The Reason We Blog

Leadership Development, Real life stories
Feb 182011

By Melinda Hemphill

I began blogging in 2005 in order to stay in touch with family and friends, to practice some different writing styles, and honestly, because I’ve been an obsessive scrapbooker and journal-keeper for years. I guess it was just a natural progression to document the family’s activities and my thoughts about faith and life online instead of print.

Over the past few years, I’ve seen the blogging option for PWOCI develop from a print newsletter to an occasional option on a regional page on the website to the PWOCI blog that we now have on each week day. So why do we do it? Why do we write? I think it’s part of the makeup of our ministry to want to share with others.

Sharing with others out of our life experiences, out of our testimony of faith, out of our frustrations of our shared military lifestyle, out of a need to give back and possibly even educate.

The Communications Team from the past two years met at conference for an early morning breakfast, and the contributions of creative giftings permeated the room.  Think about how these offerings can be involved in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20)  that Christ left us: web management, graphic design, print layout, blogs, social networking, video production, proofreading, editing, other forms of writing, administrative gifts, all trying to keep up with an everchanging level of technology. All of these can be used as part of God’s command to go into all the world and preach the Gospel.

Comparing a significant era in history of the church to our communications situations today can be seen in the 2005 book, Blog: Understanding the Information Reformation That’s Changing Your World, by Hugh Hewitt (Nelson). And I quote, “The sixteenth and twenty-first centuries share a dramatic element in common – the birth of a revolution in communications technology. The cultural, political, and economic transformations that emerged out of the Reformation and have affected the course of Western civilization ever since were fueled in large part by the advent of an extraordinary device: the movable-type printing press…Gutenberg’s gift of the printed page was an invitation to new understanding and human liberty. As we set our feet firmly in the Information Age, an examination of the sixteenth century allows us to see how the power of publishing can change the world.”

The power of publishing can change the world. God has called us to go and tell.

That’s why we share the Good News with the nations and generations through this medium. That’s why we blog.

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Sharing Christ with the NEXT generation

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday, News & Announcements
Nov 242010

The Communications Team worked with a couple of professional companies, plus some inhouse photography and editing, to produce a magazine called PWOC Next. This first edition of PWOC Next is a way to share with the Megan and Michelle generation the identity and essence of Protestant Women of the Chapel.

Each conference attendee that came to Dallas received one copy to use as a reference and to share with a neighbor. More copies of this valuable publication may be printed off our website at http://www.pwoc.org/Magazine.html. Local and regional PWOCs can print these in an inexpensive way at their chapels or send them out to a professional printer. Please inquire at graphics@pwoc.org for professional files. Local PWOC presidents and chaplains (or regional) may also add their own greetings and messages on the back cover of the magazine as that will personalize their outreach approach.

A third way to receive this publicity project is to offer it digitally.  Maybe you have seen other magazines or newspapers in digital form online. This will help us connect with the generation of women that receive their news and other information in this format on a regular basis.

Again, the purpose of this project has been outreach and evangelism from the start.

I also see it as a valuable tool for connecting with our chaplains, especially at the local level in our chapels and at the Armed Forces Chaplaincy Center, Fort Jackson, SC.

Please be in prayer about the distribution of PWOC Next and about those who will be drawn by God’s Spirit into our chapels and PWOC because someone invited them to attend worship and Bible study! Is that someone YOU?

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When Someone Else Writes Your Song

Leadership Development, Testimonies
Oct 272010

I love music. I love to listen to music and sing music. I love praise and worship and anything that focuses my thoughts and heart motives on Christ. I have many favorites; they draw me closer to our Savior and Creator. They fill my heart with His love.

But with this song, it’s like someone else saw deep into my soul and wrote what I wanted to but didn’t. It’s by a group called downhere. I saw them in June of 2008 at Stone Mountain Park while attending AtlantaFest, and while struggling with something for a while (putting my name in for leadership selection for this board position), they sang a song that was like God saying, “Go For It.”

Have you ever had a life verse from Scripture or some kind of motto in your life that was more prominent than others? For most of my life, mine has been from the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah. I learned this verse when I was a young girl attending church and missions conferences, always in reference to giving our lives over to God and His work in the world.

The song includes some of these lyrics….

You reach for the deepest hope in me
And call out for the things of eternity.

That’s what God was doing. He had to dig deep into my relationship with Him to pull out something eternal. He was calling me into a God-sized assignment, something I couldn’t do in the flesh, but that was promising to bless many and reap something big. For Him.

Here I am, Lord send me
All of my life, I make an offering
Here I am, Lord send me
Somehow my story is part of Your plan
Here I am

This has been the chorus of my life….that whatever He has given me would be able to be returned as an offering unto Him. That He would call me, that I would answer. That He would continue to write His Name on my heart. That I would continue to acknowledge His work in my life and in my service.

These broken parts you redeem
Become the song that I can sing

He took a mess of a heart and still is recreating it in the image of His Son. He is just that loving and forgiving!  I love how He uses our natural talents, learned skills and spiritual gifts for His purposes. Are you seeing that this message is not just about me but also about you? Yes, you! YOU have so much to offer the Body of Christ, and I encourage you to listen to God’s song over you. What is He saying? How is He calling? Look for the confirmations of His calling in Scripture, in prayer, in conversations with trusted godly people, and just maybe, you’ll hear Him singing His song to you at an outdoor music festival. I did.

Thanks for the opportunity to serve you in the area of Communications for these two years. It’s been an incredibly sanctifying journey.

Somehow my story is part of His plan.

