What’s been your journey into ministry?

For me, the word ‘ministry’ is a word that brings mixed emotions. I’ll assume here that ministry means doing what serves God in growing his kingdom, and that comes in many shapes and sizes.

From a young age,  I was surrounded by people who made it their life’s aim to invest their time, energy and resources into serving God. Some of it was by bringing the gospel directly to the ears of someone else. Others are working behind the scenes. I spend most of my days ministering behind the scenes.

15 years ago, after my second daughter was born, I was on the cusp of resigning from a full-time job in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry, and I was looking for a part-time job. Through a casual chat with an elder of my church, I found out that the church was looking for an administrator. I wasn’t sure what it involved, but I said I’d be keen, if someone would show me what needed doing, and if they didn’t mind my lack of admin skills. I was keen, most of all, to be working for the church, to serve God and support his workers in their ministry .

Initially, it felt like I was picking up all the odd jobs that nobody else wanted to do, so that they could be free to do the pastoring and word ministry: tasks like budgeting, bookkeeping, payroll, room allocations, chasing people up, and running events. I realised that whilst it’s not directly preaching the gospel to someone, it was still so important for my heart and mind to be framed by the gospel as I did these things. Slowly, I grew to realise these jobs which ‘nobody wants to do’ are important structures that make sure our church can be a space where people mature in Christ and grow in their concern for the lost.

What’s one challenge your team’s been wrestling with this year?

There’s been a lot of excitement and sadness as we sent a group of key members off to plant Centenary Evangelical Church. The people who stayed weren’t necessarily connected well relationally.

We’re seeking to come together as a church cohesively, especially if we’re thinking about doing more church plants in the future. We’ve also taken the opportunity to make changes to work together better for the gospel, but we’ve existed since 1975 – so change is quite challenging for a church that’s existed for so many years. We’ve got old bones! Which are not so flexible for change. So, even more, we are challenged to consider how to make the necessary changes, and to make sure that we grow better skills in things like communication and side-by-side relationships. We need  to make sure we are bringing everyone along as we change. What that means is that change might go slower than we would have liked, but we want the change to make us strong and healthy, not break us and leave half of us behind.

What’s something you’re thinking through theologically at the moment?

I’ve been wrestling with who I am at this church in this admin role. Am I invisible in my role? No, because God sees me, he knows me. And is that enough for me? Sometimes yes and sometimes no. I also want security and approval and belonging amongst people, and that’s what I’m wrestling with.

Two key verses come up for me: John 3:30 – ‘He must increase, I must decrease’ and Matthew 6:24 – I can’t serve two masters. But I have been struggling between my loyalty to Jesus, and the desire to seek security, approval and belonging in other things (such as seeking to find my identity in my role).

What do you want to say to women thinking about going into ministry?

Heaven and hell are real. Judgement is coming, and the cross is the only way for people to be saved. Even if  you’re only slightly thinking about ministry, go talk to someone, go out and try it. If  it doesn’t work out, that’s ok, it’s not like you’ve failed – you’ve given it a go. But if you never try, you’ll never know! Ministry comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes it takes time to find what fits. Be attentive to the opportunities God brings your way. Don’t give up. Don’t think that there’s always ‘someone else’ to go into ministry. The truth is that there’ll always be ‘someone else’ (Christians and unbelievers) who’ll go for any other kind of jobs out there, but the pool of people who will consider stepping into ministry work can only be filled by Christians. 

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Winnie is currently completing coaching training with Reach Australia. More info here: www.reachaustralia.com.au/coaching