by Hannah Hanzel | Nov 8, 2018
I sat with my sister in our floor seats in the Oklahoma City Civic Center. She was tickled to death to be there, and I was prouder than ever, having supplied our tickets to this live performance. Hello Dolly had been a favorite show of ours for years, thanks to Barbara Streisand’s stunning performance in the 1969 film. Soon the lights dimmed, the conductor tapped his baton, and we were transported to the colorful life of New York City in the early 1900s.
Not long into the musical, Mr. Horace Vandergelder seized the stage with a posse of men. The chorus of their hit number flowed from the orchestra seats back to where we sat, “Yes, it takes a woman, a dainty woman, a sweetheart, a mistress, a wife!” They went on to list a woman’s role in the household, like joyously cleaning out the drain in the sink and dumping the ashes. Even for an early 20th century woman, the song would have been slightly patronizing and demeaning.
It called for a good belly laugh as the song permeated the historic theater’s cheery atmosphere. But a woman like myself had to have left the theater thinking of what has changed for women since that time period. Is there still a mentality of silent women in silent homes, silently completing chores?
I should say not… for better or for worse, who knows? Women now can be assertive, meek, bold, shy, fat, skinny, lazy, or active. In short, we have freedom. We have “the vote”! We have a voice. We have representatives in entertainment, politics, religion, pop culture, the news, sports, the home, education and more! There seems to be no limit for a bright and driven woman these days.
And yet, we do have limits. We have weaknesses as well as strengths. For a Christian woman, our identity is continually under attack. Our attackers vary from leaders in religious organizations to liberal feminists; from ex-boyfriends to college professors. Our assailants come from every direction, ever compelling us to surrender to their ideas of who we are and what our role is.
But what does God say about women?
As He is my Creator, His opinion matters very much to me. His voice should be louder than feminists and fundamentalists combined! But we don’t talk about God’s opinion. We talk about our own, and we talk about others’. This blog is not to share my feelings or express my frustration as a woman, but it is to discuss and provide truth. The only truth comes from God’s Word.
Listed below are three key things that God, through the power of His authors and Holy Spirit, spoke of women and their role in Holy Scripture. We will observe what this means for both men and women:
- God lets women lead men. This may quickly become the most argued point in my blog. Recall that we are using Scripture as our plumb line. Judges 4 tells part of the story of an amazing prophetess named Deborah. In this passage Barak surrenders his right as leader, in order to see victory through Deborah.
- What this means for Men: Barach was not willing to trust God for the victory in his leadership role. Before assuming any authority, Deborah made clear that if she were to go with him, Barach would not receive any praise or personal victory. When men will not lead, God will rise up women to lead in their place. Men, remember that God is not limited to using one gender to bring about His victory. Recognize the abilities of the women around you and do not assume you deserve the right to lead.
- What this means for Women: Deborah did not pursue the opportunity to lead. She did not kick able-bodied men out of the way to assert herself. Likewise, if the Lord should call a women to lead, we must be willing to humble ourselves and recognize God’s power. Women, follow the men God has placed in authority, but be prepared spiritually should the Lord ever call you to lead as well.
- God equally respects and equips women. In John 4, Jesus Christ stops at a well to interact with a woman. He does not patronize her. He does not comment on her looks or abilities. He seeks her soul and reveals her value in Him. He equips her as He did His disciples and as He equips us even now… with Living Water. The amazing thing about the Living Water is that He has not poured more into a man’s cup than into a woman’s cup. Rather, the Living Water is poured into each cup in equal amounts.
- What this means for Men: Jesus not only stopped to speak plainly and intelligently with a woman, but He also did not even justify that being an unusual thing for the time. The disciples desired to question his actions in talking with the woman (John 4:27), but even they did not question Him. Men, respect and recognize where you are equal with women. They are not intellectually weaker or less spiritually equipped than you.
- What this means for Women: Do not believe the lie that women are “less than” or that women are “more than.” Do not let a man belittle you, but do not rob a man of the opportunity to exercise his respect for you.
