A note from Kelly King: One of our favorite portions of our You Lead conferences is the question and answer panel after lunch. Attendees at the conference are given the opportunity to submit questions related to their leadership journeys and our conference leaders provide insight into their specific issues.
Because we aren’t able to provide answers to all of the questions we receive during our 20-minute segment, we’re going to use the blog to provide space to answer some commonly asked questions. We’ll tackle two or three each month, and we hope they provide some answers for a broader audience. For more information about future You Lead conferences, click here.
Question: I’d like to start a ministry for women at my church of 150. Our church is 99% retired people. Based on this population, would you suggest any special approaches in starting this ministry?
Answer: It’s great that you have a basic grasp of your congregation, and it is a unique situation that provides some unique opportunities. If the majority of people in your congregation are retired, then consider the fact that many of them have two important assets—time and experience. Also remember that there is still a wide range of ages in this category and younger retiree needs may be different than those who are much older. Pray about developing a team of women who are various ages within this bracket and assess some of their needs. They may desire a deeper level of community that can be achieved by frequent get-togethers as well as ongoing Bible studies.
Encourage older women to seek out relationships with younger women in the community and even in their own families. Help them learn how to have gospel conversations with those they encounter. Millennials deeply desire mentoring relationships, so give women practical ways to encourage the next generation.
Question: What outstanding service have you experienced for single moms and their children? Any ideas on best ways to minister to them?
Answer: Single moms are one of the largest unreached people groups in our country, and many churches aren’t quite sure how to best minister to women who are carrying all the load of raising children, working to provide for their families, and a multitude of other responsibilities. Here are some practical suggestions and ways you can help single moms: 1) Consider offering a free car clinic for single moms. Ask the men in your congregation (and possibly some women who love auto mechanics) to provide a free oil change and to check fluids, tires, and brake pads. Collect funds if there are larger repairs and help them find a reliable repair shop. 2) Offer a Mom’s Night Out with free childcare. Provide gift certificates to a movie, dinner, or an activity where single moms can gather together and have some fun. Consider finishing the night by providing gift cards to a local fast food restaurant so moms can take their children out for dinner when they are too tired to cook. 3) Make sure your women’s ministry team includes a single mom. They can provide insight and help your team think about ways to minister to single moms.
If you have another great idea for either of these questions, please feel free to add them in the comment section. We would love to hear from you!
Kelly King is the Women’s Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources and oversees the YOU Lead events. Join her this year and get to know her heart for ministry leaders. Follow her on Twitter @kellydking.
