SistersNMinistry

The latest news for you

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Mon, 19 Oct 2020 11:05:00 +0000

Join Us Virtually!

Welcome to On The Move Ministries, LLC

Greetings!

I am in the process of cleaning up my personal email. Since I started my own business, it would be nice to stay connected. So much has happened since I selected not to be reappointed to St. Paul UMC Newton, NC. My love and passion for technology and theology, along with watching people grow and heal, is exciting. As I journey on, I would love to stay in touch with you.

There are three ways to stay connected. You can choose all of them. The first connection is On the Move Ministries; the second is my book launch, Struggling To Be Me; No Longer Silent and Invisible at the Table, and the 3rd way is no action remain on my personal email.

Who is On the Move Ministries?

Before COVID, many faith communities started moving towards online services, ministry, and meetings to communicate beyond the walls of the church. In 2008, Rev. Lettie completed her Master of Science in Information Systems. She wrote a research paper, "The Impact of Technology in a Traditional Church." Now in 2020, COVID-19 made this research a reality. On the Move Ministries will over virtual and individual computer training for the faith community. Since COVID-19, the Semi-Tech Savvy "Seasoned" Saints were without support and others in the disability community.

The website is under construction, but I wanted to get you on the email list. There will be a Year-End Digital Clean up the class in December. Registration and additional class information coming soon.

Join On the Move Ministries eMail List.

Book Launch of Struggling To Be Me

This book has been in my head for an extremely long time. Struggling to be me is a series of books about my life through Trauma, Technology, and Theology. The first book in the series is about being Gifted in STEM and called to the Pulpit Ministry.

To learn more about the book, the launch, and the book release, join the book launch list, and additional information will be sent to you.

On The Move Ministries

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Speaking Engagement Template

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 12:49:00 +0000

Have this ever happened to you? A person called, e-mail or approached you to speak at a workshop, preaching engagement or presentation and you said yes or let me get back to you. When you finally remember, you didn't have the information needed, misplaced it or forgot to follow up.

Well, I have a solution that came via the Reverend Telley Lynnette Gadson. She shared with me her Speaking Engagement Package. I asked if I could share and she said yes because someone shared it with her.

With that said, I've modified the template. It is very generic so you can edit for yourself. Please share with others in ministry because we don't want to be surprised when we see a flyer announcing our presence at an event.

I separated the package into two parts. The first part is the Speaking Engagement Covenant and the second part is the Biography and Photo. This will keep our calendar organized.

Thanks Pastor T!

African-American Women in Leadership Conference 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 16:23:00 +0000

Greetings My Sisters!

It's been a very long time since I've written to you all. I want to share with you the great and awesome movement of God at Lake Junaluska last weekend. There were 80 women as far North as Buffalo, NY, far West as Mississippi and as far as Florida. Thursday night service opened up with a sermon from the Rev. Dr. Bernice Kirkland and worship leader Christal Brown-Gibson.

We as leaders in the church, we need avenues like this that will draw us closer as clergy and laity. It is time to work together as one so we can build the church. In the building of the church we must recognize the spiritual gifts God has placed in us. This workshop was presented by Rev. Candace Lewis and myself. We continued to talk about leadership and gifts with the Rev. Telley Gadson.

On Friday afternoon, we starting talk about relationship and the desire to be in one as single clergy and how not to sabotage our relationship either married or single this was lead by Rev. Dr. Sheron Patterson (The Love Doctor) and Ms. Kendra Ross. We closed out Thursday night with a healing service with the Rev. Telley Lynnette Gadson.

When Saturday came we really didn't want to leave the mountain but Dr. Kirkland sent us forth with a message that encouraged us for the work in the valley. Words really can not express how I felt coming down the mountain. It truly was a sight to see the movement of God when we are obedient.

When I find my notes I will give you more to read. In the mean time keep your head up and remember we can't always stay on the Mountain and we must go into the wilderness as Jesus did.

