Programming for women's ministries enriches women's lives when it combines a concern for each of the following three areas in a holistic way. AB Women’s Ministries organizes our work around three ministry areas.
Personal Development Ministries
Providing opportunities for each woman to deepen her faith, develop her spiritual gifts, and become a more effective Christian disciple and steward. This may happen in a variety of ways, such as: Bible studies; prayer opportunities; spiritual exercises; devotions at meetings; email devotions; promoting Christian literature; starting a book club; assisting women in discerning and using their spiritual gifts; encouraging and educating women about stewardship of time, talent, and treasure; encouraging and training women in evangelism and outreach; providing opportunities for building relationships among women that cross boundaries of age, race, and so forth; encouraging women to mentor one another; exploring issues of work-life balance, financial management, health concerns and healthy lifestyles, family and parenting skills, coping with life transitions, caretaking for loved ones, etc., from a faith perspective. Contact AB Women's Ministries personal development ministries coordinator for more information.
Church & Community Ministries
Providing opportunities for each woman to develop relationships, be the body of Christ in the church, study issues of concern for the congregation and wider faith community, and to become involved in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of others in the church and community. You might consider the following: Building relationships among God’s people; nurturing these relationships through fellowship events, small group, or retreat experiences; creating support groups; 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.) for a special event or for a special study opportunity; provide opportunities for women to make cross-cultural connections in the community; 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 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. Contact AB Women's Ministries church and community ministries coordinator for more information.
Mission & Service Ministries
Providing opportunities for each woman to study issues of concern in our nation and God's world, become an advocate in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of others, engage in mission education, and be involved in American Baptist mission outreach. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. Plan educational opportunities on issues of our day, especially focusing on those in which women can become directly involved in addressing problems (through advocacy, further education, hands-on activity, prayer, etc); choose one or two special concerns to focus on over a longer period of time, exploring them from many angles and linking them into a variety of areas of your ministry; use the resources available for designated general and geographic themes through AB Women's Ministries, American Baptist Home Mission Societies, and International Ministries. Invite mission speakers from your region or the American Baptist Mission Center for women’s events or congregational events. Create a “school of missions” for a special women’s event or, better yet, for the entire congregation. Create a “Mission Fair” for the congregation, or on a regional level. Participate in and promote annual American Baptist mission offerings; utilize denominational resources and study materials available for these offerings; promote in women’s newsletters and church newsletters the ways in which individuals may donate to special offerings online. Promote and participate in mission encounters or planned work projects. Stay informed about, and encourage involvement in, American Baptist mission and volunteer opportunities in American Baptist Home Mission Societies and International Ministries. Contact AB Women's Ministries mission and service ministries coordinator for more information.
