A Note from Chris Adams: Maybe you are in a season of life that makes it hard to carve out time to serve the Lord and to serve other women as we are called do. I love what Lorie Keene is doing to accommodate not only her own busy young mom/minister’s wife schedule but also to accommodate other moms in the same season who want to grow in Christ and mentor each other.
My husband and I recently moved to Jasper, AL so that he could become the Pastor of Discipleship at Glory Fellowship Baptist Church. In the midst of doing my best to get our home settled, children adjusted, and simply figure out life in a new city/church, my heart has also been wondering how I could reach out to the ladies in the church.
Like all of you, my time is very limited. Although I love encouraging and teaching other women, it is simply impractical for me right now to do so often without having my children underfoot. This reality, therefore, currently rules out cool coffee shops or any child-free spaces.
So, I began to pray and ask the Lord how I can best be used by Him. Since it is natural for me to meet other mothers at a park to allow our children to play, I decided to just go with what was “normal” for me in this season of life. Therefore, I have begun a new women’s mentoring time at our church called Proverbs at the Park. Mothers are invited to meet me at our church’s playground during set times of the month, and we study the book of Proverbs while our children play. I have been surprised at how well the women have responded to this idea. I think trying to balance ministry with motherhood has many of us off balance sometimes. So, any opportunity that allows us to combine both in a practical way is appreciated.
I’m looking forward to having this time to both know our ladies more, as well as grow together in our knowledge of Scripture. Mentoring does not have to be formal or even one on one. Just allow the Lord to use whatever season of life He has you in right now to reach out to ladies He has placed around you “for such a time as this.”
Here are 7 Practical Tips for Planning a Proverbs at the Park:
- Secure a convenient location. For instance, your local church’s playground or a local park, preferably one with a gate or fence, so that the children are confined to a safe area while the mothers congregate.
- Secure a convenient time. What is the best time of day for the mothers in your church to meet? Mornings? Lunch? Evenings?
- Set structured dates. For example, we will meet twice a month on Mondays at 3:00 p.m., as long as the weather allows.
- Spread the Word. Promote the ministry in your church bulletin, website, Facebook, or the best way—by word of mouth.
- Select your Scripture. We will begin by studying one chapter of Proverbs together during each meeting, beginning with chapter one. You can make this as casual or as formal as your group desires.
- Set up a welcoming space. Be sure to have enough seating available for the mothers. Provide drinks, or encourage participants to bring them. Make sure the playground area is secured and ready to be enjoyed by the children.
- Soak it in prayer and enjoy. Pray that the Lord will use this time to encourage the women in your church, and enjoy the new fellowship He will provide.
This is one way to minister through the seasons of life—specifically the season of motherhood for moms of young children!
Lorie Keene holds a BSN RN from Auburn University in Montgomery, as well as a M.Div and Th.M from Them Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She lives in Jasper, AL where her husband is a Pastor of Discipleship. Lorie is currently enjoying her time as a stay at home/homeschool mom to her two children: Elijah and Emma.
