Below you’ll find the show notes for episode 54, 5 Great Benefits of Women’s Ministry, from the Women’s Ministry Toolbox Podcast.
Please note: This post contains affiliate links.
We’ve talked about the 3 Secrets to Building Better Teams and Stronger Teams and How to Plan a Women’s Ministry Team Retreat.
Today’s focus is on the types and benefits of women’s ministry training.
I remember the first women’s ministry conference I attended it. It was huge there were many workshops to pick from. There was so much to learn and so many leaders to connect with and meet. It was overwhelming but in a good way.
I left that women’s ministry conference excited to implement some new things in our women’s ministry program. I felt better equipped to do the role God had called me to serve in, and I couldn’t wait to get back and dive back into women’s ministry again.
I pray the same will be true for you and your team when you invest in women’s ministry training.
5 Types of Women’s Ministry Training
1. Online Courses or Webinars
A quick online search for “women’s ministry training” yeilds many options.
Several seminaries offer certifications and courses that you may want to consider taking. Some are geared more specifically toward women’s ministry, but many also offer theology courses. Many ministries, including Simple Seminary, offer online courses that may interest you. I offer several self-paced online courses, including Women’s Ministry Event Planning, Bible Study Facilitator Training, and the Women’s Ministry Makeover program.
As you consider your options, be certain you understand the costs, commitment, and theological viewpoint of each resource.
2. Women’s ministry conferences
If your church is part of a denomination, check with your state and national-level offices to find out what is offered.
You’ll also find a handful of organizations that offer women’s ministry conferences. Do a Google search and then check their statement of faith and speaker lineup to see if it would be a good fit for your group.
I’d love for you to attend my women’s ministry conference on March 3-4, 2023. Our theme is anchored. You can find more information here.
3. Host outside experts
Outside experts can be an excellent resource for teaching skills and sharing information outside of your wheelhouse.
You may want your team to learn how to counsel women. Knowing when to point women to a professional is key. You could bring in a local counselor that could answer questions and explain legal responsibilities in your state.
You could also bring in a seasoned women’s ministry leader that offers in-person training – like me (click here to see a list of my training topics).
Determine what you want to learn and find someone with experience who can teach it.
4. Team retreats
We unpacked this in great detail in this recent post here.
5. Volunteer training
In addition to training your core women’s ministry team, you’ll want to train key women’s ministry volunteers such as Bible study and small group leaders, table leaders, and prayer counselors. Depending on the responsibilities, volunteer training might require just one meeting and a handout.
We’ve covered the how, let’s walk through the why. Why is women’s ministry training important?
5 Great Benefits of Women’s Ministry Training
1. Knowledge
Knowledge is what sets training apart from a regular women’s ministry conference.
We attend training expecting to learn new skills and refine the ones we have. You might attend a workshop or take a course on how to be a better group facilitator, how to launch a mentoring program, increase engagement in your Facebook group, etc.
2. Team-building
It’s easier to work with someone you know than someone you don’t.
Training together is an experience that will connect you in many ways beyond listening to the same content. It’s the ancillary parts of the conference that can also result in team bonding – late-night ice cream runs and unpacking the content together on the drive home.
If you need team-building ideas for your self-hosted women’s ministry team retreat be sure to check out the post How to Plan a Women’s Ministry Team Retreat.
3. Unity
Unity is created when everyone receives the same training.
We eliminate assumptions and set clear expectations when we learn together. Think of the things everyone (or almost everyone) on your team needs to know.
Aalmost everyone on your team needs to know how to:
- Submit a reimbursement request
- Fill out an event form
- Submit a publicity request
- Wash the dishes in the kitchen
- Run the coffee pot
- Sanitize the nursery toys
- Reset the room for Sunday morning
- Lock the door with that special hidden key. (You’ve got one of those two, right? )
I heard a leader recently comment about plugging holes – we need to be ready to plug holes when other team members are out of town or out of commission. Women get sick, kids get sick, people move, and husbands have to work late. Understanding what others do on the team can help your team run more smoothly.
4. Time-saving
Training saves time. Admittedly, there’s an investment of time on the front end to save time on the back end.
Great training includes best practices or ideas for shortcuts your team members may not have thought of. The best trainers will share tools and resources with you. You may learn about a new time-saving app that your team can use to take attendance, send texts, or share prayer requests. You might learn a new method for creating an event calendar or meeting agenda that will allow you to use your meeting time more efficiently.
Take great notes and set aside time when you return to review those resources so you can simplify or improve your ministry processes.
5. Encouragement
Good women’s ministry training doesn’t just equip your team, it encourages your team.
You might spend time together in God’s Word being reminded of who He is and what He can do through each one of you. You should return home excited about what’s to come and eager to implement new ideas. Good training will build you up and get you excited about doing women’s ministry again. Some overwhelm is normal – let’s be honest a lot of conferences are like drinking from a firehose – but your time together should refill and refuel your souls.
If you’re looking for women’s ministry training resources, please consider my books, online courses, training materials at CTA, and in-person leadership training options.
Side note: If you or someone you know serves on the state or national denominational level and offers women’s ministry training, I’d love to come a lead a workshop or be one of your keynote speakers. Send me a message and let’s talk!
Today’s Toolbox Tasks:
- Make a list of women’s ministry training needs you see in your church. You’ll find a Women’s Ministry Needs Assessment in my Rethinking Women’s Ministry Workbook.
- Seek out resources to meet those needs.
Proverbs 18:15 says, “An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
The benefit of women’s ministry training – knowledge, team-building, unity, time-saving, and encouragement – far outweigh the time needed to secure or plan women’s ministry training.
Remember you’re growing great leaders. Let women’s ministry be a place where they flourish and strengthened their leadership skills.
Related resources:
3 Secrets to Building Better Teams and Stronger Leaders
How to Plan a Women’s Ministry Team Retreat
CTA Women’s Ministry Leadership Training Resources
Women’s Ministry Toolbox Online Courses
Leadership Training offered by Cyndee Ownbey
Simple Seminary
Discussion Group Leaders For Your Retreat
Supporting Bible Study, Discipleship, and Small Group Leaders
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