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Reaching Women
Today’s post is written by guest blogger, Debbie Stuart. Women’s Ministry Director, Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX and is a LifeWay Ministry Multiplier. She earned her Women's Ministry Advanced Certificate from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and is a member of the Association of Women’s Ministry Professionals . In addition to being a conference and retreat speaker and Bible study teacher, she was the founder and director of Network Extravaganza in the Shreveport, Louisiana area. She is married and has two young adults.
You will be blessed by her words here:
It all started with my mother (you know what they say, if it’s not one thing, it’s your mother!).My mom, Carol, married young and found herself in a hopeless situation. One Saturday morning her neighbor, Jean, invited her to church. She heard for the first time that the Lord loved her, gave his life for her and had a plan and a purpose for her life. She accepted Christ and vowed to follow Him for the rest of her days. She joined a women’s Bible Study group, called the Deborah class, those women loved her and became involved in her life. She began to thrive! They taught her practical lessons about life, marriage and finances, but also spiritual things that she longed to know more about. This investment changed the course of history for her, my family and generations to come. (They didn’t call “it” Women’s Ministry back then, but that is exactly what it was!)
My name is Deborah Jean. It was given to me in honor of those women who made a difference in her life. Little did we know that for my mom “the rest of her days” would not be many. She lost a battle with cancer and stepped into Heaven when she was 40. I was 23 and had a five week old baby boy. Jarrad was her first grandchild.
I was devastated and depressed. But the Lord began to walk other women into my life that made a huge impact. My mom, because she died so young, was not my spiritual mentor. It was other women that made a significant spiritual investment in my life. They loved me and prayed me through some very dark days. And I began to thrive!
As a leader in Women’s Ministry, how are you investing in the lives of other women? How are you helping other women to do the same? Your efforts can change the course of history. The “face” of Mentoring Ministries continues to change, some have gone more organic, others have added new aspects. Some churches have eliminated “mentoring programs” stating: “It didn’t work”…but the “fact” remains the same….The Lord asked us to do it! (Titus 2:3-5) There are only a couple of scriptures in God’s Word where He asks women to do something for him – so let’s be found doing what we were asked to do!
What fresh perspective or creative ideas can you share about the offering a Mentoring Ministry?
“From that city many believed in Him because of the testimony of the women” (John 4:39)
“One life is of priceless value to God’s Kingdom and yours may be that life.”- Oswald Chambers
In the next few days we will celebrate the freedom of our country. If you are like me, you probably take that for granted much of the time. Maybe we’ve never experienced Christianity in other countries where it’s not free. Take a few minutes to think through what you would really miss if you didn’t live in our free country…who you would marry, where and if you would be educated, the career you might have, the home you might live in, and certainly the worship you would participate in.
This is a great time to ask the women in your small groups what they enjoy most about freedom and what they would miss most if they didn’t live in freedom. Perhaps you have some who live in a free country, but do not live free in Christ. Maybe they do not know Him as Lord and Savior. Maybe they do but they aren’t living in freedom. Galatians 1:5 says Christ has liberated us into freedom. Therefore stand firm and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery. But many women do not stand firm in that freedom.
What things are your women bound to, or what are you bound to, that Christ wants to free you from? Draw women into that discussion during this holiday celebration. If you have several who are struggling, perhaps you can begin a study over Beth Moore's study, Breaking Free. This study is perfect for a small group who is struggling with these issues.
Let us know the results of your discussions this week. Share what your women are saying they love about freedom and from what issues they need to break free.
For more help, also see Living Free.
One question we had recently at one of our YOULead training events was: How can we welcome women into the community of the church? One of the benefits of having a ministry with women is making sure not one falls through the cracks. If a woman does not find her “niche” in the church, she may be uninvolved in anything except worship, or she may leave and find a place where she does find her “niche”. So, what can we do to ensure that each new woman becomes fully involved in the body of believers she attends?
Many churches have some sort of assimilation program for new members or attendees. If you can connect with those who oversee that ministry, you can include any women’s information in whatever is provided. Perhaps, you can even ask to attend those meetings and personally get to know and invite them to be a part of what is happening for women at your church. If there is not an already established ministry done by the church as a whole, consider a New Member Shepherding type of ministry for women. Pray for a team of women who are very relational. In teams of two, they can commit to a specific month or quarter for this ministry. Whoever joins during that time frame would become their “sheep”. They would have 5-7 touches with them to make sure they have had opportunity to get to know the church, the women and the ways she can be involved in growing and serving.
Ideas for those touches include: visiting her at home, taking information about the church and answering any questions she might have; inviting her and taking her to the next women’s activity with a complimentary ticket if necessary; calling to check on her a few weeks after she joined; helping her find a place for ministry if she is in a crisis; meeting her for coffee at her place of business; and asking her to sit with you in worship or Bible study. Be creative in finding ways to help her not only have her needs met, but also showing her groups where she can grow spiritually and use her gifts to serve in ministry.
Another way to make new women feel a part of the body is to host a special dinner just for those who have joined in the previous quarter. This could include relational activities as well as provide information to them about the church and especially what is available for her as a woman. Be sure to include a question and answer time as well so you can hear what their needs are. This is a great way for them to see they are not the only new faces at your church. An in-home coffee is also a way to welcome these new ladies to your fellowship. This can be very low key as you provide friendship and information over refreshments of beverages and cookies. What other ways have you welcomed new women into your community of believers? Share those in the comment section of this blog post.
For more information on the new member, see The New Member chapter in Transformed Lives: Taking Women’s Ministry to the Next Level
Today’s guest blogger is Shirley Moses
She is an author, Women’s Ministry Team Advisor at Hagerman Baptist Church in Sherman, Texas, and the Women's Ministry Consultant at the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. She also serves currently as a LifeWay Ministry Multiplier, helping us train women’s ministry leaders across the country.
