wfn.org | Network of Presbyterian Women Celebrate Women's Gifts

[PCUSA NEWS <pcusa.news@ecunet.org>]

GA99055 
22-June-1999 
 
                  Network of Presbyterian Women  
                     Celebrate Women's Gifts 
 
 
FORT WORTH-The Network of Presbyterian Women in Leadership, (NPWL), in 1994 
established a network of evangelical,  reformed believing women which 
collects resources, programs and models of servant leadership that embody 
Scripture's teaching of mutual partnership in home and ministry.  For six 
years, this steadily growing organization has committed itself to providing 
seminar and workshop topics and speakers for events, and identifying and 
encouraging the gifts and ministries of promising, Christ-centered women 
theologians and leaders who embrace the scriptural and confessional 
standards of the Reformed faith. 
     An outstanding example of this commitment was the invitation to Rev. 
Dr. Ann Hoch to speak at this years' NPWL breakfast. 
     Hoch, Assistant Dean and Associate Professor of Homiletics at 
University of Dubuque Divinity School in Dubuque, Iowa caught the attention 
and imagination of those gathered with her insightful words on the account 
in John 21 of Jesus' appearance to the disciples.    
     Speaking on the topic, "Breakfast of Champions," she focused her 
comments on the tendency we have to fall back upon old routines and 
familiar ways in times of stress and change. This is what the disciples 
were doing after Jesus' death.  In order to cope with their sense of loss, 
she said, they found it easier to return to the way things used to be. 
Jesus helped Peter, she explained, choose a new way - to "try the other 
side of the boat" as it were-to help Peter reach out for a new way to find 
disciples for Christ.  And it was as a result of what happened in the 
miraculous catch that they recognized the Christ in their midst.   
     The disciples, she posited, recognized Jesus Christ when they saw the 
effects of His presence.  The response to this recognition then is the 
mission Jesus hopes for the future.  That is the commitment to spread the 
gospel and care for the Church.  Giving your life tending and feeding the 
flock as Jesus commanded Peter to do, she added, is the measure of our 
validity.   
     We have the opportunity to love people into transformation and 
recognition of the living Christ, she said.  The first "breakfast of 
champions" should empower us to be champions of love for the sake of Jesus 
Christ. 
     The Network also announced the gift of their 1999 Lydia Scholarships 
for evangelical women pursuing ordained ministry in the PC(USA) to Mindy 
Huffstetler and Jennifer Oraker. The event closed with prayers for the many 
women commissioners who were gathered. 
 
Joanne Hines 

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