Thriving Together is a newsletter for women serving in or preparing for ministerial leadership in The Wesleyan Church. Each month, we want to embody 1 Thessalonians 5:11:
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Amaze us again…“Some women among us amazed us.” 1 What an intriguing comment by two believers walking sadly back home after Jesus’ crucifixion. They were telling an unknown fellow traveler about some Galilean women who had discovered Jesus’ body was missing.
After Jesus died, these women desired to prepare the necessary spices and perfumes to anoint His body. However, because of the Commandment of Sabbath Rest, they had to wait from sundown Friday until early Sunday morning. “On their way to the tomb, they asked each other. “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”2
Good question! How often have we asked something similar about “stones” that needed to be removed? How often have we had to wait and wait?
Amazingly, it was while they waited, during their Sabbath rest, that the stone was rolled away, death was defeated, and Jesus’ promise of Resurrection was realized. Candidly, when we strive to serve, even in the most sacred ways, it is resting in God’s presence, trusting in His timing, that removes hindrances, turns sepulchers into sanctuaries, and allows Him to do what He loves to do…Amaze us!
From Luke 23:55-56, 1Luke 24:21-22, Mark 15:40-41, 2Mark 16:1-3
“Magnify the Lord with me; let us exalt His Name together.” Ps 34:3 has been Dawn Marie Colaw’s life verse, ministering alongside her husband-pastor, Joe Colaw. A counselor, SYMBIS facilitator, life coach, and volunteer in local organizations that focus on family life issues, Dawn serves on staff at First Wesleyan Church in Bartlesville, OK, and on the Tri-State District Board of Ministerial Development and has been an adjunct professor at Indiana Wesleyan University and Oklahoma Wesleyan University.
Building Each Other Up
Mentoring Moments…Most of us are intimidated by the concept of Mentoring. Hearing the word usually awakens a missing puzzle piece, impossible expectations, or a longing in our hearts. We quickly think of reasons not to mentor others or be mentored, mostly because of time commitments and match-making.
I want to point us all to the building blocks of moments. I lacked one main mentoring relationship in my life. However, I was invested in many different Mentoring Moments. Most moments were given to me by various men and women in my life over the years. These golden nuggets build the foundation for potential single mentor/mentee relationships or provide a greater perspective. Numerous experiences and voices have brought Godly wisdom, insight, and encouragement into my life and ministry.
So I encourage you to pray God will give you eyes to see the people and moments set before you. Ask The Holy Spirit to take your moments with the people around you, even the people you chat with for mere minutes, and multiply the loaves and fishes you have in your lunch box.
Mentoring Moments are powerful building blocks, so be ready to create one for someone else and prepare your heart to receive one at any time.
Rev. Nicki Maclauchlan was raised in a pastor’s family and received the call to full-time Christian ministry at age 18. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Indiana Wesleyan University and has served alongside her husband, Pete, in ministry since 2005. She is passionate about authenticity in the church, Christian Education, and Marriage Counseling. Nicki lives in Canisteo, NY, with her husband and four daughters.
Doing Ministry
Rev. Carla Working, Rev. Janet Guthrie, and Rev. Arlynn Ellis all have something in common…with Dr. JoAnne Lyon
Rev. Anita Eastlack, Janelle Vernon, and Rev. Johanna Rugh blazing the trail before them.
Find out what this is all about here:
https://www.wesleyan.org/kingdom-style-leadership
Rejoicing, Praying, Giving Thanks
Hey girl! We see you…diligently following the Savior. You are the hands and feet of Jesus in ways that few people see. You are courageously ministering and leading. Thank you for your faithfulness to the call that God has placed on your life. We pray the Lord will strengthen and encourage you today as you sense a fresh awareness of the Holy Spirit. May God again amaze you through glimpses of His hand at work in and through you. May God strengthen you to seize the mentoring moments that God entrusts to you. And may God empower you to lead others closer to Him. To God be all the glory, honor, and praise as He works in and through you today!!
