Promised Hot Button Issue Below...

PLUS Should they Pay You to Speak?

Dear Sisters,
Do you want to be “ahead of the curve” on new trends and developments in women’s ministry trends?

Then prayerfully follow our series on HOT BUTTON ISSUES and see what God may have in store for your ministry.

Our first article in this series, When — and Who — to Tell discusses something many women in your ministry circle — maybe you, too — can’t bear to share with anyone. This se* xual medical problem has deep spiritual implications…

Also in this issue, we discuss the important issue of money and ministry. Explore the possibilities of how God is calling you as a speaker to handle that important issue.

***

Due to the sensitive nation of this HOT BUTTON ISSUES, to read S* ex Secrets: When — and Who — to Tell by Rebekah Montgomery with contributors Deb Strubel, Brenda Nixon, Eva Marie Everson and Joan Escherick and Anonymous you must CLICK HERE TO READ.

If They Pay You to Speak, Is It Ministry? Or Business?
By Rebekah Montgomery

When it comes to ministry and money, there is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Look over these examples. Where do you fit? What fits you? Most importantly: How is God telling you to handle this?

Ministry By Faith
During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” (Acts 16:9-NIV)

Like Paul, for most of us, it’s not about money. Perhaps you also hear voices of women calling for help in your sleep. So when you speak, it is about answering the vision God has given you — not collecting your honorarium Here’s something about Paul’s “ministry fees” you’ll want to remember: Paul’s first contact and convert in Macedonia was Lydia, a businesswoman to the rich and famous of Philippi. She not only made sure Paul met her influential clientele, she provided for him financially.God has called some of us to ministry by faith. We receive a vision, step out and go to Macedonia — or Paducah — and God provides a Lydia in the person of a supportive husband, a sponsor, or maybe a financial bequest.

Ministry By Making Tents
Paul… went to Corinth. There he met Aquila with his wife Priscilla and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue… (Excerpts from Acts 18:1-4)

About two years ago, I encountered an elderly but spry widow woman preaching the Gospel outside Jerusalem’s Joppa Gate. She told me that she has preached on 7 continents and that her ministry is self-supported — by selling cosmetics!God has called some of us to minister by “making tents” or working with our talents to support our ministry. Right to the Heart of Women eZine’s main sponsor, Jubilant Press, is one such “tentmaker ministry.”

Ministry-For-Hire
“...for the worker is worthy of his support.” (Matthew 10:10)

Jesus said it. We believe it. But even so, this area can be awkward to talk about.
Kathy Collard Miller’s book, The Complete Guide to Speaking Professionally, addresses the subject of ministry-for-hire. Here is a small excerpt:

Most people do not understand the expenses that a speaker has. There are costs like office supplies, telephone charges, dry cleaning, specialized clothing, automobile expenses, printing costs, and mailing
costs. Though we may speak for only one hour at an event, a lot more time and energy is expended to do that.The most awkward part of fees, obviously, is actually discussing them with the meeting planner. If they do bring it up themselves and ask, “What do you charge?” I respond by asking, “What do you have available in your budget for the speaker?” If they respond with an amount that is more than you usually request, you can cheerfully say, “Thank you very much.” If it is less than you usually request, you can say something like, “Well, I usually request such and such an amount. Is there any way that you can raise your budget?” You must decide whether you are willing to take the lower fee.Although this is indeed an awkward part of our ministry, talking to knowledgeable people and seeking the Lord's guidance will give you greater confidence in determining your fees.

For additional information on ministry and money, see: The Complete Guide to Speaking Professionally by Kathy Collard Miller.

Start a Women’s Ministry From the Ground Up by Betty Voshage,

and The Money Mission: How to Find Money For Your Women’s Ministry by Pamela Christian.

. All three titles are available at www.JubilantPress.com.

Blessings!
Rebekah Montgomery: Editor
Linda Evans Shepherd: Publisher

P.S. Remember to sign up for our next Right to the Heart of Women's Ministry Seminar in Saint Louis, Missouri, August 6-7. See www.AttendNow.com.

P.S.S. Next week, watch for the popular audio postcard with the One-Minute
Ministry Tip. You’ll laugh, learn, and love it!

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June 2004