Sometimes in a small church, we feel like we just can’ do lots of ministry like a big church. And you know what, that’s really true. In fact no church can just copy the ministry of another regardless of size.  God uses all sized churches (80% or our churches across the country  run under 200 on Sunday) to have huge impact for the Kingdom. 

Guest blogger  Deb Douglas  has served in various sized churches, from very small to quite large. She knows what it is to do ministry in a small church. Enjoy her thoughts today as she shares how small churches can make a difference!  Then refer  Women Reaching Women which includes the chapter, Small Church Issues.
 

A little taste of chocolate can have a great big impact. So can a small church! Small churches face unique challenges, but there is also a unique purpose for each small church ministry. Each church and each women’s ministry has an opportunity to reach the women in their area of influence. 

Here are some little tastes to get you thinking in a new way:

1. Redefine success.
Success is not how many people attend an event or study, but how each attendee’s life is transformed! Focus on changed lives instead of numbers! Join with other churches to host special events or weekly Bible studies. Note: Check with your pastor before entering into a partnership with another church. Remember he is the shepherd God has placed over your church!

2. Focus on what you do well.
All women’s ministries have one thing they do exceptionally well. What are you doing well? Spend your energy on that ministry. Ministries do not have to compete with other churches for the number of programs or events! Focus on what God has gifted your ministry to do well. One size does not fit all and that is a good thing!

3. Seek out opportunities to impact your community in big ways.
Look for ministry needs your women can meet. Show the love of Christ by meeting those needs.
·    Give out free water at ball tournaments or county fairs.
·    Rake leaves for homebound persons.
·    Make quilts for a homeless shelter.
·    Lead Bible studies in assisted living communities.
·    Concentrate on making women feel like family by inviting them to join in the preparation for events.

4. Do things well.
A well put together ministry attracts others to join. You do not have to spend a lot of money to achieve excellence. Try these ministry stretchers:
·    Have fund raisers.
·    Hand-deliver invitations to events and Bible studies to add a personal touch to the invitation!
·    Purchase decorations and paper products at clearance sales or outlets.
·    Shop garage sales and second hand stores for decorations.
·    Share your prettiest objects from home or borrow from others! Hint: Turn off the lights and use candles with mirrors to completely change the atmosphere of a less than perfect setting.
·    Grow! Sounds simple doesn’t it? But growing the ministry is hard work. It requires being intentional in building relationships with women, a consistent effort, and dedication to reach women. Remember, ministry is hard work for all churches!

To encourage growth, provide incentives to your women who invite others to attend. Give a price break for Bible study members who bring a friend.

There are women everywhere desiring close relationships: a relationship with Christ and relationships with other women. They are waiting to be invited. Seek to discover how these women in your area can be reached. A small church environment can be welcoming and less threatening than a larger church for some women. Use the warm, cozy atmosphere as a plus!
One size does not fit all, a good thing? Yes! Embrace your uniqueness, your purpose, and your size!

Dr. Deb Douglas,  is the Minister to Women, First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA   and also serves as one of our LifeWay Ministry Multipliers. Deb launched her first women's Bible study at the age of 20. Her passion is encouraging and equipping women to serve. She is the Minister to Women at FBC Bossier City and a conference/retreat speaker, strategic planning consultant, and freelance writer.  Deb graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Arts in Christian Education/Women's Ministry and a Doctor of Education in Ministry degree from NOBTS. She is the wife of Paul,  mom of Jared and Katie, and mother-in-law to Emily.

Women Reaching Women

I like lists!  Before I go to bed I make a list of what I need to do the next day. Sometimes I take the main headings and do sub points under those headings.  In the course of the day if something comes up that must be addressed that didn’t make the list; I add it just to have the joy of crossing it off again!  Why do I do that?  I like to be well planned. 

Our Women’s Ministry must also be well planned. Regardless of the size church you are in, it is important to have a plan—or vision for your Women’s Ministry.  Here are some great steps to follow that will get you going. 

If you're a women's leader in a smaller church, you may wonder how to best plan long term. These simple steps will get you going. 

1. Get a prayer team in place.
Round up those prayer warriors! Encourage women at your church to pray over your church's ministry with women, and don't forget your own time in prayer.

2. Evaluate.
Review what your church did last year for women:
• What opportunities did you offer?
• What succeeded? What flopped?
• What unmet needs are you hearing?
• What life changes happened – salvations, commitments to ministry, rededications, other testimonies?
• What are other churches in your community doing? Have you joined them on any of those efforts?

3. Dream big!
Whether it's just you or a handful of women's leaders, sit down and dream about what God might do in your church this year – and don't limit yourself by saying, "we can't do that," or "we don't have the money for that." Brainstorm without restraining yourself – remember that God can do all things! Ask yourself, "What would a great year of women's ministry look like?"
• Will you offer a new women's Bible study?
• Do you see a certain number of women being involved? 
• Would you create new missions or service opportunities for women?
• Will you take a group to a women's event or conference? 
Jot down the ideas you have. In addition to those, pick others' brains for ideas for women's ministry. Take notes and expect God to develop a vision for the upcoming year.

