Leadership Development

Ministry Groups

Are there women in your church who are not involved in Women's Ministries? Do those women working outside the home find it hard to attend Women's Ministries? Do you need more women to help with projects?

If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, you may need to consider Ministry Groups. Specialized Ministry Groups meet specific needs of the women in your church. Ministry Groups are not meant to fragment Women's Ministries but to encourage more women to participate.

Depending on the size of your congregation, determine how many Ministry Groups you need to start with. You can always increase the number of groups as the need arises and as your attendance increases.

Small churches may begin with one or two Ministry Groups such as daytime meetings and evening meetings. In some cases, you may want to group the women by age if the older women in your church have interests that differ from those of the younger women.

Analyze the needs of your church, district, and missionaries and divide according to the size of your church. Consider the following Ministry Groups:

Intercessory Prayer Group

Women who know how to pray and feel a burden to pray may want to meet with a leader at specific times to read Scriptures and spend time in intercessory prayer.

Bible Study Group

Women who enjoy Bible study and have a hunger to know more about the Bible might enjoy sharing together at regular times.

Hospitality Group

For your church showers, weddings and other social functions, women who enjoy entertaining might be in charge of food, decorations, invitations, cleanup, etc.

At their meetings, they may have devotions and then study and share ways to serve meals efficiently and in the shortest period of time. They may meet only when their services are needed.

Visitation Group

Some women have a special gift for making shut?ins feel better, spreading cheer to the elderly and showing compassion to those in prison. Grouping these women together allows them to exchange ideas, pray for each other, and learn better ways to reach out to lonely, hurting people.

Handcraft Group

It's always fun to work on handcrafts together. Handcrafts that serve a purpose are even more interesting. Ceramic containers with flower arrangements may be given to new mothers, those in the hospital, and shut-ins.

Invite women who are interested in learning crafts to participate.

Missions Study Groups

Women who enjoy studying cultures, countries, and missions may want to study together and spend time praying for missionaries. Women from this Ministry Group may serve as devotional speakers for other Ministry Groups.

Physical Fitness Group

Women who enjoy exercising can have lots of fun together sharing God's Word, praying and fellowshipping while staying "in shape."

Meet regularly and plan a variety of exercises, walks, hikes, etc. to keep interest.

Communication Group

Women who have computer skills or enjoy writing, making posters, signs, etc., serve as valuable resources. They can publicize and promote Women's Ministries projects.

They may meet only when needed or have regular meeting times to constantly serve every department in the church.

Sewing Group

Women who enjoy sewing may choose to make quilts, clothes, and other items for the local church nursery and missionaries.

Women who sew can make lap robes for nursing homes and other shut-ins.

Working Women's Group

Women who work outside the home may enjoy being involved in Women's Ministries. They may choose to participate in one or more Ministry Groups or limit themselves to this one. Working women frequently prefer to give offerings for projects than to become involved in making things. Their meetings should include devotions and prayer and may feature subjects of interest to working women.

Regardless of the number of Ministry Groups you have, leaders should plan time for prayer, worship and Bible study. The women may attend one or more Ministry Groups according to their time and interests. Occasionally, arrange for more than one group to meet together to accomplish a project and for added fellowship.