What do you think?
Rate this book
Rethinking Women's Ministry: Biblical, Practical Tools for Cultivating a Flourishing Community
" If you’re a women’s ministry leader, Rethinking Women's Ministry is your essential handbook! Author Cyndee Ownbey asks the right questions, provides practical solutions then directs leaders to seek God for how their ministry can best glorify Him." Leslie Bennett, Manager of Women’s Ministry Initiatives, Revive Our Hearts Do you need to rethink your team structure, Bible studies, or discipleship approach? Does your event framework, outreach, or publicity need to be refreshed?Rethinking Women's Ministry invites leaders to take a fresh look at their women's ministry framework through the lens of Scripture and prayer. Cyndee tackles the common obstacles women's ministry leaders generational gaps, unwilling mentors, biblical illiteracy, cliques, social media, sacred cows, and more! Using real-life, practical examples and easy-to-adopt strategies, Rethinking Women's Ministry gives leaders tools to develop a women's ministry that flourishes! Find the tools you need the reach of your ministryAdapt to today's cultureEngage women of all generationsNurture transformation with graceEffectively evaluate your ministry and events With a vision for women's ministry in the modern church, Cyndee challenges leaders to rethink current ministry practices. Rather than focusing on Pinterest-worthy productions, this book urges leaders to design events and activities that grow meaningful connections with one another and cultivate a deeper relationship with God--the elements of true discipleship. Readers have access to additional free resources online including a Post Event Evaluation Form, Ministry Health Assessment, and sample job descriptions to help them apply the concepts in their own ministry. Cyndee serves as a mentor to thousands of women’s ministry leaders through her website and Facebook community, Women’s Ministry Toolbox. Pulling from over twenty years of experience ministering to women and service in five different women’s ministries, Cyndee shares tried-and-true tips and ideas that equip leaders to cultivate a Christ-focused community.
- GenresNonfictionChristian
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2019
91 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Cyndee Ownbey
6 books12 followersCyndee Ownbey is the author of Rethinking Women’s Ministry: Biblical, Practical Tools for Cultivating a Flourishing Community. She serves as a mentor to thousands of women’s ministry leaders through her website and Facebook community, Women’s Ministry Toolbox. Pulling from over twenty years of experience ministering to women, Cyndee shares tried-and-true women's ministry tips and ideas that equip leaders to cultivate a Christ-focused community. Cyndee enjoys training women's ministry leaders and teaching at women's events and conferences whenever the opportunity allows.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 22, 2020
Rethinking Women’s Ministry: Biblical, Practical Tools for Cultivating a Flourishing Community is Cyndee Ownsbey’s invitation to re-imagine and recommit to “intentionally providing biblically sound encouragement and spiritually driven growth opportunities for all women.” (11) Based on survey data from 1,140 women, Ownsbey’s insights have also been shaped by her commitment to the biblical pattern of woman-to-woman, life-on-life ministry outlined in Titus 2, Acts 2, and elsewhere in scripture.
Cyndee’s work has challenged me on three distinct fronts that I am eager to get to work on:
Rethink Participation
Like most New England churches, we skew older and whiter. Even so, it’s encouraging when young mums participate in our meetings and events. Childcare is provided at times, and, when not, the meeting is scheduled for evenings when dads can pitch in. My goal is to provide opportunities for our young women to begin taking on leadership roles.
Work, spiritual apathy, biblical illiteracy, family responsibilities, and cultural influences all present barriers to full participation, and Ownsbey puts her finger on one influence I had not considered: social media provides opportunities for women to connect online with so much convenience that the challenges that go along with face-to-face ministry may seem unnecessary. It takes discernment to sift through on-line content, to embrace what is good, and to make room in our lives for the people who are near and real.
Rethink Leadership
Good advice here:
“When a woman volunteers, say yes and put her to work as soon as possible.” (25)
But what about the echoing silence that fills the room when no one volunteers?
My plan this year is to start small–to get the women in my group comfortable with the sound of their own voices, sharing their own story in safe spaces, and speaking up with opinions and insights, even on simple matters. It’s much more efficient to do things myself or to consult with “my posse” when planning an event, but the young women in our church are the future of our ministry. They are valued and need to be encouraged to have input as part of a vital leadership team.