- God made women. First Corinthians 11 addresses women’s and men’s role in life very explicitly. Something that often gets misconstrued in this passage is where women come from – man or God? Let’s be clear on this basic truth. Women were created by God out of man. God created man, so there is no room for boasting on the man’s part when it comes to the woman’s being.
- What this means for Men: You only have the authority that has been given to you by God, the Creator. Do you use your authority over women to assert yourself or to demean them? Or do you see the authority as a gracious gift to exercise for God’s glory? How you answer these questions will reveal much of who you are as a man… let alone a man of God.
- What this means for Women. You are first and foremost under God’s authority. He directs your paths and plans your steps. If His plan involves a man in authority over you, you must see it as an opportunity to be loved well and to glorify God. Do not see it as a place of slavery or injustice.
There are about a million and one things we could cover based on what Scripture says about the relationship between men and women. These are three that I chose to address as they are of great importance to me.
The value of women in the Church, workplace, home, politics, classroom and so many other places should never be overlooked. The value of men in the Church, workplace, home, politics, classroom, and so many other places should never be overlooked. God is not restricted in His love nor in His ability to use a person with a willing heart, whatever gender. Let us reflect our Blessed Redeemer in this.
by Hannah Hanzel | Sep 12, 2018
Don’t play cards, don’t go dancing and don’t argue with a deacon. Don’t sass the church lady, don’t wear shorts to service and don’t drink alcohol. Don’t forget to tithe, don’t miss the meal afterwards and don’t run in church.
It seems much of what people know about Baptist churches are the “don’ts.” To the list of “don’ts” above, many more could be added. Some are biblical, such as, “don’t disrespect your mama.” And some are maybe not so biblical like, “don’t sit in Barbara Jean’s pew.”
It breaks my heart when I meet someone who has fallen away from their Baptist roots because of the overwhelming amount of “don’ts” that were preached to them growing up.
There are a lot of pros and cons to being Baptist. In my opinion, the former far outweighs the latter. I grew up saturated in the Baptist world in the best kind of way.
Many people my age don’t understand the role of Baptists in history, let alone their impact on today. Several young adults in my own small group don’t know Baptist lingo and phrases like “CP”, “BGCO”, “Church Planting”, or even “IMB”- organizations and practices that are shaping the Church as we know it.
So, what is a Baptist?
Webster’s Dictionary defines a Baptist as “A member of a Protestant Christian denomination advocating baptism only of adult believers by total immersion.” Is this wrong? No. Is this all that Baptists are? Absolutely not!
Baptists, simply put, are Christ-followers who, seeing the Word of God as holy and of ultimate authority, live to glorify God through living in obedience to Him and all that entails. It entails fellowship (hence the potlucks), hospitality (small groups), evangelism (hence all the summer camps), generosity (love offerings), knowledge of God’s Word (hence Vacation Bible School), missional living (hence the mission trips), caring for the least of these (like OBHC and BVC), stewarding our money well (hence the BFO), training and growing new believers (hence the BGCO and OBU), and uniting in one cause across the country to do all of these things well and excellently (hence the Cooperative Program).
Now, I’m tired just having typed all of that out, but did you realize that the Baptist Church as a whole is angled to live like what is described above? Do Baptists fail at this? Often. Do Baptist church members still gossip about each other? Of course. Do small groups get comfortable and forget the mission? Most definitely. The definition of “Baptist” is not perfect. In fact, it’s because Baptists realize how imperfect they are that they view God’s Word as perfect and holy. Because when people fail, we know without a shadow of a doubt that God will not.
Being Baptist, in case you haven’t noticed from this blog alone, means you deal with a ton of acronyms. In fact, when you were the age to attend GA’s at FBC, you learned the ABC’s of salvation at VBS after you got back from CT, which is run through the BGCO, which affiliates with OBHC. Once you left FBC to go to OBU, you learned about BCM through FC. After you got older, you set up your estate with BFO and spent the rest of your elderly days in the BVC in OKC. The acronyms are endless! Let me break them down for you really quick:
- For kids: GAs (Girls in Action), RAs (Royal Ambassadors), Mission Friends, and more are programs that teach children of all ages to treasure God’s Word and live in obedience to Him. VBS (Vacation Bible School) is a week-long, Summer day camp where kids come to a church building for crafts, music and stories all centered around the Gospel message. CT (CrossTimbers Children’s Mission Adventure Camp) along with ACC (Associational Children’s Camp) both make up the exciting Summer camp opportunities for Baptist children (along with several other scattered associational camps). Lastly, OBHC (Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children) offers a safe place for children to live and grow in a Christian family environment, as well as offers training and support for foster parents.
