Small groups prepare women to move in the same direction in the future. Carl George, a small group expert, says the primary purpose of small groups is koinonea . His secondary purpose is church growth through evangelism and community service. Though we recommend George s training tapes, they must be adapted for women s ministry, as sometimes evangelism and community service need to wait on healing. A healthy women s ministry in each church area strengthens the overall health of that church.
Many areas report groundswells of energy and momentum once small groups are in full swing.
The bonding from small groups for women leads to a successful women s ministry program. Women's ministry small groups eventually feed into the mixed groups as women gain experience, confidence and a sense of safety. Even so, there will always be a role for all-female groups because of topics they may not wish to discuss in front of men, and for leadership development. It is most beneficial toward maintaining their uniqueness and freedom to have direct communication and contact with the women s ministry coordinator and women s ministry small groups coordinator, rather than through another person. To promote communication and further training, the coordinator of the women s ministry small groups could be a liason to the church-wide small groups coordinator.