A long term vision for long term ministry
The goal of men’s team ministry to their widowed and single parents is to provide effective and consistent ministry to people in churches with long term needs. These people are most often the widowed and single parents, but can also be people with long term disabilities. Since these needs can last for years and even decades, we use teams of men so that we can accommodate the inevitable attrition that happens on teams.
Change in church leadership is inevitable
But it is easy to forget that attrition happens in church leadership as well. Pastors come and go, churches ebb and flow, and men’s team ministry leadership eventually has to transition as well. If your men’s team ministry hasn’t prepared for a leadership transition, it will eventually fade.
Therefore, it’s important for whoever is leading your men’s team ministry to make sure he is training a backup to take over in his absence. Your backup man should be well trained in the biblical basis for men’s team ministry, in your church’s policies regarding the ministry, and in the actual mechanics of how the ministry runs. He should also have a history of faithful service and be able to relate well with your men. It would also be helpful to give him opportunities to run your devotional hour.
In addition, your men’s team ministry should be prepared for transitions in pastoral leadership. If your pastor is leading your men’s team ministry and is answering a call to a new church, ask him to appoint a new leader for the ministry before he leaves. During the interim period, be diligent in making sure your men’s team ministry is meeting regularly. Also, ask your pastoral search committee (or district superintendent) to inform any new candidates about your ministry so they know in advance who you are and what you’re doing. I’m sure any pastoral candidate would be thrilled to hear about your men’s team ministry.
Invite your new pastor to accompany a team one Saturday
After your new pastor arrives, invite him to join a team one Saturday morning to see first hand what you are doing. Doing this will give him a concrete example of your service. But don’t necessarily expect him to become a permanent member. After all, one of the goals of men’s team ministry is to relieve your pastor of responsibility, not load more on him.
Your pastor can also gain a more in-depth knowledge of the ministry by checking out the training site, How to Start a Men’s Team Ministry.
In addition, all churches have their ups and downs. If your church is going through a down period, double your focus on your men’s team ministry. Remaining faithful in your commitment to people in your church who are in need will remind the church that the men’s team ministry is here for the long haul…and that you’re here for the long haul too. Maintaining a foundation of loving service always eventually leads to growth again.
Keeping these simple tips in mind will help your church remain faithful to its widowed and single parents and remind it of its calling to love each other as Christ has loved us.
This post first appeared in NewCommandment.org.
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Learn how to form teams of men for every widow, single mom
and fatherless child in your church at NewCommandment.org.
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