7 Effective Ways To Increase Women’s Ministry Attendance

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As women’s ministry leaders, we pour a lot of energy into planning and implementing events for our churches. Few things are more discouraging than having low or even no attendance at a women’s ministry event you and your team hosted.

Let’s look at a few simple (but not always easy) steps we can take to increase attendance for the Women’s Ministry of your small church.

7 Ways To Boost Women’s Ministry Attendance

1. Ask Specific Questions

As leaders of ministry to women, our heart’s desire is to serve the women of our congregations and facilitate a closer walk with Jesus for each individual. We acknowledge that each woman is fearfully and wonderfully made and unique in her gifts and talents. I feel sure that many of us would include these or similar statements in an answer to questions about “why” or “who” we serve.

We affirm the individualized nature of our ministry, yet we may find ourselves planning very formulaic events, gatherings, and even Bible study classes. I don’t offer this as a criticism, simply an observation that once we find a format that “works”, we tend to apply the formula for all time. I get it, we are busy, we have many commitments and responsibilities, so the most natural choice is to use a proven format. Our favorite party-in-a-box decreases our stress, makes planning and shopping a breeze, and takes preparation time down to almost nothing.

But what if our favorite formula is missing the needs of the women we so long to serve, love, and support? WOW! Even as I typed that sentence, I sighed out loud. Did you have a visceral reaction or perhaps even a moment of recognition as you read? How do we course correct? How do we move from generic planning to meeting the felt and perceived needs of the women in our congregation?

As one who is walking with you (i.e., I’m still learning!), may I suggest that we ask those we desire to serve? Not “what do you want to do?” but instead “how would you feel most supported?” What I am learning is that the needs I see in the lives of others may not even make it to the top 10 of their personal list of needs.

Here is a real-life example from my nursing career:

If my patient has a terrible cough and high fever, my top priorities are fever reduction and cough relief. But, if my patient has small children and no car, her top priorities may be finding a ride to the grocery store to make sure the children have food for supper. Neither set of priorities was wrong, but I am much more likely to have a patient compliant with her treatment plan if I find a way to help her make sure the children have supper.

In the same way, we as leaders of the ministry to women are wise to ask about the needs of the women we desire to serve.

One of the easiest ways to ask is in the form of a survey:

• Work with your leadership team to design a survey that asks how you can serve, support, and demonstrate love in their lives.
• Write out the questions and then consolidate them to avoid decision fatigue.
• Keep it short so women can respond without feeling overwhelmed.
• Include:
  • 1–2 yes/no type questions
  • 1–2 multiple-choice or “choose all that apply” questions
  • At least 1 open-ended question to allow women to share specific needs
• Offer the survey over several weeks and allow anonymity.
• Encourage women of all age ranges and stages of life to participate.

Once you have all the replies, you will discover some patterns and some individual needs that may surprise you and change the way you plan!

2. Plan Early and Promote Well

Planning parties are amazing. Here is a link for the Best Planning Party Ever how-to. If you have not used a planning party to help you plan an entire year’s worth of ministry, please read this and other resources on Small Church Ministry’s web page.

Plan events well in advance! So many women have minimal margin in their lives and cannot just “pivot” when an opportunity spontaneously arises. Advance planning may be key in increasing the number of attendees for ministry events. Advance planning also facilitates inviting guests.

Once you have the events, gatherings, studies, classes, coffee dates, etc., planned:

• Create a bold and insistent schedule to promote each event.
• Announce through multiple channels:
  • Church calendar
  • Social media
  • Bulletin board
  • Flyers in the nursery and children’s areas
  • Coffee station framed invites
  • Service bulletins
  • Email reminders or free event apps with notifications
• Ask leadership to help promote in weekly meetings.

The two critical pieces are to plan early and promote well!

3. Be Welcoming

Women are barraged with many messages every day, and very few of those messages are kind, loving, or encouraging. Many women battle imposter syndrome at work, constantly wondering when someone will shout out to everyone, “She doesn’t know what she is doing!”

Since grade school age, we as women have faced down cliques and mean girls. I find it mildly amazing that any of us find the strength and resilience to trust a group of other women. Yet, isn’t that what we as ministry leaders to the women of our small church are asking? “Come, join us, trust us, share your life with us.”

As we lead, we must be the example of how to be welcoming, loving, and encouraging to every woman.

Example from Touching Hearts Ministry:

• Women do not have to be prompted to greet new faces.
• Confidentiality is valued, and gossip is confronted.
• Prayer support is a core practice.

As leaders, we must strive to not only guide our ministry groups but also model the behaviors and attitudes that create a welcoming and loving fellowship.

4. Make Personal Contact

One of the best ways to increase attendance for events is a personal invitation.

Ways to invite personally:

• Handwritten note (rare and impactful)
• Phone call for those who enjoy conversation
• Text message or direct social media message
• Business/calling card with church details and event list

A small, personal message from you might be just the encouragement some women need to attend.

5. Be Consistent In Days, Times, And Message

Being consistent is closely tied to the tips on planning early and promoting well.

Best practices:

• Hold events on the same day and time.
• Repeat the same details in all announcements:
  • Social media
  • Flyers
  • Text messages
  • Bulletins

Consistency makes it easier for women to plan and attend.

6. Diversify Leadership

If you are currently a lone ranger, invite a few women to serve as members of the ministry team.

Diversity ideas:

• Include younger and older women.
• Draw leaders from different small groups.
• Represent all cultures in your congregation.

Diversifying the leadership team makes you more relevant, approachable, and equipped to meet a variety of needs.

7. Start Growing the Next Generation of Leaders

Leadership is a learned skill set, and if the next generation is to lead well, we need to help them learn today.

Why it matters:

• Builds your legacy.
• Keeps your ministry relevant.
• Broadens your reach to share Jesus with women of all ages and cultures.

Mentoring the next generation of leaders is consistent with Scripture and ensures the mission continues effectively.

Final Encouragement

I hope you have been encouraged and possibly challenged as you read. These are seven simple but not always easy ways to increase Women’s Ministry attendance.

Although each method can be broadly applied, how you use them in your congregation may look radically different, and that is okay! God has placed you within the Body of Christ specifically because of the tools, talents, and gifts He placed within you to accomplish the good works He designed for you (Ephesians 2:10).

If you’d like to share ideas, get encouragement, and connect with other ministry leaders who are passionate about building healthy, thriving ministries, join our free Small Church Ministry Facebook Group. You’ll find people who understand your challenges and will celebrate your wins alongside you.

Please feel free to take any pearl you find in this article and make it your own.

Serving alongside you,
Carla

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