LEADERSHIP IDEA—January 2008
By Kathy Isaacs, State Women’s Ministries President, Louisiana

In the movie Love Comes Softly, Marty uses these words in describing the adventures of reading to Missy:

Once you can read, you can have every adventure you’ve ever dreamed of.  In the pages of a book, you are a princess in a tower or the best shot in the west.  In those pages there are no limits to where you can go, who you can be.  No one will ever tell you you’re too young to slay the dragon because it all happens right here where it’s safe.

In an effort to bring cohesion among the women across the large geographical state of Louisiana, I decided to start a book club as a part of our annual Women’s Conference.  Following the luncheon, each woman is presented her copy of the selected book.  She is asked to complete an email form which will add her to the mailing list for all devotionals and Bible studies associated with the book.  For the weeks between the Women’s Conference and the state camp meeting, several emails are sent each week.  Two mornings of the camp meeting we meet together for coffee prior to the morning service for our book club discussion.

Although we are not meeting in the same room, there is a unity that comes from more than 200 women turning the pages of the same book over a few weeks span.  The results have been so positive; we recently completed a fall book club.  Whether we were reading Jesus Loves Me by Calvin Miller, Living My Life as a Beautiful Offering by Angela Thomas, Falling in Love with Jesus by Dee Brestin and Kathy Trocolli, or Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers, God has brought the pages to life and we have seen healings and miracles happen as a result.  As a result of our state book club, many of our local churches have started their own, going through several books each year.

Steps to a State Book Club:

1.         Select a Book
Try to choose a book that will minister to women of all ages and deals with subject matter that crosses all borders.
2.         Purchase enough copies for each person
Check out the web for book wholesalers.  Many books can be purchased at a fraction of the cost of the local bookstore.  Shipping can be costly.  Make sure to order your books in plenty of time to save expediting fees.
3.         Advertise the book club
Let everyone know when the book will be unveiled.  Make it special.  I print gold seals and place them on the cover of each book.
4.         Introduce with Pizzazz
If possible, use DVD introduction by the author.  Tell about the author and give a synopsis of the book.  Make it so appealing they can’t wait to get started!
5.         Stay in touch
Get the necessary information to build a good email database.  Let them know when to expect your emails and how often.  Add others as the word gets out.

For a local church book club, you have the advantage of meeting together, utilizing DVD’s and small group leaders.  This is a great outreach tool, usually held in the spring and fall.

The Louisiana Sister Connection Book Club has become a highlight of the year.  Women begin asking in January what book has been selected.  Adventures really do happen in those pages and why not take a sister along on the adventure!

Many forums can be used for the book club emails.  Presently, I am using www.constantcontact.com.  Below you will see an example of one of our chapter emails.

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