What Does PWM Do?
Women are already busy, and often struggle to find time for involvement in the ministries of their own local church. Any PWM that exists should make it a priority to strengthen the local churches and their ministries rather than build a competing organization. With that in mind, there are several functions that can best be performed at the broader presbytery level. While this will vary from one presbytery to another, some possible functions of a PWM might be:
- To support leadership development: possibly bringing in a Women’s Ministry Trainer for a larger audience, making it affordable for women from smaller churches, or providing a platform for women who have attended LT to pass on some of what they learned there
- To offer assistance to churches in developing their structure and yearly schedule
- To provide opportunities to develop relationships with women in other churches who have similar situations and to facilitate sharing ideas among churches
- To connect women with the ministry resources available through CDM
- To introduce women to the scope of influence of the PCA by acquainting them with the denominational ministry structure
- To encourage work through sister churches in this country and around the world
- To be a communication bridge, sharing information about PCA Women’s Ministries at the local, presbytery, and denominational level
- To help women understand the benefits and opportunities available to them as members of the PCA
- To offer opportunities for the local women’s ministries to participate in national PCA Women’s Ministry activities
The presbytery CE Chairman (or other elder as designated by the presbytery) is responsible for oversight and protection for any PWM organization. Therefore, PWM leaders should humbly consult the CE Chairman and keep him informed of their activities. The CE Chairman can serve as a valuable resource for oversight and guidance as needed for PWM ministry concerns or questions that may arise.
The biblical foundation for each Presbytery Women’s Ministry is the same as it is for Women’s Ministries in local churches, but how that foundation is implemented may vary because of the emphasis or needs of different geographical regions. It is important that the Presbytery Women’s Ministry for each presbytery establish a purpose statement to guide ministry work and keep it on track. You PWM coordinators also need to be able to communicate that purpose clearly, concisely, and often. The presbytery CE Committee should be involved and informed in the process.
The purpose statement for the CDM Women’s Ministries may give you a starting place as you develop a purpose statement for your presbytery: