Women's Ministry

Leadership in the home and the church has been designated by God as a position for men; however, women are called to ministry as well.  They play a unique role in both the home and church as wives, mothers, friends, mentors, teachers, counselors, and servants.  Every local church of which I have been a part has been greatly served by the women in it.  There is no requirement in Scripture for a specific “women’s ministry” in the church; however, women in the church can and should be ministering to one another as outlined in Scripture.  Women who are mature in the faith should be mentoring women who are newer in their faith.  As outlined in Titus 2, older women should be coming alongside younger women to “teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.”

Though it is often downplayed, the ministry a woman has in her own home is a noble calling.  If you are single or married without children, you can open your home in hospitality and use it as a place to teach and train other women.  While those with children can do this as well, they also have the unique position of specific people God has called them to witness to and disciple.  The little people that God has placed in your life are born sinners in need of the Savior.  Every day, you should be sharing the gospel with your words and actions.  They should not only see how you live your life and act in different circumstances that arise, but they should also hear you continually pointing them to Christ both when they do well, and when they are in the wrong.  Your marriage should serve as a picture of Christ and the church.  This can extend beyond your children to other women in the church, but your children should not be neglected as a result of your other commitments.  

Hospitality can take on many different forms.  I would encourage you to engage in hospitality that you enjoy, but also stretch yourself to try other approaches.  If you like big groups, continue to host them; however, also seek out one or two other ladies you can specifically disciple and invite them to your house in a more personal manner.  If you prefer smaller settings, you can still be open to hosting larger events as well.  Sometimes hospitality includes participation in events at the home of someone else or preparing food for another family.  It involves looking for the needs that others have and seeking to meet those needs with what you have.  

Your talents and abilities have been given to you to use in ministry to others.  What ministry looks like to the church varies greatly.  Everyone has different talents and abilities and should use them to edify the church.  I have known many women who hid behind the “it’s not my gift” excuse to avoid serving in some way.  While you may be better at one thing than another, you should still be open to serving wherever there is a need you can fill.  You may not enjoy teaching, but if you are a mature Christian, you should still be open to teaching someone younger in Christ, even in a one-on-one setting.  Mothers all know how demanding it can be to raise children.  The women in the church need to do more than throw a baby shower and bring a covered dish when a baby arrives!  Those who have older children should come alongside new moms to help them on a regular (even weekly) basis.  They can learn how to love their husbands and children by watching how you interact with your family, but they must be around you to do so.  Women’s ministry to other women should take on a “chain look”.  There should be older women discipling younger women.   A young mom teaches her children, while also learning from an older woman in her church, who also has a friend or mentor from whom she is learning.  

I have learned that no matter what stage of life you are in, you have something to offer others in the church.  Do not use youth or inexperience as an excuse not to minister to others.  Get in there, learn, and grow through the experience of serving others.  Actively seek out ways to serve others and make use of the talents and abilities with which you have been blessed.  Seek out other women that can teach and guide you through this life.  Often, women who are older in age and the faith can be more helpful as they have already lived through experiences that have helped them grow in wisdom of how to handle what you are currently facing.  There is never a “retirement date” from ministry.  If you have been faithfully serving the Church for 50 years, thank you!  That is an immense amount of experience that you can share with others.  Other women will be blessed to serve alongside of you.  There is no “putting in your time” and then you stop; be looking for younger women and/or new believers that you can teach and guide.  As long as you are physically able, use your gifts to bless others!  It is also good to have peers of a similar physical and spiritual age that can keep you accountable, provide a listening ear, and have an understanding of someone who is going through some similar stages of life.  Teaching someone else helps you grow in your faith as well.  Wherever you are in your spiritual life and no matter your age, always be seeking ways to share the gospel and love of Christ with others.