We have developed several labs with your Women’s Ministry leadership team in mind:

Creating a Healthy Culture for Relational Ministry | Kerry Clarensau Relationships are a vital part of effective ministry. Discover keys to creating a culture that facilitates healthy relationships through which ministry can flow.

Repackaging Girls Ministries | Candy Tolbert If you think ministry to girls is only about badges and sashes, you’re in for an exciting surprise! Discover what’s new in the world of girls; our strategy, new and culturally relevant resources to better equip the leader, as well as useful navigation tips on our colorfully designed website.

3-D Design for Ministry to Women | Kerry Clarensau Women are unique and special, so the way we minister to women shouldn’t be one-dimensional. Kerry will share keys to designing a multi-dimensional ministry to women.

The Leadership Equation | Candy Tolbert Leaders see the big picture and the little process. This workshop will examine the formula for more effective leadership to learners of all ages. We’ll discuss the leader’s backbone, mind, initiative, and influence as well as steps to take in order to perform at optimal level.

Women in Ministry Lunch*| Kerry Clarensau During this special lunch exclusively for women in ministry, Kerry Clarensau will share secrets for transforming your life. We’ll meet at the gorgeous Toad Valley Country Club and have a delicious meal together (additional $10 – be sure to indicate you’ll be attending on your registration form).

* For this lunch, women in ministry include female pastors and pastors’ wives.

For more information about the Merge Conference including a complete schedule, list of labs, and presenter information, visit www.imnag.org/merge. For the best rate and a chance to win an iPad, be sure to register by this Friday, September 7th!

As we look back over 2011, it is a good thing to review events and ministries geared to the women in our local churches and our communities. As we ask the question, Are we there?  we may hear these same two words—”Not Yet.”  Rather than looking at this though the eyes of frustration, however, I encourage you to make a commitment to seek God in renewing your vision of ministry to women, connecting them to one another through healthy relationships and helping them apply the truth of God’s word to their lives.

Prayerfully assemble a team of women if you have not done so.  The best team to help you are those who care, dream, believe and think. Then sit down together over coffee or a meal in someone’s home and ask the following questions:

1.  What is our vision?  It should be a short, simple statement that will get in the heart of women–even those at the farthest end of leadership.

2.  What would we like to see women in our church/community become?

3.  To fulfill our vision, what must our priorities be?

4.  What steps will we take to fulfill our vision?

5.  What should we continue doing?

6.  What should we do differently?

7.  What should we stop doing?   (Do not ask this question first.)

8.  When will we implement this plan?

I pray for God’s wisdom and guidance as we look toward 2012–that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. (Colossians 1:10 NIV)

For more help starting or re-starting your ministry to women, click here to download a helpful guide.

One of our family’s favorite Christmas traditions is baking and decorating Christmas cookies together. Here is our favorite recipe:

2 sticks butter
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. almond extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder

Cream butter and sugar together.
Add egg and flavorings.
Add flour and baking powder.
Blend well.
Cover and chill for 2 hours
Roll out 1/8 inch thick and cut with cookie cutters.
Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.

Today marks the end of our 45-day love revealed challenge. I hope you have enjoyed reading these blogs as much as I have enjoyed writing them. It has been a wonderful journey! I have grown so much by focusing on a different facet of God’s love each day. My prayer for each of you is found in today’s reading: “That your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.”

I will continue to write a weekly blog, and would love to read your comments and insights. There is a companion book to the 45 Day Challenge book titled Love Revealed, written by Kerry Clarensau and six other gifted authors. I would like to send the book to three women in ministry who have participated in the Challenge and/or have read the blog. Simply text your name and address to: 712-253-5590, and I will mail your book today.

Although we have completed the book, our journey continues as new opportunities arise each day to reveal His love. I pray each of you have experienced a renewed sense of His great love and joy over your lives.

As we approach the holidays it is an exciting time. Many of us will have the opportunity to sit around the table with friends and family sharing and making memories.  Our family has experienced exciting transitions this past year with weddings, the birth of babies, and the announcements of more on the way. With new faces around the table, we want every person to know that they are an important part of our lives and our story. We will make sure each person at the table feels valued.  As everyone brings their own unique personalities and gifts, there is never a dull moment when we are together.

The same thing is true in the church where many individuals come together bringing their own set of gifts and talents. Healthy churches are marked by people who work together, accept one another in love, and recognize strengths and gifts. As we welcome each person and give them a place at the table, we all experience growth and become who we were designed to be.

Thought point: What gifts do you have that can bless your local church?

Challenge point: Thank God for gifts He has placed in your life and make a fresh commitment for God’s love to flow through you as you minister in those gifts.

