So you want a women’s ministry in your church? Begin with much prayer and great patience. Wait to hear from God before making any decisions or moving forward.
Picture your women’s ministry as a house that needs to be designed and built. Prayer recognizes the God behind the plans and your dependence on his guidance. He is the owner of the larger house, the church, and he has work that he wants to do there. He alone can show you what kind of design you need to accomplish his work in women. His purposes are found in the New Testament where God lays out his goals for the church and its people. Prayer and scripture will show you what needs to be accomplished by this ministry, so as you pray, study and let God speak.
In the book of Acts we see the apostles guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit. They were launching something new—the church. Although your reach is not quite that broad, you are involved with beginning and planning a new thing. To do that well, you must be guided by the Spirit and remember Jesus’s words: “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5c, ESV).
Don’t start or plan anything until the Pastor, church staff, elders, or other church decision-makers are on board and supportive, recognizing the need for women to minister to one another and the value of doing that in conjunction with the church staff. Since God is sovereign, he can change the minds of those who are reluctant and give them reasons to be excited and positive. Pray for God to open their hearts.
Form a prayer group of women who have vision for women’s ministry willing to pray together and listen to God regularly for as long as it takes. Share your dreams with one another and pray specifically not only for staff support, but also for every area of need—volunteers, leadership, funds, child care, and many more. Pray for wisdom and provision.
Wait on God for answers, trusting that he will move at the right time. He will use the time in prayer as a foundation for what is ahead, for what he wants to do in your midst in the lives of women.
