A few weeks ago, Chris shared 8 Ideas for Married Women Serving in Ministry, so I thought I would follow up with a response for all of the single women out there who are reading! Serving the church looks different depending on our life circumstances, so we need to take that into account when we’re trying to find our place.
It’s really hard for me to say “no” to good things, but I’ve had to learn (sometimes the hard way) over the last few years, that saying “no” isn’t a bad thing. I make it a point to prayerfully consider opportunities that the Lord places in front of me. Whether it’s leading a bible study, having people in my home, or serving in the community, it takes time to be involved. Sometimes, time is the thing that is the hardest to find!
Here are a few ideas on how to successfully serve the church as a single woman:
- Set boundaries. Set boundaries. Did I mention that you should set boundaries?? Just because you “have more free time” than some of your married friends doesn’t mean that you need to be available 24/7. You may want to think about setting some boundaries when it comes to how you spend your time.
- Find community. As a leader, it’s easy to spend all of your time pouring into others, but not allowing yourself to be poured into. Great community can be such a refreshing way to be filled up.
- Pray. Go to the Lord first and ask him for guidance and direction as you serve and lead.
- Own your ministry. Do what you do well! God has gifted you uniquely, so don’t waste time comparing yourself to others.
- Be teachable. If you ever feel like you’ve gotten to the point where you have all of the answers, there’s a problem. Always be willing to listen to the wisdom of the people who are in your life. Just because you have a great idea doesn’t mean it’s the best idea. Be willing to listen and be teachable!
- Be a disciple-maker. Take what you’re learning and invest in the life of another woman. You won’t regret it.
- Don’t put off leading because you’re single. Many women feel like they have to be married to really find a place to lead in the church, and this couldn’t be further from the truth! Ask the Lord where He wants to use you in this season of your life.
- Stay in the Word. No matter what happens, stay closely connected to Christ. Listen for His voice to guide and direct you, and don’t sacrifice your personal walk with him when other things get in the way.
What are some other ideas that you can share about serving in ministry as a single woman? I would love to hear some of your thoughts!
Mary Margaret is an Event Project Coordinator on the Church Education Ministry team at Lifeway. She works alongside Chris Adams and coordinates training events for women’s ministry leaders like YOU Lead and the Women’s Ministry Forum. Mary Margaret has served several churches in the area of Girls Ministry and she recently completed a Master of Arts in Christian Education at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In her spare time, she writes for Story of My Life – her personal blog.