HOW TO ORGANIZE A WOMEN'S MINISTRY

Women love to get together to have coffee or tea and share with one another!

WM serves as a conduit for encouraging spiritual growth, relationship building and focusing on needs of the local church as well as the global church. It functions under the direction of the pastor.

Any woman who is a member or friend of the church can join. Each woman in the congregation should be included and feel welcome!

Purpose:  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19 NIV

Scripture:  But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 NASB

Motto: Growing, Sharing and Mentoring

Flower: Red Rose

The following are some guidelines to organize:

1.  Write a mission statement for your local Women’s Ministry.

Points to consider:
• What does God desire for the women in our church?
• It should reflect the values of the local church.
• Make your mission statement visible and incorporate into any promotional materials.

2.  Evaluate the needs of the women in your church.

3.  When planning your yearly calendar, keep the big picture in mind (are there young mothers with small children or single moms? Be aware of the school calendar as well as the general church calendar/events). It’s a good idea to meet with the pastor and other departments when planning your ministry calendar so there isn’t conflict with schedules.

4.  The pastor should set the first organizational meeting and moderate or select a moderator. After the first meeting, the selection of leaders, whether appointed by the pastor or elected by the group, is left to the discretion of the pastor according to the General Assembly Minutes.

5.  Selection of leadership: A majority vote is required by the group members, if the leaders are not appointed by the pastor. Tenure is from September 1 to August 31 (one church year). Three leaders are to be selected: Director, coordinator and secretary. These leaders are to be Church of God members, women of integrity with leadership abilities. If the pastor’s wife is not the local WM director, she may serve as an advisor.

Director or Leader responsibilities:

1.  Preside over each meeting.

2.  Promote projects from International Women’s Ministries such as Women With a Mission (this project changes every 2 years per General Assembly) Sister to Sister and Smoky Mountain Children’s Home

3.  Promote state-led ministries such as the annual Women’s Conference typically held in the month of May.
4.  Consult with the pastor about outreach/community ministries, worthy projects or any special ministries within the church.

5.  Delegate responsibilities and utilize as many women as possible.

Coordinator responsibilities:
1.  Assist the Director in promoting the purpose, ministries and plans of Women’s Ministries.
2.   Serves in the absence of the director.

Secretary’s responsibilities:
1.  Take minutes of all meetings at which decisions are being made.

2.  She will need to notify the state office of the new organized group, give the name of the church and leaders along with their contact information (i.e., addresses, phone numbers email addresses). They will need to be added to the state women’s ministries director’s mailing list.

3.  She will need to request a permanent charter from the International Women’s Discipleship office in Cleveland, Tennessee. The church’s file number will need to be provided. The pastor or church clerk should have the file number (this is the number assigned when the church was first established in the Church of God).

4.  Keep current contact information on all members (addresses, phone numbers, email addresses).

5.  Record any money turned in for projects and offerings. She submits monthly reports (online or by mail) to the State Office and disburses designated monies for missions, Smoky Mountain Children’s Home, and etc.  In order for the local church to receive credit for designated offerings, they need to be submitted to the state office (ATTN: Women’s Ministries) typically in April, prior to camp meeting each year.

6.  Available to assist with meetings.

Tips for effective meetings:
• Welcome and fellowship
• Relevant program
• Efficient facilitation of business
• Ensure justice and courtesy
• Guarantee the rule of the majority, protect the rights of the minority
• Spiritual renewal
• Allow everyone to bring any matter before the group
• Ask one person to speak at a time
• Set attainable goals
• Encourage your ladies!

There’s a woman for every ministry and a ministry for every woman
Outreach Ministries to consider:
Small Group Bible Study/Coffee
*Girls Ministries & Prayer Mother Ministry
*Women With a Mission (WWAM-missions project)
Prison Ministry
Nursing Home Ministry
Ministry to the Widows
Phone Ministry
*Smoky Mountain Children’s Home (Sevierville, TN)
*SpiritCare Widow’s Center (Sevierville, TN)
Prayer Ministry Targeted groups: Senior Adults, Young Adults, New and Single Moms, Working Moms/Career Women, Singles
Food Bank Women’s Shelters
Blood Bank
Recognizing First Responders
 
*State Office WM Director and Girls Ministries Director can provide information for these ministries.