A multigenerational team is more likely to birth a multigenerational ministry.” (54)
Rethink Biblical Literacy
Sitting with a group of women around a table with open Bibles can be enlightening. Because my own Christian pedigree is weak and spotty, I have imagined great things about the devotional lives of women who have been born and bred in a pew. I am learning it is not safe to assume anything about the level of confidence women have with handling the Word of God.
Truly, the only way to know, understand, and apply the Bible is to, well . . . read it. This takes time, and it requires significant effort. The role of a dynamic women’s ministry is to partner with women in helping them to see the value of that investment.
With worksheets, coaching tips, assessment tools, and fresh ideas, Rethinking Women’s Ministry provides motivation, know how, and a warm hand on the shoulder for all of us who are trusting for grace to build and sustain a dynamic women’s ministry in our local churches.
Many thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.
Cyndee’s work has challenged me on three distinct fronts that I am eager to get to work on:
Rethink Participation
Like most New England churches, we skew older and whiter. Even so, it’s encouraging when young mums participate in our meetings and events. Childcare is provided at times, and, when not, the meeting is scheduled for evenings when dads can pitch in. My goal is to provide opportunities for our young women to begin taking on leadership roles.
Work, spiritual apathy, biblical illiteracy, family responsibilities, and cultural influences all present barriers to full participation, and Ownsbey puts her finger on one influence I had not considered: social media provides opportunities for women to connect online with so much convenience that the challenges that go along with face-to-face ministry may seem unnecessary. It takes discernment to sift through on-line content, to embrace what is good, and to make room in our lives for the people who are near and real.
Rethink Leadership
Good advice here:
“When a woman volunteers, say yes and put her to work as soon as possible.” (25)
But what about the echoing silence that fills the room when no one volunteers?
My plan this year is to start small–to get the women in my group comfortable with the sound of their own voices, sharing their own story in safe spaces, and speaking up with opinions and insights, even on simple matters. It’s much more efficient to do things myself or to consult with “my posse” when planning an event, but the young women in our church are the future of our ministry. They are valued and need to be encouraged to have input as part of a vital leadership team.
A multigenerational team is more likely to birth a multigenerational ministry.” (54)
Rethink Biblical Literacy
Sitting with a group of women around a table with open Bibles can be enlightening. Because my own Christian pedigree is weak and spotty, I have imagined great things about the devotional lives of women who have been born and bred in a pew. I am learning it is not safe to assume anything about the level of confidence women have with handling the Word of God.
Truly, the only way to know, understand, and apply the Bible is to, well . . . read it. This takes time, and it requires significant effort. The role of a dynamic women’s ministry is to partner with women in helping them to see the value of that investment.
With worksheets, coaching tips, assessment tools, and fresh ideas, Rethinking Women’s Ministry provides motivation, know how, and a warm hand on the shoulder for all of us who are trusting for grace to build and sustain a dynamic women’s ministry in our local churches.
Many thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.
October 31, 2019
This book is such a wonderful resource for a women’s ministry team! At the same time, it gives a neutral direction and yet it feels like a friend guiding you. This book has helped bring to light some things that I need to work on personally & also with the team of ladies on the ministry team. A must have if you lead and/or are apart of a women’s ministry!
December 31, 2024
Dig into your beliefs:
Does Scripture support my thought process?
Is there a better way to do what we've been doing?
Is this what's best for our women?
Are my assumptions accurate and true?
Are my decisions driven by tradition?
Who are we failing to reach?
^Almost half of women ages eighteen to thirty-four check their phones as soon as they wake up, and another 36% check them within five minutes.
^Eighty-eight percent of women said they compare themselves to images in the media, with half saying the comparison is unfavorable. ^Sixty percent of women from all age groups said they wouldn't post a photo of themselves on social media unless they loved the way they looked.
^Roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults (68%) now report that they are Facebook users, and roughly three-qua’nrters of those users access Facebook on a daily basis.
