Discussion Board Forum 2
Topic: Identity in Ministry
Thread: In the first 2 chapters of “A Woman and Her God,” the authors discuss issues of identity
and ministry. Consider your own life. How do you personally foster a heart for those in need, and
how does your spiritual life impact your ability to minister to others?
I personally foster a heart for those in need by reading God’s word and applying this word to my
life. When I see a need for someone who is not able to do for themselves, I immediately pray and
wait on God to tell me how to approach that particular person. Sometimes the situation can be
immediate and action has to be taken right at that moment, but it does not take an elaborate
prayer to reach Jesus and hear from Him. Everybody is not the same so I ask the Lord to give me
a discerning heart. I never judge those in need; I just show God’s love and this scripture says it
clear “do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is
pleased”(Hebrews 13:16 NIV). My spiritual walk has allowed me to minister to others with a
heart of love and not judgment. I seek the Lord daily for I do not know when He may show me
the heart of that one in need. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in
glory by Christ Jesus”(Philippians 4:19KJV). This scripture has some significance in that if I
approach someone or someone approach me with a need, I’ll take time to seek the Lord as to
what shall I do. God supplies me with the necessary resources in order to minister as well as
most of all, show His love. My spiritual life has impact my ability to minister in Jamaica, New
York, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. I’ve learned to wait on Jesus and not be anxious
for anything. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with
thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6 KJV).
Discussion Board Forum 3
Topic: Ministering to Depression
Thread: After reading Chapter 5 of the Hislop text, give your own definition of depression. What
does it look like? Then, give 3 or more clear ways that you can minister to or counsel a women
suffering from depression. In your discussion, share additional ways that you can minister or
ways that you have ministered to those suffering from depression in the past.
After reading Chapter five of the text, my definition of depression is feelings of discouragement
and despair. Depression look like a dark, gloomy path with objects in the way plus unforeseen
objects you have no time in which to get out of the way and then it hits you. When situations for
a woman are critical and full of despair, one way to minister or even counsel is listening, provide
support and spiritual guidance. “A woman gains strength when others in the church offer a
listening ear, practical support, and spiritual tools to assist in times of crises”(Hislop, 2010, ch.
5). It’s important to understand why we are in this position of helping within the process. We
must be aware of our interactions as well as our reactions to whatever she say or do. Another
way to minister is to assure that the woman will not be alone through this process. Being
alongside her through this difficult time will help to bring a feeling of importance and rebuild her
strength so that she can move forward and succeed within a new chapter in her life. Another way
to help is to make sure that the professional care she needs through outside sources is legitimate,
worth the time and the effort. No journey such as this should be done alone. There is a way that
I’ve have helped several women in the process of depression when it comes to the death of a love
one or multiple love ones. At the church I attend, we have implemented GriefShare which is a
thirteen session process that consist of the participants watching a video, discussing the video
and then interacting with each other and this process has helped in the process of losing a loved
one. It has been a blessing to our church and to me as well. I have a lot of empathy for those who
have lost a love one and I’ve been blessed to know that with the help of God, many have been
able to move on with their lives and grow closer to the Lord.
Hislop, B. (2010). Shepherding Women in Pain. (Liberty University Online Bookshelf).
Retrieved from http://libertyonline.vitalsource.com
Discussion Board Forum 4
Topic: Spiritual Abuse
Thread: After reading Chapter 20 of the Hislop text, describe spiritual abuse in your own words.
Why do you think we oftentimes miss this form of abuse? How can we minister to those abused
in this way?
Spiritual abuse is a person who has religious authority and will use this as a way to manipulate,
dominate and control another person to do whatever they want in the name of God. By doing so
will make the person feel worthless to everyone, except the authority figure. We tend to miss this
form of abuse because the way it happens is subtle and manipulative. That is why many who go
through this abuse do not understand how it happened because the person of authority make
every idea, task or project as a way to bring glory to God when in fact there is no glory except to
the one who is the leader. As the abuse continues, “abusers typically use guilt, fear, and
intimidation to control their victims as the abuse goes on” (Hislop, 2010, ch 20). The spiritual
abuse gets worse and eventually the one who is doing this abuse will control who the person can
speak to, such as the parents. More time and effort is given to the abuser and less time to family.
Ministering to those who are dealing with spiritual abuse is important which is why we have to
pray for strength and peace. We should watch how we interact with someone who has or is
suffering from an abuser. Don’t allow the abused person to control. The abuser has used words as
a form of manipulation. So the passages of scripture or verses sound different and we need to
untwist some scriptures. It helps the victim to read and interpret so that they can get a better
understanding of what is said. Have some study time of the Bible. This will help to bring some
peace, confidence and the insight of development.
Discussion Board Forum 5
Topic: Trustworthiness of God
Thread: Throughout this course, we have learned about how to counsel women throughout the
various stages of life and how to deal with the unique issues that women face. Why is it so
essential that we understand women as individuals? What are some key principles for
shepherding women in pain? Note: This discussion should draw from material throughout the
term, synthesizing the information you have learned.
Replies: Read and reply to the threads of at least 3 of your classmates. Replies must involve
some discussion, not simply saying you agree or disagree, and must indicate how your opinion
may have changed as you worked through the module/week.
Submit your thread by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, and submit your replies by 11:59 p.m. (ET)
on Friday.
Thread: Throughout this course, we have learned about how to counsel women throughout the
various stages of life and how to deal with the unique issues that women face.
The reason why it’s so essential to understand women as individuals because they are emotional,
unpredictable and sensitive to every aspect of their lives. Whatever state of mind they’re in at the
moment of conversation or ministering, it’s important to understand the emotional state of the
woman as well as the sensitivity level so that you’ll be more connected and know where you are
with helping her through whatever she’s facing. I believe that one important aspect of
understanding women as individuals is that they are more in tune with processing their issues
and multi-task every part of their life and that to me can be awkward. Knowing women and the
complexity of them as an Individual can be make a difference in how you reach them as well as
help them.
In all of the chapters in both textbooks, I noticed that one particular principle is to be an effective
listener. Every issue that arise in a woman’s life can be helped if the shepherd will listen to what
the woman has to say. When you talk to a woman who is hurting, you can gain a lot of
knowledge of how to shepherd her when she’s in pain. Another key in shepherding women is
helping them to develop a vertical and horizontal relationship with Christ. “The vertical
dimension cannot be excluded. It is life-giving” (Hislop, 2010, ch5). When it comes to
shepherding women, it is most important that the relationship with Jesus Christ is the center
point in helping to bring insight and effectively bringing deliverance to every situation. “ On the
horizontal level, shepherding women in pain effectively must include active listening skills and
understanding of the issues causing emotional pain” (Hislop, 2010, ch5).
Hislop, B. (2010). Shepherding Women in Pain. (Liberty University Online Bookshelf).
Retrieved from http://libertyonline.vitalsource.com
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