If I could create a Biblical poster girl for women's ministry, I would pick the woman with the issue of blood whose story is told in the fifth chapter of Mark. Even though she was a woman who walked dusty roads thousands of years ago, she is not unlike us women today who walk through our busy days carrying our issues along with us.

In verses 25 and 26, we see that she had one big issue. She had been hemorrhaging for twelve years. This issue of blood, as the King James Version phrases it, was merely the head waters from which all sorts of other tough issues flowed.

She was most likely barren - that's a terribly painful issue.

She was most likely poor - that's a discouraging issue.

She was most likely lonely due to Jewish ceremonial law that kept her isolated - that's a destabilizing issue.

To me she is a great picture of the women we seek to minister to today because women today have tons of issues also. Loss, loneliness, financial strain, sadness, insecurity and illness are just a few of the issues they deal with. Their issues cause them pain, discouragement and can make them emotionally, and spiritually unstable too.

This first century woman did two things with her issues which brought her soul healing, and if we as women's ministers provide the same opportunities for the women we work with, we too will be conduits of God's Truth which will bring true soul healing.

First of all, this first century woman spoke truth. "...if I just touch the hem of His garment, I will get well." (Mark 5: 28) The Bible says she talked to herself ,and when she did, she told herself the truth. She knew that healing was in Christ.

We too must encourage and equip our women to speak truths to their souls. In order for them to do so, they must know truth. True soul healing is found only in Christ and in His Word. Programs, groups and events can teach, encourage and grow us but true healing is in Christ and His Word alone. May we always make the study of His Word preeminent, foundational and readily available to the women we minister to.

The second thing the woman with the issue of blood did was draw near to truth. In determining to touch the hem of Jesus garment, she was declaring her belief in the truth that He was the Son of Righteousness.

You see, Jesus wore a Tahlis (a prayer shawl) that day. On each corner of the rectangular cloth was a border or tassel. Men were to wear these tassels to represent and remind them of the 613 commandments of the Word of God. The Hebrew word translated "tassel" or "border" in Numbers 15, is also translated "wings" over 70 times throughout Old Testament Scripture.

The issue laden woman most likely knew of Malachi's prophecy; "the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings." (Malachi 4:2) Her touch of the tassels, or wings, of Jesus' garment was a proclamation that He was the Messiah. She not only spoke truth, she drew near to Truth!

May we, as women's ministers, provide opportunity and encouragement for women to draw near to Christ in faith, prayer and worship. In doing so, we grant opportunity for the truth we speak to be affirmed and for Christ Himself to bring healing for their hearts.

So, to you, my fellow women in ministry, I say we must ... teach truth ... act according to truth ... lead women to truth ... speak truth to ourselves and each other ...and draw near, and draw others near, to Truth. A woman's deepest issues are only dealt with when we make Truth our foundation and goal.

"Jesus said to him, ``I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Blessings and Joy,
Jennifer Rothschild
Author of Fresh Grounded Faith: Devotions to Awaken Your Spirit, and Founder of WomensMinistry.NET

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VIEW A VIDEO MESSAGE ABOUT THE DEVOTIONAL

This is a great icebreaker for women to get to know each other better and discover things that they have in common.

Materials: Stickers

Procedure:

1. Make a list of different characters eg. "Jack and Jill," "Heidi and Peter," "Adam and Eve, " etc.
2. Write each name on a separate sticker - (example: Jack on one, Jill on another and so on)
3. Without the women in the group knowing what the stickers say, start placing stickers on their backs.
4. Now challenge the ladies to go around the room and ask each other Yes or No questions about the name on their back.
For example: someone might ask "Am I a storybook character?"
5. If they find their match they then need to find out what else they have in common.

Prayer is one of the most powerful tools available to leaders in ministry. This week we explore some ideas for prayer ministries to enrich your women's ministry.

First, what is a prayer team? A group of people with a specific prayer focus. Some teams meet to pray specifically for their pastor, church and community. Others also pray for national and world government. Some are groups of 2- 3 and others are 50+. Some meet daily, weekly, or monthly. Some never meet at all, but are committed to pray during a specific time each week. Some have training classes that all members attend, and others have books and journals that each member is given or purchases. Variety is definitely the key word and what works at one church will not always work at another.

Prayer Wall - People sign up to pray for national leaders, church leaders, and specific church ministries. People can sign up for time blocks from 15-60 minutes, Sunday through Saturday. The goal is to have someone in the church praying at all times. Prayer lists are provided by the church and members of the prayer wall pray wherever they are during their time. This can be difficult in smaller churches and the ministry can be tailored to meet the needs and resources of your church.

Pastor's Prayer Partners - Prayer teams that pray with the Pastor before services and even during the week. Some churches also use these teams to pray with people who come forward during invitations. Others meet weekly to pray for the church and specific requests.

Prayer Bulletin - These can either be a part of the regular bulletin or a handout. They typically include a returnable portion for people to write their requests or praise and drop them in the offering plate or a prayer request box in the foyer, as well as provide an ongoing list of requests and praise reports.

Women's Prayer Group - Aimed at praying specifically for the women in a church. Some of these groups meet weekly and others meet monthly. Many mentioned that they have a prayer box that women can drop their requests in and some groups also send cards to let the women know the team has prayed for their request. This has also been a good tool for helping to meet practical needs.

E-Mail Prayer Team - For all of you who love technology, this is a great opportunity to mix it up with ministry! All requests are passed to a team coordinator who puts together a daily or weekly list. These lists are forwarded to everyone on a recipient list. Some churches are forwarding this to everyone and others to specific groups like Pastors only, Deacons and Pastors, WM Leadership Team, etc... Some churches have links on their website that people can forward requests to the coordinator.

Sunday Prayer Groups - Prayer teams that meet before and during church services to pray. Churches of 50 to 9000 shared that they do this every week.

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From one tool to another, I thank you from the very depths of my heart for your wonderful article, "Tool Talk." It was amazing timing on God's part as I am sitting in a hotel room right this very minute. This weekend, I am one of two speakers at a conference in North Carolina. By the way, they found me through womensministry.net and flew me in from California. May God continue to use and bless your fabulous ministry! ~ Dori Drabek