Have you ever wondered why some ministries in your church attract women and others find it difficult just to keep going? Or have you looked at other churches and wondered why they have a vital and growing ministry while your church seems to struggle? When a ministry doesn't seem to work, it is easy to blame other people, our changing culture, or the generation gap, but often the problem does not rest with others. It rests with us.

Every congregation is a little different. Each one seems to have its own personality, its own strengths and weaknesses. The same is true for women's ministry programs within congregations. However, as unique as these ministries tend to be, I have found that all vital and growing ministries with women have some common ingredients: opportunities to grow in God's Word, opportunities to grow in prayer, opportunities to grow in fellowship, and opportunities to grow in servanthood.

Growing women's ministry programs provide opportunities (more than one) to grow in God's Word. Many churches are experiencing a resurgent interest in serious Bible study. The national growth and popularity of programs such as Bible Study Fellowship and the Beth Moore Bible Study series indicate a desire on the part of women of all ages (but particularly younger women) to discover what the Bible really says. Many women under 40 did not grow up in church-going families. These women are hungry to know if the Bible has something relevant to say to them in the 21st century. Unfortunately, many women have to go outside their own church to find the kind of serious study they desire. PC(USA) congregations with growing women's ministries offer a variety of studies geared to the knowledge level, interests, and time constraints of the women in their congregations.

Growing women's ministries provide the opportunity to grow in prayer. Prayer is foundational for everything we do as Christians. But we need to learn how to pray. Churches that take this need seriously often find the role of mentors and one on one relationship programs to be the best method for training in prayer.

Growing women's ministries provide opportunities for women to have fun and relax with one another in a safe and Christian environment. Women are often so busy working and caring for their families that they find it difficult to find time to "let their hair down" with other women. Some churches responding to this need have developed a "girl's night out" program, hiking clubs, book groups and other activities that demand minimal planning for maximum enjoyment. These ministries are often the ministries that bring new women into the church. Communities with high turnover in populations are ideal for this kind of outreach ministry.

Growing ministries with women provide opportunities for servanthood. Those churches with growing mission involvements find that women are more interested in "hands-on" ministry opportunities than just sending their money to places they may never go. These opportunities can be local or international, but the key is active involvement.

If you would like to pursue the idea of developing a vital and growing ministry with women in your congregation, e-mail the Network of Presbyterian Women in Leadership (www.npwl.org) to find out what other PC(USA) churches are doing and for some ideas to help you get started in the ministry of renewal in your congregation.