- For students: High school and middle school students can attend the huge Oklahoma Baptist summer youth camp called Falls Creek (FC). The camp has been around for more than 100 years, investing in lives and ministries to come. Did you know that Baptists have multiple universities across the nation? The one in Oklahoma is simply called OBU (Oklahoma Baptist University). Don’t want to go to a Baptist college? That’s OK, because there is a Baptist ministry at nearly every college in the state of Oklahoma through BCM (Baptist Collegiate Ministry).
- For everyone: The IMB (International Mission Board) is an organization that deploys and supports international missions, and NAMB (North American Mission Board) is an organization that plants and grows churches/ministries in North America. Did you know that every part of the United States is covered by some form of a Baptist convention, and the state of Oklahoma has it’s very own? The BGCO (Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma) is a resource center for many of the ministries mentioned above. It consists of ministry specialists, equipment, trainings and more. BVC (Baptist Village Communities) is an organization that reaches elderly or disabled people, and BFO (the Baptist Foundation of Oklahoma) is a ministry that assists in setting up Baptists’ estates and churches’ finances.
There are a ton more, but I really want to highlight one acronym that represents one of the most innovative and powerful aspects of the Baptist life and denomination:
CP (The Cooperative Program) is one of the most ground-breaking ideas I’ve ever experienced in my life. The whole concept behind the Cooperative Program, simply put, is that one church cannot do it alone. We need each other. When we give money in the offering plate at a Baptist church that gives to the Cooperative Program, we are giving a bottle of water through NAMB to a Disaster Relief site. We are giving a fun social event for that widow who lives alone at the BVC. We are giving a carabiner to the ropes course at Falls Creek where a student will accept Christ. We are giving a Christmas tree to the IMB missionary family in Central Asia on their first Christmas away from family. I could do none of these things on my own, but through the Cooperative Program, one penny is like a thousand dollars.
Someday I hope the world does not remember Baptists as the people with all the “don’ts” and all the acronyms. In fact, I don’t even hope the world remembers Baptists. I hope that when the world thinks of the denomination, they think of the Savior of sinners, dying on a cross for their sins. I pray the world thinks of God’s sacrifice and lovingkindness toward a thousand generations. May Baptists all over the world be the biggest, most imperfect flashing arrow pointing to our perfect God.
I offer one last Baptist “don’t” for the road…
Don’t forget the power of an imperfect denomination in the hands of a perfect God.
by Hannah Hanzel | Aug 13, 2018
EDITOR’S NOTE: While regular Millennial Monday blogger Emily Howsden is away on maternity leave, Millennial Monday will continue as guest bloggers fill in over the next couple of weeks.
Gone Fishing!
You’ve heard this phrase before, of course. It’s often seen written on a sign that is hanging from someone’s house or business to let others know that they are busy elsewhere. Busy fishing, obviously.
If you fish at all, you know that this sign means fun, relaxation or even escape. You can’t imagine life without getting to grab your rod and reel and the prime spot on the lake.
However, if you don’t fish, then this sign is a complete inconvenience. You can’t even wrap your head around why someone would deny the company of visitors and customers just to catch some fish. There are other, more important obligations to attend to.
Each party sees their viewpoint as the wisest. Each party sees their focus as the best use of time. These two parties are highly comparable to two kinds of churches I see in our modern age. The first church evangelizes well. The second church disciples well. Sadly, not many churches emphasize both.
The first church, whose focus is primarily evangelism, will all but sin to get people to Christ and through the waters of baptism. This is the church with the “Gone Fishing” sign up on their front door.
These churches are focused on fishing for men as Christ speaks of in Mark 1:17. This church is typically very effective in reaching the lost or the “seekers.” They’ll have prayer meetings at coffee shops, have a rapper perform at their church, or they’ll even allow caffeine beverages in the sanctuary.
