In a recent post, we discussed how Mars Hill Church cultivates connection and mission among women through a Women’s Midweek Study. Now let’s look at seven practical ways we can make our women’s ministry more loving, encouraging, and effective.

One of the foundational goals for the Women’s Midweek Study is to be missional in the communities that surround our churches. Thousands of women live near a Mars Hill Church, and we would like to meet them so that they can meet Jesus!

These women are single, married, daughters, sisters, mothers, and grandmothers. They might be happy in relationships or devastatingly lonely; economically advantaged or desperately needy; all of them have stories to tell and pain to process. We want to meet them and introduce them to Jesus. We intend that they will encounter God’s love through us. We pray that they will experience gospel transformation in their lives as they hear more of God’s good news for them.

One of the foundational goals for the Women’s Midweek Study is to be missional in the communities that surround our churches.

Many women want to learn more about the Bible. We hope to provide them with a warm and welcoming place to learn more about God’s word to us in Scripture. They are looking for connection with other women, playmates for their children, and practical tools to help them live well and serve their families with creativity and joy. How can we lovingly encourage them? There are 7 things in particular that will really help:

1. Active hospitality

There is no replacement for pleasant hospitality! First impressions mean a lot. As Midweek Study leaders and participants extend warm hospitality, we create a friendly atmosphere where women are invited to enter in easily.

Think about having friends over to your home. You go out of your way to make them comfortable, right? It’s the same thing whether your group meets in the church facility or in a living room. A genuine and enthusiastic greeting sets the tone for the event and encourages a woman to return and bring a friend.

2. Invitation to Community Group

The Women’s Midweek Study is intended to complement Mars Hill Community Groups, not replace them. When a woman attends a daytime group, she should be introduced to a leader who lives in her neighborhood. Her table lead, or others at her table, will invite her to their community group, giving opportunity to experience greater fellowship with additional family members.

There is no replacement for pleasant hospitality!

We make a concerted effort to organize our table groups by geography, so that newcomers meet women in their area immediately. Community groups may then host low-barrier events like BBQs, hikes, and parties, which will welcome husbands and children as well.

3. Acts of service

Leaders may become aware of practical and material needs among the women who attend the Midweek Study. This provides an excellent opportunity for individuals and community groups to extend themselves to meet these needs and actively love a woman and her family.

Many new moms or women experiencing various life challenges have been the recipients of meals prepared and delivered with love. Men can also contribute by providing practical assistance around the home for those in need.

4. Effective training

Many women enjoy the opportunity to hear from experts in areas of interest to them. Perhaps your church community includes people with practical knowledge in health care, finances, food preparation, child development, or other issues significant to a woman’s life. Take opportunity to make use of these resources to serve the women who attend the Midweek Study by inviting them to speak or lead a workshop designed to attract newcomers.

The Women’s Midweek Study is intended to complement Mars Hill Community Groups, not replace them.

5. Table match-ups

The purpose of match-ups is to promote community in groups, relieve table co-leaders of the entire burden of group care, and encourage discipleship. Table members, including leads, are matched with another woman on a rotating basis. The length of a match-up is one calendar month. Pairs are given questions to discuss when getting together to help encourage gospel conversation. They are encouraged to:

1. Meet at least once in person during the month they are matched for coffee/tea and conversation, either in a home or a coffeeshop
2. Have dinner with their families at one of their homes, potluck style
3. Talk/email during the week to check in with each other
4. Be aware of and focused on each other during group so they can follow up on things said and sin confessed

Women’s Ministry leaders should check in with table leaders to see how well match-ups are working and assess whether they need to make changes to address particular issues that arise.

Anie McDugle, women’s ministry leader at Mars Hill Shoreline, explains more about table match-ups:

Match-ups promote leadership among the women, who learn to be confident about growing in discipleship as we are commanded to be disciples. The Holy Spirit moves big when we give him a specific opportunity to be intentional, and for my group the match-ups have provided just that.

In what practical ways can you reach out to the community around your church and extend hospitality to new women and their families?

6. Building relationships with new women 


Mars Hill women will very likely meet new women at the Women’s Midweek Study as more ladies become interested and begin to attend. How do we build a relationship with a new friend we’ve just met? Here are some tips:

• Meet for coffee

• Invite her for lunch at your home or a local spot

• Arrange to meet and share an activity with your children

• Invite her to your community group, or an event your Community Group has planned

• Offer to assist her with a home project that requires skills you can offer

7. Meet women in your neighborhood, invite them to Women’s Midweek Study

Table leaders may plan playdates or gatherings during the week. With a more casual feel, it is easier for the women to invite friends and neighbors to join the group. From there, we invite visitors to attend the Women’s Midweek Study the following week. Here are some suggestions:

• Plan playdates at a local park and meet other moms
• Participate in events at a community center, pool, or library
• Volunteer in neighborhood cleanup events, garden clubs, clothing drives, food banks, school functions, book clubs, or community support opportunities
• Hold an ice cream social, summer movie night, or other casual party in your driveway, yard, or street

In what practical ways can you reach out to the community around your church and extend hospitality to new women and their families? What steps do you need to take to make this possible in your church?