Craig Groeschel points out, “Our modern ability to manage our image encourages and makes it easier for us to wear veils that cover up the truth."
Team leaders who fail to define roles
and responsibilities hinder the success
of the of their team.
Pastor Eric Geiger uses these three questions in the annual reviews of his team:
* What am I not doing that you would like me to start doing?
* What am I doing that you wish I would stop doing?
* What am I doing that is important to you that I keep doing??
I'd suggest you tweak them a bit so the focus is on the ministry and planning ministry events (though asking the questions above can help assess the effectiveness of your leadership).
* What do you think God is asking our women's ministry to start doing that we are not doing?
* What do you sense God is bringing to an end or asking us to stop doing?
* What is our women's ministry doing that you feel God wants us to continue doing?
A short devotion vs:
What if we just said, "Sherry is going to share a short message from God's Word"? Make it clear to your women that the focus isn't going to be on man's words, but God's words.
A great teacher will use stories to help communicate the message of God's Word while keeping the focus on the Word of God.
"Preach the gospel at all times; use words if necessary" is often falsely attributed to St. Francis of Assisi and sometimes even mistaken for Scripture. Despite its popularity, this sentiment cannot be found in God's Word. God tells us we are to use words, not just actions: "How can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?" (Romans
10:14 NLT).
author Donald S. Whitney explains, "Often it is the message of the cross lived and demonstrated that God uses to open a heart to the gospel, but it is the message of the cross proclaimed (by word or page) through which the power of God saves those who believe its content. No matter how well we live the gospel (and we must live it well, else we hinder its reception), sooner or later we must communicate the content of the gospel before a person can become a disciple of Jesus.”
I was challenged to consider who we were pointing our women to. If the focus was on our actions, were we pointing our Women to Christ or ourselves? …I began to see the error of our ways. We had failed to point our women to Christ. Withholding God's Word robbed our women of the truth. We could not save them; only Jesus, through His sacrifice on the cross, could save them.
"Whenever you've seen God prove Himself faithful, wherever His Word has sustained you in weakness and provided needed direction, and yes, even wherever you have experienced the consequences of Jailing to walk according to His Word - there's your story to share." Nancy Wolgemuth
Sample survey questions:
* How would you rate your spiritual growth in the last six months? How would you rate your prayer life? How would you rate your confidence level in studying God's Word?
* How would you rate your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?
* How would you rate your obedience to the Word of God?
* Describe any change in attitude toward studying your Bible. Have other people noticed Christ at work in you? If so, how?
* What were your group leader or mentor's strengths?
* What would you recommend be done differently the next time?
* How did you benefit from the homework?
Whether or not mentoring or discipleship is the tool, we have a scriptural responsibility to make disciples who make disciples.
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
offers this challenge to older women, "We have to ask ourselves: Have we fulfilled our responsibility as an older woman? Have we modeled the beauty of an ordered life, lived under the control and lordship of Christ? Have we been faithful in reaching out to our younger sisters, teaching what is good, and training them to live a life that honors Him?"
Do you see your women actively loving their neighbors?
Four levels of mission participation:
*prayer
*donations
*one time service projects
*relationships
Pastor Robby Gallaty points out, "The most overlooked mission fields are the ones we spend the most time in: our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and in the presence of our family members." Lord, open our eyes!
Corbett and Fikkert advise, "A first helpful step in thinking about working with the poor
in any context is to discern whether the situation calls for relief, rehabilitation, or development. In fact, the failure to distinguish among these situations is one of the most common reasons that poverty-alleviation efforts often do harm."
I've broken down the different types of women's ministry events into five categories:
1. Spiritual disciplines
2. Biblical encouragement
3. Practical skills
4. Service
5. Fellowship focused
Consider using these three questions for the discussion groups at your next event:
*What did you hear that challenged you?
*What did you hear that reinforced a teaching from the Bible?
*What action do you feel God wants you to take in response?
Always assume there will be new members and guests attending your event. The checklist below will ensure you share those details that we sometimes assume everyone knows.
