Women's Ministry

Meets: Thursdays at 6:00pm

Assembly of God National Women’s Ministries

Mission Statement

Philosophy, Mission, and Statement of Purpose of the National Women's Department

The mission of the National Women's Department is to touch the lives of women by the transforming power of Jesus Christ, discipling them to follow His example, and training them to minister to others.

Statement of Purpose

• Reaching women through the transforming power and love of Jesus Christ.
  
• Discipling women to follow Christ's example and live overcoming lives.
  
• Building wholeness and balance, both spiritually and mentally, through consistent prayer and study of God's Word.
• Providing an atmosphere for women to develop their gifts, abilities, and lasting relationships.
  
• Training women to find their places of ministry and effectively touch their world for Christ.
  

We try to implement the Assembly of God National Women’s Ministries, Mission Statement and Statement of Purpose in the following ways.

• We welcome and encourage new and visiting women to Faith Assembly by listening and sharing God’s Love.
• We raise money to help in outreaches in areas of women’s safety and health by holding craft and bake sales, special dinners, among other things.
  
• We meet regularly for Bible devotions and to encourage each other in our goals.
  
• We strive to fulfill the Statement of Purpose as put forth by the National Women’s Department of the Assemblies of God.

What Ministers to a Woman?

Today like never before, women are hurting. They are overwhelmed with responsibilities and inundated with lies. Many come from unhealthy and dysfunctional backgrounds that have left them ill-equipped to handle life's pressures. Due to heavy responsibilities and dissolving families, many women feel isolated and lonely.

When a woman walks into a church, she is looking for someone to care, encourage, and listen to her—she desperately needs the Body of Christ. She wants to know that she is not alone, and she needs the hope that a personal relationship with Jesus can provide.

We can discover what best ministers to a woman when we understand her design. Genesis 2:18-24 reveals that God created the first woman, Eve, with distinct differences from her counterpart, Adam. "Adam was created from the ground and was assigned tasks. [But] Eve was created from Adam's side. She was designed specifically for relationship—created to meet Adam's relational need and equipped to bear and nurture children."1

Since creation, men and women have been distinctly different. Here are some general differences between most (although not all) men and women:

• Emotionally: Women process emotions through talking; they are more emotionally expressive. Men process emotions through action; they are more emotionally reserved.2
• Verbally: Women communicate mainly to express themselves; they expand on details. Men communicate mainly to exchange information; they condense details.3
• Relationally: The female hormone oxytocin promotes a woman's stronger desire to bond.4
  

While sermons can challenge and inspire a woman, genuine life-change happens when someone enters her emotional world, connects with her, and encourages her on a personal level. She experiences the most growth within relationships that provide empathy, presence, conversation, and emotional connection.

It would be unhealthy for a male pastor or leader to have the relationship described above with a woman in his congregation. The Bible tells us that women are the best models of godly behavior for other women (Titus 2). Women understand women. Allowing women to minister to other women will prevent unhealthy emotional attachments between male pastors and women in the congregation.5 This is why ministry to women, by women, is a vital part of a healthy congregation.

1 Kerry Clarensau, Secrets: Transforming Your Life and Marriage (Springfield: Gospel Publishing, 2009), 29.
2 Jimmy and Karen Evans, Marriage on the Rock (Ventura: Gospel Light, 2006), 216, 217.
3 H. Norman Wright, Communication:Key to Your Marriage (Ventura: Regal Books, 2000), 140, 142.
4 Beverly White Hislop, Shepherding a Woman's Heart (Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2003), 60.
5 Ibid, 29.

©2010 National Women's Department, General Council of the Assemblies of God