On Thursday’s we want to give you an insight into the lives of some of the women involved in the Scottish Women’s Convention. Some of these women are involved in full time ministry in the local Church, while others balance serving in the church with a secular job.
We sent various people a questionnaire asking them to give us a taste of what they do, the challenges they face and what they are looking forward to about the Scottish Women’s Convention.
Meet Carrie, our speaker…Carrie is Associate Minister for Women and Pastoral Care at St John Church, Tunbridge Wells, UK. She also works part-time as the Director of Women’s Ministry at Cornhill in London. She has served in women’s and student ministry for almost 20 years.
What area of ministry do you work in?
I’m involved in women’s ministry at St John’s Tunbridge Wells (small group Bible studies, CE course, one to ones etc…) and also on the staff at the Proclamation Trust (2 days a week) where I teach and tutor women at Cornhill and run a variety of conferences for women in ministry.
How did you come to work in this particular area of ministry?
I was a secondary Maths teacher for several years but then went to Bible College, having been encouraged by the pastor of the church I was attending. The plan was to study theology and then go back to school teaching. Needless to say the Lord had other plans and for the last 20 years or so I have worked in local church ministry – first with students and then young professions and now with women of all ages and stages of life.
My previous job was in London but when the funding for that role dried up, I moved down to Tunbridge Wells and have been based at St John’s since 2011.
Give one great challenge and one great joy of working in gospel ministry?
Joy – seeing the Lord at work in the women I work with, some of whom are very new Christians, as well as encouraging the older women to teach, train and model the Christian life to younger women.
Challenge – my own weakness and sin, which makes me feel inadequate for the task. It is also hard to see women walk away from the Lord when living as a Christian becomes too difficult or too costly.
What one thing has the Lord been teaching you about yourself and himself in recent times?
That it’s when I am weak and fully dependent on Him that He really is strong! I’m learning to gain from His strength when I am feeling weak/inadequate/daunted.
I’m a bit of a perfectionist and so have to trust that He gives me the time to do what’s needed – even if it’s not as polished as I would like!
Besides speaking and your seminar, what one thing about the Scottish Women’s Convention are you looking forward to and why?
It will be thrilling to meet together around God’s Word and to listen to Him speak. I am praying that the Lord will use this day to spur the women on in their love and service of the Lord Jesus and that this would have an impact in their families and their churches all across Scotland.
