First, let me say that we should have had a women do the recap for the 2024 Flourish Conference. But, this week has been busy and so it’s fallen back to me, a man, who went to help record videos. I recognize that no one asked for my opinion about a women’s conference. On the other hand, that could be said of most things I write here, but that’s never stopped me before.
And please excuse the tongue-in-cheek title. I wasn’t the only man present at the conference. About half of the worship team were men, and a couple of other men were present to say prayers on stage, give updates about other organizations, or to just help in the background.
The truth is, I was surprised to have walked away moved by the experience. Not because it was a women’s conference, mind you. But because I was working the whole time. When I’m doing tech for events like this, I’m always worried about the next moving part; queuing up the next piece so everything runs smoothly. I’m double and triple checking the schedule, so I know where I have to be, who needs a mic, and who needs muted. Even when things settle down, and I don't have much to do for the next 20-30 minutes, it’s still difficult to pay attention and focus, as the latent anxiety hums in the back of my mind.
When I did find some spare time to focus on the content, my attention was drawn away to other work I had to do. I found myself grading papers for a couple of the breakout sessions. Given all of that, it’s surprising then that I walked away appreciating anything at all.
Of course, the worship experience was always going to be excellent. A team of worship leaders from different ministries and churches in the Findlay area came together to provide 5 powerful worship services in 3 days. I’m not sure how the singers had a voice left afterward, or how the guitarist’s fingers weren’t raw. The team from UF’s Campus Ministries, Wharton Church of God, and College First Church of God introduced a song that most of the audience hadn’t heard before, and they had only barely rehearsed called “Lord of the Harvest”, which connected with the scriptural theme of the conference, Luke 10:2, “He (Jesus) told them, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest therefore, to send out works into his harvest field.’” The solemn but motivational song set a sincere tone for a group of women who were eager to follow God’s call on their lives.
Yet, even though the music was excellent, I was struggling to connect.
What did finally break through was, ironically, a common refrain, just not one from the music. At the start of the conference, Churches of God Women’s Ministries (CGWM) Director Kathy Foor asked each of the six speakers "why did you say yes to come here?". It’s worth noting that none of them do motivational speaking engagements for a living, and while most of the six speakers are pastors, or work in ministry, they don’t often get called to speak at events like this. Each of the women considered themselves to be an average women who God was using for ministry.. As they went down the line, most of the women said something to the effect of, “I don’t know, but I think God wanted me to.”
During their introductions, breakout sessions, panels, and Q/A’s, every single one of the six women who accepted the call to speak detailed their experiences in ministry. Each speaker told the heroes (heroines?) journey in their testimony. The ups and downs of a life walking with God. Seasons of success and failure. Seasons of faith and doubt. Seasons of pride and then humility. All of them were in a place of tenuous connection to God, not always knowing if what they were doing was the right thing but placing their faith in God’s providence anyway.
Speaker and Pastor April Ocasio detailed her tumultuous experience coming into ministry, and the immense pushback she received from church people for wanting to start a ministry to feed homeless people. Elly Maconochie talked candidly about her experience moving from the UK to Indiana, and having no clue why God had called her so far away from her family or her previous life in ministry. Pastor Kimberly Reese spoke about the emotional toll that ministry has on her life, and the strength it takes to press on. Carey Sims explained how the relentless pace of ministry burned her out. And each of these women also witnessed to God’s power to confirm or reestablish His calling for their lives despite the set backs and failures.
It was only after I caught snippets and pieces from all 6 speakers that I started to get it. For most people, God isn’t exactly loud, or even clear. For most people, listening to God looks very similar to trial and error. For most people, our vision and purpose are often descriptive of what God has done in our lives, as opposed to prescriptive of what God will do in our lives.
Perhaps some people get the Saul’s experience of being blinded by God on the Damascus Road and called into ministry. But most people probably won’t get that undeniable, powerful, life changing moment.
Instead, our walk with the Lord will probably look like walking before we even know that the Lord is leading us, let alone where. Our part is to persevere; to keep walking, and it’s God’s part to course correct. God asks us to put our faith in Him as He leads us on.
Children don’t learn to ride a bike, and then start riding. Highschool students don’t learn how to write a paper, and then write one. College graduates don’t learn how to do dream their job, and then apply. Parents don’t learn how to raise children, and then have them.
God has built us as creatures who grow, adapt, and learn, and yet we often place onto ourselves a burden for perfect clarity, knowledge, and skill before we even try.
As a man at a women’s conference, the refrain I heard, ringing in my ears even now, is to recognize how entirely normal it to experience doubt, trouble, and failure, even when we’re walking with the Lord (perhaps especially so). To walk with the Lord is to be in tension with ourselves, and the world around us. And I think that’s a message that everyone, man or woman, needs to be reminded of.
The 2024 Flourish Conference was held at the University of Findlay, on March 1-3rd, 2024. Videos of the main sessions and the breakout sessions will be available on the CGWM YouTube page soon. Click now to watch last years breakouts and sessions, and subscribe for more content.
Pastor Heidi Guyer, Pastor April Ocasio, Spiritual Director Carey Sims, mother and daughter Elly and Grace Maconochie, and Pastor Kimberly Reese were the speakers at this years Flourish Conference.
Reach out to Kathy Foor and the rest of the CGWM leadership team to if you’d like their team to come and speak at your church or event.
CGGC eNews—Vol. 18, No. 10
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