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Since the dawn of Christianity, chief shepherds and their shepherds have sent out women for missionary work. The risen Christ first appeared to Mary Magdalene and commanded her to go and tell his disciples the good news of the resurrection. In the Acts of the Apostles, the apostles’ ministry was strengthened by women serving in important areas of ministry, such as prayer (1:14), meetings (12:12), and instruction (18:26).
Every pastor I know has a strong desire to encourage, empower, and equip the women in their church for evangelization.
A new LifeWay report on the state of ministry to women finds that 80% of women strongly agree that the church values women. However, only 63 percent of women strongly agree that the church invests in and develops women. Even more concerning is that only 43 percent of respondents say they use their spiritual gifts to serve God and others. How can pastors work to close this gap so that more women are equipped and engaged in the ministry of their local churches?
budget
Although most churches value women and want their ministries to flourish, women’s ministries often lack funding and practical support from church leaders. . If your church invests little in the way of women’s ministry, it may be wise to reevaluate.
Although most churches value women, women’s ministries often lack funding and practical support from church leaders.
Depending on your church’s circumstances, hiring paid staff (even part-time) who can dedicate many hours to supporting women’s ministries may be a worthwhile investment. But if that’s not possible in your church, consider allocating funds to send women to conferences and training events, providing funds to purchase women’s discipleship resources, or asking leaders to Consider offering a refund for coffee or meals used for shepherding or discipleship.
If your church already has a generous budget allocated to women’s ministry, it may be time to reconsider. In some cases, a large portion of the women’s ministry budget is spent on social events, and funds also need to be reallocated to training and discipleship.
Women’s ministry doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. However, it costs a certain amount of money to have women do volunteer work. Budgeting these costs in advance will help ensure that your intention to equip women becomes a reality.
train
In many churches, only men receive solid theological training. However, in Paul’s ministry, women are portrayed as collaborators. Although women should not teach men, women with sound theological training will have a great impact on the entire congregation as they teach, train, and equip other women. She encourages, exhorts and inspires her elders. And in her prayers, she meets the needs of the church family before God.
Years ago, my pastor at the time invited a group of women to attend small group leadership training on a Saturday morning. He taught us how to encourage women to participate in small groups, how to structure their time, how to lead in group settings, and how to deal with the inevitable interpersonal conflicts. This training gave me excitement, courage and the ability to lead a small group. And I didn’t stop doing it. My current church pays for me and other Bible teachers to attend Simeon Trust conferences and organizes a weekend intensive course on Bible study and teaching for women. I did.
Not all women are Bible teachers, so it is helpful to also offer training in evangelism, prayer, and discipleship. When planning training for women, consider the unique challenges women may face, such as caregiving and changing seasons, which will impact their availability. And consider the unique circumstances in which women serve. Rather than proposing effective evangelism and discipleship models for men, brainstorm with sisters in your congregation about models that can encourage women in specific situations.
pray
Pray regularly that the Lord would provide for the women of the church. Also, regularly ask women leaders how you can pray for their ministry. Pray publicly for the ministry of women during pastoral prayer in corporate worship. Pray for women’s ministry individually and in elder and staff meetings.
Additionally, encourage the women of your church to pray. In the book of Acts, the ministry of prayer becomes an important role for women. For example, women gather to pray for the granting of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:14), and Mary, mother of John Mark, gathers a group in her home to pray before Peter’s miraculous release from prison. (Acts 12:12).
Consider how you can provide opportunities for women to use their gifts by interceding for ministers and church members. Encourage women to participate in extended periods of prayer and fasting. Don’t be indifferent to your living situation, but don’t assume that you can’t or shouldn’t do something just because you have young children.
listen
Most women’s ministry leaders are not full-time employees. They are often volunteers trying to balance busy lives on top of the demanding spiritual needs of ministry. For many women, especially those who are raising children or working full-time outside of the church, planning and preparing for a mission takes place late at night or early in the morning. So, like all ministries, women’s ministry can feel draining, overwhelming, and isolating.
Like all ministries, women’s ministries can feel exhausted, overwhelmed, and isolated.
According to a LifeWay survey, only 5 percent of female missionary leaders say they plan with their church staff. One of the most important ways pastors can alleviate this feeling of isolation and overwhelm, she says, is to invite women ministry leaders into conversations with staff and other leaders and listen to their needs and perspectives. Meet regularly (quarterly or twice a year) with women’s ministry staff and lay leaders to see how the women in your church are doing, how the ministry is progressing, and how pastors and elders can help. Please consider. .
God made us male and female and gave us the task of proclaiming His glory throughout the earth. As pastors and elders partner with their sister saints to empower their missionary work, they reflect the Lord Shepherd who called women to sit at his feet, follow him, and proclaim the good news of the gospel to the world. doing. And history has shown that when the gifts of both men and women are put to meaningful use in ministry, the whole church is built up to the glory of God.
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