No matter the size, your women’s ministry is a community of sisters in Christ who gather to learn and worship. Whether you aim to instill leadership qualities into your church’s youth or equip believers to minister to others, the culture of your ministry’s community dictates how you’ll put your faith into practice.

The Christian church is called to love, which makes service and generosity crucial elements of your ministry’s culture. Let’s explore a few ways you can foster a culture of giving in your women’s ministry.

1. Study biblical principles about giving.

Your strongest tool for building a generous culture within your women’s ministry is the sword of the Spirit—God’s Word. Scripture provides a solid foundation for understanding and practicing giving through verses such as:

• 2 Corinthians 9:7 (ESV): This verse highlights that believers should give with joy and willingness. 
• 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): This verse points out that believers’ belongings really come from God. In the same way these belongings were gifts from the Lord, they should also be gifted to others.
• Hebrews 13:16 (ESV): Sharing is sometimes sacrificial, and that’s the point! This verse encourages believers to do good by giving openly. 
• Luke 6:38 (ESV): This verse explains that God blesses those who give generously.

Examine what the Bible says about generosity with the women in your group. Allow time for your ministry members to study and meditate on each verse. Then, discuss these verses as a group and allow everyone to share their unique opinions.

2. Communicate your women’s ministry’s needs and goals.

As you embark on a journey to foster a culture of generosity, the women in your ministry may give in different ways. Perhaps they regularly volunteer with local nonprofit organizations or donate to various causes. Or, maybe they are willing to give to your ministry.

Before investing in fundraising tools and launching an in-depth campaign, be transparent about your ministry’s needs and how its members can help. For example, your women’s ministry may need:

• Funding: It’s no mystery that operating your women’s ministry can be costly. Members of your group may be eager to donate or solicit donations on your behalf through fundraising letters, events, and other initiatives. Especially for women who benefit from your ministry’s work, they’ll better understand the importance of giving.
• Volunteers: Whether your women’s ministry is planning a conference or baking snacks for your weekly Bible study meeting, there could be dozens of tasks for which you need helping hands. By volunteering their help to put your ministry’s mission into action, women can see the tangible impact of their generosity. 
• Awareness: Spreading the word about your ministry is an easy way for members to help your group grow. Let’s say your goal is to invite more women from the community to your upcoming summer Bible study. When existing members reach out to their friends, coworkers, and family, they can do the leg work for you and help you reach a larger portion of your community. 

Even if your ministry doesn’t have many pressing needs, it can be a safe place for women to practice generosity before giving in bigger ways. They may be more comfortable volunteering for your ministry, for example, before registering to volunteer for the local food bank. 

3. Create opportunities to give to other organizations.

In line with asking women to support your ministry, you can also foster a culture of generosity by creating opportunities to give to those in need. The easier it is for women to give to those in need, the more likely they are to start the habit.

Partner with local nonprofits and host fundraisers within your ministry to raise money for their causes. Here are some fundraising ideas you might try:

• Charity events: Fun activities offer exciting ways for the women in your ministry to support a cause—and have fun doing it! For example, host a book fair and sell the best Christian books for women, then donate all the proceeds to a nonprofit chosen by the women in your group.
• Service projects: Encourage women to give their time through various community service projects, like cleaning up litter at a local park or caring for dogs at the animal shelter. 
• Clothing drives: Collect gently used clothing items at a dedicated drive and donate them to a women’s shelter. 

Aside from the opportunities you create within your ministry, you can also help women give directly to nonprofit organizations. For example, you may provide links to online donation pages or explain how planned giving works. 

4. Encourage continuous learning.

Generosity isn’t a lesson simply learned and applied. It must be regularly practiced and reinforced for the women in your ministry to continue giving. 

Encourage them to stay steeped in lessons of generosity through Bible studies on the topic. Esther Press’s guide to Bible studies for women lists three types of Bible studies that can bolster your ministry’s culture in different ways:

Topical: Esther Press explains topical Bible studies as “studies about a specific issue that use scriptural references from all throughout the Bible.” For example, you might lead women in a Bible study specifically about generosity that uses various Bible references and advice from Christian leaders.

• Scriptural: These studies focus on a passage of scripture, offering Bible references explicitly about generosity. Scriptural studies are beneficial for understanding the full context surrounding the call to give generously and what Jesus calls us to do.
• Bible character: Studies about Bible characters highlight examples of generosity as provided by the Word of God. For example, a Bible study may focus on Ruth and her willingness to care for her mother-in-law, despite her husband’s death. 

As the women in your ministry continue practicing generosity, they’ll spread this culture to the rest of the congregation. Ask your church’s leadership to consider a sermon series or Bible study on giving that aligns with the focus of your women’s ministry. After all, a memorable sermon can turn one lesson on generosity into a community-wide conversation and lead to meaningful changes.

Establishing a culture of giving is at the heart of teaching women the truth about God’s calling on their lives. Jesus was the primary example of loving through servitude, and to follow in his footsteps, your ministry must encourage a spirit of generosity.