In June 2015, about 20 women gathered in London for a meeting to discuss women’s ministries in complementarian contexts around the world. Our hope was to learn from one another and encourage each other in our task.
We heard from women in Australia, South Africa, Europe, UAE, and the United States. Led by the Proclamation Trust, we first met at the Evangelical Ministry Assembly (EMA) and enjoyed excellent teaching and fellowship. Afterward, we traveled to The Oast House Retreat Center to debrief, discuss, and get to know one another.
It was one of those gatherings that left me wanting to share with others the kingdom work being done by women in a variety of settings. I’ve asked these ladies to tell us a bit about their ministries, so that we can all glean from their wisdom and prayerfully support their labors around the world.
Today, we’ll get a glimpse into the ministry work of Ruth Bridcut. She lives in Dublin, Ireland, and for the past five years has ministered at Immanuel Church Dublin.
Can you share with us a little about the culture where you live and the work you are doing?
Ireland has changed dramatically in the past 20 years, from being a poor, conservative, Roman Catholic-dominated country, to being much more prosperous, ethnically diverse, and having a strong secular mindset.
Immigration, particularly from African countries, has strengthened the evangelical church, but the general attitude to Christianity (often not distinguished from Catholicism) is often apathy and disgust. Immanuel Church Dublin, due to its city-center location, reflects more the international aspect of Dublin. However, church members travel in from all parts of the city.
Immanuel Church meets in the Irish Church Missions building (left of picture), close to the Spire and O’Connell Street, which mark the centre of Dublin.
As our church is supported by our parent mission organization, Irish Church Missions, we are involved in training church apprentices for work in Ireland and beyond. While mentoring female apprentices, I am involved with them in evangelistic cafés and Bible studies with international students, Bible study groups or one-to-one meetings with women in the church, a parent and toddler group, and co-ordinating the Sunday children’s ministry.
As a church, we are trying to connect with existing city events on our doorstep, such as a Bible exhibition as part of the city’s culture night, and an exhibition on St. Patrick, as part of the St. Patrick Festival.
What are some of the challenges of your ministry in Dublin? What are some of the joys?
Challenges: Being a city-center church, we have a very high turnover of people. Many study or work in Dublin for short periods of time (often several months to one year), so it can be difficult to establish meaningful contact with women due to busy schedules and a short time-frame. Meaningful friendships within the church are more challenging as people don’t generally live near each other. Aside from the regular church Bible study groups, I try to arrange smaller Bible study groups as the need arises, for a small group of three to five women, for their season of availability.
Evangelism and establishing meaningful relationships outside our church building is difficult in a city-center context, where there isn’t an identifiable community to seek to reach (aside from everyone in the city!).
Joys: The evangelical scene in Dublin is small, so the annual Dublin Women’s Convention, attended by approximately 160 ladies from churches across Dublin has been a joy to help in organizing. It is particularly encouraging to see women who are generally part of small fellowships across the city being encouraged from God’s Word, and from meeting with other women who are keen to grow in faith and live for Christ in their similar contexts.
Whether with short or longer-term relationships, it is a privilege to be able to support or witness to various women through Bible study groups or one-to-one Bible studies who are hungry to learn more and grow in faith. Another joy is the training opportunity provided by short-term smaller groups, when women who are keen to serve and grow in faith can both be a support in the group and also take a turn at leading a study.
In what ways have you seen the Lord at work?
The Lord generally works in seemingly small ways, as week by week, women are encouraged from God’s Word, and sometimes I am privileged to hear how God’s Word has strengthened them in a particular situation.
Several international women have said how their time in Dublin, away from their home culture, has allowed them to explore Christianity and the Bible with fresh eyes. Some have recognized God’s work in their lives, helping them to have a renewed growth in faith. Some have wondered at God’s work in their lives, despite their previously disinterested mindsets. Some have appreciated a new-to-them expository style of teaching and Bible study and been more excited to read God’s Word. It is difficult to maintain meaningful contact with people beyond their time in Ireland, but it has been encouraging to hear of two women continuing to cling to God through challenges, beyond their time with us.
How have you been encouraged or supported in your ministry by pastors and elders?
My position is unique in the Republic of Ireland, and its existence is testimony to the value which my church and mission organization put on supporting women in their faith and in equipping women to teach God’s Word in other contexts in the future.
Our women’s ministry events (Bible study groups and annual ladies’ Bible teaching morning) are actively encouraged and promoted in the church and considered a significant part of the church’s ministry. The church staff and finance committee are personally encouraging and appreciative of my contribution, and our church pastor has continued to prioritize funding for my position, amid many competing demands.
For those reading this today, what are two specific ways we can pray for your work?
Given the short time that many women are at our church, I would appreciate prayer for wisdom in how best to support them, to invest wisely in particular people and groups. Please pray for wisdom when people aren’t committing to meet up, to know when to support elsewhere, or when groups are flagging, to know when to take a break and a rethink.
Please pray that we may be able to use our city-center location for God’s glory, that we might be a spiritual oasis for Irish people and internationals alike. Pray that God may use our efforts to use city-center events as opportunities to share the good news of Jesus.
Ruth is back living and working in her home church and city, having previously worked in medical physics in Belfast and as a church apprentice near London. She enjoys using holidays to visit family and friends, and is seeking to improve skills of squash and photography. You can read more at her blog.
