Shift #1: One Size Fits All vs. Purpose Driven Diversity

Very few women are interested in a garment that sports the label "one size fits all." Women's shapes come in all sizes and proportions. A garment that fits everyone really fits no one. The same is true for ministries with women in the local congregation. Today, more than ever, women's lives come in many sizes and shapes (full time professional, stay at home mom, entrepreneur, social activist, single, married, widowed), yet many church groups continue to offer only one program for women, wondering all the time, why many of their women (both young and older) don't participate. Churches with vital and growing ministries with women have discovered that diversity leads to ministries that meet the needs of the real women in their congregations. Diverse ministry opportunities also provide opportunities to invite new women to participate. Let's look at two case studies.

Church X
The women of Church X have meet for 45 years in four monthly "Circles" with three annual large group gatherings. The format of the circles has not changed in twenty years and many of the members have remained in the same circle for most of their adult lives, or at least, since they joined Church X. Ten years ago, an effort was made to mix up the women in the circles, but this disturbance was met with much resistance and the groups have remained much the same since that time. At a recent circle meeting, the new moderator suggested that an effort should be made to get new members in their circles. This suggestion was abandoned when several of the current members replied, "we have known each other for years, and we don't want any new people in this circle."

At the same time, several new Bible studies have arisen among other women who attend Church X. The circles have seen these studies as threatening and don't understand why all the women don't come to a circle instead of creating something new. Over the past several years an atmosphere of "turf war" has developed which has lead to hurt feelings and resentments. Because of these misunderstandings, some of the women of Church X have gone to Bible studies offered outside their church rather than be part of a faction within the church.

Church Y
Five years ago a group of young mothers attended the Women's Association Coordinating Team meeting in Church Y to ask if they could begin a Bible study gear specifically for young women at home with their small children. The community surrounding the congregation contained a military facility and many of the young women on this base, and in the community needed a place to meet, learn about God's word and discuss parenting issues. The Women's Association Coordinating Team agreed to this new idea, but they did ask that the new group be called a "circle." Several months later, these same young women attended another meeting of the coordinating team to ask if they could meet more than once a month and to get permission to use different curriculum. Again the team agreed. In several years "Lydia Circle" (better known as "Lydia") has a regular attendance of over 200 young women.

Scriptural Encouragement
Acts 15: 1-31 - The Council in Jerusalem
As the Gospel of Jesus Christ spread beyond the Jews to the Gentiles certain problems arose, primarily the debate over the need for circumcision if a man wanted to become a Christian. The problem for some of the religious Jews who had become Christians was that they were convinced there was only one "right" way to do things. At a council called by the leaders of the early church, both the Apostle Peter and the Apostle Paul spoke in favor of allowing Gentiles to become part of the church without forcing them to submit to a Jewish custom. Eventually the church leaders agreed that winning people to Jesus Christ was more important than maintaining a ritual. It is recorded in Acts 15:31 that when the Gentiles read the letter from the church leaders welcoming them into Christian fellowship, "they rejoiced because of its encouragement."

Opening up a variety of ministry opportunities encourages women to participate. It gives the signal that the church in interested in their real lives. When your women's ministry is open to new possibilities, Holy Spirit creative juices begin to flow and lives are changed.