* Name of the event *
* Location *
* Time/ Date/Day of the week
* Cost *
* Childcare (cost, registration info, or not available)
* Registration information (if needed)
Sometimes the need for change is obvious, and sometimes it isn't.
Here are some signs it's time for a change:
• Attendance has fallen for this event or activity - either as a whole or by age group.
•The event follows the same schedule (maybe even the same speaker) year after year after year.
* The enthusiasm for this event has started to wane.
* The focus on the event is on something other than Jesus and God's Word. •The event or activity no longer aligns with your women's ministry mission statement and the church's mission.
* The event fails to draw in new women from inside of and outside of the church.
* The same woman continues to coordinate this event year after year after year.
* Does it meet a need?
* Does it encourage spiritual growth?
оDoes it allow opportunities for outreach and service?
* mAre you sharing the gospel?
* Is it open to visitors and the community?
* Is it relevant, or has it become outdated? Are you reaching multiple age groups? Is it tired? Does it need refreshing or repackaging? Should it be shelved for a year or two so that something new can be tried?
* Is your calendar too full?
Francis Chan, in Letters to the Church, points out the church's "purpose is not just to exist. It's to produce. Are we producing mature disciples who imitate Christ by constantly serving others? Are we developing communities that are so deeply in love with one another that the world marvels John 13:34-35)?"
Does Scripture support my thought process?
Is there a better way to do what we've been doing?
Is this what's best for our women?
Are my assumptions accurate and true?
Are my decisions driven by tradition?
Who are we failing to reach?
^Almost half of women ages eighteen to thirty-four check their phones as soon as they wake up, and another 36% check them within five minutes.
^Eighty-eight percent of women said they compare themselves to images in the media, with half saying the comparison is unfavorable. ^Sixty percent of women from all age groups said they wouldn't post a photo of themselves on social media unless they loved the way they looked.
^Roughly two-thirds of U.S. adults (68%) now report that they are Facebook users, and roughly three-qua’nrters of those users access Facebook on a daily basis.
Craig Groeschel points out, “Our modern ability to manage our image encourages and makes it easier for us to wear veils that cover up the truth."
Team leaders who fail to define roles
and responsibilities hinder the success
of the of their team.
Pastor Eric Geiger uses these three questions in the annual reviews of his team:
* What am I not doing that you would like me to start doing?
* What am I doing that you wish I would stop doing?
* What am I doing that is important to you that I keep doing??
I'd suggest you tweak them a bit so the focus is on the ministry and planning ministry events (though asking the questions above can help assess the effectiveness of your leadership).
* What do you think God is asking our women's ministry to start doing that we are not doing?
* What do you sense God is bringing to an end or asking us to stop doing?
* What is our women's ministry doing that you feel God wants us to continue doing?
A short devotion vs:
What if we just said, "Sherry is going to share a short message from God's Word"? Make it clear to your women that the focus isn't going to be on man's words, but God's words.
A great teacher will use stories to help communicate the message of God's Word while keeping the focus on the Word of God.
"Preach the gospel at all times; use words if necessary" is often falsely attributed to St. Francis of Assisi and sometimes even mistaken for Scripture. Despite its popularity, this sentiment cannot be found in God's Word. God tells us we are to use words, not just actions: "How can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?" (Romans
10:14 NLT).
author Donald S. Whitney explains, "Often it is the message of the cross lived and demonstrated that God uses to open a heart to the gospel, but it is the message of the cross proclaimed (by word or page) through which the power of God saves those who believe its content. No matter how well we live the gospel (and we must live it well, else we hinder its reception), sooner or later we must communicate the content of the gospel before a person can become a disciple of Jesus.”
I was challenged to consider who we were pointing our women to. If the focus was on our actions, were we pointing our Women to Christ or ourselves? …I began to see the error of our ways. We had failed to point our women to Christ. Withholding God's Word robbed our women of the truth. We could not save them; only Jesus, through His sacrifice on the cross, could save them.