Peace and Love!!!

Event - Women's Work Mini Preaching Workshop - DC 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:49:00 +0000

November 30 at 6:00pm until December 1 at 6:00pm in EST

Register online @ http://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1138815

Learn more about our host: http://www.emoryfellowship.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=46142

Women's Work preaching clinic participants learn practical ways to get into a text and search out a prophetic message and voice already in it. Participants sharpen their skills to craft a sermon and to proclaim it, looking for the good news for those on the edges of life. Participants are given an opportunity to work on a sermon with a textof their choice and some participants preach and get direct feedback from WomanPreach! Inc. mentors. Students get to work through texts that trouble, stir, and challenge the people of God and to find voice, process, and courage to preach.

$99. Register by November 20, 2012!

If you'd rather register offline, please inbox us and we will email you the form which you might return via snail mail or electronic mail @ info@womanpreach.net.

Chloe's Circle: "Race Matters: On Racial Justice and Racial Reconciliation

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:58:00 +0000

AUGUST 12-13, 2011
"RACE MATTERS: ENGAGING ISSUES OF RACIAL JUSTICE AND RACIAL RECONCILIATION"

The 2011 Chloe's Circle is graciously hosted by Chicago Theological Seminary and generously supported financially by The Styberg Preaching Institute at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary

Great time of thinking, collaborating, and working on sermons with Alice Hunt, president of CTS, Brenda Salter-McNeil, Elizabeth Soto, Gennifer Benjamin Brooks, and others. Chloe’s Circle is a weekend gathering of preaching women of different ethnic/racial backgrounds to foster deep conversations, understanding among different people, sermon crafting, and collaboration for future works of justice.

Our hope is that sisters will come with a sister-friend of a different racial/ethnic group in order to work together on issues that deeply concern them, their faith communities, and the community at large. It should be a GREAT conversation and collaboration; powerful preaching, and excellent sermon-writing instructions.

Making an Impact in our Churches

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 04:16:00 +0000

Greetings my sisters,

As I was writing and posting my Bible Study Lesson, I wondered how have our ministry impacted the church as a whole. We know women make up the majority of the church but does it really reflect in the church structure?

Have our lives a women preachers caused changes or things remained the same? If preacher is suppose to bring about change why are so many churches still lagging behind the Great Commission?

What are you going to do to make an impact in your church in 2011 if you haven't done it in 2010?

Charlotte SistersNMinistry Breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 03:26:00 +0000

After a long summer break, we are restarting the monthly breakfast. The Breakfast will be the 4th Saturday at 9am @ Maria's Grill in Derita. All Clergy women are invited and welcome to join us for our time. This is just true downtime. Come the way you feel and just enjoy the bonds of sisterhood.

Caretakers

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 00:57:00 +0000

We the women called by God to feed the sheep. We also are the caretakers for our spouses, children and parents. Just because we hold the position as pastor or minister we are not removed from being caretakers to our family.

Typically we as women will put ourselves last so we can run ourselves in the ground caring for others first. There comes a time when we need to make ourselves a priority. We need an outlet to just be real with ourselves and others sisters in ministry.

It still amaze me that some brothers still expect us to run the entire household when we come home from a long day at church dealing with financial issues, martial and relationship issues, staff issues and congregation care. I noticed many of the brothers who are in ministry may not lift a finger to do a thing knowing their spouse works outside the home. There needs to be a balance when both work outside the home.

When we are the caregivers let us share the responsibility with others so we do not burn ourselves out or unable to provide the accurate care needed. Rethink caregiving and what can be done to change the perception that only woman can be the best caregiver.

Single and Clergy

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:34:00 +0000

Over the last two decades women have been called into the ministry. Some of the women are married and some are single. Most women who are married have the support of their spouses, family or friends on the journey. However, the single women support maybe family or friends.

