A Christian woman’s event is a place to learn and be encouraged. Therefore, it makes sense to place a strong emphasis on the quality of your speaker. Here are a few key considerations to keep in mind when selecting a speaker for your women’s event.
You don’t have to hire a professional speaker to have an enriching and encouraging women’s event at your church.
Luckily, the Word of God speaks for itself! It is important to find someone who takes that seriously and speaks with grace and humility.
So where do you start? How do you choose a speaker for your women’s event?
Let’s consider a few things before you select that speaker.
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Image by Hannah Busing via Unsplash.
How to Select a Speaker for a Ladies’ Day or Women’s Retreat
A speaker for your women’s event should be experienced in the topic, available for your event, and a credible representative of Scripture. While this may feel limiting, it actually broadens our scope as we look for a speaker.
You’re Booking a Teacher, Not Talent
I say this out of the gate because I feel like we can easily fall into the category of getting our ears tickled (2 Timothy 4:3-4) instead of truly seeking the word of God. If the women in your congregation tend to lean that way, it’s all the more important that you select a speaker based on their knowledge.
Hiring talent means you focus on how someone presents themselves. You are searching for someone who will draw a crowd and make your guests comfortable and willing to return.
Hiring a speaker means you are focused on a message. The way that the teacher communicates is important because we want someone to be humble and graceful. But not at the expense of helpful, Christian rebuke.
A speaker will also focus on the truth found in the Word of God, not making your guests feel comfortable. This is important because there are facets of Scripture that are clear in the way they influence someone’s relationship with God. A speaker will stand firm in the truth, no matter how your guests might feel.
At the end of the day, feelings are fleeting. We want them to carry a message that will last a lifetime, that message being God’s Word.
Speakers Should Be Experienced in Subject Matter
No one would take my homemaking blog seriously if I didn’t practice what I wrote about. If I were a working woman who spent little time at home, why would anyone believe my focus is staying at home?
In the same vein, your women’s event speaker needs to know what she’s talking about.
For example, if you’re talking about the power of words, perhaps you start your search with a woman who writes or speaks for a living. These are women who work, day in and day out, with this type of material.
But these women don’t have to be seasoned arguers or have a list of people they can’t talk to because they hurt their feelings. We know that words can hurt or edify. But perhaps you start with someone who writes for a living to emphasize that point.
If your theme is garden-related or animal-related, start your search with a farmer or a gardener. These women will have firsthand knowledge about the time, energy, and patience God’s creation requires of us.
Her experience doesn’t have to come firsthand. Perhaps your theme is walking through hard times. You can choose to select the daughter of a cancer patient, not necessarily someone who has had cancer themselves. If the topic tends to be tender, you can look for someone close to the topic.
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Professional Might Not Be Better Than Personal
The right speaker doesn’t always have to be a professional speaker! That is a key factor when selecting your speaker.
Humans tend to idolize professionals, no matter their field of expertise. That is why they’re so awe-inspiring – they are the best at what they do!
However, a personal touch may lend itself better to a speaker for a women’s event. In our area, we use our church ladies’ day as an outreach to our community. We may have more women attend if we opt for a speaker our community is familiar with.
That personal element can bring a lot to a woman’s event. Consider looking within your own congregation for your speaker!
Always Be Looking
Women’s ministry leaders may be speakers on a circuit. You may have to travel to hear a women’s ministry speaker. It is worth the drive, time, and energy to make that connection!
If you aren’t able to travel for a women’s ministry event, try visiting a local congregation or asking your friend group. There are talented, faithful women all around you who are just waiting for the opportunity to speak.
This search should be year-round. It’s something that you can periodically come back to. The key here is to always be looking for your next women’s speaker.
In reality, if you choose a speaker who works on a sort of circuit, they may schedule several months, if not years, in advance. When you visit area events, make connections, and stay connected, you can stay on top of a speaker’s schedule and potentially get them on your schedule.
Look Within Your Congregation
Every congregation is filled with talented women who deserve the opportunity to use their talents for the Lord. Give it to them!
Before you spend time and money hiring a speaker from outside, look at your own congregation and ask the women if they would be willing to share their wisdom and experience.
Remember – you don’t have to hire a professional speaker! Anyone can share their experience in hopes that they glorify God.
Work With Another Congregation
Hiring a speaker can be expensive. If you are covering the cost of travel, room and board, meals, and a speaker’s fee, those costs can add up quickly!
Consider partnering with a local congregation for your speaker! You can hire the speaker for both events and share the cost.
If you pursue this option, you might not have to find the speaker. You are instantly tapping into the network the other congregation has. How many more speaker possibilities could be awaiting you when you work with another congregation?
Consider What Your Women Need
Set aside the type of speaker you want to hire and consider what your women need.
Do they need a lesson on humility? The Christian graces? Sisterhood?
Your topic or theme for your event could dictate your next speaker.
Related Blog Posts
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Theme Ideas for a Ladies’ Day or Women’s Ministry Event
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