"Whenever you've seen God prove Himself faithful, wherever His Word has sustained you in weakness and provided needed direction, and yes, even wherever you have experienced the consequences of Jailing to walk according to His Word - there's your story to share." Nancy Wolgemuth
Sample survey questions:
* How would you rate your spiritual growth in the last six months? How would you rate your prayer life? How would you rate your confidence level in studying God's Word?
* How would you rate your sensitivity to the Holy Spirit?
* How would you rate your obedience to the Word of God?
* Describe any change in attitude toward studying your Bible. Have other people noticed Christ at work in you? If so, how?
* What were your group leader or mentor's strengths?
* What would you recommend be done differently the next time?
* How did you benefit from the homework?
Whether or not mentoring or discipleship is the tool, we have a scriptural responsibility to make disciples who make disciples.
Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
offers this challenge to older women, "We have to ask ourselves: Have we fulfilled our responsibility as an older woman? Have we modeled the beauty of an ordered life, lived under the control and lordship of Christ? Have we been faithful in reaching out to our younger sisters, teaching what is good, and training them to live a life that honors Him?"
Do you see your women actively loving their neighbors?
Four levels of mission participation:
*prayer
*donations
*one time service projects
*relationships
Pastor Robby Gallaty points out, "The most overlooked mission fields are the ones we spend the most time in: our workplaces, our neighborhoods, and in the presence of our family members." Lord, open our eyes!
Corbett and Fikkert advise, "A first helpful step in thinking about working with the poor
in any context is to discern whether the situation calls for relief, rehabilitation, or development. In fact, the failure to distinguish among these situations is one of the most common reasons that poverty-alleviation efforts often do harm."
I've broken down the different types of women's ministry events into five categories:
1. Spiritual disciplines
2. Biblical encouragement
3. Practical skills
4. Service
5. Fellowship focused
Consider using these three questions for the discussion groups at your next event:
*What did you hear that challenged you?
*What did you hear that reinforced a teaching from the Bible?
*What action do you feel God wants you to take in response?
Always assume there will be new members and guests attending your event. The checklist below will ensure you share those details that we sometimes assume everyone knows.
* Name of the event *
* Location *
* Time/ Date/Day of the week
* Cost *
* Childcare (cost, registration info, or not available)
* Registration information (if needed)
Sometimes the need for change is obvious, and sometimes it isn't.
Here are some signs it's time for a change:
• Attendance has fallen for this event or activity - either as a whole or by age group.
•The event follows the same schedule (maybe even the same speaker) year after year after year.
* The enthusiasm for this event has started to wane.
* The focus on the event is on something other than Jesus and God's Word. •The event or activity no longer aligns with your women's ministry mission statement and the church's mission.
* The event fails to draw in new women from inside of and outside of the church.
* The same woman continues to coordinate this event year after year after year.
* Does it meet a need?
* Does it encourage spiritual growth?
оDoes it allow opportunities for outreach and service?
* mAre you sharing the gospel?
* Is it open to visitors and the community?
* Is it relevant, or has it become outdated? Are you reaching multiple age groups? Is it tired? Does it need refreshing or repackaging? Should it be shelved for a year or two so that something new can be tried?
* Is your calendar too full?
Francis Chan, in Letters to the Church, points out the church's "purpose is not just to exist. It's to produce. Are we producing mature disciples who imitate Christ by constantly serving others? Are we developing communities that are so deeply in love with one another that the world marvels John 13:34-35)?"
December 11, 2019
I highly recommend reading “Rethinking Women’s Ministry.”
In her book, Cyndee shares from her 20 years of experience in women’s ministry. She encourages you to pray and seek Him, offers many practical tips, advice, and online resources as to how to serve women in growing closer to Christ and to each other. This is a great resource if you are involved in your church’s women’s ministry... it’s for new and seasoned women’s ministry leaders. It is an inspiring and encouraging read for new and seasoned women ministry leaders and members!
In her book, Cyndee shares from her 20 years of experience in women’s ministry. She encourages you to pray and seek Him, offers many practical tips, advice, and online resources as to how to serve women in growing closer to Christ and to each other. This is a great resource if you are involved in your church’s women’s ministry... it’s for new and seasoned women’s ministry leaders. It is an inspiring and encouraging read for new and seasoned women ministry leaders and members!