Single women in ministry have flexibility to do more in ministry because they may not have the demands of a spouse or family but they may have other demands for instance caring for their elderly parents, supporting members of their family or working in another profession. Just because a clergy woman is single doesn't mean she want to always be in the company of other single clergy women or always at the church every time the doors are open.

Being single and clergy is not a curse, it gives us more time to focus on what God as for us to do. We have less interruptions and we are able to travel on moments notice. Then we have those days when we want to be in a relationships. Some clergy women find it hard to date because once the man find out they are a women of the cloth it changes everything.

I was told one time that most women enter into ministry to find a husband. That was an interesting comment from a single clergy male. If that was the case then many single clergy women would run into ministry with the mindset of just getting married. If we recall women went to college to get an education but also to get a husband. In the life we live in today women are delaying marriage or getting remarried.

One issue single clergy women face is dating a suitable or potential person. Dating is hard for anyone but when you add Rev, Minister, Dr. or Prophetess in the mix it makes women off limit. There are some men who are brave to date clergy women and some are clergy and non-clergy men. When it comes to non-clergy men, some of them are hesitant to date a clergy women for a variety of reasons. The main reason I've heard from some men was they are not spiritual enough and feel they may go to hell because of what they are thinking or doing.

Why is the thinking different when the clergy is a woman instead of a man. Women are open to dating a clergy man, but why are some men not as open?

The Clergy Woman and Education

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 04:00:00 +0000

When one is called into the ministry is it necessary to attend seminary or a program that will help you become more aware of the social and economical conditions of the people in the Bible?

Why is education still a stigma in certain profession especially in the church as clergy. If you decide to not obtain additional education beyond daily reading of the Bible then why are so many people getting an attitude with those who decided to go to seminary, Bible College or Divinity School?

I ask these questions because of a interesting conversation I had today. We as women must put our best foot forward in all we do. We are still in a male dominate area in ministry. If we decide not to attend seminary are we allowing others to mentor us and the pastor setting up a mini-seminary to help educate clergy?

When I started this journey I wanted to know more about the people and situations of the Bible. I wasn't sure about seminary but after my church offered mini-classes in theology and history of the Bible I wanted more. As we enter into ministry let us be open to what is available to us. Learning is a two way street, the educated and uneducated can learn from each other.

I'm always fascinated by stories I hear about the wisdom of some of our elders who never learned how to read or write but they pushed their children to get their education. In many of their times or their parents time it was illegal to learn, but they knew education was the key. The old saying is still true if you want to hide something put it in a book. When we pick up our Bibles let us also pick up the history book, a newspaper and an atlas.

Volunteerism in Ministry

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 03:59:00 +0000

How long must one be a volunteer in a ministry before asking for compensation? I ask this question because there is a vast majority of seminary trained/ordained clergy women working in the church on a volunteer basis. There is something wrong with this picture. When I completed by MDIV, I incurred a debt that still needs to paid back. Over the years since I've completed my degree I haven't made any additional income to pay down this debt. (shaking my head). Some of us are blessed to have a church/denomination to pay for our education so we will not struggle with additional debt. I know many of us do not expect a large salary in ministry, but we ought to expect some kind of compensation or position that will help relieve the extra financial burden we added to our household. We all know a seminary degree is not cheap and our current job doesn't cover the cost for this added expense. We can not tell Sallie Mae, Direct Loans, SunTrust or Citibank can we just volunteer in your company to pay this debt.

Why do some churches and pastor believe that the work of the church by ordained staff should be volunteer work? If we continue to run the church with volunteers only, the commitment over time will fade away. As I was reading in the USA Today they talked about the compensation of a position in the church doesn't even come close to the amount of debt one obtains in seminary. Also they talked about the inability of clergy securing a position in a church during these economic hard times. The interesting point of the article is that there will be a discussion in Boston about the salary of clergy and how to increase it even during these hard economic times.

