UPDATE: I’m working on a post in answer to my survey below, but would love to hear from more of you – especially those who are heavily involved in WM leadership. If you’re concerned with sounding negative against your church, you’re welcome to comment as “anonymous”. Thanks in advance for your insight!
I had two interesting conversations today, both on the same topic: Women’s Ministry. Or, to be more specific, the lack thereof.
In these completely separate conversations, it was mentioned that the women’s ministries in each church represented had been cut back drastically. Where there had once been several ways/events through which women could get connected, there were now frightfully few.
The Lord spoke something to my heart during the last conversation which has my curiosity piqued, hence my survey. Have you noticed changes in your women’s ministry? Whether due to the economy or other factors, are there far less or a shift in types of opportunities for your women to grow and connect with other women? Are you having to look outside your church for these types of opportunities?
Please leave me a comment and let me know. After you’ve had a good chance to respond, I’ll be back with what God’s whispering.
I attend a mega-church (attendance is around 6,000 each weekend) in Southern CA. I am involved in women’s ministries there and nothing has changed (and hopefully nothing will). Looking forward to the other’s comments for comparison. 🙂
There’s been a lack of opportunities in my church since I’ve been there (14 months). Assuming it’s always been that way. We have a community group (Bible study) and a few annual things like ladies spring lunch. The reasoning of a totally different subject.
I haven’t noticed a change… We have several women’s programs from bible studies, newcomers bible study, MOPS, etc…
In all honesty, there hasn’t been any change. We are still doing the large outreach events as well as the small get togethers for new women.
We have several programs from Bible studies, to MOPS, missions outreach, once a year conference, etc.
Our women’s ministry is not terribly robust by some standards, but it’s powerful none-the-less. I don’t see any change given the times. If anything, we see more-and-more women connecting on a spiritual level by way of small groups, periodic retreats, targeted studies, etc.
P.S. Drop by my blog to see what I’ve tagged you with. You’re it! (only if you want to be)
I haven’t seen a change in our programs, but we don’t really have a strong women’s ministry. Or, maybe we do, but it’s not what I’d like for us to have. We have small groups and MOPS and stuff like that, but we never all get together as women and fellowship!
Our Women’s Ministry is growing and we have not had any cutbacks – in fact we are having a big team meeting tomorrow night as we plan our Fall Conference with Annie Champman coming to be our guest speaker. Our church has experienced “record offerings” and growth…and we are also experiencing true revival…God is so faithful and we are so thankful for His presence among us –
Thank you for the privilege to testify!
Jan
Our women’s ministry has suffered over the last few years but not because of the economy. It suffers more from busy-ness. No one has time to plan events and when they are planned, attendance slowly dwindles away. We’ve had 2 different ministry leaders in the last 2 years and also a committee take over, and still nothing gets done. It’s sad really.
The mainstay of our women’s ministry is our weekly Bible study. Other than that, we can’t garner much enthusiasm for anything. We do have one very active “misisons” group that get together every month and are constantly involved in a project.
I don’t have the energy to head up anything beyond Bible study at this point, so I often look for ministries outside my church for my own “filling up.”
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the matter.
peace~elaine
Our large church attempts to have an active, vibrant women’s ministry but it isn’t well supported. It seems like time is at a premium and women don’t seem to have time or make time to invest in one more thing. Bible study groups are well attended but not extra events.
Hey girl…I know that in our church a few things are being discussed, but up to this point I as a church member haven’t seen a drastic change. (we have around 13,000 members.) However,
The Women’s retreat ministry I’m involved with have noticed that churches are changing the way they do things. Things like get away retreats, special events seem to be slowing down.
We decided last summer to remove the word “fee” from our vocabulary. Other than travel expenses/lodging…we feel led to just GO. What that church does above that, is totally up to them.
God confirmed it again this past month we when we met for team building. Now more than ever women need HOPE. They need to get away and have their spiritual tanks attended to! I believe with all my heart God wants to speak loudly to us right now! The enemy will use any distraction to keep that from happening, and often times that means he hits us in the pocket book.
Okay…I put a little note in the mail today. 🙂 I wish you could have seen my face when I opened that box yesterday. 🙂 You made my stinky day smell sweet…like a garden full of roses. 🙂
Love you,
steph.
Our women’s ministry is growing. We have about 160 women attend Bible study on Tuesday mornings, and we offer women’s Bible studies on Tues and Thurs evenings as well, with a need for more leaders. We have a Women’s Mentoring Ministry as well as a Women’s Prayer ministry. We also offer Women’s Grief Share and Women’s Discipleship. Our Women’s Events coordinator plans one large outreach each year. We have several smaller outreach opportunities during the year for women. We have women from many different churches and denominations attend our women’s ministry events. Women seem to be hungry for a deeper walk with the Lord.
Hope that info helps,
Joy
Been down with the flu…this is my 3rd day, but am hungry to do some catching up.
Our church has ZERO Women’s Ministry. And so I absolutely go outside of our church as well as my Man.
We are hungry for the meat of the word, and for others to be hungry as well.
Great thoughts….