4. Combine your lists and prioritize.
Once you have your past year's evaluation and new ideas outlined, determine what's most important in the coming year. Use prayer, common sense, and the help of others if you have it. How does God want to use women's ministry to meet your ladies' greatest needs? What goals do you believe God is setting for you?
Make sure each goal in your list supports your church's overall vision. For example, offering women's Bible studies is a natural fit with your church's plan to disciple others. If something doesn't fall clearly in line with what your church is working toward, seek your pastor's counsel to make sure it wouldn't detract from your church's mission.

5. Determine what's required.
Now that you've identified your top priorities for ministry year, what will they require in terms of …
• Time for planning and execution?
• Money for each idea's planning, promotion, execution, and evaluation?
• People to head up each effort?

6. Begin planning.
Sit down with any other key ladies in your church, and bring your church and local school calendars to your meeting to begin plotting the timetable for various activities. Pencil in your time- and season-sensitive events first. For the items that remain, get feedback from others. Some ministry items can have softer dates because ideas are still being explored or there's not designated leadership in an area yet.
If there's no leadership or you know you don't have the resources for a certain aspect of ministry, pray and consider waiting until next year. It's OK not to have everything start all at once; in fact, God may have a more staggered approach in mind for your church so He can work even more effectively.

7. Implement the Plan.
With God's help, you're ready for the upcoming year in women's ministry. Whether God has give you a "big vision" for one ministry program or a broader array of efforts, each goal is your opportunity to bring Him glory through women's ministry. As always, let Him work through you – you may be surprised at what He will accomplish!


Additional Women’s Ministry Resources: Transformed Lives

Are you in a small church and feel like your women’s ministry will never get off the ground?  It is easy to look at larger churches and compare the successes that we see from the outside and believe they have it made.  Deb Douglas addressed these six myths and gave us some great tips for those in a smaller church. Deb has a great deal of women's ministry experience.  She graduated from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Arts of Christian Education/Women's Ministry and a Doctor of Education in Mininstry degree from NOBTS.  She is currently serving at First Baptist Church, Bossier City, LA.

Myth #1: Only large churches are successful and effective in ministry.

    * Truth: God uses churches of all sizes, working together, to reach the world for His Kingdom. God has designed each church for a particular ministry. Small churches can target a specific group and focus their resources.
    * Your Job: Pray! Find out where God is at work in and around your church. Talk to people. Take surveys. Get out into the community. Notice what God's up to and who He's equipped your church with to meet needs.

   
Myth #2: Large churches have more money and therefore can do more ministry.

    * Truth: Large churches also have money woes. Using resources effectively, small churches can engage in effective ministry. Smart choices, creativity, and bargain shopping can maximize a small budget.
    * Your Job:

Partner with other churches to host an event.
Borrow resources from churches, state or associational offices.
Ask for donations.
Focus on building relationships - women are hungry for meaningful relationships.
Ask larger churches to add your name to their mailing lists to keep you informed of events and Bible studies.

Myth #3: Women's ministry resources and books offer ideas that will not work in small churches.

    * Truth: Any idea can be customized to fit a small ministry. Using our God given creativity, we can tailor any ministry idea down to size.
    * Your Job: Experiment! If you know of a ministry idea a larger church is doing, talk to the leadership there and ask for ideas. If you're led, try the ministry on a smaller scale in your own women's group. Don’t be afraid to step out in faith.


Myth #4: A small church cannot have a well-rounded ministry.

    * Truth: Every women's ministry does not have to look the same. No church should take a cookie-cutter ministry and try to squeeze their women's ministry into it. Each ministry should be as unique as the people in that ministry.
    * Your Job: Take inventory of what your women's ministry offers. If you see gaps, pray for God to give someone a heart for that particular aspect of ministry. Rejoice over what God is doing in your strong areas of ministry, and seek to maintain and improve those.


Myth #5: It is not a "real" ministry unless the women's ministry director is a paid staff person.

    * Truth: God has called each of us to be ministers and gifted us to serve. Being paid for a ministry does not make it any more valuable or effective! It is the heart, not the paycheck, that makes ministry real.
    * Truth: Most women's ministry leaders are not paid, even in larger churches.
    * Your Job: If you hear this misconception, remind yourself and others of the truth!

 
Myth #6: Only large churches have what it takes to reach people in today's society.

    * Truth: More people attend small churches than megachurches. Some people are intimidated by large churches. Small churches offer a warm, inviting place for them to enter.
    * Truth: The Great Commission is for all churches, not just large ones!
    * Truth: The task before the Church (universal) is huge. According to George Barna, 75 million Americans do not attend church ("Number of Unchurched Adults Has Nearly Doubled Since 1991"). The fields are truly white unto harvest. Working together as a Kingdom family, we can reach the world!
    * Your Job: Keep casting the vision for your women's ministry, and help others who might be discouraged see the unique ministry your church can provide as part of the Great Commission.
 

You've now uncovered six common myths about women's ministry in smaller churches and found the truth to combat them. Stay open to God's ideas for your ministry! Small church women's ministry can be challenging, but we have God working with and for us.