Stopping by an artsy market, you find a great art print. You bring it home, pick out the perfect spot on the wall, tape it up, and enjoy it right away. 

But as the days tick by, the edges start to curl and the wear begins to show. It needs a frame. You thought you’d just hang it temporarily until you could get one, but where has the time gone?

This exact process can be true of our church’s women’s programs and ministries. We get inspired, develop a great idea, run with it, and gain momentum. Pretty soon, we’re planning the next thing and the next—except we don’t know why or what our goals are. 

We may have started too soon without a frame in place.

Do We Really Need a Frame?

Frames are great for providing stability, structure, and boundaries to artwork. In the same way, having a vision frame for our women’s ministry can be our guide. We’ll know what we’re aiming for and stick to it to prevent some bumps, scuffs, and tattered corners along the way.

Any group or ministry being established will have eager participants. With that comes a host of preconceived ideas, past experiences, and expectations that may or may not align with what you’re hoping to accomplish. 

Hanging up a sign that your church is offering a new ministry can start to show tattered edges and tears if the framework is missing or delayed. Consider waiting to roll out the welcome mat until you have clearly defined goals.

Maybe you’re a young church plant getting started with women’s ministry. Perhaps you’re an established church that still needs structure within your women’s ministry. Or maybe you’re flourishing and operating within the framework of your local church’s goals and want to refresh your perspective. In any case, consider the beauty and blessing of having a framework for your women’s ministry that fits within the mission and vision of your local church. Consider the beauty and blessing of having a framework for your women’s ministry that fits within the mission and vision of your local church. Click To Tweet

How Can We Establish a Vision Frame?

Essential Purpose: Begin with what’s already in place by the leaders of your church. You’ll want any ministry part of this body to complement this mission and vision—not compete with it. For example, knowing what your church leadership views as your purpose is essential. I will share ours: Preach the gospel. Make disciples. 

Church’s Needs: Once you have this in mind, start praying and thinking about the needs of your local church. What will the focus of your women’s ministry be? Our ministry to women will focus on discipleship, spiritual growth, outreach, care, and relationships.

Scriptural Guidance: Do you have a specific Scripture you’ll use to guide your ministry to communicate the goals of your mission? I’ve chosen Colossians 2:6–7, “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”

Ministry Statement: Once these things are in place, try writing down some keywords you want to make sure to include in your vision frame. Pray and refine your statement until it’s as straightforward as possible. Be willing to ask for input and feedback from other ministry leaders. Keep it to one sentence. 

Here’s an example: “Cross Community Church Women’s Discipleship ministry exists to glorify God through preaching the gospel and making disciples primarily by cultivating Word-centered growth opportunities for women, including core groups, Bible studies, and fellowship while nurturing intentional relationships focused on the gospel.”

Having a framework for your ministry will provide clarity, simplicity, and a great tool for you to use in communicating the goals and purpose of your ministry. When ideas are presented, it’ll guide you in easily discerning whether they fit your focus. 

Ask your colleagues and fellow ministry team members for feedback and collaboration on setting up your vision frame. Are you all on the same page? Are you all hoping to achieve the same goals and purposes? Having a framework for your ministry will provide clarity, simplicity, and a great tool for you to use in communicating the goals and purpose of your ministry. Click To Tweet

The frame adds to the beauty of the artwork. It adds protection and longevity to the piece. Oh, how we want the added beauty, safety, and blessing around our ministries. Thank you, God, for loving your church and desiring to glorify your name through the ministries entrusted to us. May we seek you and be wise in framing them in a way that brings beauty and protection while honoring you.