Our long standing schedule has included a men’s day and a women’s day seminar in an effort to encourage, challenge and edify those in our community and surrounding area. We’ve divided the sexes for the opportunity to address gender specific issues and to encourage fellowship and camaraderie for those on the same team (i.e. gender wise). Unhindered by the possible pitfalls of competition (our seminar is better than your seminar) or exclusivity (no men allowed beyond this point), we have pushed on to find that each seminar is unique and has its individual benefits for each group. God has truly blessed us in these annual events. However, which yes, I know sounds like a disclaimer, but none-the-less… however, in Jesus there is neither male nor female (Galatians 3:28). Now this affirmation of being one in Christ is not about eradicating our differences but uniting us in the mantle of Christ where in the arms of Jesus our differences make no difference!
Paul words it this way, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12).” His conclusion then is, “so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other (cf. v.25).” There’s the key and the purpose if not at least the intent of our seminars… to show and hopefully address our concerns for one another. Individual seminars allow the freedom and intimacy for things to be shared that meet the specific needs of those involved. These seminars are not about dividing ourselves but rather uniting ourselves by better understanding of the individual parts of the body of Christ. These efforts are for honoring the gift of our gender so that we may serve the body of Christ in its fullness. Genesis tells us, “God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).” Our prayer is that in discovering the differences (male and female) we will also discover the sameness (in his image) so we may honor His place in our lives. And in turn, we may honor one another!
Yes, I know this could springboard into a cacophony of protests about where is my seminar… that is the sportsman seminar, the red-head seminar (my personal favorite), the stay-at-home mom seminar, the senior saints seminar, the toddlers seminar, the nobody pays attention to me seminar… and yes, the list is ad infinitum (and I’m sure they want a seminar too)! My answer is… if it brings us together while honoring the many parts of the body –let’s do it! May all that we say and do bring glory and honor to Him who calls us into one body through His son. Can I get an “amen?” -DAN
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