The PCNSW Women's Ministry Committee (WMC) and Ministry and Mission (M&M) have partnered together, creating a grant to encourage and support PCNSW churches to employ women to serve in gospel ministry. We believe our Lord calls both men and women into His service, and equipping them to teach, train and evangelise in appropriate contexts in the local Church and community. We recognise the significant financial barriers churches face when seeking to employ women in ministry and are committed to help fund these roles so that PCNSW Churches can thrive as we live out God's good design for men and women in the Church, and see the furthering of His kingdom.

The grant is funded through the Parish Development Fund (PDF) which exists to create a source of finance for the development of new congregations and the expansion of existing churches. (PCNSW Code C4.07)

Who should apply for the Women in Ministry Grant?

• PCNSW churches seeking to employ a female ministry worker (two days per week or more) in discipleship and gospel ministry within a Complementarian framework, with the role structured within clearly defined and suitable days.
• PCNSW churches that are seeking to expand the role of an established female ministry worker in gospel ministry within a Complementarian framework.

Do we need to have a Candidate in mind?

No. You are welcome to apply for the grant, and the WMC will support you through the recruitment process.

Are there restrictions on the Women in Ministry Grant?

1. The grant is not available for administrative roles.
2. The grant is only available in complementarian ministry contexts.
3. The employing church must be able to fund at least one day of the ministry role.

How does the Women in Ministry Grant work?

1. Applicants must submit the Women in Ministry Grant Application to sylsiu@pcnsw.org.au by Monday 1 September, 2026.
2. The Women's Ministry Committee will examine proposals for strategic ministry value and financial soundness before making a recommendation to Ministry and Mission for their further consideration and determination.
3. After making their own assessment of the proposal, M&M will match up to 1 day per week of the Deaconess Package for up to 5 years, typically but not necessarily on a descending scale of 100% of one day in the first year, 80% of one day in the second year, and 60% of one day in the third year, etc.
4. Grants recipients will submit bi-annual reports to the Women's Ministry Committee.
5. The WMC will make recommendations to M&M about continued funding for the role.
6. The number of grants made in any given year will depend on the availability of funds in the Parish Development Fund (PDF), taking into account applications for Church Planting and Church Revitalisation, and any other eligible applications.

Selection Criteria:

Preference will be given to roles that demonstrate a clear strategy for developing and equipping more women for discipleship and ministry leadership, fostering a culture of intentional training and long-term sustainability in women's gospel work.

Applicants must demonstrate clearly defined pathways for accountability, supervision, and pastoral support within the church leadership (e.g. reporting to Session or a designated ministry leader, and access to mentoring and ongoing theological formation). This ensures the ministry worker is supported, integrated into the life and governance of the church, and that her role contributes to the long-term flourishing of gospel ministry in that context.

Churches seeking to employ a female ministry worker in a part-time role must ensure the role is structured within clearly defined and suitable days to allow flexibility for supplementary employment if required.

Applications must demonstrate how the appointment of a woman will provide a distinctive gospel contribution in this role, and in strengthening the church's ministry to women within a Complementarian framework.

Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to fund at least one day per week of the role from Church resources and outline a realistic financial pathway for increasing support of the position over future years, with the aim of long-term sustainability beyond the grant period.

We invite all prospective applicants to join a Zoom Q&A session on Monday 17th August at 7pm, where we'll answer questions and provide further guidance about the grant process.

Please note: If you are unsure of your eligibility as outlined in these guidelines, or have any questions, please contact Sylvia Siu BEFORE completing the Enquiry Form.