True women’s ministry gets to the heart of the gospel and equips women to be disciples who make disciples.
I have spent many years of my life around the women’s ministry table, learning what it means to create a passionate and meaningful ministry for ladies within the church. The main thing I have learned, however, is one of the foremost driving factors of a successful women’s ministry: the support of the pastor.
If the pastor does not champion the ministry, it will not last.
In many churches across the United States, there are limited quality and biblically sound women’s ministries or events. Most are no more than surface-level Christianity if that. Fluffy ministry isn’t what I am talking about, and I am most definitely not talking about putting women behind the pulpit. I am talking about true ministry to women.
True women’s ministry gets to the heart of the Gospel and equips women to be disciples who make disciples.
Titus 2:3-5 “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are 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.”
The church is off balance when it comes to women’s ministry. We think women want to be reminded of how loved they are rather than challenging them on a deep theological level. All who study Scripture are theologians, yes, even women. What kind of theologians is your women’s ministry creating?
Are they challenged with Scripture, or are they thrown superficial studies? Are they being taught how to study the Scriptures rightly? Are there women in leadership that are living out Titus 2?
There is a great rift within the church regarding women, how they can and should serve, and what Scripture says their focus should be and should not be. (That is a different article for a different day). No matter where you land on these secondary issues, there is a need for this specific ministry to meet women where they are in their day to day, teaching them to study God’s Word and how to live out their calling as women.
Pastors hold the key to women’s ministry being done well. Pastors are the shepherds of the church, leading the flock along, hopefully in the right direction. They are influential among the people and will also answer to God for their stewardship and shepherding of their people.
Timothy 4:2 “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction.”
In the many years that I have served, I have worked with three pastors, all of whom have championed the heart of women’s ministry and one who even has taken up the task of babysitting little ones so moms can enjoy Bible study on Monday nights. This speaks volumes to the congregation of women: the pastor cares for the spiritual welfare of my heart.
While this may seem trivial to some, to the single mom or struggling woman in your congregation, it quite literally makes all the difference in the world.
There are four important reasons why pastors should champion and even be involved in the inner workings of women’s ministry. This is not an exhaustive list, but I think it is what is most important from what I have experienced over the years:
1. Accountability
Whether you are a man or woman, everyone needs accountability in ministry. We need someone in our corner to keep an eye out for what we are doing and ensure that we are not straying from where we should be.
Accountability looks like a pastor regularly meeting with women’s ministry leaders, asking about their spiritual health, what they are working on, and what their goals are each quarter specifically related to women’s ministry. This keeps the women’s ministry focused on the mission of the Gospel and the goals of the church while keeping the pastor informed of what is going on and who is leading the women within his flock.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…” Hebrews 10:24
2. Guidance
The pastor should be a source of guidance for the women’s ministry. Pastors should give them ideas on direction and teachings for the women. This is also the place where the pastor can make strides of discipleship with the female leaders of the church. He can offer teaching tools, championing them in going to seminary and general leadership.
This is the place to ensure that the women within the congregation are being taught sound doctrine.
Guidance is an important part of the pastoral relationship with those who are in leadership within his flock. Whether we like it or not - the leadership within the church reflects the leadership of the pastor.
3. Protection
As in most cases, there is a need to protect the flock of the church. Whether it be from false teachers or those who may require church discipline, the pastor is the necessary oversight and protection of his people. He may see a Bible study choice or a Bible study teacher and know they do not teach accurately. It would be his job to protect the women from such teaching. There is a great deal on the market today for women that is filled with false teaching, and the pastor, along with female leaders, needs to be aware of the enemy seeking to devour.
“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
4. Connection
I have had many conversations through the years with women who say their church has no place for them. Childcare, evening Bible studies, groups for younger women, or singles are unavailable. It is a ministry overlooked, leading them to feel forgotten.
Every person, man or woman, who steps into your church matters considerably to God, and their discipleship and sanctification should matter to the leaders of the church. As women raise the next generation, we need to see them walk holy, know how to teach and train their children rightly, thrive in their marriages, and equip them to follow Christ.
Women’s ministry is that connection, and pastors should build that bridge of encouragement.
There is a great deal that pastors can do as they champion the ministries within their church. Being invested, interested, connected, and guiding allows a ministry to thrive and be supported in the local church.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/DGLimages
Michelle Rabon is helping women be disciples who make disciples. Michelle has her MDiv in Ministry to Women from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently serving as Women’s Ministry Director in her local church. She is also the author of Holy Mess. When she is not writing or teaching, she enjoys reading, being close to the ocean, and drinking a lot of coffee. You can connect with Michelle at www.michellerabon.com
