How to Start a Women’s Ministry in 10 Steps- Part 2

In my last post, we looked at the book of Nehemiah and saw the burden he had for rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem. He had a heart for his people and wanted them to be protected from their enemies. Nehemiah not only saw the need, but he also did things decently and in order (1Cor. 14:40,) and led the team to meet that need. His story inspired this four-part series designed to help you start a women’s ministry in your local church.

How to Start a Women’s Ministry in 10 Steps

1. See the need
2. Seek the Lord in prayer
3. Speak to the pastor
4. Survey the weak spots
5. Strategize
6. Submit a plan
7. Share the burden and secure a team
8. Spread the word
9. Start the work
10. Stand strong

Step 4 to start a women’s ministry- SURVEY THE WEAK SPOTS

Nehemiah investigated the damage to the walls and gates. He assessed the size and scope of the task at hand.  When establishing a women’s ministry it’s necessary to examine the extent of the work before you.

It’s important to know the women in your church and the common strongholds they have, so survey the weak spots. The Holy Spirit works through the women’s ministry to strengthen them, and strongholds are broken and strong faith is built up in their place. Some of the weak spots might be:

• Gossip and slander
• Emotional instability
• Insecurity
• Head knowledge without application
• Lack of biblical character

1Timothy 5:13~ And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

Seek to strengthen

Pray for the Lord to reveal to you the areas that need to be built up by intentional investment of the scriptures. God knows exactly what the women in the church need, so trust his guidance.

Knowing the issues that need to be addressed will help you formulate your plan and focus your curriculum choice on breaking those strongholds.

Step 5 to start a women’s ministry- STRATEGIZE

Luke 14:28-30- For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.

What is it that you want to accomplish by establishing this women’s ministry in your church? Pray that the Lord will reveal the strategy he wants you to implement. It’s helpful to work backward and write down the steps necessary to hit that target.

Make a list of all of the details and ideas that the Lord gives you, and do your research! Read blog posts and books on ministry to women.  Reach out to like-minded churches for counsel and wisdom. This will help you formulate your strategy.

Questions to answer to help you strategize:

1. What age group is your target audience?
2. What elements need to be in place to meet the needs of the women in the body?
3. Is there a day of the week that will get the most attendance?
4. Will you meet weekly or monthly?
5. Will there be childcare?

Think long term. Is the strategy sustainable?  Will you be able to manage all of it alone if there’s no one qualified to assist you in leading this endeavor? Would your priority ministry to your family suffer?

Also, consider if your strategy accomplishes the mission of the ministry. Does it foster spiritual growth? Are the needs of the women being addressed by your strategy?  Is it Bible-centered or events driven? Will it bring God the glory he deserves and reproduce fruitful and faithful disciples?

It’s especially important to ensure that your strategy for establishing a women’s ministry coincides with the mission and vision of the pastor of your church.

Step 6 to start a women’s ministry- SUBMIT A PLAN

Once you have a strategy, goals, objectives, and details, type up a formal plan to submit to your pastor. Some important items to include are:

• The vision
• The mission statement or key verse
• The time frame
• Prospective leaders
• Curriculum choice
• Budget

It needs to be professional and precise. If you’re unsure of what to include, ask your pastor to send you a template or a list of items he needs on it.

Get input

Let your husband read it and make sure you have his full support.  If he feels like leading this women’s ministry will interfere with your priority ministry to your family, respect his judgment as your covering and lighten the schedule. Ask him for his help in revising the plan.  When you’ve come to a compromise that works for both of you, then submit the plan to your pastor. Make any changes he may suggest, trusting his leadership, and move forward when you have his final approval.

If you have a burden for women to love the Lord, live for his glory, and lead others to him, seek the Lord every step of the way as you endeavor to start a women’s ministry in your church. It’s a worthy task. Women need women to invest in them, counsel, teach, pray, and spend time with them.  And the Lord placed that burden on your heart, he will give you wisdom and guidance, and bless the fruit of your hands.

So survey the weak spots, strategize, and submit a plan to your pastor. And stay tuned for the next installment of 10 steps to establishing a women’s ministry!

Nehemiah 2:17-18~ Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me.  And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work.

More on Women’s Ministry:

Women Teaching Women: Be an Example in Discipleship

Encouragement to Endure in Ministry

Consider Your Ways In Ministry- Part 1

5 Steps to Help You Focus and Finish Strong

New Resource Library

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In addition to the resources, you will get my blog posts in your email. I only post weekly or bi-weekly so I won’t flood your inbox.

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Pray With Confidence

If you would like to grow in your prayer life, then check out Pray with Confidence.  It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the 30 monthly contributors. Here are a few links I think will bless you:

5 Things to Thank God for When You Don’t Feel Thankful

3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability

2 Things to Remember to Find Peace in Chaos

19 Bible Verses that Reveal the Will of God

You also want to check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs.  There are many great options to boost your spiritual growth!