just needed to talk, so talk we did, and we did lots of it.

But you want to know what else happened just from us hanging out and encouraging each other?  She has offered to allow my church to have all their VBS set designs and props this summer.  If you know anything about VBS then you’ll know that this is a very large and gracious gift, to which I am extremely thankful to accept.

Connecting Across Ministries: What does that mean?

Sharing,

Caring,

Dreaming,

Encouraging,

Listening.

We do these things all the time with our volunteers and those who come into our ministries.  How much sweeter is it to be able to do the same thing for someone else in ministry.  They can be in ministry in your local area or even online, but we all can learn from and grow with each other to make the Kingdom even better.

Next month we’ll finish up with Part 2 of “Making Ministry More Effective: Connecting Across Ministries”, now that we know what it looks like and what it means, come back so we can talk more about how you get started and why follow up is so important.

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If I am meeting with another woman in ministry or Pastor’s wife, then I might bring along a little gift to share with her.  I just recently read an amazing new book called “10 Things Every Minister’s Wife Needs to Know” by Jeana Floyd and it was so good that it is now something that I will bring to every new meeting.

A strong marriage plays a pivotal role in the success of a ministry. Being the wife of a minister can be tremendously rewarding, but it is also a commitment of time, personal investment, and patience. Ministry is a challenging vocation, even in the best of times.

Jeana Floyd knows these challenges well and has created this faith-affirming guide for pastors’ wives. Sharing years of wisdom and insight from her participation in her husband’s growing and visionary ministry, 10 Things Every Minister’s Wife Needs to Know is filled with practical tips on marriage, prayer, stewardship, parenting, and faith. With “interactive testimonies” included from other wives of pastors at the end of each chapter the book shares poignant and powerful insights any woman or wife can appreciate.

I love this book so very much and am excited to let you know that the publisher, New Leaf Publishing Group, has graciously offered to give away an autographed copy of this sweet little treasure to one blessed reader here at the Ministry Counter!

All you have to do is leave a comment and either;

• Let me know how you “Connect Across Ministries”, or
• What from today’s post really met you where you are, or
• The name of the Pastor’s Wife that you’d like to give it to.

Father God, thank you for allowing us to connect with other women in ministry.  Whether they are local or across the globe it is our heart’s desire to link arms with them and continue to grow this Kingdom for your glory.  Thank you for allowing us to go on this journey together. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Melissa Mashburn

Melissa is a woman who is passionately pursing God every day by taking her everyday, ordinary life and placing it as her offering to Him. With a heart to "keep it real" her life and ministry is all about "Real Women, Real Life, Real Faith" in action. She's an author, speaker, Pastor's Wife, ministry leader and more importantly mom to two incredible teenage sons. Melissa has been married to her best friend Matt for over 18 years where they live and enjoy ministry in Sunny South Florida.

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