How are PCUSA churches (at the local congregational level) doing ministry with women?

Ministry with women in our denomination is going through a major upheaval. Many of the programs women have relied upon for years are no longer drawing new and younger women. Some churches are trying creative ways to reach new women; other churches are throwing up their hands in frustration.

As you work with various churches around the country, do you see any patterns that might be helpful for others to see?

Yes, there differently are patterns I see repeating themselves over and over across the county. I have noticed some geographical differences, but five models keep emerging.

What are the five models?
 
Surprisingly, over 20% of PCUSA churches have no specific ministry to women at all. These churches are often small churches or churches with specific ministries (i.e., inner city churches, university communities). Historic First (downtown Phoenix, AZ) is a downtown, inner-city church with a wonderful ministry to inner city children, the homeless and people who live in downtown Phoenix. It is a growing evangelical church with a love for Jesus and a love for the city, but it has no specific ministry with women. Several years ago the pastor held a formal closing ceremony for its Presbyterian Women. The women who had run PW for years were too old, or had moved to the suburbs. There was a little money left in the account, but no interest in continuing the program. The pastor told me that for several years there was a good deal of complaining and resentment that the younger women did not seem to be interested in becoming involved, but eventually this resentment turned to sadness and then to acceptance. Finally, a few older women gathered together in a room at the church, thanked God for his blessings over the years and transferred the money to a new account. This is not an uncommon scenario.

The second model I have found is that which I refer to as: Unstructured Women's Programs. In this model churches have no formal or structured programs, but women get together in various groups on a regular basis for retreats, Bible Studies, workshops etc. First Church, Lamar, CO. is an example of this second model. Lamar is a small church with less than 100 members, yet, I spoke with two women who have a heart for women in that congregation. These two women have divided the women in their church into two groups based on age. They both (individually) lead a regular Bible study (every other week). The group of older women has become a real outreach into the community and they regularly have 18 to 20 women. The younger group averages about the same. If you figure they have 40 women in a church of less that 100, that is 40% of the congregation in regular Bible Study…that's pretty good.

The third model consists of churches that only have a traditional Women's Association. There are two types of churches in this model, those willing to broaden their perspectives and outreach, and those who are not willing to do so. The Presbyterian Panel survey dated August, 2001 stated that 18 % of the pastors surveyed reported PW (Presbyterian Women) was not active in their congregations. Those with an active PW reported that 60% of their members are women, yet only 10% are involved in PW. Of that 10%, twice as many were over 70 as were under 40. Northminister Presbyterian in Tucson, AZ has a Presbyterian women's group willing to think outside the box. At Northminister, these creative women have begun to see their ministry not only to older women, but to whole families. Recently, they sponsored a "Mad Science Night" for families. The event brought families together and there was a witness to the greatness of God and His creation.

I have found that one of the main hindrances for those groups unwilling to think more openly is the idea that if you are a women and you belong to a Presbyterian church…then you are by default part of the established Women's Association … whether you want to be or not. Strangulation of any type of ministry occurs when one group understand themselves to be the conduit through which all ministry must occur, but yet are unwilling to expand their understanding of what this ministry can include. Over and over, I keep hearing from churches in this model that one of the most hurtful things going on is the sense of competition that occurs between the traditional group and those women who would like to move in a new direction. It is possible to do ministry in our local congregations to the glory of God and for the purpose of transformed lives…together.

The fourth model I have found can be called: Traditional Women's Association - PLUS. The churches in this model have traditional Women's Associations, but the leadership (of the association as well as the church) is progressive and open to new ideas and new ways of doing things. Eastminister, Wichita, KS is a church where the women are thinking about the future. The women at Eastminister are developing a women's ministry with the purpose of serving the needs of all the women of the church. They have done a study of the needs of the women in their church, led focus groups to discern interest and areas of success and areas of need. They have looked into women's programs at other churches and they have present to their Session a plan for developing a more comprehensive ministry with women in their church. Much of this future looking enthusiasm began several years ago when a group of young moms came to the Women's Association and asked if they could start a Bible Study specifically for young women. The church is located in a community with an air force base. The young women wanted to reach out to young moms and women who were new in the community. The older leadership wanted this new group to technically be a "circle," but they were willing to let the young moms pick their own study material and meet more than once a month. The idea met a need in that community and it wasn't long before there were 200 women in the "Hannah" Circle.

Structured Women's Ministry programs are the final model of Women's Ministry I have found in PCUSA churches. These churches have formally established Women's Ministries. Some of these churches have full or part time Women's Ministry directors; others have programs run by volunteers.

Sunset Presbyterian, Portland, Oregon, has a fulltime Women's Ministry Director. They have weekly Bible studies during the day and in the evening. Over 400 women attend. They write their own material. They have an incredible program for young mothers called "Step-by-Step. They have a lay counseling program specifically for women, plus the usual retreats, workshops etc. Barbara Feil, the WM director estimates that 20% of their new members join the church because of an involvement in their Women's Ministry.

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Tucson AZ is run by volunteers. For several years there existed simultaneously a traditional women's group as well as other unrelated women's groups. Several years ago, women in leadership got together and brought all these groups, together under the general heading of "Women's Ministry" and a formal Session Committee was formed. Every week several hundred women are involved in some aspect of the program.

How can the Network of Presbyterian Women help local churches as they think about Women's Ministry in their churches?

Answer: Ministry with women in the PCUSA is moving into a brand new day. I think NPWL can help move it along. Women in all walks of life, whether they are clergy, seminary students, elders, church officers or church members are seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and more connection.