It is time to take a new look at ways to connect and reach women in our church and in our community.  It is not our desire to plan more events or to create ways to keep women busy.  It is our desire to find fresh new ways to be more effective in the ministry to women.  Less is more when it is done well with purpose!
Why Women’s Ministry?

Ephesians 3:6-12

 6 And this is God’s plan: [all of us] who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. [We are all part of the same body, and enjoy the promise of blessings because [we] belong to Christ Jesus. 

7 By God’s grace and mighty power, [we] have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

 8 Though [we are] the least deserving of all God’s people, He has graciously [given us] the privilege of telling [women] about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. 

9 [We are] chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

10 God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.        

11 This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

12 Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.

 

This is a message worth sharing!  

My prayer for the women in our church and community is found in Eph. 3: 14-20…

Ephesians 3:14-20

Seeing the greatness of this plan and the beauty of our connections within the body of Christ – the Church, I bow my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.

I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources that He will empower you into your innermost being and personality with strength through his Spirit. 

That Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. 

[That] your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. 

[That you] may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 

I pray that you may actually experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete and become a woman wholly filled and flooded with God Himself! 

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think- that He might complete His purpose in our lives beyond our wildest dreams.

 

This ministry should be about women leading women.  We cannot do this without the calling, the gifts, the passion of women that God has already prepared for the task.  It is not a huge task!  With good organization, no one will be asked to give of themselves until they reach "burn-out".  

 

 

We need leaders!

Hebrews 13:7

Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

 

Teamwork…

T … Thick Skin; don’t allow moments of disagreeing to give Satan a foothold and to steal the ministry opportunity that God has called you to.

E … Egos out the Door; no place for pouting when you are part of a TEAM.  When egos go out the door, goals are accomplished and true teamwork happens.

A … Accountability and Commitment; Don’t let emotions dictate your level of commitment – we all know that our emotions go up and down.  Knowing that team members are committed allows you to push through the tough stuff and reach your ministry goals.

M … Manage yourself; Do regular self-examinations of your heart. Ask yourself the tough questions about where you are with the Lord.  

Are you living for yourself or for God?

Is your heart filled with self or filled with God?

Are you a person of integrity?

 

Leadership Coordinator – 

• Oversees WM team and encourages leadership development.

• Oversees Women’s Ministry but is not responsible for doing everything.

Our Goal – Not just to re-create Women’s Ministry – we want to create ministry opportunities for women. 

 

• Backbone of the ministry

• Should consist of people who believe in the power of prayer; believe in what we do; have a heart for the Lord and for women.

• Designate one or two women on the team as coordinators.

• Coordinators will serve on the Leadership Team and will communicate to the Prayer Team urgent needs as well as continuing prayer needs.

 

• Oversees events

• Works with a team of volunteers (both team members and short-term volunteers)

• Teams members might include: 

Hospitality Coordinator - finds ways to welcome women to each event

Event Designer – Sets the tone for the event; theme, set-up; creating atmosphere that allows women to relax and soak up the outpouring of love and friendship that awaits them.

Culinary Coordinator – responsible for food planning: the amount, quality and presentation.

Quality Coordinator – pays attention to details and miscellaneous responsibilities to complete the “big picture” i.e. name tags, goodie bags, etc.

 

• Shared-Interest Groups (i.e. scrapbooking, Book discussion groups, MOPS, Moms in Touch)

• Coordinator maintains contact with leaders of each group

 

• Oversee spreading the Word throughout your community about what is happening through differnt forms of media.

 

When it is all done…

Share the Fresh New Vision with a Kickoff Event in January, 2012.

Will you help us "re-create" ministry to women?  Will you pray about whether God is calling you to join us in touching the lives of women?
 

For more information about the Women's Ministry contact Cindy Seay at