3 Important On-Ramps for Your Men’s Ministry

In every church, several different on-ramps into the men’s ministry, which provide opportunity for involvement, need to exist. Men often enter the life of the church for varying reasons. Some attend out of habit or tradition. On one end of the spectrum are leaders in a church who are heavily involved in providing spiritual oversight and active ministry to others. On the opposite end of this yardstick are men who are involved at a low commitment level. They may attend a worship service one Sunday a month and little else. How does an active, effective men’s ministry capture the attention of all the men along this spectrum, as well as those who are not yet attending or interested in the church? The following three-pronged approach is a winning strategy for attracting and involving men in ministry. The main idea: There must be a strategic reason for putting on any event!

Come and listen events

Some think the entirety of men’s ministry is simply a monthly breakfast held on the first Saturday of the month or a time of service where men do chores for the church. And indeed, these types of activities do constitute many church’s men’s ministries. But so much more can be accomplished with an effective, well thought out strategy. The first type of activity to consider is the come and listen event. This meeting is open to all. The only ask, the only commitment requested is that men attend and be open to what the speaker or presenter has to say.

Some folks call this type of gathering a flag-pole event. Why? Because it is open to all, and the event raises the flag for this particular ministry. During this event we are waving the flag of men’s ministry. This is the type of meeting where food is served, and a guest speaker or teacher might present an introductory type of lesson. Maybe the gospel is explained in a clear manner and men are invited to investigate the truth claims of Christianity. Worship music may or may not be included but if so, the songs are often brief and upbeat. At my home church this event is held seven times a year and is called Man Church. The speakers address the needs of men. Maybe your church determines to hold one of these events four times a year, once a quarter.

In my travels and work consulting churches on developing effective men’s ministries, I have heard of come and listen type of events where muscle cars, motorcycles or hot rods are displayed. Others serve grilled hamburgers or thick steaks. Lots of churches hold wild game nights where hunters and fishermen are encouraged to attend by serving fish, pheasant, quail, and venison.

There is no set formula for these events. Men’s ministry teams should hold events they believe will appeal to the men in their geographic community. To reiterate, this is an entry-level, low commitment type of event. What is being asked of the men? That they simply attend and maybe that they invite and bring a neighbor, friend, or colleague from work. The best guest speaker at this event is someone who can connect with men. Effective choices include a successful thinker from the marketplace, a former or current professional athlete, a military or political leader, or a man with an outstanding testimony of overcoming adversity. I have heard amazing presentations from men who have overcome addictions, clear speakers who present the complexity of the gospel message in simple, easy to understand ways, and godly Bible teachers with long track records of healthy marriages and families.

Obviously, Jesus Christ is our highest role model. And ultimately, all men are frail and but dust. But there is also nothing wrong with learning from other men who are fighting the good fight of faith and striving to be godly men. The apostle Paul encouraged men to give honor to whom honor is due (Romans 13:7). The come and listen large event is a foundational mainstay of an effective, growing men’s ministry.

Come and learn events

This second type of event builds upon the first and asks men for a bit more involvement and commitment. This type of gathering often features worship and Bible teaching. Men may be broken up into small groups for reflection and discussion. The men are asked not only to attend (come and listen) but also to study their lesson beforehand or come prepared to discuss the answers they produced during the week. An example of this style of event is the popular Bible Study Fellowship groups that meet across the country. Another come and learn gathering is called Men’s Fraternity.

            This type of event is held more frequently than the first and requires deeper levels of commitment and learning. Perhaps an introductory book on a spiritual topic or Bible lesson is the starting point. Men can be challenged to complete specific Bible studies or learn about the doctrines and theology of their faith. Some men’s ministries offer elective or “hot topic” classes on marriage or fathering.

These come and learn events may not be the best starting point for a visitor. Perhaps a first timer would feel more welcome at a come and listen meeting. But over time, challenge men: we want you to get involved in the men’s ministry at our church. It may sound something like this; “Men, some of you have been attending our monthly rallies for quite a while, and for you guys, the next step would be to check out our learning events which are held every other Tuesday night (or whenever they are held.) We’re going to pass out a flyer which provides all the details for this event. Again, if you are a first timer tonight, we’re simply glad you decided to attend!”

Offering varied meetings, gatherings, and events with different levels of commitment and challenge reflect the growth men encounter when they step out in faith and determine to become stronger in their faith.

Come and lead events

These meetings involve the highest level of commitment from the men in the men’s ministry. In this ongoing meeting, men are involved in praying for and planning all the other events. Men are challenged to make sure they are involved in a mentoring or discipleship relationship with mature, godly men in the church. Men are selected to become involved in these gatherings by older, wiser men who have walked with Jesus Christ and shown maturity in their faith. Some call these men elders. Others refer to this as a leadership council. Leadership in the church is a serious calling. James warned, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). In addition, in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Paul lays out the guidelines for those who would provide servant-leadership for the church:

Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

© Dr. Paul Pettit

This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.

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