It's all about relationships, really. Although we talk about the importance of first impressions, the unfortunate truth is that our first impressions are often shaped by input from less-than-trustworthy sources. Media often creates "stories" about people that sink deep into our psyches and begin to shape our perception of all people from particular socio-economic backgrounds, geographical settings, religions, or race. Just as each one of us would not want to always be judged by the actions and behaviors of all members of our family or social groups, so we cannot judge others by broad-sweeping generalizations.
We have to get to know one another as real, individual, human beings, each one
created by God.
Our women's and girls' ministries are the perfect place to begin this process. You may think you already know the women in your ministry, particularly if you've been together for years. But do you,
really? Do you mostly get together to take care of tasks and projects, or learn about other people in other places, or do you have opportunities to talk deeply about the things that make you who you are?
And when you want to invite others into your ministry, do you take the time to get to know them as individual women or girls created by God? Or do you simply issue invitations to come to events and hope for the best?
The first step of building--of being--Beloved Community is developing relationships.
Ideas and Resources