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Microsoft Word - BCM NEXT STEP Discipling Black Women 8-1-08
BCM NEXT STEPS
CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCE
DISCIPLESHIP OF BLACK WOMEN
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DISCIPLING BLACK WOMEN
Why is the discipleship of Black women crucial? How would the kingdom be advanced?
RENEWAL OF THE CAMPUS AND THE CHURCH
On the majority of our campuses and churches, an increasing majority of Black participants are
women. Our ability to equip and empower these women has become essential--both on
campus and in the church.
RELATIONAL EVANGELISM
As women are transformed and discipled they are compelled to transform the lives of friends,
family, etc. Women often have strong relational connections; they are aware of the needs and
issues in the lives of their friends and thus can share the gospel with them in a more relevant and
meaningful manner.
DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BLACK FEMALE LEADERSHIP
Many women come from church contexts where there have been limited opportunities to
exercise their leadership gifts. The opportunities to lead and minister that a campus fellowship
provides can develop and sharpen their abilities, and prepare them to become effective
Christian leaders in the future.
RAISING UP REDEEMED, CHRIST-CENTERED WOMEN
There are many challenges and areas of sin and brokenness that Black women
disproportionately face. As we learn how to effectively address these issues with the gospel, we
wil raise up a generation of healed, redeemed and powerful women of God.
GOD-HONORING RELATIONSHIPS AND MARRIAGES
The discipleship of Black women strengthens the community of believers by giving opportunities
to model healthy cross-gender relationships. Learning to make Christ-centered choices about
relationships in college can equip them to make the more important decision about marriage--
a decision which wil have a profound and long-term impact on their lives.
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BCM NEXT STEPS
CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCE
DISCIPLESHIP OF BLACK WOMEN
MINISTRY DIAGNOSTIC: KEY OBSTACLES
There are a number of obstacles to effective discipleship of Black women. What are some of
the key obstacles for your fellowship? Which are ones that you have potential influence over,
and that you can prayerfully work towards changing? (If you are working in a multi-ethnic
chapter, many of the obstacles listed in that Next Steps resources will be applicable here as
well.)
Take some time with your staff or leadership team to discuss the obstacles listed below. Check
the 3 issues you believe are the largest obstacles to effective discipleship of Black women in your
fellowship. (Obviously to do this well, you will need to have had previous interactions and
discussions with Black female students--for some that might be your first next step.)
OVERCOMMITMENT
Many Black women are involved in multiple organizations on campus (i.e. campus
organizations, Christian fellowships, sororities, gospel choirs, liturgical dance ministries,
etc.) and therefore have a myriad of demands placed on their schedules. As such, it
may be difficult for them to opt into greater involvement and discipleship within the
InterVarsity context.
RESISTANCE TO VULNERABILITY
Black women are often dealing with brokenness and deep wounds that result both
from committing sin and from having sin committed against them. Issues of fear and
trust that arise from brokenness and/or wounds may make it difficult for Black women
to enter into discipling relationships, as the openness that discipleship requires may
expose issues that they have tried to suppress or ignore.
FELLOWSHIP ACTIVITIES UNATTRACTIVE
How does the chapter fellowship together? What does the group do for fun? If the
times of fellowship and the hangouts don't incorporate the activities many Black
women typically enjoy, they will be less interested in being involved in the community.
RELEVANCE FACTOR
Though there are similarities between the issues that students deal with, some of the
primary struggles, needs, temptations, and sins that students face differ across racial,
cultural and gender lines. The topics and discipleship areas that the InterVarsity
fellowship emphasizes may not seem relevant to the everyday lives and interests of
many Black female students.
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BCM NEXT STEPS
CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCE
DISCIPLESHIP OF BLACK WOMEN
KEY OBSTACLES CNT'D
THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY
For many campus organizations, one of the most compelling aspects for students is
community. This is particularly true for Black women, as there is a strong desire to be
accepted and affirmed by the Black community at large. At times "choosing into"
deep investment into the InterVarsity group can feel like it requires "choosing out" of
the broader Black community.
POOR RELATIONSHIP CHOICES
Unfaithful choices about relationships can have enormous consequence for women--
spiritually, emotionally, physically, etc. The lack of Christ-centered men exacerbates
this issue, and women may "settle" for relationships that ultimately become "stumbling
blocks" for the work of God in their lives.
SELF RELIANCE
Many Black women feel a high need to take care of themselves and resolve their own
problems because of the many ways in which sin has affected them. Some Black
women buy into the myth that to be strong ("The Strong Black Woman"), one must be
more capable than anyone else in juggling the demands of life, be impervious to pain,
and cannot ask for help or guidance. Allowing someone to come alongside and walk
with them can be terrifying, and make some Black women feel as though they aren't
as strong and self-sufficient as they would like to be.
CROSS-GENDER/CROSS-CULTURAL CHALLENGES
As there are many shared experiences within the Black female community, Black
women may feel more comfortable looking to other Black women when dealing with
issues related to discipleship. This can limit their wil ingness to be discipled by men and
women of different ethnicities, races, and cultures.
