I can remember the exact moment when one of the elders at our church, who was also both a friend and one of our teacher/preachers looked me right in the eye, and with great joy, said, “You have the gift of teaching!” He was happy for me. He rejoiced in God’s goodness. There was not a hint of jealousy, or suspicion or a desire to quench the Spirit.
Frankly, it changed my life and changed our church.
To me, this is one of the most powerful ministries of the Body … to look closely at people, to see the gifts God has given to them, and then (with joy!) to name those gifts. And in a church where women’s giftedness has been “caged,” it is especially empowering when male leaders call out gifts in women … not in a patronizing way; in a spirit of mutuality and partnership.
I love this insight into Phoebe.

uh… did we skip part 6? i thought it was just a typo earlier this week when you said it was our last week… Phoebe is Day 38 and we’re on Day 29. What’s up?

Anni,
I have to be done by Friday when we fly off to South Africa, so I had to skip some.

And we suffer symptoms of withdrawl – no bible study for two weeks … what will I do?

RJS…hehehe…I was wondering how Scot was going to be finished by Friday…so, we get the Abridged Version, eh?
I guess we will have to struggle by on our own…I may have to blog through that great section on 1 Cor 13 myself!
Phoebe is a wonderful topic, however, and I am grateful to you and to Paul for taking this opportunity to AFFIRM the sisters (as well as the brothers — although they were a little more accustomed to being affirmed )
I will miss the beginning post of your series today, RJS, sadly … as well as Friday’s finale to this saunter through your new book, Scot … this here local PTSA President is off in a few hours to the PTA Convention in Seattle…
Have a great trip to South Africa — look forward to catching up with the Jesus Creeders on Monday! Cinco de Mayo!!