Ministering to Women

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:01:00 +0000

As Clergy women who are not pastors, we have been drafted to work with the women of the congregation. Some clergy women do not have the gift to work with women at all. Yes working with certain gender and age group is a spiritual gift. There are some clergy women who do not get along with women at all but they try to work outside of their gift. When we do this we make a mess of things.

Have you notice when trying to work with women they are either open, closed or indifferent to a clergy woman being the leader or advisor. Most of the women do not want to work with clergy women who are younger than them because they haven't experienced what they did. Of course there are women who will work with us because they see we are gifted and really have the passion in this area to help with the issues we all face.

Before we take on the challenge let us make sure we are working within our gifts. Let us search and be honest with ourselves in the areas we are being drafted. If we know this isn't for us speak up now rather than later. We will thank God we listened to the spirit and not just our perception.
Always in the Potter's Hand
http://onthemoveministries.blogspot.com
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Dressing for the pulpit

noreply@blogger.com (RevLettie) — Thu, 27 May 2010 17:00:00 +0000

A question was asked how should the women dress in the pulpit. Depending on the church it may not matter because clergy always where a robe.

What if the church you attend do not wear robes. Well as a non traditionalist I wear pants, african outfits and suits at times when I'm at my church. However when I preach out I will put on a suit pant/skirt and take my robe with me.

We can talk about dress, jewelry, makeup, colors and etc. The list goes on and on. Remember we are women preachers and not men. Let us dress and conduct ourselves as powerful women preachers.

Always in the Potter's Hand
http://onthemoveministries.blogspot.com
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

To Move or Not to Move....

noreply@blogger.com (RevLettie) — Thu, 27 May 2010 12:38:00 +0000

To play on the words of Shakespeare, "To Be or Not To Be". Many women in ministry struggle with a call to ministry and then they struggle to be accepted. While I was in seminary several women changed churches because their current pastor did not give them the support needed as they pursued their calling. Some of women joined "mega churches" where their gifts were recognized and appreciated.

As I talk with some of my classmates I hear the stories of how their pastor have mentored and opened doors for them. Some have been moved beyond the volunteer position to a paid position in the church and some have been placed into a pastoring position.

However, there is a flip side to all of this. There are ordained women who are still sitting in the second chariot/chair waiting for their pastor to mentor and open the door of opportunity for them. The opportunity to move beyond the volunteer position of the church or to pastor. Some pastor are still reluctant to push their female minister out as they do the males.

As female clergy we have a choice to make when this happens to us. We either leave the church after much prayer and fasting to seek a church that will appreciate and accept the gifts we bring to the ministry. We start our own church if God has called us to pastor. Lastly, leave the denomination and go to a denomination that is more accepting of women clergy.

Many clergy women have been too loyal for too long. Many have endure the abuse of leadership and the constant saying of just keep waiting. Some of us have been waiting for more than 10 years and we are still doing the same thing which have made us lose our flavor.

Maybe today we will honestly say to ourselves ENOUGH! I have not been obedient to the call God has placed on my life. Everything we do just doesn't work any longer. It is our time to take a spiritual inventory and ask the question do we move or do we stay.

S.O.S.

noreply@blogger.com (RevLettie) — Sun, 23 May 2010 12:19:00 +0000

SOS is an international morse code distress signal. The use of this code was to alert other of the danger that is around them. This morning the meaning of SOS is "Support Our Sisters". As SistersNMinistry we need encouragement and support from each other. We need to be committed to this support by our action and words.

It is hard to get this kind of support when sisters are trying to tear each other down, destroy their character or even destroy their life. Competition, envy, jealousy, deceit and manipulations in the pulpit and ministry is not what we should be about. Over the past few years I experienced all and more from other sisters in ministry. The remarks were "I can do that better", "She preach like she's the pastor" or "Who put her in charge, well I'm not listening to her" and etc.

This type of attitude makes it hard to do ministry effectively. Let us remember,
God has given each of us unique gifts for ministry which can not be imitated by others. If we find ourselves off our wall and trying to do ministry outside of our gifts let us check to see why are we really do this.