OTHER:
____________________
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BCM NEXT STEPS
CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCE
DISCIPLESHIP OF BLACK WOMEN
MINISTRY DIAGNOSTIC: FELLOWSHIP ASSESSMENT
What are the core weaknesses for your
fellowship in discipling Black women?
The principles for effective discipleship of
Black women can be assessed in the context
of the overall chapter building framework.
Greater effectiveness will involve integrating
this value into your overall chapter building
efforts.
In which areas is the integration of this value
strongest, and in which is it weakest? Where
might be the most strategic areas to focus?
Take some time with your staff or leadership team to review the categories below, check the 2
areas you believe are strongest, and 2 that are weakest. Remember that the blue bottom 3
triangles are the "behind the scenes work" that lay the foundation for the rest of the pyramid.
You may make short-term gains without those 3, but they will be critical for longer-term and
larger scale advances.
VISION
Does your fellowship's vision meaningfully include discipleship of Black women? Does
the student leadership understand why effectiveness in this area is critical to attaining
the fellowship's goals?
PRAYER
Is this an issue that your fellowship prays about explicitly? To what extent is this issue a
concern in the fellowship overall?
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Are there leaders in your fellowship who are being equipped for effective discipleship
of Black women? Are they aware of the obstacles that need to be overcome?
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BCM NEXT STEPS
CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCE
DISCIPLESHIP OF BLACK WOMEN
FELLOWSHIP ASSESSMENT CNT'D
QUALITY LARGE GROUPS
Are your large groups attractive and relevant to Black women? Are they taken into
account as the speakers, format, atmosphere and objectives for your large groups are
decided upon?
MISSIONAL SMALL GROUPS
Is there a ministry or small group(s) in your fellowship that sees effective outreach to
Black students as a critical component of their mission?
NEW STUDENT OUTREACH
Is your New Student Outreach attractive to Black women? Are there intentional efforts
made to do things that would draw them?
EVANGELISTIC EVENTS
Do your evangelistic events engage issues of interest to Black women? Are they
aware of your events, and are they being effectively invited to them?
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BCM NEXT STEPS
CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCE
DISCIPLESHIP OF BLACK WOMEN
NEXT STEPS I: LOCATING PEOPLE RESOURCES
As you begin to diagnose your situation, you probably wil need to find people who can assist
you. These might be people who can advise or counsel you--even if they cannot do it regularly,
they might be wil ing to sit down with you once or twice to provide insight and suggestions.
There might also be people who can speak at Large Groups or retreats, train staff or student
leaders, invest in your Black students, etc.
Look at the ministry obstacles and challenges that you listed, along with the priority needs you
determined in your fellowship assessment. Who might be good resource people? Here are
some questions that may help you find them; go through each of these questions with your Staff
or leadership team. You may need to find other students or local community members to help
you answer some of these questions.
1--Are there any predominately Black churches that students on your campus attend? Are
there people in these churches that could be potential resource people? Ask students who
attend.
2--Are there any Black Christian faculty or staff on your campus? 3--Are there Staff in your region (Black and Non-Black) who have had some success in
discipling Black women? "Who can help you identify staff outside of your region that would be
wil ing to provide guidance?"
4--Are there people on your campus who may not be Christian, but have some
training/knowledge regarding dynamics with Black women? Take an opportunity to connect
with them and see what applicable insights they have.
5--Are there people organizing events that you could take your students to which could help
them grow in ministry to Black women?
6--Have you asked other staff in the area/region about resources they could suggest? Are there
local community members or students who can help you with these questions?
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BCM NEXT STEPS
CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCE
DISCIPLESHIP OF BLACK WOMEN
NEXT STEPS II: STRATEGIC TIPS
As you discern strategies to move forward in this area, your best resources will probably be
people resources and material resources. Additional y, we have included some strategic tips
that have been effective in different InterVarsity fellowships. Many of these tips are relevant to
students in general and not solely to Black women. Go through this list with your staff or
leadership team, and determine some strategic next steps that you can take.
ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS IN THE COMMUNITY
A key component in discipling Black women is to establish a network of women from the
community who are willing to partner in discipleship. It will be beneficial to encourage students
to get involved with a group in the community that will support the student in their identity
development.
BE AWARE OF THE DIVERSITY AMONG BLACK WOMEN
Do not expect black women to fit into a certain mold. The African Diaspora is diverse- African
American, African National, Afro-Caribbean, etc.
ASK GOOD QUESTIONS
It's helpful to give black women space to talk about themselves. This is for both of you. You will
uncover the realities of their character and this allows them space to be vulnerable.
LIFE MANAGEMENT: DEALING WITH OVERCOMMITMENT
You will encounter competent overachievers who are reluctant to be vulnerable. Don't be
quick to force women to drop community commitments in order to be involved in InterVarsity.
Help them prioritize their commitments, and then empower them to be effective.
