The River Approach to Women’s Ministry: Part 2

STEPHANIE HUBACH | CONTRIBUTOR Welcome to Part 2 of “The River Approach” to Women’s Ministries. . . In Part 1, we discussed how flying over Scripture from an aerial view is akin to the “river approach” flying into Reagan International Airport in Washington DC. When the pilot navigates along the Potomac River, it provides a stunning, overarching, panoramic picture of the whole Washington Mall and all of its monuments. A biblical theology approach to Scripture allows us to see how Scripture connects as a whole as God’s Grand Story. The Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Consummation (or New Creation) framework connects in a vital way with how we conduct women’s ministries in the local church. On a very practical level, this same framework ties directly to essential questions we encounter in walking alongside women. As a refresher, here is the chart that was also presented in Part 1...

The River Approach to Women’s Ministry: Part 22025-04-03T15:40:47+00:00

The River Approach to Women’s Ministry: Part 1

STEPHANIE HUBACH | CONTRIBUTOR In recent weeks, since a tragic mid-air collision over the Potomac River in Washington DC, I’ve heard many people say, “I don’t want to fly again anytime soon!” I can understand that sentiment.  We become aware of our human frailty in bold relief at times like this. However, I’ve flown into Reagan National Airport many times over the years. Some of those flights are quite memorable to me, especially when we landed at night. Reagan National Airport sits right on the banks of the Potomac River, and often the planes follow what is called “the river approach” when landing. On a clear night, passengers have an astonishing view of our nation’s capital from the air as the plane winds along the twisting path of the river. With each building lit up at night, one can see how the Washington monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the White House, the Capitol, and the Smithsonian Institution are all arrayed in relationship to each other. It is a stunning perspective! I’d fly it again in a heartbeat—just to take in the view. In a similar way, when we take an aerial perspective to the Scriptures—through the lens of biblical theology—we can suddenly see how all of the parts relate to the whole. We can see—lit up, if you will—how the major themes of Scripture tie together the grand story that God is authoring. What is that grand story—the “meta-narrative” of Scripture? And how does it relate to how we pursue women’s ministry in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)? What is the “River Approach” to Flying Over Scripture? The “river approach” to flying over Scripture—or the aerial view—helps us to step back and see the sweeping themes of how God is at work in the world, and where things are headed. This is often described as the Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Consummation (or New Creation) paradigm. Think of the Bible as describing a great drama that is unfolding—and God himself is the playwright. The first act of that drama is God’s Creation of all things. The second act of that drama is the Fall of humanity and all of its consequences. The third act of that drama is the unfolding of Redemption that comes through Christ. And the final act of that drama has yet to be revealed to us: the Consummation of Christ’s already-not-yet kingdom, also known as the New Creation—when heaven comes down-to-earth and all things are made new...

The River Approach to Women’s Ministry: Part 12025-02-17T19:52:03+00:00

When Furrows Fight Back

AIMEE JOSEPH|GUEST Complaining about work is the adult equivalent of college students complaining about mid-terms and finals. And let’s be real, we all have those days when work feels like a weight too heavy to carry and “Everybody’s working for the weekend” is our theme song. We are wired for work. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a result of the fall. Challenges in work and struggles with identity around work were most assuredly a consequence of man’s rebellion against God’s created and careful order; however, work itself honors God and is a needed part of human flourishing. Wonderful Work In his pattern of the newly minted perfect world, God offered Adam and Eve significant freedom to do significant work on the fresh earth. There were animals to name and gardens to tame. Carl Linnaeus had nothing on them. Work was not a burden, but a particular privilege for those made uniquely in God’s image. God blessed the first human couple by giving them the significant work known as the cultural mandate. “God blessed them and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground’.” (Genesis 1:28). As one who lives in San Diego and frequents the world-renowned San Diego Zoo, I can tell you this is no small task. The San Diego Zoo employs 2,300 employees to care for their menagerie. God entrusted Adam and Eve with a task that was large enough for the intellectual, physical, and creative capacities he gave them. God wired us for work. My teenaged children balk at having to do special projects around our home. As good parents, we force them to do so anyway. When the day is done, they almost always say, “Today was a good day. We worked hard and accomplished a lot.” Similarly, sometimes I catch my husband hanging out in the shed after we have organized its chaos. There is something so human and right about accomplishment after hard work. Yet you and I both know that work is not always a worshipful experience....

When Furrows Fight Back2023-03-24T18:16:45+00:00
Go to Top