March 22, 2000
'Fly like bees and honk like geese'
___FORT WORTH (BP)--Women need to fly like bees and honk like geese to minister effectively in the 21st century, said speakers at the Women's Leadership Consultation at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
___They also need to be hard workers, obedient to God, compassionate and willing to sacrifice for the sake of the gospel, the speakers said.
___More than 400 leaders and future leaders in women's ministry gathered for the event, said coordinator Paula Hemphill.
___The conference also explored opportunities for women in ministry, introduced resources available to women and offered workshops on practical aspects of women's ministry.
___"Today is the best day of my life," said Mamie McCullough, a popular motivational speaker.
___"Have you been dirt poor, abused as a child, felt like nobody from nowhere, rejected, divorced, widowed, a single parent, seriously ill, sincerely lonely and severely depressed?" she asked.
___"I have," McCullough said. But instead of a chip, she wears a bee pin on her shoulder.
___"Aerodynamically speaking, a bee should not be able to fly," she explained, adding that the bee doesn't know its limits and flies anyway.
___"You can have a new day too. Say 'yes' to life and the good things in it," she said.
___Hemphill examined the "good things" Deborah's life produced in Judges 4 and 5.
___Encouraging women to lead as Deborah did amid cultural mayhem, Hemphill said women need to consistently worship God publicly, as Deborah did at the palm tree, and privately, as she did on the mountain.
___Hemphill also noted that Deborah's authority "was given by God, and she didn't demand but earned the people's respect." More of Israel's tribes cooperated under Deborah than anywhere else in the Old Testament, she added.
___Cheryl Reccord, wife of the president of the North American Mission Board, encouraged women to learn hard lessons from Roman Christians. In Romans 16:6, Mary is noted as a hard worker, she said.
___This indicates a willingness to work behind the scenes without caring who gets the credit, she said.
___Noting the habits of geese who regularly change leaders in flight and honk loudly for encouragement, Reccord implored women to honk.
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