Church Manual
The Women's Ministries Department 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.
Objectives
This 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,
equip them for service in the church, and offer women's perspectives on church issues.
3. Minister to the broad spectrum of women's needs across the life span, with due regard
for multicultural 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,
mutual support, 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 nurture women and equip them for service to God and to the church. She serves as chair of the Women's Ministries Committee, and encourages 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 women in the church, the pastor, and the church board.
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. (See Notes, #23, p. 142.)
Taken from the Seventh-day Adventist Church Manual, Revised 2005, 17th Edition, pages 126, 127. The present edition incorporates all revisons and additions accepted up to and including the 2005 General Conference Session.