Last year we published a couple of articles on how to start a book club. For those of you who missed them, here are links to those articles:
Book Clubs 101
Book Clubs 102

In the month of March we will look at what is working for women's ministries that currently have book clubs and share some reviews of recommended books. If you have a successful book club or a book that your women loved... send me an email about it.

Dottie James sent us this idea of a variation on a book club that their church does each summer.

We call our summer book club Books and Breakfast.

Early in the summer, we have three different books available. Usually one fiction, one devotional in nature, and one more instructional. For example, in 2007 our books were Dying Declaration by Randy Singer, Potluck: Parables of Giving, Taking, and Belonging by Kim Thomas, and Live Like You Mean It: Seven Celebrations to Rejuvenate Your Soul by Kathy Troccoli.

We try to offer a variety of books to appeal to a variety of women. We purchase the books through an online seller and pass along the savings by pricing them at our cost, which is below the cover price. They are made available in an attractive display in the main hallway of the church.

In mid-August we hold a Saturday morning breakfast with book discussion groups. When registering for the breakfast, each woman indicates which discussion she wants to attend.

Discussion leaders are recruited from the women who informally tell me how much they are enjoying a certain book.

Breakfast can be as simple as muffins and fruit with yogurt and granola, or more elaborate. Last year, we purchased individual soufflés from a local café and added warehouse club bakery nutbreads and fruit. (Churches with better kitchen facilities than we have could actually have volunteer cooks. Not an option for us!)

This is a very popular activity. Usually by Memorial Day women are asking me when the books are coming. Even those who know they won't be in town for the breakfast still enjoy reading along and engaging in informal discussions. They love that they can pick-up the books on Sunday while at church, no extra shopping trips or shipping charges.

It is an easy activity to organize that gives my ministry team a much needed break in the summer, and yet still provides the ministry a lot of visibility in the church. Win-win all around.

My children are exposed to a lot of negativity at school, and it's adversely impacting them. How can I diminish the negative impact?

View Jennifer's video response: Control the Negative Forces

The best information we receive about the nuts and bolts of Women's Ministry is when we hear what you all are doing "in the trenches." Our weekly poll is your opportunity to share your expertise and knowledge with all of our subscribers!

Each week we ask a question, and share a link for you to post your answers. The following week we provide a link where you can see the results of the question, along with a new question. It takes just a minute, and your input is immediately added.

This week's question is:

Which of the following areas would you most like to improve in personally?

Answer the question HERE.

Here are the results from recent polls.

Last week we asked you about the ministries your church's women's ministry offers. You responded by letting us know that these are the top eight areas of service:

• Special Events - 89%
• Evening Bible Studies - 73%
• Prayer - 69%
• Daytime Bible Studies - 63%
• Community Outreach - 51%
• Missions - 47%
• Mentoring - 43%
• Sunday Bible Studies - 35%

Interesting Findings: Other areas of service included among these are ministry to aging women, single moms, middle school/high school/college young women, working women, women facing divorce, the poor and disadvantaged, Saturday Bible studies, women facing domestic violence, homeschooling moms, women dealing with infertility and women dealing with eating disorders.

Which of the following best describes your perspective on ministry?

• I consider myself to be a professional ministry leader - 11%
• I simply desire to fulfill God's calling on my life - 74%
• I have a passion to reach women and want to do my part - 65%
• It's difficult to minister in my situation, but I'm doing the best I can - 8%

Interesting findings: The majority of women's ministry leaders have a calling to lead while the majority of women who serve on teams or teach have a passion to reach women. Also, women who are in paid women's ministry positions generally have positive ministry situations, while women who volunteer or are pastor's wives face some difficulties.

Does your ministry include an opportunity for women to mentor other women?

• Yes - 61%
• No - 39%

Interesting findings: 39% of you felt that the overall success of your mentoring program was "good" and 33% said that it was satisfactory.

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Following the Shepherd Mentoring Program

Self Talk, Soul Talk Blog

Everyone has the same amount of time, but those who are effective in their ministries have learned to manage their time more wisely. Some tips that might help:

Know your job description. Having a clear job description will help you focus your tasks and know how to spend your time. You can avoid tasks that you really shouldn't be doing and instead spend your time effectively on the tasks that are really important.

Keep a time log to analyze your time usage. Take a week to write down in fifteen-minute increments how you use your time. You may be surprised to see where your time is going! Take a look at the percentages of where you are spending your time. Are they in the areas where you should focus? If not, some adjusting may be in order.

Eliminate time wasters. Your time log can also point out activities that reduce your efficiency or waste your time. Are you tempted to answer the phone every time it rings? Turn the ringer off during your productive time periods. Close your door to avoid chatty office workers (but don't go too far - remember, Jesus took advantage of interruptions to minister to people!).

Find a calendar system that works for you. Find a system where you can keep appointments, contact information, and your to-do list. Whether you use an electronic organizer, paper organizer, or even a scratch paper notepad you carry around, whatever system that helps you get things done and remember important information - use it!

Block out sections of time to accomplish your key tasks (sermon preparation, planning, etc.). Schedule these in the time of day that you are most alert and most creative. Avoid scheduling appointments during these times so you can accomplish your tasks more quickly.

©2003 Angela Yee, author and speaker on "Organizing for Ministry" www.summit starpress.com

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From one tool to another, I thank you from the very depths of my heart for your wonderful article, "Tool Talk." It was amazing timing on God's part as I am sitting in a hotel room right this very minute. This weekend, I am one of two speakers at a conference in North Carolina. By the way, they found me through womensministry.net and flew me in from California. May God continue to use and bless your fabulous ministry! ~ Dori Drabek

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