It’s no secret that women deal with unrealistic standards and relentless pressure to be perfect mothers, workers, wives, and individuals. Living up to society’s expectations can be stressful and confusing. Sometimes, you just want to share your experiences and have a support group for women to all work together and find their peace and purpose. This is one of the best reasons to start a women’s ministry within your church congregation.
The church is meant to be a place of comfort and understanding where people can discover God’s word and grow in His love. For women seeking the guidance of God and the support of a community, a specific ministry can be the perfect place to encourage that sense of belonging. If you’re thinking of starting a women’s ministry or rebuilding a previous attempt, it may seem overwhelming at first. You’re taking a leap to create something special, and you don’t want to get it wrong. There is no need to stress, as there are some easy steps to creating or rebuilding an effective women’s ministry. Taking the first steps and having the courage to begin is already a wonderful way to show a whole community of people just how much you care.
Every step of the way, pray
When starting any ministry or work to bring people closer to God, you want to be sure God is at the center of all you do. Meditate over and pray about your upcoming venture. Find your guidance by talking with the Lord and preparing to make His vision a reality.
Get leaders on board
Within church congregations there are leaders you’ll need to speak with before starting a women’s ministry. You need to be sure your pastor is supportive of the idea and will help you to get your group off the ground. Depending on the church, you may need approval from the elders and deacons as well. Most church leaders should be excited about new ways to spread the Gospel.
Start a team
Starting a group requires a passionate, driven team. Bringing in other women will help you expand ideas, encourage each other, and have more fun. God’s word is for all women, and the Bible clearly states that fellowship is important for faith. Your team can consist of women of all ages, shapes, and sizes to give you the opportunity to grow and learn from each other.
Discover your mission
Ministry serves many purposes, and you should have a set mission statement for what you want to achieve with your women’s ministry. While there are many great ideas out there, you will accomplish more for your congregation with a focused mission. This can be anything from volunteering, creating support groups, or even advocating for more female leadership. If all your pastors, deacons, and elders are men, it may be time to get more women clergy robes in the closet and find ways for more female involvement. The robes and stoles of the church can be worn by both genders, so should the responsibility of leadership.
Host an event
Once you’ve decided your purpose, it’s time to get the word out and start planning events. Invite the congregation to a launch event to let everyone know what you’re hoping to achieve with your new ministry. Host Bible studies, bring in motivational speakers, or simply organize some movie nights or hiking trips. Fellowship is key, so host events throughout the year where women in your congregation feel like they’re a part of something bigger than themselves.
If you start hosting multiple events with a high amount of materials, you may eventually need to look into storage options. Consider warehouse space for rent for storage or even as a commercial space to host large events. With locations across the country, there is sure to be a good fit near you.
Stay motivated
After a few successful events and seeing your ministry grow, take some time to celebrate. Enjoy your success and praise God for this new community. Then get ready to keep working because God isn’t done yet. Stay motivated and prayerfully engaged in how to expand your ministry and preach the good news to more women.
