A few thoughts about women’s ministry
For women who believe in the biblical principle of male headship, there can be few opportunities for ministry, right? Annabel Heywood, who works with women in Oxford, demonstrates this is far from true.
Women’s ministry, where does one start? It covers such a very wide range at home or abroad including:
- Ministry with adults, students, children, youth, all of different types, at different stages of life, e.g. single, married, mother of young children, or teenagers, widowed, out at work, carers, elderly.
- Ministry of evangelism, teaching, discipling, pastoral care, encouraging, organising events (outreach, bible studies, toddlers), reading and praying with individuals, visiting, involvement in main services/meetings, and is likely to involve leadership in many of the above areas. 1
- Ministry focused on a mixture of: small groups, larger groups, individuals, and will doubtless involve administration and some element of practical jobs.
So there is plenty to do, great opportunities for worthwhile ministry.
General thoughts about ministry
First and foremost we are serving Jesus, and then others, in his name. Obviously it’s not about us, but graciously God gives us gifts and often great enjoyment in using them.
Ministry is a privilege, it is hard work, challenging and brings great joy and great sadness. It does not make being a Christian easier, we are still sinners through and through, and God has much to teach us along the way.
Let’s be realistic as well, not all ministry is exciting. Some of it will be doing things we may not enjoy, it requires faithfulness and perseverance. And yet ministry is so exciting, the goal of being involved in the growth of Christians, from birth to heaven, all in God’s strength and for his glory, what more is there to say?
Some specific thoughts for women
Opportunities for ministry in the daytime: Some groups of women, such as mothers at home or older women, are available in the day, a good time for Bible studies, outreach groups, or chatting through issues one to one.
The way we relate: A generalisation, but we tend to chat more, we sortthings out by talking about them, so that means that meeting one to one can take longer. 2
The biblical principal of headship needs to be worked out both in understanding the Bible’s teaching and in putting it into practise in our particular setting. Clearly the views of our pastor are significant and we need to work under his authority.
Training is important, and there are excellent opportunities with the Cornhill Training Course (www.proctrust.org.uk), (and offshoots of it), Moore College Correspondence Course (www.moore.edu.au), church based training, and camp leadership training. There are also many helpful books.
The importance of staying feminine: Although there are usually many women in church, a staff team will often have more men. No bad thing, as long as we all remember that God has made us with differences, we do not need to copy the men in everything, nor expect men to be like women. A great opportunity to practise ‘a gentle and quiet spirit which is of great worth in God’s sight’ (1 Peter 3:4) and to enjoy working in godly partnership. It is worth saying that the attitude of men towards women’s ministry does make a great difference to the work. Support and encouragement make it a great deal easier, and constructive criticism is invaluable. (Without those things it is just harder, and of course may not happen at all.) Personally I have much to give thanks for.
I was told that I would be much less likely to get married, and it is true to say that many (not all) women in ministry are single. Singleness has its own particular struggles but also has its advantages, 1 Corinthians 7:34 puts it best - ‘Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.’
It is also true to say that many women in ministry have, or have had, a significant battle with loneliness. (It may be that some of these aspects fade away as more women go into ministry.)
So let’s count the cost of following Jesus in Women’s ministry, but not despair because of the cost. If that is where God wants us, there is no better place to be.
So if you are thinking about women’s ministry take the next step, pray, ask people for advice, read, train and see where God leads.
Annabel Heywood use to work as an accountant. She attended the Cornhill Training Course and was involved in women’s ministry in the East End until continuing her work in Oxford.
1 Sharon James’s book, God’s Design for Women is helpful in considering some of these ministries in more depth and also has a good bibliography (Darlington: Evangelical Press, 2002).
2 Sophie Peace, One-to-One (Carlisle: Authentic Lifestyle, 2003), page 96.