Best Practices for Starting and Maintaining a Men’s Team Ministry to the Widowed and Single Parents

“Gentlemen, this is a football. I’m the coach. You are the players.” Vince Lombardi, head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960’s, was famous for emphasizing football fundamentals at the beginning of each preseason training. His first speech always began with that famous quote.

It’s always good for any organization to review it’s fundamentals. So here’s a summary of best practices for men’s team ministry:

• Be sure you have the support of your church leadership. It would be wrong for you to start a men’s team ministry without it.
• Start your teams with at least three, and preferably four, men. This will help ensure consistent and effective long term ministry.
• Always do background checks on your men. The security of your care receivers must be your first priority.
• Train your men in the love of Christ. This will help them understand why you’re doing what you’re doing.
• Have a church policy statement. A clear policy statement will give your men and care receivers the direction they need.
• Don’t allow team members to go to their care receiver’s home alone. This is for both your care receivers’ and care givers’ protection.
• Whether you have a large group of men or a small group of men, just start. Men’s team ministries grow naturally.
• Focus on their widowed and single parents in your church first. We are to do good to all, but especially to those who are believers.
• Know and teach the distinction between relational ministry and project ministry. If you don’t, you will create confusion in the church.
• Emphasize safety. Always.
• And finally, don’t reinvent the wheel. Join Meeting to Meet Needs, my online membership training site, and get all the help you need starting your men’s team ministry.

Keeping these basics in mind will help ensure a fruitful land long lasting men’s team ministry in your church.

This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.