Shared Learning Experiences
Women need opportunities to learn and engage in continuing education experiences that are created by women to meet the unique needs of women.
Baptist Women in Ministry seeks to facilitate shared learning experiences to meet these needs.
Currently these opportunities take the form of Book Clubs and Lunch and Learn sessions. In the coming months, we are working to create more opportunities for women to grow their leadership, ministry skills, and theological perspectives in community with one another.
Book Clubs
Every spring and summer, BWIM hosts book clubs featuring different books written by women authors and engaging subjects related to women in ministry, leadership, and theology.
Book clubs normally meet once a week for 3-4 weeks, and often include a session with the author! Book clubs are also open to men who are supporters of women in ministry to learn more.
Fall 2025 Book Club
Every Monday in September Starting September 8th
6:30 PM ET / 5:30 PM CT
Join us for BWIM’s Fall Book Club on Khristi Lauren Adams latest book “Womanish Theology: Discovering God through the Lens of Black Girlhood.” Drawing from Adams’s own experiences—from childhood lessons with her grandmother to navigating grief—this book invites readers to rethink concepts like Scripture, salvation, prayer, and God’s image through the lived experiences of Black women. Through discussion, we’ll consider how womanish theology can enrich our own spiritual practices and how we can empower the next generation of women in ministry. Together, we’ll explore how the wisdom of Black girls can transform our understanding of God and community. Whether you’re new to theology or a seasoned member of the faith community, this fall’s book club offers a unique opportunity to deepen your spiritual journey and celebrate the voices of Black women in the church.
Registration Deadline: September 1st
Books we have previously discussed include:
Lunch & Learn Sessions
Throughout the year, BWIM Lunch and Learn sessions for women in ministry serving in Baptist contexts.
These sessions feature guest speakers who share about resources, ministry tools, or experiences of value to women in ministry and leadership. Topics have included financial literacy, using the enneagram in ministry, and self-care. Check out our event page for more information on the latest Lunch and Learn sessions.
BWIM’s Lunch and Learns have been instrumental in my formation as a minister. Most recently, I attended the session hosted by Rev. Nikki Hardeman about the Pastoral Search Process and resume writing. I was able to update, revise, and improve my resume after the conversation. This helped build my confidence and efficiently communicate my ministerial skills on paper. It came in handy as I submitted my resume to an open pastoral position later that week for an interview. I was able to prepare for my interview with a renewed sense of calling and vigor. By God’s grace and BWIM’s support, I have accepted a call to a new ministry setting. Consider joining the next Lunch and Learn. Who knows? It might just be what you need to learn through God’s grace and unexpected timing. You are not alone! – Rev. Joy Martinez-Marshall
Lunch and Learns | Imago D.E.I.: Ministering to the Margins
September 2025 – May 2026
Every First Tuesday
11:00 AM CT/ 12:00 PM ET
November 4 at 11AM CT/ 12 PM EST
Ministering to the Margins: The Native Community
Join BWIM for our new Lunch and Learn Series- Imago D.E.I.: Ministering to the Margins. Each month, we will discuss how ministers can honor the “imago dei” or the image of God in diverse communities in pursuit of truly equitable and inclusive theology and ministry practice.
Facilitator: Rev. Mariah Humphries, Executive Director, The Center for Peace Formation, Justice, and Peace
October 7 at 11AM CT/ 12 PM EST
Ministering to the Margins: Suvivors of Domestic Violence
Join BWIM for our new Lunch and Learn Series- Imago D.E.I.: Ministering to the Margins. Each month, we will discuss how ministers can honor the “imago dei” or the image of God in diverse communities in pursuit of truly equitable and inclusive theology and ministry practice.
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Geneece Goertzen, Domestic Violence Researcher and Survivor Advocate.
September 2nd at 11AM CT/ 12 PM EST
Ministering to the Margins: The Hispanic Community
Join BWIM for our new Lunch and Learn Series- Imago D.E.I.: Ministering to the Margins. Each month, we will discuss how ministers can honor the “imago dei” or the image of God in diverse communities in pursuit of truly equitable and inclusive theology and ministry practice.
Facilitator: Rev. Dr. Jessica Lugo, Executive Director of the Association for Hispanic Theological Education
Recent Past Lunch and Learns
February 4th at 11AM CT/ 12 PM EST
Preparing for the Job Search
Join us for a Lunch and Learn to discover a new resource specifically designed to empower women in their ministerial job search. This session will address common challenges women face, including navigating bias and discussing career breaks for caregiving responsibilities. We’ll delve into essential aspects of the search process, including crafting compelling resumes and cover letters, adapting your professional experience for ministry, and acing your interviews. This session is your opportunity to gain valuable insights and connect with a supportive community.
March 4th at 11AM CT/ 12 PM EST
Negotiating the Offer
Lunch and Learn Description Coming Soon!
April 1st at 11AM CT/ 12 PM EST
Leadership Development through Family Systems
Lunch and Learn Description Coming Soon!
May 6th at 11AM CT/ 12 PM EST
Sermon Development
This interactive workshop offers a crash course in sermon development—from initial idea to organized outline. In a supportive and practical environment, participants will walk through key steps in exegesis and sermon structure, gaining tools they can use immediately in their preaching practice. With guided instruction and hands-on exercises, attendees will leave with greater clarity, renewed confidence, and a solid outline ready for further development.
December 2024 Lunch and Learn
Tuesday, December 3rd at 12 pm EST
‘Tis the Season…for Grief: Holding Space for Grief and Loss During the Holidays
How do you navigate the season of joyful songs, colorful lights, and festive gatherings when you are grieving? How do you minister to those who have suffered loss while tending to your own grief? During this workshop, attendees will not only learn about spiritual practices that can create sacred space for coping with grief and loss during the holidays – we’ll also practice them together. Please have pens, pencils, colored pencils or markers and paper on hand for this workshop experience.
Facilitator: Rev. Tambi Swiney
October 2024 Lunch and Learn
Training Leaders with
Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes
It is so critical to ensure that we take the time to train those who work with us.
What does the heart of leadership feel like within your congregation?
What ways of knowing are synonymous with your leadership style? As a woman in ministry and leadership, what does authority look and sound like among those your serve?
Join us for a workshop on training leaders as we explore the importance of internionality and infrastructure within your teams.
Thursday, October 3rd
12pm EST / 11AM CST
September 2024 Lunch and Learn
📅 Tuesday, September 3, 2024 12 pm EST
👩🏿💻Presenter: Rev. LaThelma Yenn-Batah, Executive Director of American Baptist Women’s Ministries
Design Thinking and Innovation for Ministry Growth
Are you ready to transform your ministry with fresh ideas and innovative approaches? Join Baptist Women in Ministry for an engaging workshop on Design Thinking and Innovation, specifically tailored for women leaders dedicated to strengthening and growing their ministries. In this interactive session, we will explore the principles of design thinking—a human-centered approach to problem-solving that fosters creativity and collaboration.