Inspired by 7 Reasons Churches Are Too Busy on ThomRainer.com, I’d like you to consider these factors that contribute to busyness in women’s ministry.
1. Many women leaders fail to ask the “why” questions when starting a new ministry.
Often women get an idea that think it must be added to your current ministry. Did you ask why and how it fits with the overall purpose of your ministry? If it will not direct women according to your discipleship strategy, perhaps, even though it may be a great idea, it may not need to be added.
2. Women’s leaders often have no process or plans to eliminate ministries.
Keep in mind that an aspect of ministry is only effective as long as it continues to support your purpose and draws women into involvement and deeper spirituality. Eliminating ineffective ministry opens up opportunity to develop better ministry.
3. Some ministries are started just to please people.
Perhaps you have allowed a vocal few to direct ministry and you have agreed just to keep the peace. People-pleasing is never a good reason to start or end a part of your ministry.
4. Some ministries have become sacred cows.
Which part of your ministry is hanging on, taking up valuable time and money, but reaching almost no one? “We’ve always done it” and resistance to change are not good enough reasons to continue. Again, valuable time and effort is wasted on what is not working.
5. Women’s ministries in many churches operate in silos.
Women’s ministry should never become its own sub-group in the church. It’s a piece of the puzzle that supports and interlocks with the church as a whole, functioning under the overall purpose of the church. A ministry that operates in a silo can become inward-focused, selfish and demanding. We must cooperate and work with all the church ministries to disciple the body. And at times that means laying down our plans for someone else’s.
6. Some women’s leaders have a philosophy of always saying “yes” because they desire to see all people unleashed to do ministry.
We can easily overwhelm women if we have too many ministry arms seeking women’s attention. All women need to find a place to serve and grow, but that doesn’t mean that you develop something new for every woman when you can easily network her into an established aspect of ministry to use her gifts.
7. Most ministries have no process to evaluate ministries each year.
At least once a year set aside time to discuss the ministry and consider: What has been done? What are the gaps? What is working and what is not? Then develop future ministry based on how the women are effectively being won to Christ and discipled. That means parts of the ministry may be fine-tuned or stopped and others expanded to continue to perpetuate growth.
Do any of these resonate with you? Is your ministry too busy? What steps will you take to be more strategic this year?
Chris Adams is senior lead women’s ministry specialist at LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville, Tenn. Learn more about Chris here.
