Editor's Note: Whether you're an established church looking to refresh your vision for the ministries where you are putting your time, energy and funding, or are a new congregation looking to start a specific ministry, the 101 Ministry series on Church Central is designed to help you insure that healthy church work results in making disciples. Check all the articles in the series for helpful introductions to new ministries or keys to evaluate existing work.
Church consultant in women's ministry, Robyne Beaubien, who edits the WomensMinistry.net Web site and e-newsletter, spoke with Church Central about the basics of an effective ministry for women.
Why should churches be interested in creating or sustaining a women's ministry?
Because women have a seeking heart. George Barna's surveys reveal that women are the backbone of Christian congregations in America. Women are 100 percent more likely to be involved in discipleship, 54 percent more likely to participate in a small group, 39 percent more likely to have a devotional or quiet time, 33 percent more likely to volunteer at church, and 29 percent more likely to attend church. The majority of leaders are male, but women make up a significant percentage of church attendees and workers.
Women have a unique calling and place in the body of Christ. In Titus 2:3-5 women are given the specific task of coming alongside other women and sharing truth with them. That is what we do in women's ministry. We study together, pray together, laugh and cry together, help each other and strengthen our relationships with each other, our families and most importantly, our Lord. So it is important for a church to recognize that and meet that need.
What are the essentials of a healthy ministry to women?
These vary, depending on what the women's needs are in a particular congregation. I believe in starting with a Bible study program. Whether 1, 5 or 50 women are interested, getting them into the Word and growing is a first step. Then, meet their needs for fellowship. This can be as simple as quarterly meetings, retreats or monthly events. A good women's ministry
creates opportunities for women to knit their hearts together.
A healthy women's ministry also will be well-balanced. But be careful how much you try to tackle at once. Again, start with a Bible study, add fellowship events, then outreach projects or events, and then a retreat or conference. Gradually build the overall ministry, insuring that each area is strong and well led. Build your program narrow and deep, before you start broadening your ministries.
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Women's Ministry 101 Resources Books Covers the gamut of small to mega churches with women's ministries ideas, surveys, retreat and event planning help. Women's Ministry in the 21st Century by Group Publishing Hands-on tools, such as a movie discussion group. Up-to-date and good ideas. Women Mentoring Women Bible Studies Beth Moore studies – mid-level studies that have moderate homework. Precept Ministries studies – higher level studies that will get women into the Word in a very strong way In & Out Study with Precept – Not as difficult—for a group with differing spiritual levels Navigator's Studies – These are small books, 8-week studies with no homework—phenomenal for baby believers Living Your Life as a Beautiful Offering by Angela Thomas – All about who we are in God's eyes—a key issue for women. Web www.Lifeway.com - FAQ sheets, articles and books www.WomensMinistry.net –resources, ideas, icebreakers, themes, etc. www.AllAboutFollowingJesus.org - Consulting Women's Ministry Central Consulting – Robyne Beaubien www.WMCC.net |
There are a lot of things a women's ministry can do, but it is important to focus on people and not just programming. Mentor young women and train them to lead. Your overall goal should be to have a leadership team that oversees working teams. This makes your ministry able to "flex" with growth. This also spreads the heart for women's ministries to others so that if the original leader leaves, the ministry can still succeed.
How can churches most succesfully start this type of ministry?
1. The first step is to pray, pray, pray, pray and pray.
2. Secondly, those interested should create a leadership team. In a small church, that may be only two or three women. In a large church, there may be 15-20. Always keep in mind that this team does not administrate the women in the church… they SERVE the women in the church. Look for leaders who have a true heart for women.
3. Survey groups of women of various ages and backgrounds in a mini-forum to see where their thoughts and hearts are.
4. Then your leadership team should plan a simple outline of a basic ministry. Make sure your programs meet the needs of your women. For example, planning a morning Bible study won't work if the majority of your ladies are working women.
5. Create a mission statement that explains what you want to accomplish. Base your statement on Scripture and have a specific purpose. If your church has a mission statement, make sure that yours complements it.
6. Set goals for what you want to accomplish. For example, one Bible study in the first year, the addition of a second Bible study the second year, etc. If you have a tangible goal you can better assess your ministry—something that should be done continually. Set and build your goals along a timeline to help in planning and tracking.
7. Finally, present your plan to the church leaders. I encourage women to put it all in writing with a brief testimony of all the ladies who will be leading, so that the leaders are informed. This also provides women accountability with the leadership.
8. Continue to pray and then implement the approved plan.
What are some signs that a women's ministry is ineffective?
Typically I will get a call or e-mail when attendance at a women's ministry study or event is dwindling. I always encourage people that it's not about the numbers—although I think that the numbers will eventually come with effective ministry. People usually want to see continuity in ministry before they commit to it. It takes time, and your heart has to be in it whether it's one person or 100 people. I would encourage anyone who is struggling with attendance at their events not to cancel events or studies with low attendance. Hang in there. Low numbers are not always a sign of ineffective ministry; sometimes it is simply a slow growth process.
If women are consistently dropping out of a Bible study it may be too complicated for where they are spiritually, or too easy. Again, make sure you are meeting needs.
Personality and programming are also issues. Traditions, styles or a person who has been involved for so long and has a control issue can create ministry tensions. It's important to address these conflicts well.
When is a women's ministry the wrong choice for a church?
Never—unless you are starting with wrong motives or a pastor says no; you want to have leadership buy-in. I believe that a healthy women's ministry will grow a church. Women's ministry takes women's inclination to get together and talk and turns it into a God-centered focus. You get women united in Bible study and prayer. And if a woman connects with a church in this way, her family will follow and the church will grow.
Can women's ministries evangelize and minister outside the church?
Absolutely! I encourage women's ministries to have at least one type of outreach project a year. Service projects, missions work, Bible giveaways, etc., are simple ideas that build a heart for the community among women and create opportunities for them to share their faith.
Read the rest of Church Central's 101 Ministry Series:
Marriage Ministry
Children's Ministry
Youth Ministry
Men's Ministry
Singles Ministry
Family Ministry
