We say we want more women involved in Baptist life beyond the local church.  We say we want more people under 40 involved. And I say, 'yes and amen.'  And then reality hits (again!).

Yesterday I was chatting to an under 40's woman who is very active in local Baptist life.  As part of this she has to attend a couple of three day residential events a year.  To my knowledge, she does not have paid emplyoment - which would make this role difficult if not impossible for her to fulfil - her husband is an HMF minister and they have young children.  When she attends residential (or other weekday) events she has to arrange childcare in order that her husband can work.  Whether this is paid for or whether there is a good network of local people willing to help out, I don't know, but it is obviously another factor to be considered, and if it is paid for how do they manage to out of an HMF stipend?

I admire the work that has been done to try to engage more younger people in Baptist life.  I just wonder if there isn't a whole lot more we need to do - as churches, as Associations, even as a Union, to support those who are willing to serve us in this way?