Shirley contributed to our leadership book, Transformed Lives: Taking Women's Ministry to the Next Level
She is also co-author of Heart Friends: Beginning and Maintaining a Small Accountability Group
Read here as Shirley shares her ideas about building relationships that we can journey with throughout our ministry on this earth...
Who are you discipling? I wish I could tell you I read the Titus 2:3-5 passage and was being obedient the first time I discipled another woman, but then I would have to ask for forgiveness. It actually came out of a need I had on my state women’s ministry team .
I want to introduce to you Lorie. Lorie had just started the women's ministry at her church. She was the youngest woman in her church by at least ten years or so, which she felt was a drawback – because she felt so inadequate around older women. Are you surprised at Lorie’s feelings of been inadequate? These feelings are really the normal among younger women. I really saw Lorie in a whole different light than she saw herself. She was smart, attractive and very outgoing. But when I invited her to be part of the team I was in charge of, she was very reluctant to join me. I was quick to tell her I would pray for her and be there for her. Lorie did decide to join me after several phone calls and much prayer on my part.
I can remember our very first meeting. Lorie looked at the other members on the team and said, “I feel like the little girl who gets to come to the big girls’ table." That day Lorie stole my heart. You see, Lori revealed her godly character (humility) to a group of older women and that took courage. I journeyed with Lorie for about three years and she was such a blessing to me. So what did I learn that Lorie needed to have a healthy confidence in herself? I'm so excited to share with you!
1. Lorie wanted to teach, so I gave her the opportunity and guided her to do just that. I let her teach at a women's retreat. Lorie needed someone to give her a chance.
2. Lorie needed to be reassured about her spiritual gifts. I told her what I saw and suggested books she might need to buy to sharpen her skills and sent her cards of encouragement.
3. Following many conversations, Lorie finally shared why she was so insecure…trust. The issue of trust was huge for Lorie, and before we could move forward, that trust had to be established. Trust is established through time spent together and a transparent relationship.
4. I marked my calendar and each week I would call her. She was so pleased that I would think of her and she always had plenty to share. Don't we want to know what our friends are thinking? Now we can text, and that is a real timesaver. If you have not joined the young girls who love to do this, ask them to show you how. This is a real generation bridge builder.
I still hear from Lorie from time to time and I must say, it does my heart good. Lorie has far surpassed what she thought she could ever do. I thank God that He brought Lorie my way it really was easy to believe in her. I believed in her and told her often. That is what Lorie needed.
I hope this article will be helpful and encourage you to Journey with someone.
Perhaps you have led or have been a part of a Bible study group that has truly bonded and been together quite a while, maybe even years. Have you run into any concerns or issues, even as you have enjoyed studying and growing together?
One question at a recent YOULead training was: “I have an established women’s Bible study that has been meeting for more than 20 years. At this time we’re enjoying another of Beth Moore’s studies. My question is that my group is large each week, anywhere between 18-25, and they do NOT want to split into smaller groups. It’s not as intimate as some would like. How do I move them to break into smaller groups, or should I even be concerned?”
First of all, yes, be concerned! Ask the question, why are they continuing to come to the same group after 20 years? For the study or for the teacher? Also, what have they done with the 20 years of study? Have you seen life change? (check out these evaluations Martha Lawley has put together to help answer that: Translating New Understanding Into Changed Lives,and Tools for Tracking Transformation) If there is no life change, you might question the effectiveness of the studies in their personal lives.
Next, ask them, what do they fear losing by splitting into smaller groups, especially if they desire intimacy? Perhaps you can open and close with the teacher leading, but split into table groups of 6-8 for discussion time. That way they are getting the best of both issues. My church has done this from time to time. If our women’s minister is teaching all of the women in one group, each week we sit at tables (the same ones each week) with a mix of ages of women for discussion and prayer.
If the group has not had any new participants in a long time, you might want to evaluate why. Do others feel this is a “clique” group studying together? Are current participants bringing others to Bible study from time to time? Does the group welcome outsiders?
Another question you can ask is, "has the leader been training up other leaders?" That is the responsibility of any woman in a leadership position. Have a co-leader or apprentice lead together. Then let the apprentice begin her own group, possibly with part of the class, or another brand new small group. Multiplication is the key to reaching more women for Bible study and growth. I lead a Sunday morning women’s Bible study with a co-teacher. We each taught every other week and it has not only helped in the teaching load, but has also exposed the class to different types of teaching. Our goal though, is to train up women and send them out to other ministry roles. If one leaves to teach students or children, or serve in another capacity, we are thrilled!
Encourage the participants to provide a service or ministry outreach as a response to what God is teaching them through their studies. The women must see that we are held responsible for all the teaching in which we have participated over the years. We aren’t just to “sit and soak” but to “soak and serve.” Perhaps challenge the group to see who can come up with the most creative and effective ministry opportunity to make a difference in your community once the study is over, or even in the middle of the study semester.
One leader also asked this question: “How can I keep Bible study fresh for my group? I feel I’ve given my ladies all of my ‘godly insights.’” A co-teacher will help with this issue as well. Or perhaps asking a different lady each week to bring one part of the lesson or testimony relating to the lesson would bring freshness and eliminate boredom. Keep in mind, as a teacher, you don’t have all the answers. God put your small group together to help one another other learn, and challenge each other to grow. Use the wisdom in your group to help you all.
Share with us in the comments. How are you keeping your small group fresh, your participants growing in intimacy, as well as challenging them to give back?
Read more about starting small groups and Bible study groups in Transformed Lives: Taking Women’s Ministries to the Next Level and Women Reaching Women: Beginning and Building a Growing Women’s Ministry.
