What is really important in girls' ministry?

by Jimmie Davis

If you really want to start a diverse discussion, ask this question among girls’ ministers: what is really important in girls’ ministry?

Is it boosting a girl’s self esteem?

Is it convincing her to dress modestly?

Is it teaching her she is a princess? 

Is it teaching abstinence?

I was searching online this week and simply Googled “girls ministry.” There were tons of new sites and lots of opinions on what is important in girls’ ministry. There are enough ideas out there (I just wrote a book full of them) to keep us painting nails and hosting “what not to bare” fashion shows until Jesus comes back. But what is really important? 

Jesus used things that people knew—fish, nets, water, bread, sheep—to teach spiritual truth. We must do the same for girls, but sometimes we go too far and lose the message in the midst of the methodology. I want to know how to reach this generation for Jesus. I’m open to new ideas, but what is important?

I’m still searching and praying over that question. I’ve been involved in girls’ ministry for many years (I won’t say how many) and don’t have the final answer, but I have come to a few conclusions.

Girls need relationships with genuine, authentic Christian women, who love God with all their hearts. Not perfect women by any means, but women who love God and love girls right where they are. Women who are willing to look past the way girls dress, how many tattoos they have, their pink and green hair, and see straight into girls’ hearts. They need to walk beside us as we go through life. They need to see us fall and get up, forgive and be forgiven, worship, serve, and grow.

They need to know Truth and how it applies to their lives, and that comes through studying God’s Word and prayer. 

Is modesty important?  Absolutely. Is abstinence important? You better believe it is. But building a genuine relationship with a girl and allowing her to see how you love God and how you love her will pave the way for Jesus Christ to transform her life. This is the foundation for making a disciple who will become a discipler.

I’m still on a journey of trying to understand how to focus on the important things in girls’ ministry. I don’t have it all figured out yet, so I would love to know what you have discovered on your journey.

What are your thoughts about what is important in girls’ ministry? Let us know with your comment below!

Jimmie Davis is a long-time veteran of girls’ ministry. She lives what she writes about through her work at FBC, Spartanburg, SC. She’s also authored two books for LifeWay: Girls’ Ministry Handbook and Girls’ Ministry Idea Book. Most of all, she’s passionate about reaching girls, both this generation and the ones yet to come.