I review many church men’s ministry web pages in search of contacts for men’s team ministry. I have to say, the process is generally disheartening.
If these web pages accurately represent men’s ministry in America, then men’s ministry in America is in big, big trouble.
The vast majority of these web pages communicate lethargy and neglect, possibly reflecting the attitude these churches have toward their men’s ministry itself.
Here, in no particular order, are the biggest mistakes I see church men’s ministries making on their men’s ministry web pages.
Online mistake #1: Your church men’s ministry page uses too many god-words
This is a criticism I have of men’s ministry in general, but the problem bleeds over into church men’s ministry web pages as well. For example, I often see this overused phrase: “Our goal is to help men become all that God wants them to be.”
Wow! Great! But what does that actually mean in practice?
Use your church men’s ministry web page to tell every man reading it exactly what is going to happen to him when he gets involved in your ministry.
How’s this: “We’re going to show you how to surround yourself for life with people who love you and how to please God in the process”?
Online mistake #2: Your church men’s ministry page doesn’t include a contact person
And sometimes no contact information at all. Give men a name, a picture, and an email and/or telephone number. It will make it easier for them to take that all important step to get more information about the ministry.
Online mistake #3: Your church men’s ministry page fails to motivate your men
“We have a men’s Bible study once a week and a men’s retreat once a year.” Yawn.
Tell men in vivid language why they would be stupid not to attend your events. “In our upcoming Bible Study we’re studying Solomon’s Song of Songs and learning how to have better sex in our marriages.
And in our upcoming retreat we’ll have a breakout session on welding. Everyone attending will weld his own iron workbench stool.”
Sign me up!
Online mistake #4: Your church men’s ministry page is designed poorly and has few pictures
Most churches have someone with a little web page experience. Use them! And be sure to take pictures of your men’s ministry events and post them on the page.
Online mistake #5: Your church men’s ministry page has no link to a social media page
You do have a men’s ministry social media page, right? No? Get one and update it frequently.
Use Facebook or Instagram and invite everyone in your men’s ministry to join and post. Then put a link to it on your church men’s ministry page.
Online mistake #6: Your church men’s ministry page has an in-house focus
Everyone uses the Internet to shop for churches these days. And that includes men.
Men from outside your church are going to come across your church men’s ministry page. So design it for men who are both inside and outside your church. Don’t just preach to the choir.
Think of your men’s ministry page as curb appeal for men “driving by” your men’s ministry.
Online mistake #7: Your church men’s ministry page says nothing about good works
Every man is either consciously or subconsciously asking this question when he reads your men’s ministry page: “What good is this?” Meaning, what is the use of attending this men’s ministry? What good is going to come from me spending my precious time with these men?
Your men have been saved to do good works. Use your men’s ministry page to show the good God has enabled your men to do and the good God is leading your men to do in the future.
(Here’s a thought: how about using your men to serve your widows and single moms. See below.)
In the end, use your church men’s ministry web page to dare any man to come. They’d be foolish not to, right?
This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.
A Simple Ministry Concept with Profound Implications
Teams of four men serving widows, single moms, fatherless children and others with long-term pressing needs in their churches and communities.
