Women’s Ministry Trends and Predictions for 2023

Below you’ll find the show notes for episode 57, Women’s Ministry Trends and Predictions for 2023, from the Women’s Ministry Toolbox Podcast.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links.

Women’s Ministry Trends and Predictions for 2023

As we’ve finally emerged from the covid years, I’m seeing and sensing some shifts in women’s ministry I want to share with you.

I pray they’ll be a confirmation if they are things your team is already doing and encouragement if they are things you’ve been thinking of doing. And maybe some things I share will provide the nudge your team needs to make some changes…

Before we dive in, I want you to hear my heart. You’re doing a great job. Most of you are serving without being paid. You spend countless hours on ministry work – most of which only God sees. I know you sacrifice to serve your women. You don’t need to adopt every trend I’m going to mention.

I want you to ask the Lord to highlight one thing your ministry needs most and take action on that.

As I considered women’s ministry trends from 2022 and needs in 2023 one word came to mind.

Intentional.

8 Women’s Ministry Trends and Predictions for 2023

Trend #1 – Long-range Planning

I’m seeing a great trend as women’s ministry teams are thinking beyond the next event.

Leaders are creating ministry calendars and setting dates up to a year in advance. Leaders are thinking long-term. Teams are setting aside time for longer planning meetings and planning team retreats.

Prediction #1 – I predict annual or semi-annual team planning meetings for women’s ministry will become the norm as leaders see the fruit that results from the time spent on long-range planning.

Trend #2 – Leadership Training

Along those lines, women’s ministry team leaders see the need for leadership training.

• Team meeting agendas include time for team-building.

• They are reading and discussing leadership books with their team.

• Leaders are also adding leadership-focused devotionals to their team meetings.

Here is my top leadership training resource recommendation:

1. Rethinking Women’s Ministry and the coordinating Rethinking Women’s Ministry Workbook

Prediction #2 – I predict more and more women’s ministry teams will begin to budget time and money for women’s ministry training.

Trend #3 – Teams

Women’s ministry leaders are no longer leading ministry alone. They are building or restructuring their teams so women are using the gifts God has given them. Rather than shuffling responsibilities with each event, team leaders see that having the same person complete the same tasks smooths the planning process. They are being intentional in how and who they ask to join the women’s ministry team. They are making it a matter of prayer and seeking out the women God wants on their team, not just pulling in friends that are willing to lend a hand. They are looking for women to serve who are outside of their social circles and age group.

Prediction #3 – I predict a continued decline in women leading women’s ministry without a team of lay leaders. I also predict a small increase (though I would love to see a tsunami!) of churches adding part-time and full-time women’s ministry directors to the church staff.

Trend #4 – Considering All Women

Women’s ministry leaders are being more intentional about planning events for all women – those who work, widows, homeschooling moms, and single women. Bible study offerings are expanding to include evenings. School calendars are consulted as they select dates for evening and weekend meetings.

Prediction #4 – I predict an even greater need for childcare. Childcare isn’t just a need for single moms. Homeschooling moms need childcare for older children. Grandmas are often caring for grandchildren. Husbands aren’t always able or available to watch their kids so moms can go to a church event.

Trend #5 – Focused on God’s Word

Women’s ministry leaders are also becoming more intentional in the way they select and plan women’s ministry events and activities. They are prayerfully seeking a scripture focus for their ministry year and planning activities and events that invite women to explore and go deeper into that scripture passage or verse. They are going to God before they Google.

Prediction #5 – I predict we’ll see more women’s ministry events, conferences, and retreats focused on God’s Word.

Trend #6- Linking Arms to Serve

Leaders are beginning to link arms more and more with ministry teams inside and outside of the church. They are hosting baby showers for pregnancy centers and collecting toiletries for shelters. They are providing opportunities for women to hear from missionaries.

Prediction #6 – I predict a continued increase in service-oriented women’s ministry events and activities. Many leaders are already noticing the desire younger women have to serve. Those who regularly plan service opportunities see their ministry reach expanded beyond the core group that attends most ministry events.

Trend #8 – Discernment

Leaders are waking up to the impact of social media on the theological beliefs of their women. Women are spending more time learning from Christian leaders on social media than in their local church. More often than not, those Christian leaders do not hold the same beliefs as their church teaches.

Prediction #7 – I predict we’ll continue to see intentional efforts to vet resources and speakers. Leaders realize that not all “Christian” books align with God’s Word. Leaders are becoming more careful about checking for denominational differences on things like salvation, baptism, leadership roles in the church, and marriage. I predict more women’s ministry teams will put a formal process in place for reviewing resources.

Trend # 8 – Mentoring and Discipleship

There’s a marked increase in the number of women’s ministries that offer a formal, organized mentoring or discipleship program. Leaders are discovering organic mentoring, while ideal, rarely happens. Leaders understand the importance of in-person discipleship with women who sit under the same teaching and attend the same church.

Prediction #8 – I predict an increase in formal, organized discipleship and mentoring programs. I predict groups within a church will use the same curriculum whether it be sermon alignment, apologetic, or theology materials to encourage a biblical worldview.

Are these things you’re seeing in your women’s ministry program?

Are these things you see a need for in your church?

Are there some things you need to discuss with your team?

Maybe you need to put a planning retreat for your team on your calendar. Maybe you need to add childcare or raise the age limit of the children you serve. Maybe your next big event needs a stronger scripture focus. Maybe your team needs to create a process for reviewing materials.

If you need help with any of these things, please search the Women’s Ministry Toolbox website and check out the online courses I offer at womensministrytraning.com. You don’t need to start from scratch. Tweak what you find to make it work for the women in your church.

Today’s Toolbox Tasks:

1. Write down the one thing God highlighted for you in this post.
2. Schedule time in the near future to discuss that topic with your team. If you’re not the team leader, take it to her first and ask her to pray about it.
3. Make a plan of action.

As the culture changes our ministry must make intentional shifts to reach people. May all the plans we make and the things we do point women to Christ and encourage their walk with Him.

You may also want to read:
Calendar Planning: 3 Critical Questions
How to Host Great Women’s Ministry Team Meetings
How to Host Women’s Ministry Team Retreats
8 Great Team-Building Icebreaker Games
How to Build a Women’s Ministry Team
60 Service Project Ideas
Mentoring Programs and Discipleship Resources
Selecting Bible Study, Discipleship, and Mentoring Resources
How to Coordinate Childcare for Your Bible Studies and Events
How to Select Your Women’s Ministry Theme or Scripture Focus