{"id":14561,"date":"2024-01-31T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/?p=14561"},"modified":"2024-01-29T16:19:04","modified_gmt":"2024-01-29T21:19:04","slug":"celebrating-new-life-and-love-managing-baby-and-bridal-showers-with-grace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/celebrating-new-life-and-love-managing-baby-and-bridal-showers-with-grace\/","title":{"rendered":"Celebrating New Life and Love: Managing Baby and Bridal Showers with Grace"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Celebrating-New-Life-and-Love-Managing-Baby-and-Bridal-Showers-with-Grace.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Celebrating-New-Life-and-Love-Managing-Baby-and-Bridal-Showers-with-Grace.png\" alt=\"Practical insights and encouragement on how to navigate the beautiful celebrations of baby and bridal showers within the church community.\" class=\"wp-image-14563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Celebrating-New-Life-and-Love-Managing-Baby-and-Bridal-Showers-with-Grace.png 600w, https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Celebrating-New-Life-and-Love-Managing-Baby-and-Bridal-Showers-with-Grace-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Celebrating-New-Life-and-Love-Managing-Baby-and-Bridal-Showers-with-Grace-400x600.png 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Below you&#8217;ll find the show notes for episode EP 78, Celebrating New Life and Love: Managing Baby and Bridal Showers with Grace, from the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/womensministrytoolbox.com\/podcast\/\">Women&#8217;s Ministry Toolbox Podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"buzzsprout-player-14314067\"><\/div><script src=\"https:\/\/www.buzzsprout.com\/1675771\/14314067-ep-78-celebrating-new-life-and-love-managing-baby-and-bridal-showers-with-grace.js?container_id=buzzsprout-player-14314067&#038;player=small\" type=\"text\/javascript\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:13px\">Please note: This post contains affiliate links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Celebrating New Life and Love: Managing Baby and Bridal Showers with Grace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This series on Hot Topics and Hot Takes continues with a look at baby showers and bridal showers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A leader reached out and asked if I would cover this topic and I was happy to oblige.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a<strong> very nuanced topic<\/strong> and one that <strong>relies heavily on the precedent that has been set in your church<\/strong>. <em>That\u2019s not to say you can\u2019t make changes, but it\u2019s important to consider all the angles and minimize the hurt feelings that may occur.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10 different ways churches manage baby showers and bridal showers:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <strong>women\u2019s ministry may be responsible<\/strong> for hosting and scheduling baby and bridal showers for the entire congregation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Small groups <\/strong>may be encouraged to host showers for their small group members.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A shower is <strong>only given for the first-born and the first marriag<\/strong>e.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Every<\/strong> birth and adoptions are celebrated.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Firstborns receive a<strong> full shower<\/strong> and every child after receives a <strong>diaper shower<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>group baby shower<\/strong> is given to all moms who gave birth that year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Regular attendees and church members<\/strong> may be showered.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <strong>box<\/strong> is placed out for gifts, diapers, cards, or both.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baby showers are thrown for <strong>local pregnancy centers<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cash donations<\/strong> are collected for a group gift.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>No doubt there are more ways for babies and couples to be showered, but as you can see churches handle showers in a wide variety of ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In our church, our women\u2019s ministry team does not host baby or bridal showers. A small group may opt to host a shower and they can request to use space at the church, however, it\u2019s up to each group to decide what they want to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019m not here to offer a solution or suggestion for every church. <strong>I hope to pose some questions and ideas that will help you think through your ministry situation. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What\u2019s best for <em>your <\/em>church? <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What\u2019s best for <em>your<\/em> women\u2019s ministry program?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>I am not suggesting that you add baby and bridal showers to the things you\u2019re already doing.<\/strong> That\u2019s a decision that needs to be made based on the Lord\u2019s leading and in a discussion with the leaders in your church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Things to Consider<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are so many variables to consider \u2013 your church size, the ages of your attendees, the church and ministry budget, what\u2019s been done in the past, the mission of your church, and how your church is structured. Are most people connected to a small group or community group?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I strongly believe we have a <strong>responsibility to steward our resources and time well<\/strong> and baby and bridal showers can put a strain on both. Your team may also find that hosting showers doesn\u2019t align with your women\u2019s ministry mission statement or purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If your team is feeling the stress of hosting showers or the women in your church are feeling the strain of attending and buying gifts, maybe it\u2019s time for a frank discussion on what\u2019s best or what needs to change.<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>When I\u2019m confronted with a ministry dilemma, I start by answering some key questions.<\/strong> Doing so can help remove the emotional reaction I or other members of the team may be having.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Why are we doing this?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who will benefit?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What does God\u2019s Word say?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is the impact on our budget?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What is the time commitment? (planning and attendance)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Where does this fit with our purpose?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who will we reach?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who will be left out?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em>I\u2019m not saying the church or people in the church shouldn\u2019t throw baby or bridal showers, I just want you to make certain that you set a policy that best serves your church members and your women\u2019s ministry team.