Department of Women's Ministries Church Manual Statement

The Department of Women's Ministries exists to uphold, encourage, and challenge Seventh-day Adventist women in their daily walk as disciples of Jesus Christ and as members of His World Church. The mission of Women's Ministries is, in the larger sense, common to all Christians—that of uplifting Christ in the church and in the world. In doing this, the ministry seeks to:

1. Foster spiritual growth and renewal among women;
2. Affirm that women are of inestimable worth by virtue of their creation and redemption, and to equip them for service in the church;
3. Minister to the broad spectrum of women's needs across the life span being sensitive to multi-cultural and multiethnic perspectives;
4. Liaise and cooperate with other specialized departments of the church to facilitate the ministry to women and of women;
5. Build goodwill among women in the World Church that encourages bonds of friendship, support for service, and the creative exchange of ideas and information
6. Mentor and encourage Seventh-day Adventist women, creating paths for their involvement in the church as they reach for their potential in Christ;
7. Find ways and means to challenge each Seventh-day Adventist woman to use her gifts to complement the talents of others as they work side by side to further the global mission of the Church.

Women's Ministries Leader

The Women's Ministries leader is elected by the church to develop specific ministries, to foster specific ministries, to nurture women, and to equip them for service to God and to the church. She serves as Chair of the Women's Ministries Committee, encouraging ideas and plans which maximize women's contributions to the mission of the Church. As Chair, she is responsible for putting together the agenda, moderating discussion, and developing group cohesion through personal sharing, prayer, and fellowship.

She also serves as a member of the church board, integrating activities and programs for women into the larger church program. It is her responsibility to keep the church informed of the contribution of Women's Ministries to church life. The leader's liaison for training and resource material is the local conference/mission/field Women's Ministries Director.

Qualifications of the Women's Ministries Leader--The Women's Ministries leader should be a woman with a sensitive, caring nature, a burden for women's ministry and concerns, a balance in her perspectives so as to represent a broad spectrum of women, and an ability to encourage other women to cultivate their spiritual gifts. She should be able to work well with the women in the church, the pastor, and the church board.

The Women's Ministries Committee--The Women's Ministries leader works with the pastor and church board to establish a Women's Ministries Committee to foster a ministry to women in the church. This committee should be composed of persons interested in the broad spectrum of women's needs and services. To form a balanced team, the members should be persons with varied talents and experience. The major responsibilities of the Women's Ministries Committee will be the following:

• To assess the needs of women in the local church and community, by utilizing surveys and interviews, and in counsel with the pastor and church leaders;
  
• To brainstorm, develop strategies, and cooperate with other specialized departments of the Church to foster programs and activities which minister to women;
  
• To plan and implement these and other initiatives which relate to women's specific and varied needs, in cooperation with the pastor, departmental specialists, and other church leaders;
  
• To facilitate local church participation in annual programs and activities initiated by the conference/union/division/ General Conference such as the International Women's Day of Prayer, Women's Ministries Day, and small group ministries to support and encourage them in service. Information regarding these programs is available through the conference/mission Department of Women's Ministries.
  

The Women's Ministries leader is also added to the church board (Church Manual page 79), The Lay Activities Council (Church Manual page 87), and the list of those who should be dealt with by the nominating committee (Church Manual pages 128-130).