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POSSIBLE
MINISTRIES TO INCLUDE IN YOUR WM
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by Robyne Beaubien
The possibilities for WM are endless! Following is a list of traditional
ministries that have been used successfully in other churches:
Bible Study - Usually
beginning with one that meets the needs of the women in your church.
This may
be a simple 1/2 hour study and 1/2 hour
fellowship time each week or it may be a "homework" type
of study.
Prayer Chain - There are many different ways to network a prayer need
through a church body. Whether you use a list, flow chart or circles,
we have found it helpful to put on each list the focus of the ministry
and exact directions how to take down and pass on the request. We ask
that any other conversation be saved for another time as the priority
of the prayer chain is to share a need for immediate prayer.
Ladies Night Out - monthly activities usually on a Friday night where
we get together and have fellowship. Sometimes these nights involve
learning a craft or skill. Other times it is just a game night. The
focus is fun and building relationships.
Visitation/Dessert
Drops - visiting newcomers with a fresh baked batch of cookies,
a pie or
cake. This is a non-confrontational ministry.
Each dessert is accompanied by a "Welcome from the Women's Ministry" card.
Visitor/New Member
Luncheon - bi-monthly get-togethers following a
Sunday morning service. The purpose is to acquaint visitors and new
members with the pastoral staff, a couple of the deacons and their
families as well as answer any questions they may have about church.
Retreat - Yearly
event to "get away" and
have some time to, once again, build relationships. It can also be
a deep time of
spiritual renewal.
Meals for the Sick/New
Moms/Bereaved - we always call and ask how
we can help before organizing this one. It can be overwhelming to get
more food than your frig can hold!
Card Ministry - Sending personal birthday, anniversary cards. Cards
of welcome to new members and encouragement for those struggling would
be nice also.
Support Groups - Weight Control, Substance Abuse, Trauma Recovery,
etc... there are hurting women everywhere and having a trained counselor/support
group will help them find healing. Other groups might be for parents
of children with special needs, Cancer Survivors, etc...
Moms in Touch - an international ministry that encourages women of
school aged children to meet together and pray for their neighborhood
schools. The ministry offers regional and national retreats and seminars
as well as a small booklet about praying for your children.
Sharing Closet -
a used clothing, appliance, houseware "store" that
provides assistance to missionaries and others in need.
Working Women - many of our women work full time outside the home.
It is beneficial to have activities and studies that work around and
sometimes in their schedules. Women in the workplace deal with different
issues and enjoy having a peer group to share with.
MOPS - Mothers of
Preschoolers. Based in Denver this ministry has a membership fee,
but provides
all the paperwork and ideas for keeping
this ministry going. The drawing card is that it offers mini "seminars" on
current, relevant topics and a preschool program for the kids while
the mom attends the class. They recommend classed like: having a doctor
talk about childhood illnesses and immunization; having a beauty consultant
share the seasons new trends; having a decorator give advice on window
treatments...etc... Some groups also offer a craft time.
Heart to Heart - a mentoring/discipleship ministry pairing older,
mature believers with younger women to encourage each other.
Special Outreach - Mother Daughter Tea, Christmas Party, Parenting
Workshop, Craft Day... usually led by women in the church with the
purpose of inviting the women in the church and visitors.
Counseling - something to consider when you have someone who is trained
to do so. There are ministries that train lay people to do basic Biblical
counseling and it would be worth having several women trained to speak,
even on a limited basis, with women facing difficult issues.
This is not a comprehensive list. I am sure that we will add to it
as time goes on, but for now the focus is to find out what the needs
of your women are and create ministry around their needs and relationships.
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