Women’s Minstry Resources
Women’s Ministry Resources from 20 years as a Director of Women’s Ministry. Plus a philosophy of women’s ministry.
Events & Examples
25 Most Popular Icebreakers
Over my years as Women’s Ministry Director, I collected a lot of ice breakers. After all you can’t use the same 4 ice breakers at the same ministry events year after year. But when ones are best? According to research, these are the 25 most popular.
Leader Evaluation Sample
When you recruit feedback from your students at the end of a Bible study year, don’t forget to solicit feedback from your leaders. If you are blessed to have dedicated leadership returning year after year, you may want to keep it short. Here’s an example we’ve used at Wednesday in the Word. This example survey is geared to a Bible study with a large group, small groups and homework. Customize it to fit your programs.
Example First Day Sign up forms
The first day of Bible study typically requires a lot of teamwork and cooperation. You probably need leaders to sign up for both refreshments and tasks. Here’s two example sign up forms.
Small Group Welcome Survey Example
Learning some basic information when new small groups start can save misunderstanding later. Asking participants to answer a few basic questions the first day can help leaders structure the time to better meet the needs of a group. Here’s an example “Small Group Welcome” survey.
Small Group Ground Rules Sample
When starting new small groups, it’s helpful to establish expectations up front with a clear set of ground rules. Here’s a sample we’ve developed over 25 years of ministry.
Ministry Preparation Checklist
July is the time to start preparing for your fall Bible study. Are you overwhelmed by the details or don’t know where to start? Assuming your study starts in September, here’s my summer ministry preparation checklist.
Leadership
My solution to the Great Pastor Resignation
A national survey revealed that 42% of pastors considered quitting and many already have. Here’s how one church avoided that problem.
Small Group Dynamics: The Rule of “In”
In new groups, participants often seek connections through icebreaker questions. How we respond impacts the future community. I’ve learned to employ what I call the “Rule of In”.
7 Habits of Spectacularly Unsuccessful Leaders
Failed CEOs shared these 7 habits. What about leaders in the church?
Servant Leadership in Practice
Putting servant leadership into practice: thoughts on leading from moral authority rather than hierarchy.
Role Playing
To compare roles is to count paper clips. Neither is a valid measure of our worth.
Barnabas: Playing Second Fiddle
Barnabas is an great example of the incredible good you can do when you don’t care who gets credit.
Ministry Philosophy
Criteria for evaluating a ministry
How do you know when a ministry is working? Numbers do not always reflect an accurate picture. These questions will help.
I’m Confused, You’re Annoying, and He’s Pig-Headed. To God be the Glory!
Can God use less-than-perfect believers without also perfecting them at the same time? Do their failures negate the good examples of Abraham and David? Apparently not.
Mary & Martha: A lesson for Women’s Ministry
Martha chose to serve physical food while Mary chose to receive spiritual food. Mary chose wisely. When Jesus comes to town, all of us should drop everything to listen.
Are older women invisible in the church?
Is “youth focused Christianity may be sidelining the gifts of older women”? In a sea of artful hipsters, older women feel invisible and overlooked.
Agreeing with Young Atheists
When Larry Alex Taunton of Fixed Point Foundation explored why many American college students are atheists, a “composite sketch” emerged — which I found I agreed with.
Women’s Ministry: The view from 1852
“The female part of every congregation have an influence which cannot be defined nor resisted. For the most part, this influence is as just in its award, as it is sovereign in its sway.”
Recommended Reading
Leadership
Studies in Leadership by Ray C Stedman
What is Reformed Theology? by R.C. Sproul
Body Life by Ray C. Stedman
When All Else Fails…Read the Instructions by Bob Smith
Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
RC Sproul’s Crucial Questions FREE ebooks
The Gospel Coalition provides countless resources for specific personal and theological issues
Small Group Leaders
How to Lead Small Groups, NavPress (get latest edition)
Coaching Life-Changing Small Group Leaders: A Practical Guide for Those Who Lead and Shepherd Small Group Leaders by Bill Donahue
Leading Life-Changing Small Groups by Bill Donahue
Building a Church of Small Groups: A Place Where Nobody Stands Alone by Bill Donahue
Women’s Ministry
A Woman’s Worth by Elaine Stedman (out of print but available online; if you only have time to read 1 book in this section, read this one)
Designing Effective Women’s Ministries by Jill Briscoe, Laure Katz McIntyre and Beth Seversen
Women’s Ministry in the 21st Century: The Encyclopedia of Practical Ideas, multiple authors (now out of print, but can find used copies)
Spiritual Mothering: The Titus 2 Model for Women Mentoring Women, by Susan Hunt
Women’s Ministry in the Local Church, by Ligon Duncan & Susan Hunt
The Church Planting Wife by Christine Hoover
Discipleship
Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time by Greg Ogden
Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change by Paul David Tripp
As Iron Sharpens Iron: Building Character in a Mentoring Relationship by Howard & William Hendricks
Becoming a Titus 2 Woman by Martha Peace
The Lost Art of Disciplemaking by Leroy Eims
Lifeway Christian Resources Spiritual Gifts Test
Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion? by Bruce K Waltke
Decision Making and the Will of God: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional View by Garry Friesen
For and about Women
Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt
The Friendships of Women by Dee Brestin
In the Company of Women by Brenda Hunter
Treasures of Encouragement by Sharon Betters
Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund
The One-Year Book of Devotions for Women by Jill Briscoe
Women in the Life of Jesus by Jill Briscoe
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