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Showers can be a beautiful, Christ-focused celebration.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Baby and bridal showers are one way we can <strong>love the women in our church body<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Baby and bridal showers <strong>provide an opportunity for us to speak God\u2019s Word over these celebrations.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Showers provide an opportunity for <strong>public prayers<\/strong> for these women and their new spouse or child.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some women <strong>may not have a family<\/strong> that will host a shower.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some women are very much in <strong>need of the practical items they will receive.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Showers provide an opportunity to <strong>celebrate God\u2019s provision and blessings<\/strong> in our lives.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You may have a woman or women in your church who take great <strong>joy in using their gifts to host <\/strong>showers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, there\u2019s so much to consider!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tips for hosting showers:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have a<strong> process for including women who are new to the church<\/strong> \u2013 you may decide to throw her a shower for her first baby with your church family.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a <strong>policy for situations <\/strong>in which the woman does not have a family or does not have a relationship with her family.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have <strong>one person as the contact person<\/strong> for every shower.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a <strong>list of guidelines<\/strong> for d\u00e9cor, budget, hosting, etc. so all events are treated as equally as possible.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How you handle less-than-ideal situations matters. <em>How will your church handle babies out of wedlock, pregnant brides, or other sticky situations? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I have a dear friend who was treated terribly when she became pregnant outside of marriage and it caused her to walk away from the church for years. Thank God she\u2019s back now, but our actions or lack of actions can cause some deep wounds. Talk with your pastor to find out how they expect you to handle situations that may come up and what policies are already in place that you need to honor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Additional things to consider:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>You may need to encourage your church to put into place a <strong>form, rental fee, and policies for renting out your church<\/strong> for showers if you are allowing church members (or those outside the church) to host showers in your building.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Be mindful of the precedent you are establishing. <\/strong>What is done for one person will be expected by others.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>It\u2019s easy to miss a need.<\/strong> Even in the smallest churches, celebrations can slip through the cracks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>How will adoptions be handled? <\/strong>Will older children who are adopted receive a shower of some kind too?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consider alternative ideas<\/strong> for celebrating that don\u2019t involve a shower such as setting out a box to collect cards or inviting people to drop off grocery items to pack the pantry for brides and grooms, or diaper showers for new babies. Perhaps a welcome baby basket would be more appropriate.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p>As a deacon\u2019s wife in our church, we have created <strong>newborn baskets<\/strong> that we drop off when the baby is about 3 weeks old or older. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Newborn Baskets include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A pack of <a href=\"https:\/\/thedailygraceco.com\/products\/postpartum-verse-card-set\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">post-partum prayer cards from Daily Grace<\/a> (use code: WOMENSMINISTRYTOOLBOX to save 10%)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The book <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3HziyCB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">5 Things to Pray for Your Kids<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The board book <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3Ok4RuM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">Psalm 23<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/48a4ZV7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">onesie <\/a>with our church logo and the words \u201cloves me\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A nice custom diaper bag tag, also with our logo on it. <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>We put all of the items in a small <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3udjWYo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow\">reusable plastic basket<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What a wonderful opportunity we have to celebrate babies and marriages with our church family! <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>I pray God will guide you, your team, and your church staff to consider the best way to celebrate these blessings. I pray it will be clear how you can share God\u2019s love in a way that doesn\u2019t place a burden on the people in your church or on a single ministry team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Toolbox Tasks:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Review your church&#8217;s policy<\/strong> for baby and bridal showers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a <strong>discussion with your team<\/strong> about any impact this may have on your ministry team and any changes you might want to suggest are made.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Take some time to pray for the families<\/strong> that you know are getting married and having babies this year.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you do nothing other than pray for these families, what an amazing blessing that would be!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Below you&#8217;ll find the show notes for episode EP 78, Celebrating New Life and Love: Managing Baby and Bridal Showers with Grace, from the\u00a0Women&#8217;s Ministry Toolbox Podcast. Please note: This post contains affiliate links. Celebrating New Life and Love: Managing Baby and Bridal Showers with Grace This series on Hot Topics and Hot Takes continues&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14563,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[585],"tags":[682,683,684],"class_list":["post-14561","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-event-planning","tag-baby-shower","tag-bridal-shower","tag-showers"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Celebrating New Life and Love: Managing Baby and Bridal Showers with Grace - 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