4 Ways to Honor Your Church Mothers
In case you’ve missed it, Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and I’m here to help you celebrate!
Alongside the appropriate honor shown for the mothers who raised us, I would love for us to consider honoring the spiritual “mothers” in our churches.
Honoring our church mothers is about recognizing, listening to, and sustaining the women who are caring for the church.
In a cultural moment when many are trying to articulate where women fit within church structure, I think we need to pause the debate and take a moment to honor the essential cultivation, discipleship, and “mothering” (Gal 4:19, 1 Thess 2:7) done by women in your church.
No matter how your church is structured, it certainly relies on the faithful service of these ladies.
Here are 4 ways to honor the church mothers in your life and church.
1. Let her know her impact
Often, the work of spiritual mothering happens in quiet hallways, living rooms, and volunteer groups. However, her impact shouldn’t be a secret just because it’s not done on a stage.
Gratitude: A simple, personal note can mean the world to someone.
Gifts: Consider a tangible gift or a moment of rest from pouring out as individuals in your church are able. (Just note this could be taxable income if it comes from the church)
Recognition: Especially if she serves behind the scenes, find a way to showcase the value she adds to the whole church.
Reflect: Who has been a spiritual mother in your life?
In your current church?
How can you thank her for her role?
2. Listen to her wisdom
Mothers typically know best because they’re often on the front lines of care. Like the mom who knows exactly where her kids left their shoes, church mothers can often see our ministries’ blind spots and offer helpful solutions.
Invite her to the table: Let wise women and spiritual sisters know about and speak into important church decisions before they’re made.
Value her insight: Listen when she points out gaps in the ministry and take her proposed solutions seriously.
Reflect: Who is a wise woman serving your church?
What perspective does she offer that might be missing from your current leadership conversations?
How can you work to include her voice?
3. Check in on her
At UBA, we’ve noticed a significant soul care gap for women serving the body of Christ. When she's pouring out into everyone else, the question remains: who pours into her?
If a woman is constantly serving, she is at risk of burnout. Your church can serve her well by:
Checking in on her emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
Ensuring she has the accountability and support she needs to serve without having to do it all by herself.
If you find she has no one to pour into her, please invite her to UBA’s next quarterly Women in Ministry Check-in. We created these events and spaces specifically to bridge that care gap for women serving the church as staff, lay leaders, and pastors’ wives. Email me to get connected.
Email me to learn more about UBA’s check-ins for women in ministry.
Reflect: Which servant leader is God prompting you to encourage and check on today?
How can you ask what she needs?
4. Offer resources to sustain her
In many church contexts, a woman’s responsibilities might outpace the actual role she fills (and therefore access to the tools she needs). As churches are able, we should honor a woman’s faithful ministry by resourcing her with what she needs to thrive.
Align her role: Consider giving her a role that reflects the work she is already doing within your church's structure. If she’s a volunteer doing the work of a formal ministry leader, it’s harder for her to access the people, resources, and conversations she needs.
Invest in her: Provide her with continuing education, ministry budget, space in key meetings, and time for spiritual retreat as your church is able.
Reflect: What training and resource gaps exist for the women serving in your church?
How can your church encourage them to seek what they need to sustain and grow the ministry they provide?
As we look at your people this Sunday, let’s think beyond the temporary Mother’s Day flowers (although those are nice).
Instead, let’s consider: Who are the women caring for your church family? How can you and your church body move from appreciating them to truly sustaining them in ministry?
Let’s honor our spiritual mothers to ensure the church has a faith that feels like home.
Marie Burrus is a UBA Church Consultant and Communications Specialist. Her primary responsibilities are consulting on mission engagement, church communications, and women in ministry.
She also manages, edits, and contributes content for UBA's blog, website, and social media outlets.
Honoring church mothers is about recognizing, listening to, and sustaining the women who are caring for the church.