Over the years of being involved in women’s ministry and working with discipleship groups in my church, I have seen them grow. Applying the 5 C’s keeps ladies coming to women’s ministry and makes them contagious. By contagious I mean, they start spreading the gospel from person to person. When a woman’s life changes, people want to know what’s causing the change. It doesn’t matter if you have a Women’s Fellowship, Bible Study, or a Discipleship program, these five C’s will make a difference.
1. Commitment
First you need a team of people who are dedicated to serving and helping to get the job done. In my church’s discipleship program for women, our team consists of the director, assistant director, an administrative team, facilitators who lead each class, and assistants who help. In addition, there is a prayer team. Everyone is needed and has to be committed for the duration in order for ministry to be effective.
2. Communication
One of the things that can kill any gathering is a lack of communication. Today we are blessed with so many different ways to communicate. Social media can be used to get the word out quickly and effectively. Ladies can be emailed, receive something in the mail, announcements can be made in church, and personal phone calls can be made to invite ladies.
However, one of the most effective ways is when women personally invite their family and their girlfriends to join them. When women are excited about what they have experienced, they will share. Their excitement is contagious, and this is what causes the ministry to grow. Good communication within a women’s group creates connectivity. Women feel connected when they are well informed. Since we are living in a time when people can conveniently do everything from the comforts of their home and never come outside, the 5’Cs can be used to get women out and to keep the ministry contagious.
3. Creativity
No matter what the age of the group, I think everyone appreciates having some creativity. Since people learn differently, it is so important to do things that appeal to the different learning styles. We serve a creative God, so it is important to go to Him for creative ways to reach His people. The use of art, music, visuals, dance, drama, and various activities can be used to make a great impact. Sometimes it’s the decorations in the room that can make every bit of difference.
4. Caring
I was always told: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” When ladies feel loved and cared for, they continue to come. Care can be expressed in so many different ways such as:
- Providing a message or a study that is relevant and timely for the ladies within the ministry
- Remembering specific things about the women in your group such as their birthdays, anniversaries, special events, etc.
- Asking for prayer requests and taking the time to pray for their needs
- Depending upon the size of the group and the event, women love when food is provided or when everyone brings a dish to share
- Being present for things that matter to ladies outside of church
- Keeping things confidential and creating a safe place to share
- Consistently greeting the ladies with a smile, hug, a warm welcome, and love
5. Christ
Jesus Christ is the common thread that should flow through every part of the women’s ministry or the Bible study. His Word, His will, and His way should be our focus. Our relationship with Christ should connect us as sisters. When the ladies feel connected, they will keep coming and share what they are experiencing with someone else. Let’s keep our women’s ministries contagious for Christ!
Carolyn Tatem is a native of Washington, D.C. Carolyn gave her life to the Lord at the age of twelve and has been committed to serving the Lord ever since. She serves in various ministries at the First Baptist Church of Glenarden. She is the director of The Queen Esther Ministry, a discipleship program for women. She has taught a variety of Women’s Focus Study classes and currently teaches middle school. She has written a book and workbook for married couples and a book for singles: Marriage from A to Z (Principles for a Successful Marriage) and Marriage from A to Z for Singles. In addition, she writes a weekly post on the Marriage from A to Z blog. Carolyn has been happily married to her husband William Tatem for 20 years. Together they have three children.