New Avenues for Women's Ministry Women's Ministries


by Hannah Butt


What is women’s ministry? If I were to ask this question to each lady of our Fellowship, I think each person would likely give a different answer. Once a monthly gathering for prayer, visiting and projects, women's ministry has changed and developed in various directions over the last number of years. Tere are several reasons for this. Te way we communicate with one another has changed. Many more young ladies are working outside the home. Churches are seeing a decline in the number of traditional wom- en’s ministry groups with a chairperson, secretary, etc, but that does not mean that women’s ministry is not happening.


Many churches are hosting several forms of mom and tots


groups to provide busy young moms a place where they can visit and learn from one another. Some of these groups also allow moms to spend time studying God’s word together while some- one else looks aſter their young children, giving these moms a much needed breather. In these groups, mentorship is emerging — a more seasoned mom takes a younger mom under her wing and assures her she is doing a good job.


Some churches host a number of ladies-only Bible studies


or Sunday school classes. Some ladies gather in prayer groups. A number of churches are modeling the Titus 2 method of mentorship among their ladies in a more natural form allowing mentorship to emerge naturally rather than trying to program it to happen.


In this age of social media, women's ministry also takes place


on these platforms. A number of private prayer and study groups are communicating over Facebook. Tis allows greater flexibility for the busy working mom. Ladies are also using messenger apps to encourage and challenge one another. In fact, the Commission on Women’s Ministries has an on-line Bible study “Inside-Out Women,” which ladies from many different churches have joined. Te W Com Connections Facebook page has in many ways become a large prayer chain. Both of these are forms of women’s ministry that allow busy ladies to join at a convenient time. It has been very encouraging to see so many women seeking to study Gods word.


While there have been many changes, there is still a place for


ladies teas and get-togethers. Communication via social media is good and instant, but it will never actually take the place of gathering face-to-face from time to time. Sewing circles and other more practical ways for women to serve in the local church are still necessary. Tere is still a need to send care packages to stu- dents, deliver meals to the sick and shut-in, plan baby and bridal showers, and honor people with craſted quilts.


All these avenues of women’s ministry are very much


self-contained and no longer need a central commission oversee- ing them. Tis is why over the last number of years the Commis- sion on Women’s Ministries has shiſted its focus to caring more personally for pastors’ wives of the fellowship. Being a pastor’s wife is a job in itself: she is the one who lives with her husband/ pastor, loving and supporting him in his ministry. She is silently praying as he steps into the pulpit each Sunday. She prays as he leaves for the church board meeting and encourages him aſter- wards. She sits alone Sunday aſter Sunday, juggling her children alone. She is the one finding keys, wallets and misplaced Bibles.


Many of our pastors’ wives live far from their family and are


geographically isolated. Whom do they have to support, encour- age and pray for them? Te Commission on Women’s Ministries intends to make a personal contact with each wife and seek to encourage them. One of the ways we have been doing this is invit- ing each pastor’s wife to a 24-hour getaway where we can bond as a group to build friendships and encourage one another.


Along with the changes in women’s ministry, our commis-


sion is also changing, and there is a place for YOU if you have a desire to care and encourage. Pastors’ wives, we also need your input into how we can best serve you! Contact us at info@febcministries.org.


Hannah Butt is leaving Swiſt Current, Sask., aſter five years of ministry with her husband, Daniel, at Fairview Bible Church. Tey are relocating to north- east England where an independent church has called Daniel to be senior pastor.


Boutique at Connect19


Women’s Ministries offered its annual boutique at Connect19 with the pro- ceeds going towards ministry enrichment for pastors wives. Te boutique was a constant hub of activity with many folks just stopping by to visit — which was great! Tank you to all those who provided handmade craſts and other items for the boutique. And thank you to all those who generously traded cash for craſts.


Fellowship Focus, September/October 2019 W Com Connections


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