I had the honor of being able to serve at the Convoy of Hope outreach in downtown Des Moines yesterday. It was an amazing display of giving and serving the community. Before I left the house I read these verses from Ephesians and they stayed in my mind all day. As I looked into the hundreds of faces of the people standing in line, I was overwhelmed thinking about God’s great love for each individual. This verse became my prayer for the event–that Christ would make His home in their hearts and each person would experience the love of Christ in a deeper way.

Thought point: How do these verses make you want to respond to God’s love?
Describe the full lives that are available to those who experience this type of love.

Challenge point: Take some time to consider the greatness of God’s love. Write down some of the ways God has revealed His love to you and share them with a close friend.

Thought points and Challenge points are taken from the 45-day Challenge by Kerry Clarensau.

Can you ever remember a time when you regretted having said a kind word? Billy Graham once said, “There are so many hurts that circumstances and the world inflict upon us, we need the constant reinforcement of encouragement.” As Christ followers we should overflow with encouraging words.

Many years ago there were two groups of aspiring writers at the University of Wisconsin who began meeting regularly for support. One group criticized each others’ writing abrasively and rarely offered an encouraging word. The other group encouraged every effort, however feeble. Praise flowed freely and biting words of criticism were never spoken.

Interestingly, 20 years later, not one person in the critical group had made it as a professional writer. But over half of the encouraging group were successful writers, even nationally known. Among that group was Marjorie Rawlings, author of the award-winning American classic, The Yearling.

Thought point: How do kind and compassionate words reveal our love for others?
Think about a time when someone’s words were healing for you.

Challenge point: Today be aware of the words you speak. Make sure they will benefit those who hear them. If you are in the midst of a conflict with someone, use your words today to take the first steps toward healing the relationship.

Thought points and challenge points are taken from the 45-day challenge by Kerry Clarensau.

Separation–it can tear at our hearts. As parents, we experienced long and tearful trips home after dropping Ashley and Austin off at college for the first time. I still remember my own anxiety as a 6-year-old, climbing the steps of the school bus, turning to catch one last glimpse of my mom’s face.

Last December we packed up suitcases, carried all our Christmas gifts to the car, and excitedly began our journey to South Dakota to spend Christmas with family. Halfway to our destination, heavy snow and ice resulted in closed roads. Still miles from our destination, separated from family, we spent the night in a hotel.  The following morning, with more storms predicted, we turned around and headed back home without ever seeing them.

I love today’s verse. It has been a comfort to me in so many situations. No matter how great our disappointments, we will never be separated from God’s great love. Nothing in the sky or in the earth below will prevent His love from reaching us.  What an amazing promise from our Father!

Thought point: How has doubt impacted your relationship with God?  When have you questioned His love for you?

Challenge point:  Identify your favorite song or Psalm about God’s love. If you are in a season of questioning His love, honestly ask yourself if you have been running from Him or to Him. Take time today to make the first step toward his ever-present love. Ask Him to help you see His love in the midst of your doubts.

Thought points and Challenge points are taken from the 45-day challenge by Kerry Clarensau.

In the midst of our daily routine, we might be tempted to think that much of our day is spent doing insignificant things. But in the four simple words of this verse, we discover the secret of bringing meaning and importance to even the simplest task–do it out of love for our heavenly Father.

Everything we do is significant when it is done in love–both the big things and the small things.  Everyday we have the opportunity to represent Christ by having His attitude–an attitude of loving service. People often make decisions about Christ by what they see in us. If they see love, even in the smallest details of our lives, they will know Him as a loving God.

This verse encompasses everything we have learned in the past 40 days of our 45-day challenge.  Let’s make it our prayer to maintain an attitude of love as we serve Him today.

Thought point: How can we view our daily tasks differently when they are done in love?

Challenge point: Identify three seemingly mundane, daily tasks. Focus on your love for God and the people you serve as you complete them today.

Thought points and challenge points are taken from the 45-day challenge by Kerry Clarensau.

God knows us intimately. He knows our human struggles. He is well aware of our tendency to worry and be anxious when things affect our lives–things over which we have no control.  I am thankful He loves us so much that He gives us clear and simple instruction during those trying times: Don’t worry; instead, pray.”  After we obey by doing those two things, He gives us a wonderful promise. “Then you will experience God’s peace.”

Is there something you are worried about right now?  Is there a situation that keeps you up at night or causes anxious thoughts?  If so, this is my prayer for you today:

Lord help us trust in you, help us to fall completely into your arms and rest in your peace. Amen.

Thought point: Worry is the natural response to trouble. According to Philippians 4:6-7, how can we turn the natural response into a life-giving prayer?

Challenge point: Allow the first hint of worry to remind you to pray. Take time today to pray about the needs in your life. List 10 ways God has revealed His love to you and blessed your life in the past. Thank Him for everything on the list and allow this memories to build your faith. Ask Him for peace and protection from anxiety.

Thought points and Challenge points are taken from the 45-day Challenge by Kerry Clarensau