Please talk to me, a Senior Pastor's wife, about women's ministry. This is an area that I have been praying about for sometime now, but not really looking for an answer. I believe this is an area desperately needed in my church, b/c we have some out of control women, and someone needs to teach them how to act. Some of the ladies keep asking me about it, but I am wondering, why are they looking at me to start it. I do not sense a major call in this area, or maybe I do, that is why I shun it so greatly. To me women's ministry is major. Women are more complicated than men. I say that b/c every time I read something about starting women's ministry, step 1 is to pray and pray some more, however, they hardly ever say that about starting men's ministry.
I am hoping that you ladies can share some of your experiences in starting a women's ministry that will help me. Thanks!!!
They are looking to you to start it because you are the senior pastor's wife and the women of the church will naturally look to you for direction. Even if someone else was to lead this ministry, you still need to be involved in speaking into the women's lives, both privately and publicly. I believe that even when someone else may have the title of women's ministries director, the SPW would always be considered in an advisory capacity to that person and to the other ladies, unless she made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with it. In which case...I do believe this makes it difficult. The women naturally look to the SPW for direction, so it makes it difficult if she has nothing to do with ministry to them. As the spiritual mother of your church - they are wanting you to be involved.
If I were you I would not rebuff their attempts to get you to minister to them...especially since it sounds like your ladies are in such need of ministry. In your other post ("I'm back" post) you talked of their problems with gossip and all that stuff -- they really need you to speak into their lives.
You are right, you do need to pray and pray some more. Women's ministry is not easy. Women are complicated creatures. They also make up over 1/2 of most churches...and are a huge block of influence as well as a great potential to be harnessed for ministry!!!
If I were you I would pray about what direction you feel led to go on, and hold a vision casting night with the women as to what you would like to see women's ministry become in your church. I hold a vision casting with our women every year and it's a good time to set forth once again exactly what direction we're heading. It also helps me to evaluate and sense what's working and what's not.
Do not fear...the God who has called you will equip you. We're here for you as well.
I am currently reading a book entitled, "Shepherding a Woman's Heart" by Bev Hislop. It is helping me to understand that women need a loving shepherd, because shepherds respond with compassion and understanding. It is teaching me a lot about the hurts of some women and how to minister to their needs. I highly recommend this book to anyone who leads women's ministries. Chat with you ladies soon, and thanks always for your godly counsel.
I can totally identify you. I am 31 years old and have been married to a seniopr pastor of not one bu two congregations. My husband is eight years older than I am over the women's ministry. I have several women that are close to my age as well as older women who now look to me for guidance. I was not in favor of taking over this ministry because I was determined not to be thrusted into a position by the people just because that's what other Pastor's wives are doing. However I wrestled with the Lord for nothing because whether I wanted to have the official title or not I was the one that would have the influence over them. Be encouraged the ministry is going well all because I was obedient.
