There are certain items I have always liked to use for women’s ministry. I thought I’d share some of my picks with you.
I’ve actually shared this list before, but I thought I’d run through them again.
Okay, are you ready?
Women’s Ministry Top Practical Tools
Planner
I you are a women’s ;leader in a local church. you will need to be a planner. Bible studies, events, and activities just don’t happen. You have to plan. And you just can’t plan for your own ministry, you must take into account all of the ministries within the church so things don’t overlap or activities and events don’t overwhelm people’s schedules. You will need a good planner or calendar to keep track of everything you are doing and that all the ministries within your church are doing.
Be sure the planner/calendar is one you will enjoy. Check the size of the daily calendar boxes. If you have large handwriting, you may want bigger boxes. Check to see if there are room for notes if you need that. Check the size to see if it’s comfortable for carrying. Check the type of binding. Check to see if it’s a January through December calendar or if it runs through a school year. Check the font size. Choose what you like!
Water Bottle
If you are a leader, you are always on the go! Be sure to stay hydrated. Leaders have a tendancy to stress themselves out and also work through projects without stopping to eat or drink. Snacks are always a good idea to carry with you when you are working on a project, but by all means stay hydrated. Get a water bottle you really like and take it with you everywhere.
Things I check for when getting a new water bottle is always first the cap. I don’t like drinking out of a straw or sucking my water out so I want one with a drinkable opening. Next check the size of ounces. Determine what you feel comfortable carrying around with you. Do you prefer a handle? Check for that. Check the diameter of the bottle. What size is perfect for your hand? How durable is it? How easy is it to clean? Is it insulated? How long will it keep things hot or cold? Do you need one that works for hot as well as cold? So many questions to look at before tossing one into your cart. If you don’t like it for some reason, you are less likely to use it to keep hydrated.
Highlighters and Markers
I find in ministry there is always something to use markers and highlighters for when planning or doing almost anything. Especially when studying for Bible studies or writing devotionals,
I find highlighters imperative. I need to mark my Bible. I need to mark my notes. One of my daughters got me hooked on the Mildliner ones, but find your favorite and keep some handy. For me it’s not just that they work well, but I want them to be pretty too. Yep! I find myself gravitating to pretty office supplies! There is a great set of various Mildliners on a deal at Amazon right now.
Journal
I always recommend that women’s ministry leaders journal about their ministry. It really does take stress off to write things down. Also you can start to see how things are running in your women’s ministry if you write down items of interest. Maybe write down things that inspire you. Things that you want to plan to do. Goals you want to set. Things that happened at particular activities. How many came to an event. Decisions that were made at an event. Blessings you have seen through the women you teach and serve. Things you want to teach your women in the future. Make a place to write it down. It can be an actual journal or even a notebook.
When choosing, make sure you pick something you will actually write inside of because that matters. Do you like college rule or wide lines? Do you like larger or smaller size notebooks? Do you need something “pretty” so it will make you happy and you will tend to write in it more? Don’t buy something you think it is ugly just because it is on sale. A journal is personal. Choose it in a personal way! You can download some women’s ministry journaling tips here. (pdf)
Rolling Bags
When I was doing weekly Sunday School for women’s classes or doing monthly women’s ministry meetings, I always needed something to carry “stuff” in for my ministry. When my daughter was younger, I ended up using one of her small rolling backpacks on a whim and found out it was the most useful women’s ministry tool for any leader! Instead of making all those trips to the car, you can roll it along!
You know how it is, extra Bibles for the ladies, Sunday School lesson books, handouts, pens, scissors, etc. etc. So I recommend a rolling backpack, a rolling briefcase, a rolling craft bag, or even a rolling suitcase. Any bag with wheels will work and make life a lot easier for a leader who needs to carry things back and forth to meetings, activities, and events. You can find them in all price ranges. And if you don’t have the money to spend on one, check in thrift stores. A rolling bag is a great tool for a leader!
Portfolios
I like a good portfolio. Those with legal pads are one of my favorites. I have a real pretty one that I use. Yeah! There is something about something that is pretty, at least for me. Makes me smile. I use it to write out notes, reminders, and even devotional writing ideas to come back to later.
Again, choose one you like. Do you want a binder one? Do you like the ones with a binder clip for a legal pad? Do you want legal size or letter size? Do you want pads with college or wide rule? Again, supplies are personal!
Sticky Notes
Yep! I gotta have my sticky notes! I remind myself of so many things! I’m a sticky note lover! I like them in all sizes. Little tab ones to put in my Bible to mark things, bigger for reminder notes, and my favorite size is the lined 4 x 6 ones. I love them to write outlines on and notes to share devotionals during a meeting. Actually I like them for a lot of things!
Greeting Cards
It seems there is always someone to thank or even encourage when you are a women’s leader. There are birthdays and anniversaries to remember. There are helpers and team members to thank. There are women that just need a note of encouragement. Having blank greeting cards on hand can also be helpful. It’s great to pick out a personal card, but sometimes that takes time so having blank ones on hand where you can quickly convey a personal message is great.
Overall, you will need to invest in some greeting cards of some type. It’s a great way to keep in touch in a personal way.
Organizer Tote
If you are a women’s ministry leader, you will need something to carry pens and supplies back and forth to your meetings or Bible studies, Be sure to check out scrapbooking and craft totes. They are great for this. Most have a bigger space great for carrying extra Bible study books in the center and then they have supply pockets for pens, index cards, etc. They come in various sizes and various prices.
Business Card Holder
I think women’s leaders need to do up some business cards, even if you lead for a small church. They come in so handy! Have them ready with you when you are out and about and meet someone to invite to your ladies meetings and events. You may want to write your next meeting or event date on the back for them when you hand one out to someone.
I have found women will throw away flyers and things like that, but a business card they will drop in their purse, so even if they forget about it, they may pick it up later.
Here are some things you can put on them if you are struggling with what they should say.
- In place of company title: Women’s Ministry of _______ (your church name)
- Your Name
- Women’s Leader, ____________(church Name)
- Phone: (Yours or church depending on how personal you want to be)
- Email (Make one just for your women’s ministry if you want)
- Church Address
- Depending on how many lines available for printing, you could put your women’s ministry slogan or regular meeting time. Design it for what you think will work for your situation.
Alright. I hope you enjoyed the picks. I find it’s easier to do ministry or whatever we are trying to accomplish if we have the right tools for the job. And those tools are different for everyone. You might have something that really helps you in ministry. If so, let me know over on my Julia Bettencourt Ramblings Facebook Page.
Have a lovely day,
Julia
