How to Become a Women's Ministry Leader

Share the work and the triumphs of your women's ministry program.

The pastor of a church cannot operate all ministries and groups in the church. Volunteer leaders must take responsible roles in ministry groups so the pastor can preach, teach and lead the congregation. Ministry leaders serve under the pastor and handle the day-to-day operations of groups, reporting problems or concerns to the pastor. The church needs ministry leaders to follow church policy, work cooperatively and provide appropriate role models.

Instructions

1. Join the women's ministry program and take an active role in activities and projects. Prove you can be trusted to show up for meetings, follow through with the responsibilities and work cooperatively with other members. Volunteer for small tasks and support the leadership. Provide service "as unto the Lord," and fulfill those tasks to the best of your ability.

2. Learn the protocols and policies of the group. Serve on committees and do your share of the work. Demonstrate that you have good boundaries and self-care strategies by not taking on more than you can do, or letting your family suffer due to your involvement in the ministry.

3. Demonstrate your character for leadership. 1 Timothy 3: 1-13 and Titus 2: 3-5 provide clear guidelines for the character and lifestyle of church leaders. While I Timothy 3 refers to men, the guidelines apply to women as well. Leaders should be above reproach, self-controlled, sensible, disciplined, gentle, considerate, capable in administration, well versed in the Bible, honest and not prone to gossip.

4. Volunteer for leadership responsibilities after you have proven yourself capable. Continue to work cooperatively with those in the ministry program. Remain humble, teachable and respectful of others. Edify and encourage others without being pushy or strident. Lead by example, doing tasks quickly and efficiently.

5. Show you can be a team player and that you have a heart to make the pastor's job easier. Express your concerns carefully, maintaining confidentiality and honoring those who do the work. Help end strife by acting as a peacemaker so that most problems do not need to reach the pastor's desk.

6. Serve with dignity when asked to lead the program. Treat everyone as a valuable member of your program. Let no job be beneath you, and lend a hand as readily as you did before you became a leader.

References

• Bible Gateway; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; New International Version; Biblica; 2011
• Bible Gateway; Titus 2:3-5; New International Version; Biblica; 2011
• Church of the Nazarene; Women in Ministry; Phyllis H. Perkins