40 Short Takeaways From The Missional Women Conference

Different states, different denominations; women doing different kinds of ministry all gathered together in one place, that was this year’s Missional Women Conference.

My daughter and I had the privilege of flying to Denver for the 2016 Missional Women Conference. We met so many beautiful ladies; women flying in from Buffalo, pregnant moms, post college students, those in ministry to young people, leading in Young Life, and older women seasoned in their faith.

So many imparted wisdom during private conversations, classroom break-out sessions, from the stage, and while encircled around those small, intimate tables where vulnerable hearts lay honest, transparent, and abandoned to one another.

We gathered in a warehouse type-setting that was retro and elegant, new and old, updated and seasoned….just like those of us women united there.

The feel was casual, and inviting, welcoming and engaging, humble, while providing intimate time with God leading to personal revelations.

Here is a list of my own personal takeaways from the 2016 Missional Women Conference:

1. Women on mission become vitalized when surrounded by other missional women.
2. We don’t know it all. The uniting of women reveals to us a fuller picture of God, church, ministry etc.
3. Young women are the future: Invest in them.
4. We can’t let what we know stop with us. Share it.
5. The Word is our only source of life. Read it.
6. Be intentional about pursuing God’s plan for our lives. (Waiting to step out is too often an excuse for our own apathy, doubts, fears, or lack of faith)
7. We reflect what we gaze upon. Gaze upon Jesus. (Laura Krokos)
8. A spirit of social relativism and apathy can overtakes us and we often don’t even realize it until we are surrounded by people living fearless, bold and counter-culture lives.
9. God created us for more.
10. Family is the foundation of our ministries, but not always the end of the story.
11. Christian women leaders are a gift. Pray for them.
12. Don’t get lost in time-wasters/petty things that have no fruit. Life is short.
13. Our husband’s don’t define who we are.
14. Our children don’t define who we are.
15. Our work, social status, position in the church, influence in society, good works etc. Don’t define who we are. God does.
16. Love surpasses religion.
17. We can and must be set free from self-preservation.
18. If we care about the comments of other people, we can’t be a missionary.
19. The command is “Go”, yet 99% of people stay.
20. Kill the giants in your mind.
21. Prayer is the real work of ministry, the service is the just the gathering of fruit.
22. Simply say “yes” to God each time He asks something of you, and you WILL fulfill your calling.
23. We are “aliens” in this world.
24. He has called us to put justice on display for a dying world to see. (Laura Krokos)
25. Forgiveness changes us. Forgive often and forgive everyone.
26. Don’t hold people to a level of perfection God doesn’t hold us to. (Laura Krokos)
27. He never, ever withholds love from us.
28. When we are not motivated to give or live missionally, it’s an indication that we are not seeing God as He is. (Laura Krokos)
29. Excuses hinder the mission.
30. Obedience is the remedy to fear. (Mariah McCleary)
31. Show up and He will do the rest. (Mariah McCleary)
32. The gospel sells itself. We don’t need to market it.
33. Ask ourselves, “What are we living for?” And, “Does it have eternal value?”
34. Live, focus on, and invest in those things that have eternal value.
35. Don’t be ashamed of the gospel.
36. Take initiative.
37. Go! Pursue someone for the sake of the gospel.
38. He will move about in your world at the pace that we let Him. (Mariah McCleary)
39. We must be rooted deep, practicing a faith that caters to more than “felt needs”. (Melissa Demming)
40. One of the most radical prayers you can pray is, “I will go where you want me to go, say what you want me to say, and do what you want me to do.” (Mariah McCleary)

If you were at the Missional Women Conference in 2016, you can come this year! The retreat is April 27-29 but is limited to only 50 women. Find all the details at MissionalWomenRetreat.com 

About Jen

Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook.  ​

---

If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.

Sharing this over at these awesome blogs.