To create a successful women’s ministry, you need to be welcoming, have childcare, and a dedicated team. But most of all, Jesus must be the focus.

1. Make Jesus the point

Understand that while we have been entrusted with stewardship, God has ownership.

2. Cast the vision

Develop and passionately articulate a compelling vision for women’s ministry that correlates with the vision of your church.

3. Be mission-minded

It’s imperative for us to join God in his mission to the people who live and work in our neighborhoods by inviting them to do life with us. The Women’s Midweek Study is an opportunity for us to invite into community those who need to experience the gospel.

4. Build community

Women’s Midweek Study, or WMS, provides a way to “close the back door of our church” by creating smaller communities within the larger church. It helps to usher women and children into deeper relationships and provides discipleship opportunities that complement other ministries such as Community Groups.

5. Provide quality content

Consider why women would go elsewhere to get trained in the Bible and experience community. Be thoughtful and thorough in selecting content that fulfills the need for Bible study and fellowship for women in all walks of life. Book selection, additional teaching content, and table discussion should be a time of training and depth for the women and children who participate.

6. Be organized

Develop an organizational structure that will accommodate the goals of the WMS without distracting the participants. Be prepared, timely, and consistent. Disorganization creates barriers that rob from the teaching and discussion time. Eliminate tasks that aren’t necessary and streamline those that are cumbersome.

7. Create an outstanding children’s program

Women with children will decide whether to come back based on the quality and consistency of the children’s program. If the volunteers seem overworked, stressed, or indifferent, a visiting mom may choose not to return.

8. Make disciples and train leaders

Identify, recruit, and train leaders who will help facilitate WMS. Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of leaders. Provide leadership in designing, implementing, and evaluating programming for women. Help develop the talents and abilities of women and assist them in finding places of ministry. Redirect people to new positions when necessary.

9. Be hospitable

A guest will quickly draw conclusions during the first few minutes of arriving. We want them to know we are excited they’re here and begin to break down any barriers that may stand in their way of feeling like they are a part of our family.

10. Communicate!

Great teams are built through consistent and quality communication where expectations are clearly defined for each area of the ministry. The WMS Lead should give immediate praise and thoughtful feedback after each event, looking at all areas of the ministry and making sure that everyone on the team knows what went well and how they can improve for the next event.

Thanks to Amanda Hightower for her contribution to this article.