Seven Things that will revolutionize your Ministry to Men!

  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. 

 

 

1. 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? 

 

2. 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. 

 

 

3. 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.” 

 

4. 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. 

 

5. 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! 

 

 

6. 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. 

 

7. 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?  

 

What about all the discussion of mental illness in the church?

Recent events have thrust the issue of Mental Illness within churches across America. Pastors of mega-churches are writing articles for magazines, newspapers, and their own blogs. Several have had personal experiences with mental illness either through a family member or a member of their congregation.

Ok, I’m not a pastor of a mega-church, in fact, I’m not currently pastoring, just actively involved in my local church, and heading up a ministry called “Allen Ministry Resources”. I’m also a Chaplain at a State Psychiatric Hospital and have spent over 30 years in the substance abuse and mental health field. I’m very excited about the influx of pastors who are sharing their stories and informing the public about mental illness among the Christian population.  For too long we have allowed the world to define Mental Illness or explain our position on mental illness in the new media.

The question that has challenged man for centuries is simple and complex at the same time, “What is Mental Illness?” If there was an easy answer, it wouldn’t be an issue. In my view, mental illness is a disease of the mind, it is not a sin, it is not a moral failure, it is not a lapse in judgment, and it is not a demonic spirit, talking.   I believe that Mental Illness can be any of these, but mental illness is the mind not working correctly.

When I damaged the meniscus in my knee I could live with the pain, I prayed and had a number of friends pray for my healing. But the time came to see a doctor and get treatment. Which would eventually result in having two total knee replacements.  My family and friends encouraged me to go to the doctor, took me to my surgery and physical therapy appointments, and made sure I took my medication. What is different with our family, friends, and church members who suffer from mental illness?

I personally know some great Christian psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, and social workers who help people with mental illness stabilize their mental illness which helps them strengthen their relationship with God and the community. I also know some questionable pastors that at every turn, tell members to avoid those quacks (talking about the mental health professionals); and miss the opportunity to have some great Godly men and women in their church because those members remain untreated.

Pastor, I’m going to give you some breaking news: The estimate today is that over 18% (43 million adults over age 18 years old) of Americans suffer from some form of mental illness in the form of depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, bi-Polar, PTSD, and other diagnosable mental illness. The sad news is that they are also attending our churches. We can either ignore it or develop the attitude that we only need to pray for them or we can help them find comfort in God’s love through professional treatment.

My education consists of a Ph.D. in Psychology and Christian Counseling, and I have over thirty years of experience working within the mental health community and over 40 years in pastoral ministry. I have come to three collisions:

1)      Only God can diagnose whether an individual is demon-possessed, so if someone comes presenting symptoms of mental illness until God gives me clear wisdom and insight. I’m going to treat the one that is treatable and believe that God is going to honor that.  Just like with any other illness, I’m going to use the most modern methods and resources (medication and discussion with a professional) to help the person become stable and well.

 2)      The church is made of people with diverse opinions which include opinions on mental illness.  I believe it is a matter of what works best for the patient so he/she may function in his home, community, and in church. 

3)      As my current pastor always says, “God doesn’t want something from you, he wants something for you!” I am convinced that God wants the best for our family, friends, and church members that suffer from mental illness. This should include the best medication available, the best treatment options, the best doctors, and supportive family, friends, and church community until the day that God chooses to do the miracle and heal their minds and restore them to health.

     I’m convinced today that Pastors, Church Members, and Spiritual Family members should stop allowing the stigma that has impacted the church for so long that Mental Illness is something to simply pray about, and you will be healed. Don’t miss understand me no one believes God can do Miracles more than I do, I have seen him heal individuals both physically and mentally. However, as a professional counselor, chaplain, and pastor I will encourage them to get treatment until he does.  

By Dr. Don Allen, Jr