In my last post, I mentioned season of life groups could be one way we care for our women.

When I asked on social media what types of season of life groups you offer in your churches, I quickly realized a longer conversation about season-of-life groups and interest groups might be helpful.

Please know, I am not saying you have to or need to add these groups to your ministry calendar. Every church has different needs. Please make any additions a matter of prayer.

Defining Life Groups and Interest Groups

What do I mean by season-of-life groups? I gave the examples in the last post of mom groups, singles, widows, empty-nesters, and seniors.

After the fact, I realized I should have included interest groups in this recommendation, too.

What are interest groups? Any small group focused around a shared interest.

They go by many names, such as small groups, fellowship groups, support groups, circles, or affinity groups. To keep things simple, I’m going to refer to them as interest groups from here on out.

In this post, I’m going to dig into the who, what, when, why, and how of interest groups.

I also asked the leaders in the Women’s Ministry Toolbox Facebook community what types of interest groups they offer and how they benefit their women. I was amazed at the creativity of the things you all offer!

I can’t wait to share some of these ideas with you at the end of this post.

Interest Group Benefits (Why)

Before we walk through the list of ideas, let’s talk details.

First, let’s look at the benefits of interest groups.  

Church-sponsored interest groups can provide:

• Christ-centered community
• Prayer support
• Biblical advice
• Outreach opportunities if unchurched women are welcome to attend
• The ability to offer activities that appeal to a smaller segment of your women
• Space for women with specific passions to serve as leaders
• Christian fellowship while participating in an activity or hobby

Interest groups could easily look like what the world offers if we aren’t intentional in adding spiritual components and encouraging spiritual conversations.

Meetings might include a short devotional or testimony, prayer, or discussion questions, in addition to the activity.

What are the different types of interest groups? (What)

5 Types of Interest Groups

1. Physical activities such as pickleball, walking, running, exercise, or hiking.
2. Crafts such as knitting, sewing, card making.
3. Food – cooking, baking, or eating meals together.
4. Service projects or outreach activities
5. Life events such as a grief group, moms group, widows group, empty-nesters

You’ll notice I didn’t mention spiritual groups such as prayer or Bible study groups. That was intentional.

Interest groups aren’t essential. Spiritual growth through discipleship habits such as prayer, studying God’s Word, scripture memory, and worship are essential.

Interest groups are usually focused on a hobby or life event, not a spiritual habit.

Interest groups are like side streets that lead women to the main street of events and activities your women’s ministry and church offers.

Frequency and Availability (When and Who)

Depending on the need, interest groups might meet weekly, monthly, or seasonally. Walkers might meet weekly at a park. Crafters or a dinner club might meet monthly.

Some interest groups might be church-wide, while other interest groups might fit best under the umbrella of women’s ministry. If you’re starting new interest groups, be sure to have a conversation with your pastor first.

Before we go any further, I want to touch on the tension some of you may be feeling.

Many neighborhoods and communities offer similar activities; why not just point our women to those?

Sometimes church-led interest groups provide protection for the people in our church. The music at a dance exercise class in the local community center may feature lyrics that are objectionable or, in the worst case, sexually or verbally explicit.

Whether it’s the content or the conversations, almost all community groups are missing spiritual components that point attendees to Christ and God’s Word.

Imagine the impact a church-led interest group could have in your community. A while back, I read a story about a church that built pickleball courts on their property for their church members and the public to use. It took time and intention, but some people in their community began coming to church because of the conversations and relationships that were built on the pickleball courts.

The Holy Spirit may lead some of your women to go into community spaces to be missional and share the gospel. That’s great! Please pray for and encourage them.

So far, I’ve covered the who, what, why, and when of interest groups.

Let’s dig into the how.

How to Implement Successful Interest Groups (How)

Adding interest groups doesn’t have to be a burden. With a mature and strong leader in place, the group may be able to run on its own without a lot of oversight. If a woman brings an interest group idea to you, she may be willing to help start the group or lead it.

• Every group will need a leader to keep the group moving forward and provide some structure. You may find co-leaders work better for some interest groups.

• There’s usually no need for interest group leaders to serve on the women’s ministry team – it’s one more responsibility that may deter a woman from serving. Keep in touch with them via email or text, offering prayer and support, if it is needed.