While this church is definitely fulfilling the evangelistic message in Scripture, it is not fulfilling the Gospel call of discipleship. Where are the discipleship groups? The Sunday school training? Or even your basic apologetics courses? Yes, you’ve got the “seekers,” but what are you teaching them beyond the basic milk of a salvation experience?
Then you have the second church. This is the church with the doors wide open. They have the highest numbers of attendance for their “in-reach” fellowship events. The church’s members know the Bible like the back of their hands. This church is completely focused on building up and encouraging one another as the Bible also speaks of in 1 Thess. 5:11.
This congregation is typically very effective in producing leaders of the faith and building Christian families. They’ll host Bible drill classes, women’s conferences and, more than likely, have an amazing choir, with traditional robes, of course.
Again, while this church is definitely fulfilling some Scripture, it is not fulfilling it all. Where are the mission trips overseas? The community outreach events? Or even the basic ministry partnerships? Yes, you’ve got the knowledge, but what are you using it for beyond merely showing off?
The former church is so often “Gone Fishing” that the members have no idea what to do with the fish once they are “caught.” No discipleship or growth ensues.
The latter church is so often fattening its fishermen that they have no idea how to actually go fishing. They typically do not even have the confidence to leave the walls of the church to go to the fish.
Both churches must return to their first love. No doubt, both congregations had full intentions of pleasing the Lord in the beginning by fulfilling Scripture in their own way and under their own convictions, but it is time for them both, for us all, to remember God’s commission:
“The eleven disciples traveled to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but some doubted. Jesus came near and said to them, ‘All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’”
Matt. 28:16-20 breaks down the Church’s call beautifully. I see three key things we are called to do as disciples of Christ and fishers of men:
- Go where God has directed us. The first verse simply said the disciples were obedient and went where Jesus had directed them. Simply put, we must follow the direction of the Lord, even if we only have the small picture.
- Make disciples of all nations. Can you picture a sanctuary busting at the seams with all races, nationalities, backgrounds, financial states and relationship statuses praising God in unison? Can you see it? It doesn’t happen by staying inside the walls of the Church. We must go out where God has directed us and reach the people that would not otherwise step foot inside a church building.
- Teach each other to observe Christ’s commands. Obedient disciples make obedient disciples. Passionate disciples make passionate disciples. Knowledgeable disciples make knowledgeable disciples. Once one has accepted the Lord and coming to know Him as Savior, we must get them neck deep in God’s Word. Holy Scripture is powerful and essential for the training of disciples.
This is just one Millennial’s outlook on churches today. I praise God for the churches that have practiced both evangelism and discipleship well. It is a rare find and a true treasure. My prayer for the Church as a whole is that we would reflect this Great Commission in the workings of our congregations. May we be a people who fish intentionally, as well as train new fishermen powerfully.
by Hannah Hanzel | Jul 16, 2018
EDITOR’S NOTE: While regular Millennial Monday blogger Emily Howsden is away on maternity leave, Millennial Monday will continue as guest bloggers fill in over the next couple of months.
Hello! My name is Hannah. I have the pleasure of guest writing on this Millennial Monday blog as my friend and co-worker, Emily, steps out for maternity leave. As I began my blogging process, coffee in hand, I began to contemplate what to write about in light of this being a blog with insights for and from young adults my age.
I would like to start off by telling you something about myself that I just recently discovered… I am a “Three.”
Some of you know exactly what I mean when I say this, and some of you are currently masking your confusion with a polite smile. When I say, “I am a Three”, I am referring to a popular personality test called Enneagram.
Enneagram is not unlike the Myers-Briggs personality test, where you answer several questions, and then, at the end of this nearly 15-minute test, your personality is revealed to you either through letters, titles or numbers. Enneagram utilizes numbers, which brings me back around to who I am… a Three.
A Three, according to my Enneagram results, is “The Achiever.” Threes are success-oriented, adaptable, excelling, driven and image-conscious. A Three’s primary weakness is the fear of being worthless. You can find your number here.
