Women are not called to serve in the same way that men are called to serve, but that makes them no less valued or necessary for the church. I hope that AMR [Alliance for Mission and Renewal] will reconsider how they talk about the women in their churches and value them for what God has called them to, and what they joyfully contribute.

On Recovering a Woman’s True Calling

I grew up in the Presbyterian Church in America and was married in the PCA to a seminary student who is now a minister in the PCA. My parents were missionaries with MTW, the overseas mission organization of the PCA. It’s in my DNA, and the Westminster Confession of Faith that my church subscribes to shapes my thinking. I’ve never not been involved in Christian ministry. I love the church; I love the Lord who saved me and has forgiven me of all my many sins. I’m so thankful for the preached word, morning and evening worship, for the sacraments, and for the shepherding care from my pastor and elders over the years. I owe everything I have and who I am to Christ and his Bride.

I’ve had the privilege of being involved in many Presbyterian churches as the Lord has moved my family around (even overseas), and I have extensive (over 40 years) personal experience in the church. I’ve served in the nursery, taught children’s Sunday school, VBS, hosted women’s events, and had more people in my home over the years than I can possibly count or even remember. I’ve brought meals to new moms and visited the sick. I’ve served my husband and helped in his ministry over the years. I’ve raised my children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. I’ve prayed and pleaded with the Lord for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. And I’ve known thousands of women just like me, who over the decades have faithfully served where the Lord has placed them. You’ve probably never heard of them, just like you don’t know my name. But that’s ok. These women love the Lord, they love the church, and so they do what they can to serve. I’ve learned so much from godly, quiet women who opened up their homes to us. So many women have helped me love my children well. So many women brought my family food after I had my babies. I follow in the footsteps of pastors’ wives and seminary professors’ wives, who taught me how to love and serve and how to amplify my husband’s ministry. And I’m still learning. I currently have the blessing of helping with high school girls’ Sunday School with a godly woman who loves those girls so well and faithfully encourages them in their faith. She sets a godly example of what it means to be a Christian woman serving in the church. It seems silly to list these deeds and parade these works, but I do so for a reason.

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