Dolly Mink: Years of experience in Christian leadership and service have given Dolly Mink a unique perspective, and she is eager to share her observations, insights, and words of encouragement to the women of Virginia. Dolly seeks to accomplish this through teaching, training, and writing. In addition to her role with the SBCV, she leads women’s Bible study at River Oak Church in Chesapeake, where she and her husband are members, and she writes short stories and blogs at 
You’re back! Good to see…well, good to know you’re there on the other side of the screen. Hope you were able to take some time considering your team and its structure. Now it’s time to take a look at evaluating events.
I believe women’s ministry has at least three components: Bible studies, initiatives, and events. I think the most important thing we can do is offer sound teaching of God’s Word. We also need to come alongside the leadership of our church in supporting the work and goals of the pastor and staff. Finally, we can underscore all of that and model Christlike behavior and fellowship through well-planned and meaningful events.
It’s important to plan our events with strategic goals in mind.
- Who is the target audience? Is this a multi-generational event or is it more geared to attract a specific age group or season of life? It’s fine to have events designed for a certain group, as long as all groups have something offered to them sometime during the year. Remember to always consider widows and singles during the holidays, particularly.
- How does the event tie into Scripture? Does it glorify God? These are important questions to ask regarding every aspect of ministry, but when it comes to events, where we can have women from all over the community attend, some who are not believers and who do not know our hearts, we need to make certain that we don’t send the wrong message of shining the light on the speaker and ministry more than on the Savior.
- What is the reason for the event? Is this event designed to lead women to a closer relationship with Jesus? Is it designed to introduce them to Him? Is it to deepen connections between women or generations? Identifying the purpose will unite the team and give it direction.
- Do the rewards of this event equal the investment of time and effort put into it? Quick story. Once I was part of a women’s team that was serving Wednesday night suppers. We were doing a taco night. I had the big idea that I could save money and, instead of buying a pan of refried beans from the local Mexican restaurant, I would use canned beans and make them. Who knew that, unless you add oil ALL THE TIME the starch turns into cement and you could pave the parking lot with it?! So, on that night, the reward did not in any way equal the amount of time and muscle ache that it took to keep those beans, well, “spreadable.” If you are spending months planning, let’s just say, a tea, only to have the same few women attend, all of whom know Jesus, and the entire team is exhausted and feelings are hurt because a certain tea set didn’t get used and someone wasn’t asked to sit at a certain table and the tables fill up with members and visitors are left to sit alone and…you get my point. You can let go of your pearls and think about whether this event is the blessing that you may have been led to believe it is.
- Is this event benefiting a mission or Christian institution? Is there a way that a mission could be tied in so that there is a blessing associated with it? Asking members to consider bringing a canned good, pack of diapers, or a pair of socks is an easy way to make an event serve the community. Studies show that more young adults are apt to attend an event if it is connected with a mission in some way. Perhaps asking a couple young women to head that up would be a way to connect them and bless others.
- Finally, we have to discuss the budget. Every church varies and so we won’t get into percentages, but we do need to be mindful of the cost of food, decorations, and items such as plates, cutlery, etc. If the event involves worship, we must find out if the musicians and tech people will need to be paid, as well as the speaker. (Many of the SBCV team members are happy to speak in their region for free. Contact me for info!) Paying close attention to the budget is crucial for a successful event and a responsible ministry.
By evaluating the events that you already have on the calendar and seeking honest answers about them, you can begin to cast vision for future events. Next time we’ll explore the ways you can bring innovation and fresh ideas to your next event.