• Be sure to publicize your interest group options. Women can’t come if they don’t know what’s happening! Use your email list, Facebook group, and social media to help get the word out. Introduce your interest group leaders and share sign-up information at your next women’s ministry event.

• Make it easy for women to get involved in interest groups. You may want to share a list of groups with each group leader’s contact information on your church website and in your monthly ministry email or newsletter.

Interest Group Ideas

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, the leaders in the Facebook group had so many great ideas to share.

Maybe God will draw your attention to one or two that would serve the women in your church well.

1.Life-stage groups

Several leaders mentioned the success of adding a moms group to their ministry. Some meet weekly, others monthly. They may offer Bible study or guest speakers. They may offer playgroups or a monthly mom’s night out. Moms are provided with biblical teaching and encouragement, support, and prayer. Some meet for breakfast and some groups meet at night.

Several leaders also mentioned groups for widows and divorcees. “Women of Grace” is a group for widows & divorcees that meets once a month on Sundays. The group provides an opportunity for women who have experienced a loss of their spouse and routines. Attendees benefit from Christ-centered fellowship and rich conversations. The women have bonded, openly share their struggles, and love, encourage, support, pray for one another. It’s helping them fill a void with Christian sisters as they navigate loss.

Another church has a group called “Widow’s Journey”. Women who have lost their husbands come together once a week to share a meal. There’s a devotional and time to share at each meeting. They plan their own meals and take turns bringing food.

2. Exercise Groups

Another church hosts an S3 group, which stands for sisters, stretching, and strengthening. It’s a light exercise class to help women of all ages and stages build strength and resilience physically. They play worship music during class. They also sharing life, laugh together, share prayer requests, and pray.

Another leader mentioned that they have a chair exercise class for seniors. She mentioned how many seniors can be lonely. The class is helpful for the body, mind, and spirit.

3. Serving Seniors

Speaking of seniors, one church has a group called “At Home Connection.” Members visit, send cards, and make phone calls to our homebound members. While homebound members can be visited by anyone anytime, the group ensures that no one is overlooked and everyone is visited.

In another church, a small group of women go weekly into the homes of our elderly members who have difficulty completing regular household tasks such as vacuuming, dusting, light cleaning, emptying the dishwasher, etc. These ladies take great joy in ministering to these individuals. Their focus is housekeeping and socializing. They are not caregivers. They do not dispense medication or do any personal care such as bathing them.

4. Service Groups

Some women would love an opportunity to serve regularly with other women in your church.

One leader shared about their Dorcas service group that meets monthly. They get together for larger-scale group projects, but they also work on projects at home and bring them to their meetings. She didn’t share an example, but maybe they make crafts for Christmas shoeboxes or write notes of encouragement for teachers.

Another leader shared about their Threads of Love group. It’s a sewing ministry that makes blankets for children and families in the NICU at a local hospital and shorts and dresses for Operation Christmas Child.

5. Book Clubs

Book clubs are another interest group idea. The book club in one church meets monthly. They discuss the book, then the leader brings the discussion into one that focuses on spiritual lessons.

6. Coffee & Meals

Many of your women love to share coffee or a meal together.

One women’s ministry team offers a “coffee with friends” group that meets twice a month at a local coffee shop. They do a devotional and then they spend time in conversation.

Just last week, I saw a women’s ministry advertising its lunch bunch meet-ups on social media. They had a list of restaurants, dates, and times for women to choose from. If I recall, they limited each gathering to four women.

Several years ago, I shared about our Sister Six groups. While we didn’t always eat together, we often did.

Different women will feel comfortable in different spaces. Some of your women may never come to a big event, but they would jump at the chance to gather with a smaller group of women.

To summarize interest groups:

• Enable your team to offer activities that appeal to a smaller segment of your women
• Allow women with specific passions to serve others
• Encourage Christian fellowship while participating in an activity or hobby
• Provide space for unchurched women to connect with the women in your church

Today’s Toolbox Tasks:

1. Determine if there’s a need for interest groups or evaluate the ones you’re currently offering
2. If a need is determined, make a plan for moving forward

I hope this has been helpful as you think through other ways to meet the needs of the women in your church and community.

You may also want to check out:
Sister Six
Making Room Groups
60 Service Project Ideas
How to Host a Summer Book Club
How to Create a Great Women’s Ministry Newsletter