Women’s ministries in a congregation provide a rich opportunity for women to be partners with God in building a faith community with strong interpersonal relationships, a commitment to nurturing the discipleship of God’s people, and a dedication to reaching beyond the church doors in outreach and invitation. Consider the following:
- Maintain an emphasis on building supportive, loving relationships between God’s people; nurturing these relationships through planning fellowship events for casual connections as well as small group or retreat experiences for deeper intimacy; creating support groups based on significant needs in the congregation; supporting women who are engaged in Professional Church Ministry and encouraging others to explore the call; partner with other organizations in your congregation (such as men’s groups, youth groups, special interest groups, etc.) on a mission project, for a special event, or for a special study opportunity.
- Assess the needs of the community in which your congregation is located; developing ministry programs that address those needs; provide opportunities for women to make cross-cultural connections in the community; explore the possibilities of partnering with community organizations (such as area youth organizations, ecumenical ministry groups, community volunteer organizations, etc.) to discover needs and join resources in addressing those needs; partner with the pastoral leadership of the church to plan and promote a special “invitational” worship service for the unchurched of the community.
- Become familiar with the larger American Baptist family, and promote its missions and ministries among the women and your congregation; develop American Baptist ministries for youth, such as AB GIRLS, or ABBoys & Young Men, and national youth conferences or gatherings in their many forms.
For further resources to help you include areas of Church and Community Ministries in your ministry planning, check out our
Store or our
Resources page. You may also find ideas shared by women across the country in the
Community Forum, and you are invited to share your own ideas as well!
