Q. Why do we need a Women's Ministry organization?

A. Women need women. Paul must have understood this. He told Titus to be sure that older women in the church were equipped to teach younger women certain aspects of covenantal life. The church needs to provide some way for this to happen.

Q. But in our church men and women serve side-by-side on committees and in various ministries. Why do we need an organized Women's Ministry?

A. Women still need some way to nurture one another. In the church-structure you mention, your WIC may focus primarily on fellowship and nurturing relationships among women. These relationships will energize women to become involved in the various ministry-opportunities offered by your church. The WIC ministry should be a place where women are enfolded, nurtured, equipped, and sent out to minister in all aspects of the life of the church.

Q. Our church emphasizes small groups. Why do we need an organized Women's Ministry?

A. The answer is still the same. There needs to be some way for women to connect with women and to learn about issues involving biblical womanhood. Married and single women express their need for mentoring by other women. A WIC ministry can provide this.

Q. How do we organize a Women's Ministry?

A. Begin with prayer, prayer, and more prayer. This should be followed by a time of study. Women must have a vision for a WIC ministry before they will have energy to do it. Events and programs, as exciting as they may be, do not elicit long-term commitment. An understanding of a biblical philosophy for a women’s ministry is essential for long-term commitment. So we encourage you to begin by gathering a group of women to work through Leadership For Women In the Church, using the accompanying leader’s guide Loving Leadership. This will help the women to develop a group vision for the ministry, assess needs and resources, set goals, determine structure, and plan the strategy for implementing the goals.

If you are a new church just starting your WIC ministry, you may want to ask all interested women to participate in this study. If you are an existing church with an already established ministry, this is a training course for your leadership team. It should be used each year to train new leaders.

Q. How do we revitalize a floundering Women's Ministry? We can’t get anyone to take a leadership position.

A. Prayer and study...the same as the answer above. Stop worrying about structures and filling positions and spend time praying and developing a vision.

Q. But I want a formula—step one, two, and three. Tell me exactly what to do.

A. We have done that in Biblical Foundations for Womanhood. Get it and read it. In addition to dealing with vision, philosophy, and goals, the leader’s guides for these books are filled with practical ideas for recruiting and training leaders, developing programs, implementing a Spiritual Mothering program, etc.

Q. In addition to the curriculum and other printed studies, do you have any other resources?

A. The Women’s Advisory Sub-Committee and your PresWIC President have been trained to assist you. You may want to invite one of them to teach the leadership course to your women. Our WIC staff is also available to you. But we encourage you to get the curriculum materials first because we really believe this will answer most of your questions.

The WIC Resource Letter is an ongoing training and networking piece. It is published four times a year and is sent to pastors’ wives and local WIC Presidents (or contact person).

The WIC Resource Manual gives suggestions for various kinds of organizational structures, a constitution, etc.

Q. Does it matter which book in Foundations we study first?

A. Usually it is best to study them in order, however it is important for the leadership team in your church to make this decision based on your particular situation.

Q. What is the role of the PresWIC President and council?

A. Just as with local churches, PresWICs determine their own ministry-focus and structure depending on their particular needs and opportunities. Basically, however, PresWIC officers serve as a resource to help local WICs and as a facilitator to connect the women in local churches. Your PresWIC officers are one of your greatest resources. On the presbytery level there are opportunities to experience our connectionalism as you meet with other women to share ideas, study, pray, serve, and fellowship together. No matter how large or small your church is, you will be richer if you become involved with women from the other churches in your area. This is the way we do it in the Presbyterian church. We believe it is the biblical way.