Instead of tearing each other down let us build each other up. In order for us to accomplish more we must stand united. Let us send out the distress call for some real praying sisters who are committed to the reality of ministry.

A Conference for Female Clergy

noreply@blogger.com (RevLettie) — Fri, 21 May 2010 21:09:00 +0000

A Conference for Female Clergy

August 19-20, 2010

New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church
Detroit, Michigan
Dr. Wilma Johnson, Host Pastor

SPONSORED BY
National Ministries,
American Baptist Home Mission Societies

Three learning tracks will be offered: a pastors track; a general
ministry track for all licensed and ordained clergy; and a track for ordained clergy doing ministry in areas such as chaplaincy, counseling and denominational ministry.

Conference leaders include:

~ Dr. Jan McCormack, Assistant Professor of Chaplaincy and
Pastoral Counseling, Denver Seminary

~ Rev. Marie Onwubuariri, Pastor, MacArthur Community Baptist Church, San Pablo, California

~ Rev. Peg Nowling, Pastor, First Baptist Church, Lafayette, Indiana

~ Dr. DeeDee Coleman, Pastor, Russell Street Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan

~ Dr. Michelle Holmes, Vice-President and CFO, American Baptist Seminary of the West

The closing worship speaker will be Dr. Charles Adams, a great friend and encourager of women in ministry

Registration: $80/person

Accommodations at The Westin Southfield Detroit:
$75 plus tax, double occupancy

Look for registration materials in April.

For more information, contact Rev. Yvonne B. Carter:
1-800-ABC-3USA x2257 or yvonne.carter@abc-usa.org

“You obey the law of Christ when you
offer each other a helping hand.”
GALATIANS 6:2 (CEV)

IF FLYING/DRIVING:
PLAN TO ARRIVE IN DETROIT ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 18, 2010 & DEPART DETROIT ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 21, 2010

Ministry presents many challenges,
and everyone who answers God’s call
has obstacles to overcome. Women in
ministry, however, face unique challenges—
we are often ignored, ridiculed and rejected
by those we are called to serve. We
share the need for encouragement of our
gifts, support for our calls, and a shoulder
to help bear the struggle. You’ll find it
all at this conference.

TO REGISTER FOR THE CONFERENCE...PLEASE CLICK ON LINK BELOW
https://www.bimwebport.org/etrakwebapp/meetings.aspx

For more information, contact Rev. Yvonne B. Carter:
1-800-ABC-3USA x2257 or yvonne.carter@abc-usa.org

SPONSORED BY
National Ministries,
American Baptist Home Mission Societies

***NOTE:RSVP ON THIS SITE DOES NOT REGISTER YOU FOR THE ABOVE CONFERENCE. IT ONLY LETS US KNOW WHO AMONG WEWP WILL BE ATTENDING.

Events to Share

noreply@blogger.com (RevLettie) — Fri, 21 May 2010 20:53:00 +0000

Please share all events here. We want to get the word out!

If It Wasn't for the Women

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:29:00 +0000

This is a title of a book written by Cheryl Towsend Gilkes. As a womanist scholar, Dr. Gilkes addresses the Community, Church work, Culture and Crisis of women. Just the title alone will make you want to pick up the book. One Saturday morning a small group of clergy women came together to fellowship and we asked the question where would our community and church be if it wasn't for the Women. Since women make up more than 85% of the congregation why is it we are not shouting that our voices need to be heard from the pulpit other than Mother’s Day and Women’s Day.

Women in ministry is not a new concept but the role for Women in the church have changed from Sunday School Teachers to Pastors. We as women in ministry have several barriers to cross when it comes to pastoring in traditional churches. These barriers are still present in several denominations. As a woman who started ministry in the Baptist denomination I was told on several occasions that it would be impossible to pastor a traditional Baptist church, I need to start my own church or do institutional ministry. I find this offensive when there are vacant churches that need pastor but refuse to give a sista a chance.

