Women’s Ministry
The Living Vine
Women and “Theological Fitness”
Theology is simply the study of God. Therefore, it cannot be lifeless, stuffy,
or disconnected from everyday existence. The first chapter of John tells us that
in our Lord there is life and that he is the light of men. In John 6, Jesus reveals
himself as the bread of life. Jesus is spoken of as the way, the truth, and the life
in John 14. In Acts 3 our Lord is called the Author of life. Galatians 2 explains
that we are crucified with Christ and that he now lives in us. Colossians 3
declares that Jesus is our life. Every day we need life, light, and bread. Every day
we need to know the author of life in order to have any understanding of the
meaning of life. Nothing could be more practical or vital than the study of God. For many women, an unexpected
pregnancy can be anything but
a blessing. For many it is a
crisis situation. The Living Vine
Christian Maternity Home, located
in Savannah, is one of the few
places in the region that helps
young girls and women when they
have nowhere else to turn.
Aimee Byrd, in her book Theological Fitness, says “that theology shapes
the way we live. What we believe about who God is, who we are, and what he
has done will affect our everyday thinking and behavior.” In this book Aimee
goes on to use the analogy of physical fitness to speak to us about our spiritual
fitness. Aimee’s point is clear: just as it takes effort to attain and maintain
physical fitness, it takes effort to attain and maintain spiritual fitness. Our
theology is why we are what we are, and weak theology produces a life that is
less than it could be. If we understand the need for physical fitness in this life,
then we can also understand our greater need of spiritual fitness for everyday
living. Residents are provided meals,
shelter, education, medical care,
instruction in child care, financial
management and job training. As
a Christian ministry, The Living
Vine also provides Biblical training
and seeks to lead the women to
Christ. During the recent missions
conference we heard from Emily
Thomas, Program Director of
the Living Vine, and learned of
the many women who have been
blessed by the ministry. There
are many volunteer opportunities
such as helping with yard work,
house maintenance, vehicle
maintenance or providing meals
for the residents.
Because we see that theological fitness is necessary for life, then we know that
theological fitness is not just for men. Men are the pastors, teachers, and they
hold leadership positions in the church, but women are also beings created in
the image of God made to reflect who he is. We are “co-heirs of the grace of
life” and co-workers in the work of the gospel. We are equally commanded in 2
Timothy to “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker
who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” The study
of God is essential for both men and women.
The women of our church are excited and grateful for the opportunity
that we will have to study the Westminster Confession of Faith beginning in
September 2018. Both of our weekly Tuesday morning Bible study groups will
meet together for the study. (We invite any and all to join us!) We have asked
our pastor, Terry Johnson, to be our teacher and guide us through the same
material that he uses in the officer training for the men in our church. We
obviously will not be officers at the end of the study, but we will be practicing
“theological fitness” together. Hopefully and prayerfully as we study to know
God, our minds and hearts will be enriched and enlightened, making us better
fit for everyday life.
— Jane Boatright
PAGE 6
MAY 2018
Starting in May, the Women of the
Church have agreed to provide a
meal for the Living Vine residents
the first Friday of each month. The
meal needs to feed between 5-10
residents and should be dropped
off at the home located at 535
East 54 th Street by 6:00 p.m. You
can provide a meal by yourself or
work with someone else to provide
a meal.
An email was sent out through
the W.O.C. email list with an
opportunity to sign up for this
ministry opportunity. If you
have questions please contact
Wendy Sutton at 912-224-8845 or
[email protected].
IPC