Introduction:
As you take the challenge to Minister to Men, you must have your own house in order, you must strengthen and develop your own personal relationship with Christ, and then Minister to Men at their place of Christian Growth.
Understanding that Ministering to Men cannot be an afterthought it must become the central thought of your ministry, it must become the central theme of the church, and you must step up to the plate to change the very culture you live in. When I (Dr. Don Allen) started in ministry in the 1970s the norm was to build a successful bus ministry and the families will flock to your church, have a ministry to women, and the church will grow.
The reality of Men’s ministry is not having men show up on Sunday morning, and serve as greeters, ushers, elders, worship leaders, etc. That is a ministry that is not men’s ministry. Men’s ministry is encouraging, equipping, and engaging men not only in ministry but fellowship with other men.
Understanding the Importance of why we Minister to Men?
“If you lead a child to Christ:
3.5% of their FAMILIES follow
If you lead a mother to Christ:
7% of their families follow
HOWEVER… If you lead a FATHER to Christ:
93% of their families follow
Statistics from Evangelicals Now (July 2003)
It is imperative for both the Men’s Ministry Leader and Pastor to share the same vision and bring the Men to the forefront of the church.
You must settle this personal matter first ….
I MUST: “Know that I know” I have a personal relationship with Christ!
Christ must be real in your life!
You have asked HIM to take up residence in your heart!
The question is simple “Have you had a personal encounter with Christ, and know him as your savior?
You must have quality personal prayer time with Christ!
If I’m honest with myself there is a part of me that is jealous of the Twelve Disciples, and how they had a chance to sit and talk with Jesus one on one!
Walter A. Mueller stated … Prayer is not merely an occasional impulse to which we respond when we are in trouble: prayer is a life attitude.
Are you not only praying for your family and personal needs but are you praying for your pastor and the men within your church? For their personal encounter with Christ, God is helping them to be the man of God not only in their family but the church and community.
You must have a structured scripture reading program (devotional)
You must have a plan to follow if you don’t you spend a lot of time looking for things to do and not doing anything.
An Anonymous writer stated: “Reading the Bible without meditating on it is like trying to eat without swallowing.”
You must have an accountability partner that will encourage you and challenge your thinking.
You need someone to challenge your thinking, your actions, and your relationships.
Understand that as a Men’s leader, this individual is not your wife or girlfriend (she is a major resource to help you), but she can not take the place of a Godly man to help you navigate being a Men’s Leader!
An accountability partner is a person who coaches another person in terms of helping the other person keep a commitment.
You must have both a strong professional and personal relationship with your pastor! (Remember he is one of the Men you’re ministering to.)
I’m very saddened today by the number of men in the church that don’t have a personal relationship with their pastor!
THOUGHT FOR THE PASTOR … You want your church to grow and effectively minister to men. Get out of the office, and into the fellowship. However, don’t lead fellowship!
THOUGHT FOR THE MEN … Don’t expect your pastor to do your job; he is there to fellowship, not lead … Grow up and take the challenge to be a Minister to Men!
You must have a defined and clear Vision & Mission Statement of what God wants your Ministry to Men to accomplish!
What do you want to accomplish as a Minister to men?
See men get saved
See men grow spirituality
See men have a good time and have fellowship
See men disciple other men
Personal note by Dr. Don Allen here:
I’m scared too many men leaders, have convinced themselves that men’s ministry can only happen within the walls of the church. Saturday breakfast, small groups, etc. Can I be honest, having done men’s ministry now for over 20 years, the most amazing ministry opportunities happen at events outside the four walls of the church, for example, the shooting range, at a men’s retreat, on a mission trip to help another ministry, at the bowling alley, and the list goes on.
Gentlemen, it is time to get out of your comfort zone and minister to men where they are at!
Put it in writing and aim to accomplish your goal over the next two years.
You must be willing to continue to grow, learn, and develop yourself as we Minster to Men.
What are you learning, so that you can share it with the men you lead?
Are you reading the writings of some of the great Men’s Ministry leaders to see how they are reaching men?
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