I’m curious, how would you describe the way your women’s ministry team operates?
I’m guessing the word “effective” may not be the first word that comes to mind…
If you had to pick, which description below comes closest?
- We pick and choose events and activities based on our team member’s passions and interests.
- We plan one event at a time. We never know what we’ll do next. It’s often based on the next great idea we stumble upon.
- We start the year off focused and somewhere along the way lose our energy and drive.
- We have a plan for the year and goals, but somehow we still fall short.
- We know who our target is and have a plan of how to reach them.
Most likely you’re a mix of one or two.
Maybe you think you’re a 5, but your team thinks you’re really a 4.
Or maybe you long to be a 5, but need some help getting there.
(And if you’re a 5, thank God for your team and His faithfulness and share your tips in the comments please!)
No matter the size or location of your women’s ministry, there are habits you can adopt that can make your team more successful in reaching women in your church and community.
Let’s take a look!
8 Habits of an Effective Women’s Ministry
An effective women’s ministry:
1. Prays.
Plans and decisions are prayed over and through and always align with God’s Word. Prayer is a regular part of every meeting and every event.
2. Crafts a clear, concise mission statement.
If you need to write or re-write your mission statement, I’ve covered how to do so in this post here. Does your team know what that mission statement is? Can they explain it without reading it word-for-word?
3. Implements that mission statement.
Every piece. You may find your events and activities are out of balance with your mission statement. For example, you may say you’re going to offer opportunities for your women to serve in the community, but a glance at the calendar shows you only have one community service event per year.
4. Evaluates events and activities against that mission statement.
That means you and your team say “no” to events and activities that are not in alignment.
5. Makes adjustments.
Your team should review each event and activity (try my Post Event Evaluation Form) to make certain the purpose and the outcome supported your mission. Without “making it fit”. If something is no longer effective than it may need to go. On the flip side, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it!
6. Unites around the mission.
Is your team unified and focused on your target? Melissa at Hive Resources is part of a ministry that is focused on discipling unchurched women. Their team knows what their target is. And has a plan to reach them. Does yours?
7. Meets often and consistently.
I recommend monthly meetings. Even in the summer. We double-up when we have to submit our budget and strategic plan to the church body. Even if your agenda seems small, it’s still important to meet to pray and build relationships among your team members.
8. Clearly defines roles and responsibilities.
Teams function best when everyone is clear on who is doing what. Think of it as a symphony – you want that balance of instruments and a conductor at the helm. When every person fulfills their role (plays their instrument) the result can be amazing!
It’s going to take some prayer, some work, and some time to move your team from a 1 to a 5.
But it can be done. I promise. I’ve got the gray hairs to prove it. (My hairdresser calls them platinum blondes, but I tried and it just wouldn’t work in that sentence.)
Lord knows our ministries will never be perfect, but we can make some tweaks and changes to increase our effectiveness.
Who doesn’t want to reach more women? Who doesn’t want to see their women grow in their knowledge of His Word? Become stronger prayer warriors? Serve others joyfully?
I want to suggest that you ask God to show you any area that needs some tweaking. He may point out some areas that need big changes. He may just ask you to do some fine tuning. Ask Him to show you what is working well. And what needs to be evaluated.
Ladies your women’s ministry team has the potential to make a HUGE impact in the lives of the women in your church and community. But we have to be intentional.
It’s worth the work. Even though it may take months or even years. Press on, dear ones. Every woman is worth it.
Your turn to share: I’d love to hear what other habits you would add to the list!
You may also want to read:
You Mission Statement
Vision Casting for Your Ministry – Part 1
Vision Casting for Your Ministry – Part 2
Who is God asking your women’s ministry to adopt?
One year ago: When a woman you know faces cancer – Part 1
Two years ago: 10 Reasons to Host a Summer Event
Three years ago: Thrifty Craft Projects
I’m our women’s ministry director, I like to have a prayer meeting each month at one of the ladies home from our church. Sometimes it’s like pulling teeth to even get the ladies to attend. What can I do to change that and get more of the ladies involved.
Debbie, prayer can be very intimidating and uncomfortable. I wonder if perhaps that has something to do with the response you’re seeing. It could just be something as simple as over-booked schedules too. I would see if you can find out why your women don’t want to attend. Maybe conduct an anonymous survey.
Have you ever held a training on prayer? We were facing a similar problem at our church and our team decided to host a prayer workshop called the Prayer Warrior Boot Camp. I’ve made the materials (with some additions) available for groups to purchase. If you’re interested, you can check it out here: https://womensministrytoolbox.com/prayer-warrior-boot-camp-for-groups/ . We found it really boosted our women’s confidence in praying out loud.
I love reading all the information you have posted. I just find it hard to fit into our Womans Miniatry. We are a small church with maybe 40 at a regular service. Our ladies that come to our meetings are around 12 normally and sometimes as low as 5. I honestly struggle with getting the ladies to participate in anything. Their ages are all over the place. Some can”t do some things, others will not even try. I need help with the direction to take the ladies. I try in many ways to involve each one. Please help if you have any advice for me. Thank you and God Bless.
Kathy, you are not alone in this struggle. Do you have any other churches nearby in your community that you could partner with? Maybe another church with a women’s ministry that is smaller too. Feel free to email me and we can brainstorm together. (cyndeeATwomensministrytoolboxDOTcom) Praying God will give you a clear direction and wisdom!