Women's Minstry Resources
Women's Ministry Resources from 20 years as a Director of Women's Ministry. Plus a philosophy of women's ministry.
Ministry Philosophy
How to Launch a Women’s Discipleship Program
Most women’s ministries offer a discipleship program at some point. While there is no “one size fits all” mo…
Measure What Matters: A Ministry Evaluation Framework That Works
Discover a proven framework for evaluating ministry effectiveness beyond attendance numbers. Learn 20+ questio…
I’m Confused, You’re Annoying, and He’s Pig-Headed. To God be the Glory!
Can God use less-than-perfect believers without also perfecting them at the same time? Do their failures negat…
Mary & Martha: A lesson for Women’s Ministry
Martha chose to serve physical food while Mary chose to receive spiritual food. Mary chose wisely. When Jesu…
Are older women invisible in the church?
Is “youth focused Christianity may be sidelining the gifts of older women”? In a sea of artful hipsters, older…
Agreeing with Young Atheists
When Larry Alex Taunton of Fixed Point Foundation explored why many American college students are atheists, a …
Women’s Ministry: The view from 1852
“The female part of every congregation have an influence which cannot be defined nor resisted. For the most pa…
Breaking the Women’s Ministry stereotype?
Some of us may be choking on cutesy things, but many of us are working towards a model of serious bible study …
Why have a women’s ministry?
Not only is it important to have an intentional, deliberate approach to female discipleship, it is necessary f…
Leadership
My solution to the Great Pastor Resignation
A national survey revealed that 42% of pastors considered quitting and many already have. Here’s how one churc…
7 Habits of Spectacularly Unsuccessful Leaders
Failed CEOs shared these 7 habits. What about leaders in the church?
Servant Leadership in Practice
Putting servant leadership into practice: thoughts on leading from moral authority rather than hierarchy.
Role Playing
To compare roles is to count paper clips. Neither is a valid measure of our worth.
Barnabas: Playing Second Fiddle
Barnabas is an great example of the incredible good you can do when you don’t care who gets credit.
What’s Your Ministry-Burn-Out Profile?
Take this highly unscientific quiz to diagnose your discouragement style—then find out what to do about it. …
Examples & Events
25 Most Popular Icebreakers
Over my years as Women’s Ministry Director, I collected a lot of ice breakers. After all you can’t use the sa…
How to Get Honest Feedback from Your Bible Study Leaders
When you recruit feedback from your students at the end of a Bible study year, don’t forget to solicit feedbac…
Example First Day Sign up forms
The first day of Bible study typically requires a lot of teamwork and cooperation. You probably need leaders t…
Small Group Welcome Survey Example
Learning some basic information when new small groups start can save misunderstanding later. Asking participa…
Small Group Ground Rules Sample
When starting new small groups, it’s helpful to establish expectations up front with a clear set of ground rul…
Ministry Preparation Checklist
July is the time to start preparing for your fall Bible study. Are you overwhelmed by the details or don’t kn…
Women’s Ministry Evaluation Sample
It’s always helpful to get feedback from your students at the end of a Bible study year. But evaluations can …
Basic Retreat Planning
Church women’s retreats offer one of the best opportunities of the church for women to step away from their da…
How to handle too many announcements
Runaway announcements seems to be a particular problem of running a women’s ministry. How do you handle it? W…
Making the most of registration forms
Registration is a chance to collect valuable information about your participants that can help you build small…
How to Ask Better Women’s Ministry Survey Questions
As a ministry leader, you often do surveys. But what questions should ask? Which questions solicit the best …
The Easiest Way to Make a Lot of Coffee
As a ministry leader you probably make a lot of coffee. I’ve found using the Toddy Coffee system is the easie…
How to Launch a Women’s Discipleship Program
Most women’s ministries offer a discipleship program at some point. While there is no “one size fits all” mo…
3 Retreat Sample Schedules
Planning a retreat means managing lots of details from logistics to decorations. Often the schedule gets over…
45+ Sample Icebreakers
Tired of the same old icebreakers? Are you using the same 3 interesting facts about yourself at every gatheri…
7 Things to Remember When You Invite an Event Speaker
Here’s advice from an expert on how not to burn out your retreat speaker.
Women’s Retreat Survival Kit
A conference I attended gave each participant this simple and heartwarming “Conference Survival kit” which con…
Recommended Reading
Leadership
Studies in Leadership by Ray C Stedman
What is Reformed Theology? by R.C. Sproul
Body Life by Ray C. Stedman
When All Else Fails…Read the Instructions by Bob Smith
Essential Truths of the Christian Faith by R.C. Sproul
RC Sproul’s Crucial Questions FREE ebooks
The Gospel Coalition provides countless resources for specific personal and theological issues
Small Group Leaders
How to Lead Small Groups, NavPress (get latest edition)
Coaching Life-Changing Small Group Leaders: A Practical Guide for Those Who Lead and Shepherd Small Group Leaders by Bill Donahue
Leading Life-Changing Small Groups by Bill Donahue
Building a Church of Small Groups: A Place Where Nobody Stands Alone by Bill Donahue
Women’s Ministry
A Woman’s Worth by Elaine Stedman (out of print but available online; if you only have time to read 1 book in this section, read this one)
Designing Effective Women’s Ministries by Jill Briscoe, Laure Katz McIntyre and Beth Seversen
Women’s Ministry in the 21st Century: The Encyclopedia of Practical Ideas, multiple authors (now out of print, but can find used copies)
Spiritual Mothering: The Titus 2 Model for Women Mentoring Women, by Susan Hunt
Women’s Ministry in the Local Church, by Ligon Duncan & Susan Hunt
The Church Planting Wife by Christine Hoover
Discipleship
Transforming Discipleship: Making Disciples a Few at a Time by Greg Ogden
Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change by Paul David Tripp
As Iron Sharpens Iron: Building Character in a Mentoring Relationship by Howard & William Hendricks
Becoming a Titus 2 Woman by Martha Peace
The Lost Art of Disciplemaking by Leroy Eims
Lifeway Christian Resources Spiritual Gifts Test
Finding the Will of God: A Pagan Notion? by Bruce K Waltke
Decision Making and the Will of God: A Biblical Alternative to the Traditional View by Garry Friesen
For and about Women
Spiritual Mothering by Susan Hunt
The Friendships of Women by Dee Brestin
In the Company of Women by Brenda Hunter
Treasures of Encouragement by Sharon Betters
Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund
The One-Year Book of Devotions for Women by Jill Briscoe
Women in the Life of Jesus by Jill Briscoe
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