It is ironic that women will further their education to be well prepared for leadership but will be passed over for a man with the same or less education. The time has come for us to stop talking about the injustice seen in the pulpit for women and do something about it. There are some men of God who are encouraging the sisters. Also, there are men of God who give lip service just to say they support us. It’s time for us to be heard as well.

Welcome to SistersNMinistry

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Fri, 21 May 2010 14:18:00 +0000

We want to take the opportunity to welcome all the Sisters who are called Rev, Doc, Bishop, Elder and Minister. We have been called by God, from all walks of life to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in and out of the pulpit. We are apart of God's paradigm shift. A shift that is taking Ministry to a new level because the voices of Women are no longer silent. We are

SistersNMinistry.

The initial purpose of this blog was for Sisters in the Baptist Denomination due to limited resource access to help us grow in ministry. However, as we began discussing the concerns of SistersNMinistry we heard several Sisters say they need this type of fellowship. This blog is a sounding board and a fellowship for us to talk about our concerns in ministry, mentoring each other, providing support, encouragement and letting our hair down on this journey.

This fellowship is not limited to blogging. We want to create a monthly fellowship where we can meet as a group to discuss topics such as: How to create a ministry resume, What does it mean to be a Worship Leader, Where can I use my spiritual gifts in ministry, Is the pulpit for me, How can I balance Ministry, Work and Family, and etc...

We want to share notes and tips concerning our roles as pastors, teachers, chaplains, executive ministers, associate ministers and more. Please provide some feedback so we can make this blog a source of information.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!!!

Always in Potter's Hand

Rev. Lettie

New Topics coming in 2010

noreply@blogger.com (RevLettie) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:15:00 +0000

Good Morning it has been too long more like 2 years since I started this blog. Life happened and things changed, however, God is still on the throne through it all. I have started working on new topics for 2010 and making this blog my commitment to you my sisters. We need to hear how things are going in ministry from across the world. We need to hear about the struggles and success encountered as female clergy.

I was in Cokesbury bookstore last week and saw a book called "God's Troublemaker". The title caught me by surprise because I preached a sermon "Troublemaker in the house" from the book of Amos, how Amos was a Troublemaker for God. The book talked about How Women of Faith Are Changing the World. I didn't buy it cause I was too busy looking for the book titled Clergy Killers another good book for pastors and congregations under attack.

As women we are God's Trouble maker cause many of us have hit the glass ceilings within our denomination. We as women have been abused by the congregation and pastors we serve. We have been leftout the pulpit supply selection and we have been reduced to areas where others think women should serve in ministry. These are just some of the topics I will blog and seek response as we trouble the waters for the rights of women clergy.

Be bless my sisters and see you in 2010!

Pulpit Basic Training

noreply@blogger.com (RevLettie) — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 16:05:00 +0000

The first Pulpit Etiquette post was on “Seminary did not Teach Me this..”. Well today I have another post. As I was sharing with some brothers and sisters coming into ministry we talked about the do’s and don’t about the pulpit. While I was thinking about this topic, I was reminded of a book Dr. Patricia A. Gould-Champ at STVU (The Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University) had us read. The book was titled, Riding in the Second Chariot by Rev. K. Edward Copeland, J.D. The book has some good information in the chapters.

He pointed out in Chapter 2 of the book that, “There are certain items of protocol and etiquette that every minister ought to know…..it boils down to common sense”. Yes common sense. We all grew up in a home where it was expected to have the proper home training before we went to visit others. Our parents wanted to make sure we did not bring shame to them when they allowed us to visit friends and relatives. We were taught to be respectful and say “Yes/No, ma’am/sir, please, thank you, excuse me and may I. Also, when you encounter a situation your parents did not teach you, use common sense. So when we visited people would say that’s so and so child and they are so well manner and respectful.