RECOGNIZE THE NEED FOR INNER HEALING
Scripture and prayer are crucial elements in the discipleship of black women. In the context of
other resources, prayer and scripture hold a significant amount of weight and authority for Black
women in their journey to inner healing.
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BCM NEXT STEPS
CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCE
DISCIPLESHIP OF BLACK WOMEN
NEXT STEPS III: SCRIPTURAL RESOURCES
Here are some passages that have been helpful for Staff in discipling Black women. We focused
on character studies, as they can be an effective way of engaging Black women through
scripture in Christian leadership and spiritual development. We've also included bullet points on
some of the main issues addressed in each passage.
ESTHER, THE BOOK OF ESTHER
Themes:
·
Crisis with ethnic identity
·
Integrity
·
Becoming a true leader
·
Action at a critical moment--"for such a time as this."
VASHATI, ESTHER1
·
A woman of valor, integrity
·
Brave, courageous
·
Suffers through her choice to hold on to her self-worth and dignity
RUTH, THE BOOK OF RUTH
·
Faithfulness in the midst of suffering and loss
·
Loyal through uncertainty and displacement
·
Dealing with a lack of positive male figures
·
Cross-ethnic relationship
·
Living faithfully in a countercultural context
PROVERBS 31:10-31
·
Woman of Character
·
Strong steward of relationships, vocation and responsibilities.
·
Her reverence and acknowledgement of God is implicit.
ABIGAIL, 1 SAMUEL 25
·
Did not become embittered by the mistreatment she suffered and witnessed.
·
A courageous woman who stood in the gap.
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BCM NEXT STEPS
CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCE
DISCIPLESHIP OF BLACK WOMEN
NEXT STEPS IV: MATERIAL RESOURCES
Often there are material resources (books, bible study guides, training exercises, etc.) that can
be helpful. As you are determining the "next steps" in advancing your ministry, here are a few
material resources to keep in mind:
McDonald, Skip, "And She Lived Happily Ever: Finding Fulfillment as a Single Woman." A book
about living in grace and fulfillment as a single woman--written by a single woman.
McDonald, Skip, "Christ My life: The Great Exchange." This book explores the intimate union with
Jesus Christ. It investigates the exchange of your life for Christ's life.
Jakes, T.D., "Woman, Thou Art Loosed!: Healing the Wounds of the Past." The balm of this book
wil soothe all manner of traumas, tragedies, and disappointments.
**Antoine, Raney and Carla, "Christian Manual: A Tool for Christian Discipleship." This book was
written to extensively cover many different areas and aspects of ministry, thus preparing you to
flow in God's Ministry, to which He has called you, with excellence.
Eldredge, John and Stasi, "Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul." This
groundbreaking book shows readers the glorious design of women before the fall, describes
how the feminine heart can be restored, and casts a vision for the power, freedom, and beauty
of a woman released to be all she was meant to be.
Seamands, David A., "Healing for Damaged Emotions." This book has helped hundreds of
thousands of readers worldwide deal honestly and successfully with their inner hurts and then
become agents of healing for fellow strugglers.
Wright, H. Norman, "Always Daddy's Girl." This book wil lead you into "understanding your
Father's impact on who you are".
Weems, Renita, "What Matters Most: Ten Lessons in Living Passionately from the Song of
Solomon." This book uses the inspirational wisdom of the Old Testament's Song of Solomon to
share ten important lessons for women on how to discover the role of passion and how to
develop meaning and direction in their lives.
Brown, Teresa L. Fry, "Can a Sister Get a Little Help? Encouragement for Black Women in
Ministry."
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BCM NEXT STEPS
CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCE
DISCIPLESHIP OF BLACK WOMEN
MATERIAL RESOURCES CNT'D
Patterson, Sheron C., "New Faith: A Black Christian Woman's Guide to Reformation, Re-Creation,
Rediscovery, Renaissance, Resurrection, and Revival."
Rose, Sylvia, "Rise up: A Call to Leadership for African-American Women."
**Brown-Collins, Alice, "The Plight of Black Women on Campus."
http://www.intervarsity.org/slj/article/1479, This article hits specific issues that are necessary for
the Black woman's discipleship and empowerment.
**This is an especially helpful resource for the discipler**
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BCM NEXT STEPS
CAMPUS MINISTRY RESOURCE
DISCIPLESHIP OF BLACK WOMEN
BCM NEXT STEPS SUMMARY
TARGET AREAS FOR DEVELOPMENT:
What are the 3 key obstacles you are seeking to address?
1) _____________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________
What two areas of chapter building are weaknesses you need to invest in?
1) __________________________
2) __________________________
NEXT STEPS TO TAKE:
What two areas of chapter building are strengths you can capitalize on?
1) __________________________
2) __________________________
Which strategic tips in particular will be helpful as you take your next steps?
1) _____________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________
Who are people resources that can help you take your next steps?
1) __________________________
2) __________________________
3) __________________________
4) __________________________
What might be important scriptural and material resources for taking these next steps?
1) _____________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________
4) _____________________________________________________________
5) _____________________________________________________________
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