How to start a women's ministry initiative in your church

If there isn't a women's ministry initiative in your church at the moment but you have a sneaking suspicion that there could be one in the future, how can you go about setting one up?

Here are our top tips:

1. Pray

Unless the Lord builds the house, the labourers labour in vain.

2. Check your motives

Anger at the minister, frustration at lack of ministry opportunities or a desire to separate from the men are really bad reasons to start a women's ministry initiative! Make sure you are focused on Jesus, his glory and the growth of his Kingdom.

3. Chat to your leadership team

Women's ministry should never be separate from the other things that go on in the local church, it's part of the overall vision so chat to the people who spearhead that vision. And be prepared to hear their feedback.

4. Get a team together

Pick 2 or 3 women to work with you on getting the project started - people who are faithful, humble, wise and appropriately gifted.

5. Define your aims

Look at the other women in your church and your local community. What are their needs? You can't change the world! What is the women's ministry initiative in your church going to focus on?

6. Get equipped

If you need to develop any of your gifts - now is the time to do it. Why not check out our Women's Ministry short course?

7. Identify who to work with

Unless you are in a very tiny church, you probably wont be able to evangelise, disciple and encourage every woman in the congregation simultaneously on a weekly basis. Work out who you are going to read the Bible with one-to-one, who you are going to invite to join a group, who you are going to recommend a book to etc.

8. Go for it!

Set up your new initiatives. Maybe share the vision with all the women in the church at a women's breakfast and then approach individual women to work with. It's a good idea to book in a review after 6 months.

Then enjoy watching the women grow. Enjoy growing yourself! And enjoy praising God for his goodness.