This type of home training is applied to the pulpit from the same angel and a lot of common sense. Many people believe by growing up in church we will have all the pulpit basic training needed. Well, not true. There are some pastors and seasoned associates who will take the time to explain pulpit etiquette, but then there are those who may think you already know what to do. So before you charge into the pulpit here are some basic taken from Copeland’s book (added "her" or "she" to make gender inclusive):

How am I to conduct myself when visiting another church?

Always wait for an invitation from the minister in charge before you take a seat in the pulpit
If you are visiting another church and have not had the opportunity to speak to the pastor or the minister in charge before service begins, sit in the congregation

Always acknowledge the pastor who allows you to preach in her/his pulpit
The pastor is showing trust and confidence in you by allowing you to minister the Word to her/his congregation

Always encourage the pastor who allows you to preach in her/his pulpit
Give the pastor some encouragement publicly or privately. Send a thank you card or note to the pastor who invited you.

Always do what you have been asked to do
If asked to pray during altar call, do not sing your favorite song
If asked to read scripture, do not try to adlib or provide a mini-sermon

Always support the preacher
Good preachers support the preacher while she/he is preaching.

Always treat the pulpit area with the utmost respect
While the worship service is in progress, you should be concentrating on worship, demonstrate good posture and countenance the congregation is watching you.

Always speak audibly and distinctly
Learn how to use the microphones properly
Adjust the microphone to the proper height
Speak directly into the microphone, but do not swallow it
Listen carefully to how the microphones are set when you are in an unfamiliar setting
Keep the microphone between you and the direction you are facing while you speak

How am I to conduct myself at my home church?
Be attentive to the needs of your pastor and visiting preachers
Make sure that the preacher has the proper liquids available (an usher or pastor aid will handle this)
For the guest preacher find out before hand the prefer water temperature
Familiarize yourself with you pastor’s post-sermon routine (i.e., cape, coast or scarf around the neck) to avoid the affects of a draft after preaching. You may travel with your pastor and would be responsible
If the pastor or guest pastor needs to change out of their wet clothes after service, gently usher them to the pastor’s study

Be Punctual
Arrive to church at least 15 minutes before worship service
If running late call the church to inform the pastor
If you are late and worship started sit in the congregation not the pulpit
Be attentive to the flow of the service
Do not disrupt the flow of the service by offering unauthorized commentary or adding elements without pastoral permission

Be a catalyst for worship
Participation in the elements of worship can do a lot to set the tone in the congregation
Learn how to leave your worries, problems and negative emotions out of the pulpit
Remember the congregation watches your demeanor and your attitude

Prayerfully Support the Preacher
Preaching is hard work. The preacher is a representing God and is in constant spiritual battle. Use prayer to uplift the preacher while preaching
Whether your pastor or another associate is preaching have a guaranteed “amen” from you

Ministry Balance

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 16:38:00 +0000

In our day to day routine we are constantly busy. As women we are generally pulled into several different directions. Then when you add ministry and pastoring to the routine, things get out of balance quickly. Some of us are in full-time ministry either a pastor, chaplin, executive minister and so on. Then there's the sisters who are truly bi-vocational ministers. This group continue to hold down their full-time positions and work full-time in ministry.
We all know how it is just working a full-time job and caring for a family or going to school in the evening or the weekend.

Think back to when you were growing up and you saw your mother, grandmother, aunt or family friends always busy doing something. Cleaning the house, preparing dinner, washing clothes and the list goes on and on. Remember how you tried to help out but were told to go sit down or go outside. You knew they needed the help but they didn't want to involve other people to get the work done. Here are some quotes you might hear when trying to help:

"If I needed help I would ask for help"
"If you want something done right, then do it yourself"
" You moving too slow, I'll finish it"
"Why are you doing it that way"
"I've been doing this before you were born"

Do I need to say more? This type of early experience have affected us today. We as women are prone to multi-tasking. Even in ministry we multi-task to the point where we do not want to delegate the work to others. Then if we do delegate the work and people are not doing it in a timely manner, we pick it back up. This is more than our cup overflowing, it is our plate is starting to crack under the pressure.

