Blog
Find Your New Favorite Book
One of the great joys of this ministry is the opportunity to share the resources created by the women associated with by design. This fall, we have the honor of sharing some relevant and important books authored by these brilliant and godly women. We hope that you enjoy perusing the list and that you'll choose one or two to pick up as your fall reading. Enjoy!
The High Privilege of Knowing Gail MacDonald
As a young wife new to ministry and to life in New England, I was as green as the stalks of corn ripening back home in my family’s Illinois fields. I felt ill-prepared for life in the parsonage. Titus 2:3-5 instructs older women to teach younger ones. Where was the one who would “Titus” me?
Sharing and Seeing by the Spirit
I feel very blessed to have many women in my life who have walked alongside me in my faith throughout the years. Women like my mom, my worship team “aunties,” Sunday school teachers, mentors in college, and mentors in my current ministry organization (informally or formally) have encouraged me and loved me in highs and lows. In this current season, I am especially thankful for Sam.
Barbara Arbo: The Woman of the Word (and Lots of Patience)
I did not know about dresses. Come to think of it, I’m not sure I wore a bra. And my memories of basic hygiene are vague. There stood before me a tall blond woman, her blue eyes lit with a joy I was still unfamiliar with. She was stunning! Her dress matched her earrings, both swirling in rich turquoise and fuchsia. And she wore lipstick. I wore an old T-shirt that smelled like yesterday’s ashtray...
Bloom Where You're Planted
These women shared a common thread that greatly impacted my own personal spiritual growth, in each one I saw a faithful acceptance of where God had led them each to be. And in that acceptance, they had grown hearts that longed to lift others up to their heavenly father.
Keep Looking Up
In 1975, Miss Coughlin assigned the new girl to the seat right next to mine. Lenore was introduced to the 5th grade students, and before homeroom ended, the teacher asked me to show her the way to the girls’ bathroom. From that day, we were drawn together as best friends in every way – except one:
My Angel Mama
I like to say we met on a wing and a prayer. Unlike the implication of this old adage, however, our friendship was blessed from the beginning.More than three and a half decades my senior, this angel on earth was our pastor’s wife, but I didn’t first meet her in church.
Barriers and Resources
When we think of investing in the lives of others as God has commanded us, so many barriers can quickly pop into our minds! Perhaps the common phrases “full,” “not much margin,” or “tired” come to mind. Sadly, I must admit: I have used these terms more than once lately to describe my own life. Or maybe it’s not the resource of time that you feel is in short supply; perhaps you feel that you don’t have much emotional margin due to difficulties in your own life … perhaps you feel like you aren’t a great “people person” ... maybe finances are tight. Whether you feel in short supply in the area of time, finances, emotional margin, energy, or people skills, listen up: I have a word of encouragement for you!
Being Discipled
When I first met Barbara back in March of 2021, I was going through a particularly challenging time in my life. I had been dealing with a severe health issue for the past nine months, with no answers from doctors and no healing in sight. I had reached out to Barbara for help and guidance. Not only was my health struggling but my marriage was suffering. I found out
Both a Leader and a Friend
I was an awkward 15-year-old when I first joined my new church’s youth group. We had been going to the church for a while but hadn’t gotten around to checking out the student activities until then. I remember feeling incredibly nervous and shy around all the kids my own age. I used to get anxious when trying to get to know new people and find things to talk about, so I didn’t think it was going to go very smoothly.After wandering around for a while
Erica and the Silverware
Unhappy with my response, she pouted. She wanted to help cook. She wanted to do something she enjoyed, something she felt was important. Setting the table wasn’t anything important.
When I Let Go
For some time I’d known I was running from Him. It didn’t look like it on the outside; I was doing all the “right” things. I didn’t know exactly why or what the problem was, but I was working overtime to avoid finding out, avoiding Him.
A Night of Surprise and Inspiration
Gina brought social science to bear in the realm of real mission. She led with data rich concepts from the United Nations Human Development Report and tied this data to how women use their natural inclination toward relationship to bring female perspective and presence to the head of the table where true leadership decisions are made.
Why Reinvent the Wheel?
Last month, by design ministries was invited to take part in the New England Discipleship Roundtable at Gordon Conwell Seminary. Christian organizations from all around New England gathered to share resources and discuss the current state of discipleship in our area. As you know, by design is passionate about mentoring and discipling the upcoming generations, so this event was an exciting opportunity.
The JOY Found in Mentoring
Mentoring and discipling young women is the heartbeat of by design ministries, and we know that many of you share our passion for impacting the next generations for Christ. But sometimes, even when you’re convinced of the importance of mentoring, questions arise...
The Sacrifice
It’s almost Palm Sunday. That means Good Friday isn’t far behind. We think of the greatsacrifice Jesus made for us, as we should. But there was another sacrifice, one we often miss: the Father’s sacrifice.
Engaging with a "Missing" Generation
Looking around at your church congregation, how many Gen Z and millennials are present? If your church is like many, there seems to be a whole generation missing.
Concerned? You’re not alone.
Trusting God with the Future
Listening to the news, I’m challenged to believe for a better tomorrow – or at least one that’s no worse than today. Sometimes I slip into worry. I have to remind myself that God is sovereign.
Stop Trying to Keep Young People in the Church
It was only recently that I started noticing the trends of young people’s indifference to, frustration with, and abandonment of the church. As I paid more attention to why my friends felt the way they did about church, I realized that a major aspect for them was involvement.
Breathe, Rest, & Listen
As I settled into my chair for our opening evening of welcome and worship, I reveled in having nothing to prepare, nothing to lead, nothing I had to be “on” for. I could smile at each woman entering, or bow my head in preparation, just breathe, rest, and listen to God. Each and every year I attend, I find that I am renewed, uplifted, and refreshed.