Women have been significant pioneers for centuries. History bears record of Florence Nightingale, founder of modern nursing, American aviation pioneer Amelia Mary Earhart, Maria Salomea Sklodowska-Curie, the great physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity, the outstanding work of Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Dorothy Vaughan, who were known as the “human computers” of NASA and featured in the 2016 movie “Hidden Figures”. The list is long of women who pioneered the frontiers of science, economics, the arts, and every sphere of society. Although women have encountered visible and invisible barriers throughout history, God continues to enable his handmaidens to thrive even in inhospitable environments. This indomitable resilience is a silent witness to the divine fortification built into the female spine.
In spite of great strides in the battle for equality, we read the troubling statistics on perinatal mental health, sexism, gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and sex trafficking. We still live in a world where our value is based on external features and where we are often disposed when signs of aging begin to show. This leaves so many women struggling with issues of self-esteem, self-validation, and self-doubt. If there is ever a time when women are in desperate need of discipleship, it is now.
Although faced with an avalanche of negativity and subtle efforts that chip away at our confidence, I am grateful that the Church of God recognizes the importance of validating and affirming its female adherents. Discipleship is the process of guiding believers in a deep journey of transformation into the image of Jesus Christ. This transformation is made possible as women find safe communities of faith where they can share in a transparent manner. Within these fellowships, past hurts can be healed and new gifting discovered. As women we are wired for relationships and learning the value of intentional connections helps women discern the greater potential of shared time and space. The woman at the well encountered the loving Savior and in turn ran back to her village to share the message of redemption. Without one instruction in the catechism and not yet baptized in water, her simple desire for others to share her experience of transformation resulted in a local revival.
The challenge for my sisters today is to recognize God’s sovereign call in spite of resistance and reservation by others. Without falling victim to resentment and rebellion, women can live Spirit-filled lives that challenge the status quo. The holy Scriptures remind us of faithful women who accomplished great things for God when societal norms restricted every area of their beings. I invite my sisters to shed the limits of self-doubt and embrace the call to be disciples who disciple others. The world is yet to witness a modern-day Deborah who led Israel from a military and spiritual posture and a Priscilla who along with her husband mentored young Timothy. I am thankful for our General Overseer Gary Lewis and his lovely wife Lori for calling our denomination to the fundamental and essential call of discipleship.
Diana Nelson, co-pastor
Ebenezer Urban Ministry Center, Brooklyn, New York
Continuing its mission of “Making Disciples to Impact Our World”Women, We Disciple
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