Leadership Teams that Work

I spent over 20 years in Women’s Ministry leadership—serving in churches and encouraging leaders through WomensMinistry.net, founded by Philip and Jennifer Rothschild. So much of what I do today grew out of what I learned in that season, especially when it comes to coaching leaders.

Back in the ’90s, I created a little list of the kind of women I’d want on a ministry leadership team—people who would help make it thrive. I shared it online at the time, and recently, I stumbled across it in an old archive. Honestly? It still holds up.

Because here’s the thing: every strong ministry starts with a strong team. And not just any team—a diverse one, with different strengths and gifts. Here’s a quick rundown of the roles that can really make a difference:

• The Visionary – The big-picture dreamer. She sees where the ministry could go in five or ten years and isn’t afraid to dream boldly.
• The Shepherd – Her heart beats for the women you’re serving. She stays grounded in love, prayer, and truth, keeping the team spiritually centered.
• The Administrator – The detail pro. She organizes the chaos and makes sure things actually get done.
• The Encourager – She’s the hype woman of the group, always cheering others on and keeping morale high.
• The Worker – She rolls up her sleeves and makes it happen—whether it’s setting up chairs, leading sessions, or jumping in wherever she’s needed.
• The Prayer Warrior – The quiet strength behind the scenes. She prays faithfully over the ministry, the events, and each woman on the team.

If you’re building a leadership team, pray for these roles to be filled by the right people. God has a beautiful way of blending personalities and spiritual gifts to create something powerful.

With Joy,