The PW PurposeAt every meeting of a Circle, Coordinating Team or PW Council, we say the following statement called The PW Purpose: Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves:
This statement reflects our commitment, focus, goals, and reason for being. |
From another PW Leader - -
Debbie Chambers, PW Moderator, Providence, writes: The PW Purpose is a beautifully worded statement, but what does it really mean to us as Presbyterian Women? First, I think we need to define the word “Purpose” as it is used here. It is more than an idea, a vision, or even a goal. I think Purpose means determination; an appropriate statement for PW for we are a determined group. But determined to do what? We first say we are determined to “nurture our faith through prayer and Bible study”. Notice we did not say we would pray and study the Bible, but we would do so in a manner that would feed our faith. Faith to Christians is not just a thing to be had, but a growing, evolving part of ourselves; of our very souls, that needs nourishment in order to survive. Remember, that in many churches, PW has the only organized Bible study routinely being held outside the Sunday School curriculum. Second, we intend “to support the mission of the church worldwide.” The church here is not your local church, or even our denomination; it is the entire body of Christians worldwide and their mission is to minister the word of God to the world. But how are we to support this mission? Of course, financial support is expected, for no work can be done without financial support. But I believe that it is more than financial that is being discussed here. I believe that it means holding up the mission of the church in good times and bad, in times of joy and crisis, when we agree with that mission as well as when we don’t. “To work for justice and peace” is to influence and affect the world to provide fair treatment and harmony to the earth and her inhabitants. Most often, we think of working for justice and peace as decrying the way people are treated by governments and each other. But we need to be aware that this is only a part of justice and peace, for anything that affects the peoples of the earth, be it environment, law, society, whatever affects justice and peace for those very peoples. Lastly, we are determined “to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengths the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom.” This purpose builds to quite an ending doesn’t it? We are determined to intentionally, not accidentally, develop groups of women of all ages, races, ad social backgrounds, expressly working together for each other in a way to sustain the Presbyterian Church (USA), thereby providing evidence to the world of God’s presence and kingdom. I’ve stated all the things this Purpose intends to accomplish, but by what right do we do these things? The opening statement of our purpose provides our right: “Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ”. This shows that by the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and our acceptance of His salvation, we are freed from payment for our sins. “Empowered by the Holy Spirit” shows the holy presents within us that guides, encourages, and strengths us as we fulfill our purpose. The phrase “we commit ourselves” is important for we not only declare or promise these things, but we bind ourselves with a pledge to do God’s work as we are led. Ladies, this is an action statement. To read it, be privy to it, and believe it calls us to execute the provisions of our purpose fully and completely. Everything we do as PW should be measured against this purpose. As I said in the beginning, it is a beautifully worded statement, but to me, it is so much more. It is a brief statement of what we believe, and expect to do, as Presbyterian Women. Let us strive to fulfill this purpose in all that we do. |
