By Andrea Lennon, Evangelism and Church Health Team

Evaluation is a necessary tool in Women’s Ministry. I tell women all the time, “If you are doing the same thing, in the same way, with the same people, year after year, there is a good chance that you are stuck.” To be honest, it happens to all of us. We can get comfortable in ministry and simply fall into a predictable routine. This predictable routine leads to a declining women’s ministry.

The characteristics of a “declining” women’s ministry include:

• No real purpose to the meetings or events.
• The same people participate and do the same things--- year after year.
• Spiritual fruit and spiritual change in women’s lives are non-existent. 
• There is an overemphasis on one aspect of ministry to the exclusion of others:
• Overemphasis on spiritual enrichment.
• Overemphasis on fellowship/fun.
• Overemphasis on service or mission projects without a connection to the Gospel.

Does your ministry fall into the declining category? If so, take heart! A fresh start is waiting for you. The women’s ministry at your church can thrive. It can lead women to a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God and others. It can lead women to take part in God’s eternal purposes in “everyday” ways. It can lead women to demonstrate spiritual fruit.

The characteristics of a “thriving” women’s ministry include:

• Salvation: Women coming to faith in Christ.
• Spiritual Growth: Women growing in their love relationship with Jesus and the Bible.
• Inspired: Women embracing their God-given role in the home, church, and community.
• Trained and Empowered: Women serving in the local church as well as leading others to faith in Christ--- at home and around the world.

So how can you move from a declining women’s ministry to a thriving women’s ministry? I am so glad that you asked. Consider these three steps:

1. Pray: Seek God’s clear direction. Ask God for wisdom, guidance, and a fresh move of the Holy Spirit among the women in your church and community.
2. Evaluate: Be ready to look at everything and ask the tough questions. Ask, “What is working?” and “What is NOT working?” Allow the answers to these questions to help you determine the next steps. Be open to a fresh move of the Lord and know that there will be changes in the way that you do ministry.
3. Connect everything to purpose: Eliminate the things that do not produce spiritual outcomes. Focus on the ways that you can connect women with God, His Word, and others. God will bless this type of ministry focus.  

A women’s ministry program in the local church is either thriving or declining. There is no middle ground. There is no room for “just getting by.” If we are not pressing ahead by reaching and equipping women with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we are missing the mark. Today, press forward in Jesus’ Name and with His power. Reach the women in your church and community and invite them to know Jesus in a deeper, more meaningful way.

If you would like to learn more about women’s ministry and how to improve your women’s ministry program, register and attend one of the Women’s Ministry Roundtables. The roundtables offer an opportunity for leaders to gather in small groups in order to share ideas, discuss strategy, and get to know one another. The goal is to help build a strong network of women’s ministry leaders who have friends in ministry. There is no charge, but be sure to RSVP.