TOOLBOX: I want to start a Women’s Ministry in my church. Now what? 

By Braelyn Weaver 

Starting something new can be exciting, especially when it comes to women’s ministry. If you are like me, you have so many ideas and your love for people feeds your excitement to gather them together and minister to them. At the same time, it can be overwhelming to begin a ministry to women in your church or even to revamp one. If you find yourself leading women in your local church and need advice, help, or support, I hope this article will add a few things to your toolbox! 

Practical Importance of Women’s Ministry 

Before we begin, it’s important to understand the practicality of women’s ministry.  

Practically speaking, women understand women — our experiences in life are similar and we can empathize with one another because we know what it is like to be a woman. These shared experiences give us a certain level of authority to speak into sensitive issues in each other’s lives. There are some things women will receive better from a woman than they might from a man.  

Women also tend to think about, see, and notice things differently from men. We need the unique perspectives of both men and women in the Kingdom because men and women are both essential, indispensable partners in the Gospel.  

Perhaps most importantly, Women’s Ministry creates space for women to use their gifts, to disciple women, and to be an example of faith to others in the church. All believers have been gifted by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of the body. All believers are called to make disciples and pass on the things they have learned about God. In doing these things, we can be an example of faith to others like Timothy’s mother Eunice and grandmother Lois (2 Timothy 1:5). 

What does the Bible say about Women’s Ministry? 

The Bible is full of examples of women using their gifts, positions, and opportunities to serve God.  

In Exodus 1, after the king of Egypt ordered them to kill all the Israelite baby boys, the midwives Shiphrah and Puah leveraged their position to save them instead. Through the simple act of diligently doing their jobs and fearing God above men, they made an impact. 

In the book of Esther, Esther used her position as queen to advocate for and save God’s people from destruction. When she found out about Haman’s plot to against the Jewish people, she didn’t lash out. Instead, she strategized, fasted, and found the right time to speak boldly to the king. 

In the Gospels, the women who followed and supported Jesus in His life and ministry gave of their resources and bore witness to His death, burial, and resurrection. They were among the last at the cross, the first to the empty tomb, and the very first to proclaim the resurrection. 

We do well not only to look at what these women did, but to consider how they did it. They used small acts of obedience to God to accomplish what was needed and necessary. They let God work in and through them and you can, too. 

5 initial steps 

Now that we have covered the practical importance of creating a space for Women’s Ministry in your church, here are my top 5 recommended tools to have in your toolbox!  

1. Seek the Lord first and always. Seek Him through prayer and faithful study of the Bible. He who has called you is faithful to carry you through. He created you and orchestrated all things so that you might be where you are for a purpose. Walk with Him, remain in Him, and never stop seeking Him.  

2. Conversations. Have conversations with your pastor, church staff, and any other women who are ministering to women in your church. We do not want ministry to women to be siloed in our churches. We want unity in vision, mission, and goals. Talk to your pastor about your burden and vision for women in your church. Share your heart and your ideas with him, then listen. God has appointed him to lead your church for a reason. Keep them in the know as you plan. 

3. State Leader Connection. As your state Women’s Ministry Consultant, I am here as a resource, a cheerleader, a ministry partner, and a friend for you! As you need help throughout the process, know that my greatest desire and joy is to walk alongside you as you seek to follow the Lord’s call to minister to the women in your church. I am here to pray with you for a burden for your women, a vision for your ministry, and impactful discipleship strategies for your women. I am here to encourage, empower, and equip you to follow God’s call however I can.  

4. A Team! Pray through your ministry and identify areas where women could help and serve such as outreach, teaching, prayer, events, in-reach, or another specific ministry. Gather women with character and commitment from all ages, stages of life, and race. Then lead your team through a conversation in scripture about spiritual gifts and give them a spiritual gifts test to help identify how the Holy Spirit has gifted them to serve the body. 

5. Vision, Needs, & Goals. Your vision for ministry to women is formed by your church’s mission statement, the needs of women in your church, and your goals. What are the top two to three needs of women in your church and what goals can you set to address them? Once you have your vision and your goals set, plan within them! Every event, Bible study, gathering, activity, and project should align with them. If it doesn’t, you do not need to do it. 

Ultimately, the best tool your church has in ministering to women is you. The Lord has placed you where you are for such a time as this. Walk in obedience with faith and confidence, even if you cannot see the whole picture. 

Weaver is the Women’s Ministries/WMU consultant at the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board. For more information and resources on how to start a Women’s Ministry in your church, contact her at (601) 292-3317 or bweaver@mbcb.org.