I first heard about this test at a game night with some of my friends. Everyone talked endlessly about their number and what that meant about them. Each person affirmed the others’ numbers and results. I heard about the test a second time at supper with a friend, then a third time at my Bible study. Each time I became more and more curious about my number.
I finally Googled it and took the test. Really, in the end, it affirmed what everyone told me I would be… an assertive and bold Three. Nearly all my friends identified who they knew me to be, based on the number system, and it was no surprise to them when I revealed my number.
Before long, almost all my friend groups were discussing the test. The Eights loudly proclaimed their number. The Twos meekly introduced themselves. We were lucky if we got the Fours to admit who they were (though we all knew). Eventually, all nine personalities were revealed.
Naturally, the more I observed this new party trick of revealing your number, the more I became unsettled. What is our obsession with knowing the results of this test? Or rather, what is our obsession with knowing ourselves?
The search for ourselves, or rather, our identity, began in the Garden of Eden. God created us and formed us. He gave us purpose and personality. But it wasn’t enough for our patriarch, Adam, and matriarch, Eve. They sought out and acted upon what each of us desires most—an identity autonomous from God.
We desire that even now. Our hearts crave sin and distance from God. The Enemy has fed a lie to believers for centuries, that we can do good apart from God. But Scripture tells us otherwise.
God’s Word says that our personality types, our human nature and our earthly character seek to please one person – self. Cain reveals it when he claims to have no regard or responsibility for anyone but himself (Gen. 4:9). Jeremiah identifies it when he says the heart is deceptive above all else (Jer. 17:9). Paul makes a point of training and pushing believers away from it by encouraging a selfless outlook (Phil. 2:4, 1 Cor. 10:24, and Gal. 6:2). John reminds Christ followers to fight against it, the selfish nature, within them (1 John 2:15-16).
Time and time again, the church has given the Enemy a foothold by allowing him and the world around us to form our identity for us. Essentially, we look at the identity Christ has given us, and we trample it underfoot to pursue wealth, respect, popularity, family, romance and whatever else our sinful heart can conjure to chase and poorly prioritize.
Beloved, personality tests will never identify who we truly are. Nothing will but the Holy Scriptures. Don’t abuse or put your identity in a simple test that loops you in a number, title or series of letters that simply cannot detect how sinful nor how saved you are.
My name is Hannah. I am a Three according to the Enneagram personality test, a “Commander” according to Myers-Briggs and sassy according to my mom. But because I have been bought with the precious blood of Christ, I am also…
A holy priesthood (1 Pet. 2:9-10), complete (Col. 2:10), a child of the Light (1 Thess. 5:5), heaven called (Heb. 4:16), born again (1 Pet. 1:23), healed (Is. 53:5), commissioned (Matt. 28:19-20), clean (John 15:3), given glory (John 17:22), a joint heir with Christ Himself (Rom. 8:17), and, praise God, a NEW creation (2 Cor. 5:17)!
Thank you, reader, for letting me step into Millennial Monday today and share my thoughts. I pray you are encouraged to seek the Person in Whom you find your identity. Happy Monday!
by Hannah Hanzel | Jun 6, 2018
In a culture of slamming doors, broken homes, social media rants, self-harm and so much more, how can you shape the teen girls in your life for the betterment of God’s Kingdom? Where do you start? What do you say? Will they listen?
After almost 10 years in girls’ ministry, five years in women’s ministry, and almost 23 years’ experience as a girl on this earth, I desire to share with you three things that were spoken into me as a teen girl. These three things shaped my life.
You’re beautiful because God says you’re beautiful. “You’re covered with the fingerprints of God,” were the words blaring from my mom’s big blue Suburban as we trucked to church. My mom’s voice rivaled Steven Curtis Chapman on full volume. It seemed every stop sign we pulled up to was merely an opportunity for my mom to face me, pat my leg and emphasize the chorus. Depending on the day, I would either respond with dancing and singing along or rolling my eyes and turning back to whatever I was doing before her mini concert.
Believe it or not, all four minutes and three seconds of that song left a deep impression on my heart. What made the words more impactful is that someone who knew me so thoroughly and deeply like my mama was singing them to me. My fragile teen heart was nourished at the sound of the lyrics, “You’re a wonder in the making, and God’s not through.” Those words nourish this fragile young adult heart as well.
