frequently asked questions
General Questions
Getting Started
Members' Questions
What is Girlfriends Unlimited?
Girlfriends Unlimited is a new approach to women's ministry. It looks different, sounds different, and feels different. It casts a new vision for reaching and connecting women in the church, one that's filled with fun and energy.
In today's overscheduled world, most women don't have the opportunity to form true friendships and just have fun together. Friendship is one of God's special gifts to us and we think every woman should experience it. And what better place than in the church!
Girlfriends Unlimited centers on bringing women together in casual, fun settings so that they can meet new friends or are comfortable bringing old friends. It offers over-the-top themed events called G! Events where women might play games, experience pampering, or find entertainment (why not hire a comedian?). Or they may engage in helpful demonstrations (maybe the three top self-defense techniques) or create crafts. No matter what, it's good ol' fashioned fun! Don't worry, you don't have to invent it. We'll tell you how! You'll follow our step-by-step guides or take some of the ideas and make them your own.
Girlfriends Unlimited also offers smaller "Girlfriends' Night Out" experiences that gather the women in your group together to connect with one another. We'll provide the how-to guides each month with themes like spa, fitness, creative expression, and more.
To offer women the chance to develop friendships in a smaller setting, many Girlfriends Unlimited Connections have G! Groups. These are special interest groups that focus on activities like hiking, scrapbooking, movies, cooking, and so on.
G! Groups often commit to giving back to the community through projects such as hiking to raise money for cancer research, making quilts for babies in the hospital, or providing meals for someone in need. It's fun with a purpose!
And for you, the Girlfriends Unlimited leader, you'll get ongoing training and support and resources galore! For example, each month we'll provide resources for your leadership team on topics such as prayer, conflict resolution, recruiting, and more.
There are so many things you get when you start a Girlfriends Unlimited Connection! Find out about all the benefits of membership!
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How is Girlfriends Unlimited different from my current women's ministry?
Most churches offer Bible studies, prayer groups, and the occasional women's tea. These are all wonderful and meet the needs of one group of women in your church. But there is a large group of women inside and outside the church for whom these activities seem intimidating or simply "not for me." Many women are not "there yet" in their faith. Girlfriends Unlimited provides an inviting, non-threatening way for women to step inside the church and begin to build a relationship with other Christian women, and eventually a stronger relationship with Jesus. They come for the fun and stay for God's love.
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Do individuals have to "join" Girlfriends Unlimited?
No. Individual women do not join Girlfriends Unlimited. A church joins Girlfriends Unlimited and with their membership monthly how-to guides and instructions. Any woman is invited to participate in the activities.
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How much does it cost to start a Girlfriends Unlimited, and what's included?
To start a Girlfriends Unlimited is $299, which covers the annual membership fee and the set-up and starter kit fees. After your first year, you renew for just $149. For this low annual membership, you receive all these benefits:
- Experience Guides. You'll be able to download "Girlfriends' Night
Out" experiences to use immediately with themes like spa, fitness, creative expression, and more! These provide the opportunity to gather women in (and outside!) your church together to build friendships and just have fun!
- Monthly Leadership Resource Guides. Each month you'll receive a leadership tool to help you sustain your ministry. You might get team-building or affirmation experiences to do with your leaders, or information on subjects like prayer, conflict resolution, or recruitment. No matter what, these will fill you with encouragement and energy.
- Large Themed Event Guides. Receive detailed instructions for holding a larger, pull-out-all-the-stops themed event. These big events are wonderful and bring women from throughout the community into your church. Very effective outreach!
- Members-only Chats. Exchange ideas and tips with other "Girlriends."
- Monthly Online Consultation. Each month, the founders, Patty and Lisa, will be online to offer advice, ideas, and support.
- G! Gear Merchandise. As a Girlfriends Unlimited Connection, you'll be able to purchase our customized items to sell during your programs and events. This enables many Connections to fund themselves — and it creates excitement about Girlfriends with women in your church and community.
- Outreach. Girlfriends Unlimited serves as a powerful outreach tool. It is a wonderful "front porch" for churches to attract women that may not otherwise experience the church.
- 20% Discount on Group's Women's Ministry Resources. Member Connections will enjoy a 20% discount on all of Group's incredible women's ministry products. Select from retreat kits to Girl's Night Out party kits to books and more!
- Girlfriends Unlimited. You'll have the legal ability to use the Girlfriends Unlimited name and logo and gain brand identity.
- Unlimited Girlfriends who share your passion for women and for the Lord!
- And we make sure you get off to a great start. With your first year's membership, you get everything you need to get going!
- Training Guide. Gives you the step-by-step process to start Girlfriends Unlimited, including suggested structure, roles of participants, and even ice-breakers and games.
- Promotional Material. You get a CD with the logo file, letterhead template, flyer template, article drafts for your church bulletin, and more. Plus, it has the Girlfriends Unlimited theme song to play at all your events!
- "Cast the Vision" DVD. This contains the three videos on this website to share with others to cast the vision for the potential of Girlfriends Unlimited. It also has two "commercials" to attract women in your church.
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How do I start a Girlfriends Unlimited Connection?
Starting a Girlfriends Unlimited is easy. Just visit www.girlfriendsunlimited.com. You can start your membership online. Once you've signed up, we'll send your starter kit, which includes the training guide on how to set up your Girlfriends Unlimited Connection, a DVD with videos to help you cast the vision and recruit participants, and a CD with both music and reproducible promotional materials.
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How long does my membership last?
Your church's membership lasts one year and will renew one year from your starting date. Renewal is only $149.
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Do I have to be a church to start a Girlfriends Unlimited Connection?
No. Anyone can start a Girlfriends Unlimited. Maybe you have a group in your neighborhood that would like to start a Connection. Go for it!
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For what size church or group is Girlfriends Unlimited designed?
The beauty of Girlfriends Unlimited is that it can work with any size group. You pick and choose the pieces of the program that will work best for your group based on the number of women in your church or the number of volunteers you have on your team.
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Is Girlfriends Unlimited affiliated with any denomination?
Girlfriends is not affiliated with any denomination. It is meant for any group interested in connecting women — helping them build relationships with each other and, ultimately, Jesus.
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Why can't just anyone buy the G! Gear (the t-shirts, mugs, charms,
etc.)?
We respect the fact that many women's ministry programs have limited budgets. The availability of our G! Gear was designed to help these ministries raise funds to support themselves. Access to the G! Gear is one of the benefits of being a member church. Want to buy something for yourself? Talk with the Girlfriends Unlimited leader at your church.
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How can I "talk" with other Girlfriends Unlimited Connections?
Chat with other Girlfriends Unlimited Connections in the Members Only section of our website. Here you can get great ideas from other groups. Inspire other women.
Ask questions. And, once a month, the "original girlfriends," creators Patty and Lisa, will be online to chat.
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How do I get my discount to Group's other women's ministry resources?
Your Girlfriends Unlimited leader can access the Members Only section of our website to purchase Group's women's ministry resources at a 20% discount. This is a special benefit offered to member churches and must be done through the Boutique on www.girlfriendsunlimited.com.
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