The go-to verses about women’s ministry are Titus 2:3-5, older women teaching younger women what is good. There is no question of the need to train those who will carry on after we are gone. But is this the sum total of what women’s ministry should be? Namely, is the focus only on the younger generation? If so, could this lead to the possibility of older saints falling through the cracks? What is the balance between Titus 2 and the many ‘one another’ verses that encompass all believers?

Last week, Lisa and Aimee got the ball rolling with their posts (here and here) on women’s ministry and specifically where middle-aged women fit into the picture. As a woman in her 50’s, I appreciate that my friends have started this discussion, so if you haven’t read their posts, please do. However, I want to take a step back even further and consider what are the expectations of women’s ministry? I’ve broken this one question into three sub-questions which have spawned even more, so consider yourself forewarned.

Who is the focus of women’s ministry?
The go-to verses about women’s ministry are Titus 2:3-5, older women teaching younger women what is good. There is no question of the need to train those who will carry on after we are gone. But is this the sum total of what women’s ministry should be? Namely, is the focus only on the younger generation? If so, could this lead to the possibility of older saints falling through the cracks? What is the balance between Titus 2 and the many ‘one another’ verses that encompass all believers?

What is the starting point of women’s ministry?
There are two schools of thought regarding this IMO. The first view, which I would characterize as traditional, begins with the concept of womanhood and then seeks to see what the Bible has to say about what it means to be a woman. The second view, which seems to be gaining more traction since the 2012 Gospel Coalition Women’s Conference, is Word-based. Thus the focus is being students of the scriptures for the sake of knowing God and His Word, one the fruits being what it mean to be a woman.

What is the context of women’s ministry?
Is the context of women’s ministry provided by para-church organizations or within the local church? Is it the primary means of spiritual food or an adjunct to the ordinary means of grace? Are programs the primary means for achieving women’s ministry?

As to my experience of women’s ministry? I attend a small Reformed Baptist church where the women’s ministry is Word-based and not heavily programmed. The elders have been very intentional about the importance of the ordinary means of grace in the life of the church, so the women’s fellowship is a reinforcement to this, not a substitute. The participants’ ages range from 20 to 70. We’ve covered topics including the gospel, prayer, and human trafficking at our meeting last night. We’ve made ornaments and wreaths, too. Our suggested resource list is less about women’s issues and more about Bible study and doctrine. This isn’t to say we never discuss childbirth, raising children, caring for aging parents, or menopause. It happens very naturally in the course of sharing life together and praying for one another.

My experience and answers to the above questions may differ from yours. However, I think it is safe to say that my expectations will determine who I look toand what I look for to fill my need for women’s ministry. My expectations will determine how I try to fill this need as well.

Persis Lorenti is an ordinary Christian. You can find her at Tried With Fire and Out of the Ordinary. This article appeared at her blog and is used with permission.