Tell your teen daughter today that she’s beautiful because God said she is beautiful (Psalm 139:14). Not only is this a simple truth, but it tills the ground for deeper theology later in life. At age 16, I didn’t have ears to hear how ugly my sin made me, or that I was only a contributor to the evilness in humanity (Mark 7:21-23). That message would come later and at just the right time when I already had a firm confidence in God’s view of me. Don’t hear me wrong – always talk about sin and redemption and Christ’s sacrifice. But you must know your audience.
To the 15-year-old girl who was told by a mean-spirited girl how ugly she is; to the 13-year-old girl who sees sex symbol after sex symbol on TV and social media; and to the 18-year-old girl prepping for college life, they all need to be told they are beautiful because of God.
The last part of that phrase is crucial. You must not leave it off. Any parent can tell their daughter they’re beautiful. The girl may even hear it from boyfriends, classmates and social media. It takes a truly godly parent to say she is beautiful because God says she is beautiful. This truth she will not depart from (Prov. 22:6).
You’re meant to pursue the knowledge of God’s Word. From Sunday school sword drills to Kay Arthur’s in-depth studies for children, I was learning, and later starving for, God’s pure and Holy Word. My parents always drove me back to Scripture.
When I was mad, my mom would say, “What does the Bible say about that?” (Eph. 4:26). When I was discouraged my dad would say, “What does the Bible say about that?” (Psalm 43:5). You may think it is counted as forcing the Bible on someone, but beyond my eye rolls and pouting and angrily swooshing through my little Bible’s pages, I found hope.
My parents knew they may not have the answers. They knew they had no idea what was going on in my changing and curious little mind. But I praise God that they knew Who to turn me to for answers.
Again, don’t miss what you are doing here as parents. You’re tilling the ground for deeper theology yet again. Your 14-year-old may not get so hungry for God’s Word that she puts that phone down for an hour-long reading session, but she just might when she’s alone at college. Your 17-year-old may get so sick of you quoting Scripture to her that she can’t help but commit them to memory and recall them when she needs those verses most.
Is she feeling sad? Look at scripture. Is she feeling excited? Look at scripture. Is she feeling anxious, scared, lonely, hopeful, thankful, or joyful? Look at scripture.
Our purpose as believers is to glorify God (Isa. 43:1-7). We glorify God by knowing His Word (Psalm 119:9-16). By knowing His Word, we are equipped to serve and know Him personally (Psalm 119:105). The best gift you can give your daughter is not a smart phone, a later curfew, a newer purse, a trip to New York or anything of this world. The best gift you can give your daughter is a sold out, dependent hunger for Holy Scripture for her to take into a malnourished world.
You are meant to sacrifice. I heard someone tell their daughter once that she was like a star. Unique, special and flawless. My parents never told me that, and here’s why I’m grateful they never did. My parents never said it in word, but in how they lived their lives, they told me I was the moon. I was not meant to emit my own light, enjoy my own glory and revel in my own beauty like a star. But I am meant to reflect the sun just as the moon does.
I was to reflect God’s light, God’s glory and God’s beauty. Tell your daughter she’s beautiful because of God (like my first point states), but leaving it at that only creates a world full of Kim Kardashians and drama queens eager to steal the spotlight to build up their paper-thin identities. You must go further.
My parents lived out their faith in front of me. My dad exhibited Acts 2:45 through sacrificing money, time and worldly possessions that others might see Christ in him and glorify the Lord God. My mom was a walking and talking example of Psalm 119:11, with Scripture pouring from her lips that the world may be encouraged and drawn to her Savior. My parents understood that once they accepted the Lord, their lives were no longer their own (2 Cor. 5:15).
Their sacrificial living and teaching not only taught me how to be a godly young woman, but they also showed me that God is glorified in holy sacrifice.
Whatever age your daughter, granddaughter, sister or niece are, I promise, these three points will change their life. At least, it did mine. Be consistent, honest and prayerful as you speak these truths into the teen girl in your life.
