One of the challenges facing women's ministry today is the very real gap between generations. The one-size-fits-all paradigm no longer works. Women tend to fall into one of two groups, midlife and older (modernist) or midlife and younger (postmodernist), with a division that doesn't hinge so much on age as on mindset.

Modernist women are used to having a centralized group of leaders, being part of a national organization, and doing predetermined studies for all circles. Their interests lean toward fellowship, mission, and service to the church. Postmodernist women are more diverse in nature. They prefer a multi-structured, decentralized, locally focused, needs-based, and creative approach. They want to focus on sense of community, relationships, discipling, and outreach. Our question was how to honor both and do good ministry.

“Organizational meetings once a month on Wednesday mornings and pre-assigned circles no longer fit everyone’s needs,” said Mary Rogers-Ellsworth, associate pastor at First church. “How do we address this changing face of women's ministry in a postmodern, post-Christian culture?”
Participation in traditional women's ministry and membership had been declining, following the national trend, but during this decline, local small-group Bible studies had been gaining momentum here. A new model was needed that would relate to all women and bring them together.

During her 25 years of ministry, Rogers-Ellsworth has tracked the trends and resources available in women's ministries. Her interest and background made her a natural choice to actively address the issue. In January 2003 Senior Pastor Jim Bankhead assigned women's ministry to her and gave her the authority to begin.

“The goal,” said Rogers-Ellsworth, “was to bring all ministries to women into a common ministry under authority of session, to provide a staff position, and have accountability.” We began to rethink our situation. It seemed as though we were all over the place. Before, anyone in the congregation could hold a Bible study; small group studies were independent and not organized, and although groups operated under the church's umbrella, the church did not know the who, what, when, or where of many of the studies. Now, subject matter and facilitators must be approved by session and be part of a central information base for women. Studies must be scriptural and meet the essential tenets of the faith.

Step One: Assessing and Planning
Four women with a passion for women's ministry formed a Task Force. Vicki Wilmarth, who had been active in earlier efforts to organize the small group Bible studies, had the administrative skills and drive to take a broadly based women's ministry forward. Leslie Wright had the training and experience to help groups assess and plan for the future. Barbara Howard had a strong pulse for the 35-and-under women who were more reticent to express their views. Rogers-Ellsworth served as staff resource person.

The Task Force met for six months. They held four focus group sessions to ascertain the needs and wants of all women in the church and to identify and recruit potential candidates for the proposed Leadership Team. Invitations to the first two sessions were sent to women already involved in Presbyterian Women or small group studies. The second two sessions were open to any woman interested in women's ministry in the church. Over 100 women attended the four sessions.

The agenda was essentially the same at all meetings. The Task Force asked questions and listened. What do we have at FPC that works for you? What's missing? What do you value? What are God's values for us? What is your vision? Whom do we serve? What more might we do? What would you like women's ministry to encompass?

After the task force analyzed the feedback from the focus groups, they prepared a summary report that provided direction for vision setting, a mission statement, goals, Leadership Team formation, and implementation. It was sent to the senior pastor and session. The Task Force then met with the new Leadership Team they had recruited to finalize the mission statement, establish the first set of goals, set job descriptions, and officially hand over the reins. Wilmarth transitioned from the Task Force to Leadership Team Facilitator.

One position on the Leadership Team is that of “connector,” Her job is to help women find exactly what they are looking for in women's ministry, to help them connect with the group that fits their specific needs or interests.

The Leadership Team launched the new program a year ago at their fall 2003 kick-off dinner. Everyone received a new brochure listing all groups or ministries available to women here, including Presbyterian Women's events, small group Bible studies, and affinity groups, and even highlighting what other churches were doing. The brochure was strategically placed in all women's restrooms and other information posts around the church. A new listing was published in spring 2004 and featured our first weekend retreat for women. The fall 2004 program brochure has been expanded to include related ministry opportunities such as support groups, issue-based counseling groups, and private counseling referrals. The team plans to make it available on the church website.

“One year later,” said Rogers-Ellsworth, “we are experiencing the benefits of the six-month investment, getting our foundation laid before running with it.”