January 17, 2020
Very helpful resource!
October 30, 2019
As a member of a women’s ministry leadership team at my church, I refer to Cyndee’s online ministry for suggestions and resources often and am thrilled that she has organized and expanded on many of her insights in a book format. Women’s ministry looks so different from church to church, but this book insightfully, practically, & thoroughly examines the common elements of any women’s ministry. Whether you are starting up a women’s ministry or are part of an existing one, you will find value—something (and probably more than one) that you can use—in the ideas that Cyndee Ownbey presents. Using Scripture, personal experience, and the input of women from diverse churches, Ownbey not only shares considerations and tips about the structure & administration of women’s ministry, but she also addresses issues (and possible solutions) that are common to women’s ministry, no matter the church denomination and congregation size. Understanding that no two ministries are alike, she offers information & poses questions to consider in a way that invites the readers to respond in a personal way as well. Worth the read if you are part of a women’s ministry leadership team!
October 31, 2019
This book is an excellent resource for women's ministry leaders. There are some great ideas included in this book for not only new women's ministries, but for established ones as well. This book is so on point about multiple areas in the ministry of women in churches. Cyndee Ownbey explains everything in a very practical way. If you can think of a question you have about women's ministry, this book probably has the answer! The chapters about biblical literacy, mentoring and discipleship and rethinking bible studies are my favorite parts. This will be a resource that I turn to time and again for ideas and practical advice.
October 27, 2019
Rethinking Women's Ministry: Biblical, Practical Tools for Cultivating a Flourishing Community
Cyndee Ownbey has compiled a wonderful and insightful resource for anyone involved with women's ministry. Not only does this book have practical tools, it gives insight into some of the issues with leading women. She has lots of online resources to help apply the techniques.
This book is a must read for anyone who is involved with women's ministry.
Cyndee Ownbey has compiled a wonderful and insightful resource for anyone involved with women's ministry. Not only does this book have practical tools, it gives insight into some of the issues with leading women. She has lots of online resources to help apply the techniques.
This book is a must read for anyone who is involved with women's ministry.
October 29, 2019
This book was such an eye opener for me and had so many great tips and suggestions for my women’s ministry. I read it, am going to read it again, and give it to my ministry leaders to read too!
October 29, 2019
I have been reading the rough draft and I’m so excited to finally have the release. I highly recommend this book.
November 5, 2019
Great Resource!
I just finished reading this last night. I read it in three days. My head is spinning on all the information. I have taken many notes and will re-read. It has made me reevaluate. And I have been discussing book with my pastor-husband. Our WM program is four years old. I wish I had had this book from the start. But I have it now. This book is a great resource to any WM director and/or team.
I just finished reading this last night. I read it in three days. My head is spinning on all the information. I have taken many notes and will re-read. It has made me reevaluate. And I have been discussing book with my pastor-husband. Our WM program is four years old. I wish I had had this book from the start. But I have it now. This book is a great resource to any WM director and/or team.
July 4, 2020
I love so many things about this book. To name a few:
1) In everything, Cyndee starts with prayer, seeking God's guidance first and foremost. Even with her wealth of knowledge and experience, she mentions in all of her advice that everything needs abundant prayer. Ask God to lead us in what to do. Ask God to bring people. Ask God for solutions to difficulties in logistics. I love that she reminds us to do this throughout the book, both in the specific suggestions and in the process of reading - each chapter ends with a prayer and space for the reader to note items to pray about.
2) Cyndee emphasizes the utmost importance of God's Word and the need to help women grow in their understanding and application of the Bible. I really identified with her great concerns (and those of women she surveyed) that far too many women's ministry programs are just fluffy and pretty without any significant substance to help women grow in Christ and know God's Word for themselves. Her advice always has the objective of creating programs that are based in Scripture and always have components to point women to Christ and biblical truth.
3) Cyndee's information is practical, detailed and robust - she covers so many helpful topics while also being concise enough to not be overwhelming. She also writes with a humble confidence, communicating firmness in her convictions along with a tender heart and openness to change and correction when needed.
