I recently read an article that stated Women’s ministry; is almost nonexistent in large church organizations. In most cases, the author meant that traditional, event-driven programs are, in some way, becoming extinct. However, I can assure you that women’s ministry programming is still alive and doing well!
According to the Bible, there isn’t anything in scripture that I can recall that tells us that a church organization must have a specific program called a women’s ministry; however, that’s what most people think of when they hear that term. Ministry among women can and should occur in a variety of ways.
We should see how God is in the business of overturning power structures that oppose what He has allowed to help form His people. Those who oppose
leadership roles for women in these “End Times” are treading dangerous territory. The fact that we are women does not make us a different kind of Christian, but it does makes us another type of woman: empowered. I hope that every woman who serves God has accepted the call that He has for every one of our lives. We would all agree that the pressures from cultural shifts in gender relations, generational preferences, economics, and politics are reshaping how we should do ministry in the 21st Century.
As the President of the International Missionary and Christian Women’s Auxiliary(IMCWA) of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.(PAW), I want to take a moment and reflect
on those who labored to help make this Auxiliary what it is today. I will highlight Dr. Erma Jean Bowers, who dedicated her life to education so she could help others to become ‘BETTER’ educated than our ancestors. I believe the legacy and its credibility will be around for years to come. In fact, the IMCWA has established an annual scholarship award in her name to encourage women to excel in their local churches, state Councils, and to be
involved in their communities. Upon prayerful consideration, I discovered that mixing traditional with new innovative programming would uniquely set the stage for the 21st Century. Therefore, the IMCWA is planning to provide courses to enhance women spiritually, mentally, and physically. It is our vision to see the 21st Century women completely whole and enabled to impact society. We have and hope to mentor judges, doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, entrepreneurs, bankers, counselors, councilwomen, homemakers,
pastors, ministers, and most every field needed for life and godliness. We plan to involve our Millennials and utilize the skills God has blessed them with. The IMCWA women of the 21st Century ‘is’ moving forward in ministry. Ministry is working to help someone else, whether spiritually or naturally.
John 9:4 We must work the works of Him Who sent Me and be busy with His business while it is daylight; night is coming on, when no man can work.
Dr Charlotte M Parker
Dr. Parker is the wife of Suffragan Bishop Leon Parker. She is the mother of four children. She and Suffragan Bishop Parker established Zion Apostolic Church in 1985, and have continued as the Pastor and First Lady. She has held the position of Second-Vice President, First Vice-President, and presently serves as auxiliary President.
