Iron Rose Sister Ministries

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Published: 19 January 2015

On Wednesday nights, a group of women here in Denver gather to discover what it means to be human and holy. We laugh together, disagree, listen, dig into the Word, examine Jesus’ example, pray, and always leave encouraged. It has been a breath of fresh air for several women who have been longing for a context in which they can be authentic.

To facilitate our discussions, we are using the 13-week interactive small group Bible study book I wrote, Human AND Holy. This week, we will be looking at chapter 5, “Relationships” and how we can follow Jesus’ example to keep our relationships holy – not perfect, set apart. Set apart from the world and for a purpose.

What a blessing to share with other women on the journey! Last week, as we looked at “Brokenness, Pain, and Loss,” we were reminded that we are not alone in the challenges we face. At the end of our time together, which is always too short, the sister leading the discussion made an observation: “Do you realize how starved we all are to share our struggles and tell others about what is really going on in our lives?!”

Are you feeling similarly starved? I guarantee you are not alone. We have to take the time and make the effort to give someone a call, meet for coffee, send a text, or mail a handwritten note. Think of the difference it would make in your day if someone did that for you.

Let’s make our relationships holy – set apart from the world for a purpose. In these relationships, we can be authentic and even vulnerable because God is the author of them and longs to bless us through relationship.

(If you are interested in starting a Human AND Holy study, books are available to order on our website, or you can call 303-482-1966 to order over the phone. If a 13 week study seems like too much of a commitment at this time, I encourage you to download our ePetal study – free when you subscribe to our blog. The important thing is to be intentional in your relationships – we want to equip you with the tools to help make that happen.)

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Published: 16 January 2015

• redemption

Zygmunt Bauman, a Polish sociologist, proposes that our culture is defined by liquid modernity and therefore devoid of solid structures. This means that our relational bonds are weak; our networks are social, but superficial; our lives are fragmented.

This liquid modernity affects us as individuals, families, churches, and a society as a whole. If we are going to make an impact that facilitates change, we must recognize that cultural revolutions begin in the middle organization of community, which has almost disappeared.

Traditional organization of community:
Macro – Nation, empire
Middle – Tribe, village, society (up to 300 people)
Micro – Individual, marriage, household (a handful of people)

Current organization of community:
Macro – Nation, internet, corporation
Middle – Almost nonexistent (a liquid society kills the structures and conventions here)
Micro – Me

But defining the problem is only the first step.

How do we address this societal breakdown? How can we rebuild middle community and impact a cultural change?

The answer: Relationships! God has given the church the answer. Mentoring, small group Bible studies, prayer partners… the very structures that Iron Rose Sister Ministries (IRSM) is dedicated to rebuilding!

As women, we hunger for strong relational bonds, strengthening and encouraging networks, solid, un-fragmented lives – the depth of relationship that is offered in Christ. However, we often lack the understanding, the skills, or the experience that make those kinds of relationships possible.

IRSM longs to equip women to connect more deeply to God and one another, thus redeeming our families and our churches for God. And we invite you to join us on the journey of redemption through intentional relationships.

There is so much more to explore on this topic, but what do you think of the concept of liquid modernity? Does the church provide the answer? How can you make a difference to rebuild community?