Love,

Melinda

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 ESV

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The Communications – 3VP update is published on the fourth Wednesday of the month. For questions or comments please email communications@pwoc.org

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Teaching, Developing and Involving Michelle

Leadership Development, Leadership Wednesday
Sep 292010

Last month we talked about a group of young women who we are spending our time and focus on within PWOC. Remember her? We’re calling her Megan.

Well, what happens a few years down the road, and Megan is now ready to give back to the Lord, pouring back into the ministry that has mentored her in God’s Word and meaningful relationships? Through the discipleship process of Lead, Teach, Develop and Involve, now we see Michelle coming into play.

Michelle is a young woman who has been recognized by the local Titus II or maybe the president or advisor as an emerging leader.  She and her family have now moved a few times with the military. She volunteers. She asks questions. She seeks out those who can help her grow spiritually. Her kids are school-age, and she is realizing her giftings and talents can be used to help other women. Where is Michelle’s place in PWOC? In the chapels? In the communities?

Michelle is ready for local leadership and may be someone who’s identified as being on track for regional leadership, either on a board, a team or as a trainer. She seeks out some of the more seasoned women as mentors and is a quick learner. She wants to be discipled and will soon be ready to take other women through discipleship as well.

Michelle is ready to be used of God.

Does this sound like you? Or someone you’ve seen in your PWOC?

PWOC International loves to lead women to Christ.

But once she comes to Christ, there is a necessity for discipleship.

Michelle’s our gal. She’s ready to be taught the Word of God.

She’s ready to discover and develop her spiritual gifts, leadership styles, personality traits, even wants to know if she’s a Beaver, Otter, Lion or Golden Retriever! And she really wants to know what to do with all of those labels!

Michelle is ready. She’s ready to be involved in the work of her chapel because of the life, light and love of Christ poured into her through PWOC.

Are you Michelle?

Are you currently mentoring Michelle?

Let’s get on board with PWOC’s aims of progressive discipleship and train up the next generation of leaders within this ministry, to the Glory of God!

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The 3VP – Communications update is published on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Submit comments or suggestions to communications@pwoc.org

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O COME, O COME, EMMANUEL!

Friday Fruit, Seasonal teaching
Nov 272009

We are approaching a season called Advent. Aim Two of the PWOC Aims states that we are to “TEACH women the history, beliefs and programs of the church, all built on a solid foundation of worship and Bible study.” Over the next four weeks, ideas about Advent will be presented in the PWOCI blog. Staying true to our heritage of ecumenical Protestant beliefs, let us come together as we prepare our hearts and minds and homes for the celebration of Christmas.

Advent is a term that comes from the Latin word, “adventus,” – “arrival” or “coming”. This term is used sometimes in our culture about a new beginning, as in the “dawn of a new day,” but when mentioned in conjunction with the end of our calendar year, it signifies a holy time, the time we prepare our hearts to celebrate the first advent of Jesus – God coming to Earth. This marks the beginning of the Christian church calendar year and is typically celebrated for the four Sundays prior to Christmas Day. For Americans, this usually means that Advent begins the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

The celebration of Advent can be found recorded as early as the Fourth Century, AD, and has been associated with preparations for Baptism, Epiphany, the Birth of Christ, and anticipation of the Second Coming of Christ. By doing some internet research, you will be able to find many resources and to incorporate this celebration into your family’s holiday traditions.

One tradition that has been a fun one for us is the use of Advent calendars. Children love the idea of routine and excitement, and a calendar helps them be consistent in counting down the days to Christmas. Our family also reads a book about the ABCs of Advent, each day having a reading associated with the season. For example, A is for Angels; B is for Bethlehem; C is for Candles; and so on. Advent wreaths are used in worship services and can be made for your own home as well. This season of Advent can be the perfect time to focus Christmas all on Jesus.

So as you begin your decorating and festivities, put on some music and sing along with us, “Come, Thou long-expected Jesus, born to set Thy people free; from our fears and sins release us; Let us find our rest in Thee; Israel’s Strength and Consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear Desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.”

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GIVE THANKS!

Devotions, Real life stories
Nov 252009

Melinda Hemphill, PWOCI 3VP CommunicationsTurkey. Parades. Mashed potatoes. Sweet potatoes. Stuffing. Cornbread dressing. Pies. That green bean casserole you either love or hate. Football games. Family times around the table, the yard, the TV, the fireplace. What is your definition of this American holiday we know as Thanksgiving? My children love the Peanuts version where the kids are sitting around the ping pong table, eating pretzels, popcorn and toast.

As far back as the early 1600s, white settlers and Native Americans would feast and celebrate and be thankful with the bountiful crops of the year. Or so that’s what we hear and think of when Thanksgiving rolls around the fourth Thursday of each November.

In thinking about giving thanks, I am reminded of what Jesus did “on the night He was betrayed.” Matthew’s Gospel says, “While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and after a blessing, He broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, ‘Take, eat; this is My body.’ And when He had taken a cup and given thanks, He gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you; for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins.’” (26:26-28)

In both this account about the Lord’s Supper and in Matthew 15 about the loaves and the fish, the word “thanks” is used to mean “being thankful.” The word is actually eucharist. The next time you approach the Lord’s Table to commemorate His death and resurrection, remember the words of Jesus Himself.

We ask a blessing before we eat a meal around the table. We give thanks. I pray these traditions are more than just what is common to do; I pray they are heartfelt prayers of thanks for the new life God has given you in His Son – and for the abundance of blessings God has given you. By remembering where we come from as a physical nation and a spiritual nation, we can’t help but be thankful. God bless you and yours on this special day. And if you are apart from your loved one due to deployment or other separation, I pray He pours out an extra measure of His grace to comfort you and give you strength.

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

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