Building an Impactful Women's Ministry

It’s easy to build a superficial ministry that fills women’s calendars with fun events, delicious menus, and decorated spaces, but the sole purpose of any of the church’s ministries ought to be making an eternal impact. In fact, many church leaders view women’s ministry as nothing more than a social club, but what they don’t realize is women gather together in hopes of making a greater impact.

As mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, neighbors, co-workers, caretakers, and community leaders, our calendars are already full. Ultimately, we aren’t looking for a new hobby or a surface level conversation to pass the time. We are exhausted and in need of support. What we really desire is a community of like-minded women, who will spur us on in our faith and sharpen us with the Word of God as we seek to live lives that make a difference for eternity. The goal of women’s ministry is not to entertain the women but rather to equip women to minister.

Along the same lines, the general mission of every women’s ministry should be the great commission found in Matthew 28:19, to make disciples who make disciples. This mission aligns with the mission of the global Church and should, therefore, align with the mission of your local church as well. With this mission in mind, here are five basic steps to building an impactful women’s ministry at your church.  

Five Basic Steps to Building an Impactful Women’s Ministry 

1. Align Women’s Ministry with the Mission of the Church 

• Work with the church leadership to build unity across all the ministries.

• Partner with the church initiatives and outreach opportunities in order to have a greater impact.

• Simplify the church calendar to prevent church member burnout. 

2. Gather a Team.  

• • Invite women to join you in the ministry work. Personally invite:

    • Godly women who are already partnering with the church’s mission.  

    • Women who represent the church body and differ in: 

      • Ages 

      • Seasons of life 

      • Experience and giftedness 

      • Vocation 

      • Culture and ethnicity 

      • Socio-economic status 

  • Pray together as you form teams.   

  • Work together to cast a vision based on the equipping needs of the women in the church. 

    • Take time to get to know the women in the room and in the church. 

    • Discover what resources you need to make disciples who make disciples.

    • Learn from thriving ministries that have been at it for years. 

  • Consider the essentials for equipping women for an impactful ministry: 

    • Prayer 

    • Bible Study 

    • Outreach Opportunities 

    • Discipleship/Mentorship  

    • Events & Retreats 

    • Hospitality & Décor

• • Recruit gifted women to lead specific teams based on their spiritual gifts.

  • Clearly communicate the commitment for each team leader position, such as: 

    • 1-year commitment 

    • Attend all team meetings 

    • Attend all women’s ministry events 

    • Recruit, equip, delegate to, and disciple team members 

3. Equip and Disciple Team Leaders  

• To recruit their team members  

• To equip their team members 

• To delegate responsibilities to their team members 

• To disciple their team members 

4. Plan a Year of Ministry 

• Plan the women’s ministry meetings and events for the entire year in order to enable: 

• A predictable and consistent rhythm to ministry for everyone involved 

• Purposeful planning and alignment with the church initiatives and calendars 

• Team leaders to adhere to their ministry commitment 

• Attendees to plan to be there 

5. Stay Connected 

• Meet regularly as a team to pray for the ministry work God is doing, plan future events, debrief on past events, and disciple the members. 

• Host team-building activities annually to increase unity and deepen personal relationships. 

• Pray over one another.

• Encourage and support each other.

• Be available to one another.