When churchgoing women describe the impact of women’s ministry on their lives, they include opportunities to serve and share the gospel.
By Scott McConnell
Twice in my career I have worked from an office in the center of a city. There are many sounds—such as truck engines, sirens, and horns—that reverberate in a city. But another sound was also present in these cities: the sound of church bells ringing.
I’ve never lived near a church that rang a church bell, but downtown it was part of the regular rhythm of my day. The sound would echo through the concrete and steel structures, resonating and holding notes even as they faded away.
Much of what is possible in a local church should occur much like a church bell. The action of coming together as believers should not only glorify God in the moment but resonate back into the community. Even if these reverberations are not as loud or as detailed as the expressions of truth at church, they still share the beauty of the body of Christ in the places we go.
When female churchgoers describe the impact of women’s ministry on their lives, it sounds like a bell ringing. There are certain benefits that are clear and immediate. And there are lasting impacts that have the potential to resonate in their lives and the lives of those around them.
Women’s ministry has benefits that ring true immediately
As churchgoing women we surveyed think about activities designed for them at their churches, they are quick to point to the relational connections they foster in women’s ministry and how Bible studies and discussions bolster their walk with God. These ring loudly because of the impact on their lives. They ring true as they meet deep needs, and they ring sharply as the benefits are often immediate.
When asked if women’s ministry is for them, typical responses from churchgoing women were:
Yes. it brings us closer as a community and as a church, and it teaches us things through God’s Word to help us grow closer to Christ.”
Yes. I love the time I spend with other women studying the Bible. They are women who support me, who pray for me, and whom I have a bond with.”
I love getting together with other women to discuss life and our faith and to apply biblical precepts to daily living.”
Women’s ministry resonates in service
Leaders of women’s ministries confirm that discipling women and developing community among them are the most common priorities for their ministries. Yet some churches include service within their top two priorities for their women’s ministry. Almost one quarter of women’s ministries list serving others within their church (23%), and 11% list mobilizing women to minister to others outside the church as one of their top two priorities.
“I love the time I spend with other women studying the Bible. They are women who support me, who pray for me, and whom I have a bond with.” — a testimony for the impact of women's ministry Share on XSimilarly, female churchgoers describing the unique impact of women’s ministry on their church are less likely to mention service than relationships, spiritual refreshment, faith discussion, and a safe place. But service is not absent. Three in 10 (30%) say their church accomplishes more service in the community because of its ministry to women, and 28% say more serving gets done within the church. Personally, 32% of women churchgoers say their church’s women’s ministry specifically helped them by giving them tangible ways to serve people in their local communities.
As women share the benefits, this less common yet consistent thread of service emerged in their descriptions of women’s ministry:
It provides a place where women get to build relationships and serve together.”
I enjoy the camaraderie of other women while studying the Bible and engaging in activities that serve my church and community.”
I get to spend time with my sisters growing in God’s Word and helping others.”
Closeness among women, exposure to others’ growth trajectories, encouragement, and opportunities to serve all stem from women’s ministry and multiply the more the women of our congregation gather together.”
While some women’s ministries are creating service opportunities, all have the potential to facilitate involvement in service and ministry. When a woman hears of someone like them or someone they consider a mentor exemplifying service, it sounds doable, and they will naturally want to engage in similar activities.
As some engage in service, they may also invite other women to join them, giving onramps to service in their everyday conversations. These expressions of service are ripple effects that resonate in many of these women’s lives after these times of equipping and encouragement.
The sound of women’s ministry carries the gospel
Another way the melody of discipleship and fellowship within women’s ministry is heard far from the church building is by personally sharing the gospel. It is not nearly as loud or as distinct as the benefits of relational connections and spiritual growth, but it travels.
As women described ways in which their church’s women’s ministry specifically helped them, 30% say they have been more confident to present the gospel to people they know and 28% say they have been more motivated to invite people to church. Imagine the impact of a quarter of your congregation becoming more active in sharing the gospel. That is exactly what is happening among women whose church has a women’s ministry.
As women share the benefits of women’s ministry, this less frequent theme was present in some of their descriptions:
It has helped me reach out to women in the community.”
It allows me to understand other women and know I do not walk my spiritual walk alone. It also provides me an opportunity to get out into the community and get to know people and encourage young people.”
It helps me reach out to our community and become more involved with our church outreach.”
The impact of women’s ministry activities can have both direct and indirect impacts on outreach. Having great relationships at church and growing in your walk with Christ can indirectly impact your willingness to talk about Jesus. When you see tangible changes in your own life, you are more likely to want to talk about that transformation. Those you know who don’t have friends or a support network will be interested in hearing about the benefits you gain from interacting with the women at church.
“Imagine the impact of a quarter of your congregation becoming more active in sharing the gospel. That is exactly what is happening among women whose church has a women’s ministry.” — @smcconn Share on XWomen’s ministries may also be directly equipping women to learn evangelism methods or bring up their faith in conversations about the gospel. Similarly, events designed for women who are not yet followers of Christ can be easy occasions to invite friends and acquaintances.
One woman’s testimony sums up the impact of activities that point people to Christ:
Having a place of connection and deep support with women who are willing to speak truth into my life and point me back to Christ probably saved my marriage and has definitely helped me overcome, anxiety, insecurity, and depression in the past.
I am passionate about women’s ministry and have been involved in leadership for several years now, personally investing in making sure we have studies and small group discussion that dig deep into the Word and provide the kind of place of honesty and encouragement that has the potential to change lives.”
For permission to republish this article, contact Marissa Postell Sullivan.