When we overload our plates things fall off. Our prayer life is shorter, we do not spend enough time in devotion with God, calendar is double and tripled booked, we become forgetful, misplaced things and we are not able to give our full attention to all the things that's important to us. We find ourselves tired, sick and maybe depressed because we try to be that SUPERWOMAN.

God is not looking for us to be Superwomen, but RevSisters who are able to give God quality time while balancing work, family, ministry and school. That quality time will start with prioritizing what is important to us. Do you know what is important to you?

When we sit down for a minute and reflect on all the people who can help us, we are better able to serve God and God's people in a more holistic way. If we continue to burn the candle at both ends as my father use to tell me, we will burnout in the middle of something. So before you get the to point of snapping at people, rolling your neck with you hands on your hip take a minute to steal away from the hectic life and find a place of peace and rest. You are the most important person to you. Take time to create the balance needed.

Preacher, how do I create balance? Well, I'm glad you ask it starts with taking care of yourself. We are always doing things for everyone else but we neglect ourselves and our health. These are the two things we need to keep healthy so that we are not physically and spiritually bankrupt.

Here are a few things you can do and you may have others you can add to the list

Carve out a daily quiet time with God (ie. 15 minutes a day)
Carve out a time to exercise 3-5 days a week (ie. 15-20 min walk a day)
Carve out a weekly family time (a day or an evening with family or close friends)
Delegate responsibility to others
Organize and manage time (give yourself room to breath)
Get a hobby (bowling, golfing, crossword puzzles and etc.)
Pamper yourself (have a spa day, one day retreat and etc.)

Take time for youself and breath again. Ministry does not end when you are on empty.

Where are all the Women Preachers

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 17:46:00 +0000

The initial purpose of this blog was for Sisters in the Black Baptist Denomination due to limited resource and fellowship access with other Sisters in ministry. However, as I began discussing the concerns of SistersNMinistry I heard several Sisters say, "we need this type of fellowship and more". Therefore, this blog is a sounding board for us to express our concerns and testimonies in ministry, mentoring, providing support, encouragement and most of all just letting us be real with each other on this journey.

This fellowship is not limited to this blog. Also, I want to create a fellowship where we can meet as a group to discuss topics such as: How to create a ministry resume, What does it mean to be a Worship Leader, Where can I use my spiritual gifts in ministry, Is the pulpit for me, How can I balance Ministry, Work and Family, and etc...This is ourplace, a place where we can share notes and tips concerning our roles as pastors, teachers, chaplains, executive ministers, associate ministers and more.
I have traveled across this country and preached in so many pulpits. I connected with my sister preachers and once I return back home the e-mail would keep coming for a little while and next thing you know they are gone.

Please provide some feedback so we can make this blog a source of information. When you post your comments, give a shout out to your City and State. We want to world to know that we are proud Female Clergy of Color!

Charlotte, NC

Looking forward to hearing from you!!!

Seminary did not teach me this....

noreply@blogger.com (Rev. Lettie) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:55:00 +0000

I learned a lot of things in seminary but I didn't learn this. Prior to my seminary journey my father in the ministry gave each associate a sheet a paper and he explained the major components of worship. He wanted us to be informed and not try to hijack the pulpit.

Call to Worship - Preparing the people for worship and gathering them to be on one accord
Invocation - Seeking the presence of God in the worship service. Not a time to pray for grandma, aunt, uncle, cousin, mother, father, sister and so on
Congregation Prayer or Altar Call - Public prayer on behalf of the people. There should be no "I", but we, our and us.
Offertory Prayer - A blessing for the gifts being given for the ministry of the church
Benediction - A blessing and assurance of God's continued presence for the worshippers

Holla back!