| Elizabeth
Ministry
|
Elizabeth
Ministry is not a program, but a process of engaging couples
to minister to other couples in similar circumstances. It affords a rich
opportunity for men and women to draw on their own personal stories and
experiences in order to be of service. The service offered is primarily
one of presence during the joys and crises of the childbearing years.
Since the Spirit blesses every person with unique gifts for the building
up of the body of Christ, Elizabeth Ministry is an invitation to
share these gifts by nurturing, supporting, and affirming mothers during
their times of childbearing.
What is Elizabeth Ministry? Christian ministry needs to read the
"signs of the times" in order to more effectively proclaim the
reign of God. Elizabeth Ministry is a response to the needs of
women and their families during childbearing years. Elizabeth Ministry
has been designed to affirm, support encourage and assist women and their
spouses during this unique time in their lives. This outreach is an opportunity
for like-to-like ministry. Women have been sharing their experiences about
childbearing throughout the generations. Years ago women would gather
at the river and wash clothes together as they still do in Third World
countries. Now many of us do laundry alone in our homes. Years ago women
would gather at the well when getting their family's daily supply of water.
Today we stand alone at a sink and open the faucet. In the past,
details of childbearing and child rearing were not sought after in books
or in classes, but observed firsthand by watching and sharing with one
another. Today we have lost our casual support systems. We live in our
neighborhoods with strangers. Our extended families and childhood friends
may live across the country instead of across the street. Our time commitments
keep up from gathering informally as women to nurture one another. This
change in society has taken away the forum for our visiting, but it has
not taken away the need. Elizabeth Ministry is a way to enable
men and women to reach out to one another in support. |
