What to do.... or not to do.... that is the question facing Women's Ministry leaders all over the country when they hit the summer months.

The important thing is to find what works for your church body, and your specific group of women. If your church is doing summer ministries, you are probably focusing on short Bible studies and specific events and/or activities.

There are many short Bible studies that are between five and seven weeks long. These are perfect fits to squeeze in the summer. Some of the studies I have used are from Precept Ministries, Women of Faith and Intervarsity Press.

Women may be in and out through the summer, and have a difficult time attending a study series. If you are looking for another option, consider Lifeway's Bible Studies by Demand. These are stand-alone studies that feature different study authors like Beth Moore, Jennifer Rothschild, Angela Thomas and others. The DVDs include the speaker sessions with fill in the blank session guides that you can print out and distribute to attendees.

Events and activities can be as varied as your women's needs and hobbies. You can organize shopping expeditions, mission projects, hikes, trips to special destinations and many other activities. Here are three of my favorites:

Summer Scripture Sizzle - Monthly Saturday afternoon mini-conference. The one I attended brought all the women together for a 20 minute welcome and a brief look at a scripture passage. The group was then divided up into three groups (using colored stickers on nametags) and we rotated through three different 30 minute workshops that focused on specific areas of the scripture passage.

We came together again at the end and had 30 minutes of sharing and wrap-up. As we left, we were given a small handout with devotions for the coming month and a sneak peak at the scripture.

First Friday Farmer's Market Fellowship - This group meets the first Friday of the month through the summer and has breakfast together before heading out to the local Farmer's Market to shop. They typically share recipes, and one of the Women's Ministry leaders shares a short devotional.

Summer with the Pros - This unique monthly event meets at a different time and place each month to accommodate the "pro." They charge for each session and limit the number of attendees to allow each pro to interact with all the women. One summer featured a cooking class in June. It was taught by the head chef of a local country club. She began a hands-on class on basic prep and kitchen techniques. She then assigned tasks to the participants, and they prepared a dinner that they then all enjoyed together.

In July they met with a wardrobe consultant who shared about how to build a basic wardrobe that will take you from work, to evenings out, and casual weekends. She also held mini-one- on-one consultations to answer specific questions. In August, they featured a master gardener who once again, taught them basic professional techniques, and then offered customized advice.

Each summer they have three different pros and offerings in the past have included a golf pro, a scrapbooking pro, a decorator, a financial investor, etc.

In closing, I would like to remind you, and encourage you, to keep your focus on people and not programs. Bathe everything you do in prayer, and confirm that you are meeting the needs of your women. Summer is a great time to create opportunities for women to grow together and in the Lord!

In Him... Robyne Beaubien, Editor

This week's question.
Nobody in my family seems to understand that I need time for myself. How can I get them to understand how important it is for me to spend time alone?

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Last week's question.
How can I become more "others centered" and less selfish?

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The best information we receive about the nuts and bolts of Women's Ministry is when we hear what you all are doing "in the trenches." Our weekly poll is your opportunity to share your expertise and knowledge with all of our subscribers!

Each week we ask a question, and share a link for you to post your answers. The following week we provide a link where you can see the results of the question, along with a new question. It takes just a minute, and your input is immediately added.

We realize that last week's poll did not allow you to select more than one answer, so we are giving you a chance to answer it again:

Which of the following will you do this summer?

Answer the question HERE.

Here are the results from recent polls.

Last week we asked, "If you host a regularly scheduled special event, how often does it take place?" And here's what you said:

• Annually - 78%
• Quarterly - 11%
• Bi-annually - 8%
• Semi-Annually - 3%

I've planned those events too, and I can see that it takes most of us a while to recuperate! Really, the planning and hard work that go into our events are well worth all of the resources they require. Some of you are likely in the middle of planning a spring event while others are looking toward the fall. No matter what stage of planning you are in, we encourage you to proceed prayerfully and hope your next event offers a good dose of refreshment and inspiration to your women.

How do you determine which Bible studies you will offer at a given time? You're feedback is always so insightful. Here's what you said in response.

• Bible study leaders propose what they would like to lead 44%
• The women's ministry leader decides 31%
• A team reviews and makes selections 22%
• The pastor makes the decision 3%

Interesting Finding: Looks like the Bible study leaders are doing what leaders do, casting a vision and then doing what it takes to carry out that vision by taking an integral role in evaluating and selecting studies that will best serve their group of women. In your comments, we saw two recurring and refreshing themes. Prayer and teamwork. Both are essential to developing a strong Bible study ministry that focuses on God's leadership in the places He's given you to serve. Keep praying, keep leading and keep up the good work.

Which of the following do you feel the greatest need for in your ministry right now?

 

• Greater involvement of the women to whom I minister 54%
• Other women to partner with me 38%
• Opportunities to learn how to be a stronger leader 24%
• Knowing how to balance time along with other commitments (family, career, etc.) 24%
• Support of church leadership 18%

Interesting Findings: Women who have been involved in leading women's ministry for less than 10 years identified their greatest need as "greater involvement of the women to whom they minister." Women who have been in leadership for 10 years or more say their greatest need is "other women to partner with them."

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Purpose: To build community and bless women through prayer for each other.

Description: Whether your women gather for a small group, Bible study, Ladies Night Out or prayer group, you can incorporate this idea into your meetings.

Take a calendar for the upcoming month and have each woman write her name on a specific date. They can select dates that they may have a specific need on, or just choose random dates. Fill in any remaining days with other requests such as women who are not present, upcoming events, church ministries, missionaries, government leaders, etc.

Make copies of the calendar and distribute to all the women in the group.

It is such a personal blessing to look at the calendar and know that a whole group of ladies are specifically praying for you on your day. It is also amazing to follow up and see how God worked in each lady's life on her prayer day.

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Objective: To encourage women to work together... without talking!

Description: This team building idea works with groups of 8 or larger. After everyone has arrived tell them that on the count of three they must all align themselves in order according to their birthdays. But here's the catch - NO TALKING!

Not only do they have to be in order according to month, but according to day also. It makes for lots of laughs to see how hard communication can be without the use of our mouths.

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From one tool to another, I thank you from the very depths of my heart for your wonderful article, "Tool Talk." It was amazing timing on God's part as I am sitting in a hotel room right this very minute. This weekend, I am one of two speakers at a conference in North Carolina. By the way, they found me through womensministry.net and flew me in from California. May God continue to use and bless your fabulous ministry! ~ Dori Drabek

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