Peer Community Groups
BWIM’s Peer Community Groups are an opportunity for Baptist women who are in congregational or non-congregational ministry to connect with and learn from one another.
Women who serve in ministry will apply to be a part of a peer community group of 4 other female ministers with whom they have elements of commonality. Women can apply as an already-formed group of 4, or as an individual willing to be matched with three other women in ministry to gather virtually and/or in-person to cultivate community through conversation and prayer.
The Peer Community Group Experience: Flourish Together
Welcome to BWIM’s Flourish Together Peer Community Group application! This year long program (October 2025- October 2027) offers $1000-$1500 to peer community groups of comprised of 4 Baptist women in ministry. Women can apply as an already-formed group of 4, or as an individual willing to be matched with three other women in ministry to gather virtually and/or in-person to cultivate community through conversation and prayer. Before October 2026, each group will co-create an experience of spiritual renewal and community (e.g., retreat, conference, weekend gathering) using the Flourish Together Program funds ($1000-$1500, through reimbursement).
Why Peer Community Groups?
Matt Bloom’s seminal research study, Flourishing in Ministry: How to Cultivate Clergy Wellbeing (Rowman & Littlefield, 2019), describes the contributing factors to a minister’s ability to thrive. Among these factors is social support which has multiple forms—one of which is support from “similar others” or peers.
Too often women in ministry do not have “similar others” to interact with on their church staffs or in close geographic proximity to them. Isolation can be overwhelming and continues to be one of the prevalent contributors to clergy burnout.
From BWIM’s Mentoring Program, we have learned that women in ministry benefited not only from the relationship with a mentor, but also the peer relationships that formed throughout the program. We developed the Peer Community Groups program with the hope of providing these benefits to more Baptist women who are ministers.
BWIM’s Peer Community Groups Program seeks to provide an opportunity for women in ministry to connect with peers, combat the isolation which highly contributes to clergy burnout, and have a safe space to examine aspects of their overall wellbeing.
Who Can Join Peer Community Groups?
Women who serve in congregational or non-congregational ministry who looking for an opportunity to develop relationships with other women in ministry may apply to be a part of the Peer Community Groups program.
How Can I Join Peer Community Groups?
Applications open on August 11, 2025 and close on September 15, 2025.
Women can apply as an already-formed group of 4, or as an individual willing to be matched with three other women in ministry to gather virtually and/or in-person to cultivate community through conversation and prayer. Applicants will be placed in groups based on commonality in one of the following areas: geography, similar ministry roles, similar lengths of ministry tenure, or similar congregations (if serving as a congregational minister). Applicants also have the opportunity to share any additional factors that they may wish the BWIM staff to know as they consider the dynamics of various groups.