I highly recommend this book for any women's ministry leader. I am sure that even if you have been involved in women's ministry for a long time, you will find something helpful.
1) In everything, Cyndee starts with prayer, seeking God's guidance first and foremost. Even with her wealth of knowledge and experience, she mentions in all of her advice that everything needs abundant prayer. Ask God to lead us in what to do. Ask God to bring people. Ask God for solutions to difficulties in logistics. I love that she reminds us to do this throughout the book, both in the specific suggestions and in the process of reading - each chapter ends with a prayer and space for the reader to note items to pray about.
2) Cyndee emphasizes the utmost importance of God's Word and the need to help women grow in their understanding and application of the Bible. I really identified with her great concerns (and those of women she surveyed) that far too many women's ministry programs are just fluffy and pretty without any significant substance to help women grow in Christ and know God's Word for themselves. Her advice always has the objective of creating programs that are based in Scripture and always have components to point women to Christ and biblical truth.
3) Cyndee's information is practical, detailed and robust - she covers so many helpful topics while also being concise enough to not be overwhelming. She also writes with a humble confidence, communicating firmness in her convictions along with a tender heart and openness to change and correction when needed.
I highly recommend this book for any women's ministry leader. I am sure that even if you have been involved in women's ministry for a long time, you will find something helpful.
April 9, 2024
I was hoping for this book to be something that it wasn't and I blame the title. "Rethinking Women's Ministry" gave me the idea that maybe we've been doing women's ministry entirely wrong and we need to change and rethink the whole system. Instead this book offers a very normal standard style of women's ministry, but it tells you how to do that one very well.
What I mean is that most women's ministries see women's Bible studies as the primary vehicle for discipleship. We hold it in the evening. We get a workbook that has a video series. We do small group discussions after the video. We pray. Good night. I think that's pretty standard for many churches. This book doesn't upend that strategy, but rather describes best practices for it.
We have a lady in our church who will be starting one of these Bible studies soon for her first time. I found the book extremely helpful for someone like her and I bought her a copy.
But this isn't a brand new style of women's ministry. It's the old one, but done well.
What I mean is that most women's ministries see women's Bible studies as the primary vehicle for discipleship. We hold it in the evening. We get a workbook that has a video series. We do small group discussions after the video. We pray. Good night. I think that's pretty standard for many churches. This book doesn't upend that strategy, but rather describes best practices for it.
We have a lady in our church who will be starting one of these Bible studies soon for her first time. I found the book extremely helpful for someone like her and I bought her a copy.
But this isn't a brand new style of women's ministry. It's the old one, but done well.
May 20, 2022
This book provides helpful ideas and clarity on what women are voicing they want in Women's Ministry. The book is well organized, practical, clear, and full of ideas. I learned some new ideas and some old but good ideas. The book focuses on the importance of keeping Jesus Christ at the center of all our activities. Great book for any woman leading in the church activities.
July 31, 2022
Biblical Guidance
I feel that the author provides strong guidance to help leaders meet the needs of women. The information gives ideas on how to build ministries with every lady not just the cliq.
I feel that the author provides strong guidance to help leaders meet the needs of women. The information gives ideas on how to build ministries with every lady not just the cliq.
May 13, 2020
Great read. Concise and practical, always lining up with Scripture. Very helpful ... I highlighted a LOT of material! :)
May 23, 2020
Very good book. Lots of wonderful advice and ideas for your women's ministry.
September 1, 2022
Excellent, helpful and lots of great tips and ideas! Must have for those leading women’s ministries.
August 13, 2023
Wish it was required reading!
This book calmed all my fears away. New to W.M. Didn't know what to do. No more tears! Definite direction.
This book calmed all my fears away. New to W.M. Didn't know what to do. No more tears! Definite direction.
June 1, 2024
Recommend for women’s ministry.
June 11, 2022
I’m stepping into women’s ministry leadership and they are using this model so having this book feels like a field guide for our ministry! She doesn’t cover every aspect of women’s ministry but does give practical advice for updating your ministry model to the 21st century. Very useful.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews