Men’s ministry is an integral part of any church congregation. There seems to be an alarming gap in the ages of men in the church pews today. At least this is the case at my church. We need to fill this gap and create relationships with eachother. It seems like my generation goes to church and pushes the “Cruise Control” button on the pew in front of them and then checks the time to see how much is left in the service. I want to try and find out why this happens. We need men to be on fire for God and leading our families and our churches.
It seems like God has put men’s ministry on my heart. I started a “Young Men’s Bible Study” last winter at my house. I tried to keep it focused on leadership at church, our jobs, and at home with our families. I am no pro at leadership at all. We all learned together. Each time we met, something was accomplished that wasn’t even intended for the night’s topic. Some of the men came with issues and went home with an answer or a comfort. It was awesome! We took the summer off due to busy schedules and time conflicts. God has totally been working on my heart and making me long for men’s ministry in the church.
I picked up a book called Why Men Hate Going to Church that I have heard good things about. I guess I am looking for ideas from all the men out there that are reading this blog. Women can have their say as well. B is always trying to help me out with ideas and she listens to me rant about my ideas. You know what they say…”Behind every good man is a better woman.”
What do you all think? What have you done in men’s ministry? What did you like to do/want to do? Feel free to leave a comment on this very subject. I want to make this blog entry a resource for other men who want to start a men’s ministry program at their church. I will joing into the replies. Men that are on fire for God are so important in our churches! It fires up our families and friends and coworkers for God! Let’s light that one match together to start a blaze of men on fire for God!
40 Responses to “Any Men’s Ministry Ideas?”
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I think one of the most important parts of a men’s ministry is to have accountability in our walk with God with other men. It’s good to follow a pattern of bible study, but I think more important is to follow a path of accountability. Men have a hard time going to the doctor. Men have a hard time confessing their sins. Men have a hard time looking in the mirror and saying, my walk does not resemble Jesus.
When you develop the relationships, then you can say, Hey Brother, you don’t look well. You look depressed. You look like your struggling, let’s stop and pray. As strong of a Christian as I might be, it is horribly tough to walk into a room and say, you know, I struggle with pornography. I need help because I am constantly yelling at my wife. We smile and say “I’m fine”, how are you?
That is my vision for a men’s group. I’m not there yet. Heck, I’m not even to the point where I say, that the group is more important, than a football game. *sigh*, But by God’s grace……
I totally agree with you!!! Bible studies give men the opportunity to walk those paths to accountability by spending time with each other in the Word.
The group should come over to enjoy the game and have good fellowship. Spending time with each other helps build accountability. What fellowship ideas do you have or enjoy?
Saturday clean ups at the church have supprising spiritual attributes. Our church does a men’s breakfast one saturday each month. I think some of the buisness minded do a lunch a month, but lunch and breakfast enviroments don’t lead to much sharing. They mostly are a few good laughs.
I haven’t found the format that always works, but i think like bible study at night, either at the church or someone’s home is probably the best.
Sounds just like my church. I enjoy bible studies.
Risk. Adventure. Purpose. Challenge.
Guys need to be shown these things and how their lives can impact others simply by understanding “who” they are and “whose” they are.
It is a call to men to suit up and show up FOR OTHERS. To have that “band of brothers” that will have your back. To have a “fireteam” that will develop a close knit spiritual fathering and mentoring.
We are not perfect, but we are finding that our men are responding to aggressive leadership when they see that the greatest risk is to not respond to the Holy Spirit and the call each man has.
Peace my brothers
http://www.bandofbrothersomaha.com
I think that the single greatest failure of contemporary Christianity is our failure to make the faith relevent to the needs of men in today’s culture…We are failing them, and they are failing us…I salute you for your courage to try to reach out to those in your world. May your tribe (in Judah, as they say) increase a hundredfold! Surely our Savior — a MAN — will reward you, and all like you, who labor thus for Him…
Hi
We have a real need for men to have faith and to be able to come to a place to get the support that we need as men.
On the other hand i have been working with the men in the church i am in and have been asking them for ideas to have men come to the mens fellowship and the they say wate on the Lord and they will come.
Yes we need to wate for the Lord timeing on the other hand we as men need to get out into the community and get involed and let men know that we are here.
So do you have any ideas to get men in a church to be in the commuity? and yes i have the book why men do go to church, very good book.
thank you for your ideas God bless
Chase,
We do a big “Wild Game Feed” each fall. It is free to everybody. We have door prizes and all sorts of good food to eat. Nothing speaks louder to men then free food!
We have a cool speaker come….etc.
We have anywhere from 175-250 men come.
Anywho… Get the men together to help rake leaves for older folks…even shovel snow(if you have it). Men bond with each other when they work together.
Men’s fellowship is a growing ministry within many churches. The concept of relationship with God and with each other should be taken very seriously and nutured. The very fact that a man would be willing to be accountable to another man is a huge step toward understanding relationship. Men need other men in their lives to give them confirmation and a basis for all they are.
I too am in charge of getting a Men’s ministry off the ground at our church and have spent the first year just trying to get ideas. We have a strong local group called the Bluegrass Men’s Fellowship that is made up of men from several Christian churches in the area. They have been very influential in church planting. But they are primarily made up of older men. We have started with the prayer breakfasts but my challenge has been trying to get the younger men involved.
We have done a couple of community projects that we call Touch of Grace projects where we went and served Christmas supper to the Womens Hope Center and did a spring cleanup at an old folks home, these seem to help draw out some younger guys that like to be more active in their service than just sitting and eating pot luck and listening to a speaker.
But I agree with some others in that you have to find ways to build the comaraderie first before you can get too active in bigger projects. I need more ideas on doing this. I appreciate your blog, it’s the first thing I came across when I googled and I’m glad it was.
I am also the president of my mens fellowship and boy, do I need help. I cannot seem to find a copy of ‘Why Men Hate Going to Church’, so please if any body has a spare, im begging. Thanks in advance. you can send it to Jermaine Walters
Duanvale p.o.
Trelawny
Jamaica W.I.
Jermaine, Here is a link to the book on Amazon. It is called Why Men Hate Going to Church
Not everyone feels the spiritual way…so not everyone will fit it
Hi,
Excellent post. Actually I have just started a Men’s ministry in our church, but no idea what to do on developing their spiritual life. A men’s bible study is a perfect idea.
I DON’T THINK IS FAIR TO BELIEVE THAT MEN IN GENERAL DISLIKE GOING TO CHURCH. I HAVE MANY EXAMPLES OF VERY FAITHFUL AND ACTIVE MEMBERS OF A RELIGIOUS DENOMINATION. AND IT’S GOOD TO SEE THAT NUMBER INCREASING.
I am the leader of our men’s group. I highly suggest 2 books in particular. They are Mazimized Manhood and Strong Men in Tough Times, both written by Edwin Cole. There are also ciriculum books to go along with the reading. We will be starting the ciriculum in July. To be respectable men takes perseverance, mental toughness and resiliency, commitment, integrity, loyalty, manners, courage, compassion, self discipline/control, honesty, humility, trustworthiness, and honor. Most of these things are not taught to us anymore. It is our responsibility as Christians to re-introduce these qualities to our young men. Read – read – read- starting with the Bible. Two of my favorite authors are Edwin Cole and Rick Johnson.
Our church re-organized our Men’s Ministry last march, and I was asked to form a leadership team. I feel it is crucial to spread out the responsibilities. One man can’t do it all and be effective. We have 2 co-leaders, myself (with no title, but a passion for men’s ministry) 6 core team members, and Pastoral oversight. We have placed an emphasis on accountability groups, and after hosting 2 breakfast meetings, where the speakers focused on these groups, we’ve placed 40 men (of all ages) in8 groups. Not all have taken off, so we’re currently shuffling them around to accomidate scheduling issues. This summer we held a camping trip and had 54 guys and their sons attend. Fishing, kayaking, gold-panning, mountain biking, ATV ride, shooting, etc. We had nothing but favorable feedback, and are already planning next years adventure. Most importantly: Don’t let the event be the main focus! It’s all about building relationships!
About three years ago my Pastor elected me to be the Men’s Fellowship President. As a new member of this church but experience with men’s fellowships. The church has traditional links of doing things certain ways. They had a men’s gathering where they met during the week, only to have maybe 2-3 men show up. Our church has four choirs, each sing on a different Sunday(tradition). One of the choir is the men’s choir and I feel this is the really men’s fellowship.
I started in 2006 at a men’s breakfast, something they never experienced, with a powerpoint presentation. They was excited with the ideas for a men’s fellowship ie: Fishermen’s Fellowship, Bowling with the Brothers, breakfast outreach designed to reach the homeless men, group discussion of world events according to scripture. After a while the men began to be men. A handful would show and other rarely went. I am looking for new approaches and seek this site for ideas and maybe answers. We are getting ready to do a men’s retreat and would like to fire them up somehow. Any ideas?
Melvin, Sounds like you already have great ideas! I may even borrow some of them. The guys just need to feel engaged. this can be tough. One thing to do is to have them vote of things to do or places to have bible study.
I have sort of stopped being in charge of mens ministry because of the lack of involvement by the guys and my work schedule. I do miss it. Good luck! Report back on what begins to work for you!
Wow, I am glad I read this blog. I got soem good ideas and also now understand that men’s ministry is a struggle in most place. I find it especially difficcult to get teh guys that are between 25-35 involved. I have a SS class and almost all men are in their forthies and fifties. We also have a morning fellowship time on Friday morning where we discuss life issues and a short bible study. We have 6-10 each week and they are faithful and we are devloping a community (but again this is with older men)
What can I do to engage men to get together and develop a men’s community in our church?
Dan
I was elected the president of the men’s ministry about a year ago and let me tell you It is a struggle. I dont have much ideas and I feel as If I am not getting where we need to be. I started a mens breakfast with different speakers to speak on the subject the role of a man in this world but we need more ideas. Can anyone assist me
I am president of the Men’s Ministry of a Church of about 1500 members. I am on fire about what the men in our Church are doing. I have found that men will do almost anything, if you ask them. Most want to be asked to do something. Men are task oriented. I try to follow this pattern; social meeting, such as cooking with a speaker of interest, and then a work event each month. The social event lets the men become comfortable with being part of the group and the work event gives them the opportunity to do an unselfish act in the Lord’s name. Last month, we had a “Men’s Night Out” on Monday night. We cooked steaks for the first 100 men to arrive and everyone after had hamburgers, hotdogs, and homemade chili. We had the local highschool football coach speak about his walk with the Lord and how he teaches God’s principles to his players. Then we turned out the lights for Monday Night Football on a 180″ screen. What a night!!! We had a great time and we brought men to the Church that wouldn’t have come for a Sunday morning service. The following Saturday was a work day and we had lots of men show up that were at the Men’s Night Out event. That’s just one way that the Men’s Ministry has worked in our Church.
Brothers,
Great to hear from all of you and to know that God wants to do a work in the hearts of Men. I have the privilege of working under my pastor as the Men’s director as well as the director for Western Michigan Men’s Outreach. I have learned that most men have experienced a Red Sea crossing (Salvation) but have not experienced a Jordan River (crossing (fullness of God) and are still wondering in the wilderness. What keep them from experiencing the fullness of God, unbelieving and a bad report. I have learned that if the guys get their hearts back and start believing that they have what it takes it can first changes their lives then change their families and if the family is changes so will the church. I have used the Wild at Heart curriculum in my church and it has turned our church upside down. God has instructed me in a way that has been very effective. I have teams (Platoons) in our church ran by very of guys, from ages 70 to 23 years. My wife teaches the Captivating and as well the ladies have come alive. My heart’s desire is to see men’s lives set free to be the men that God has called them to be. God Bless
By His Grace,
Felix B. Adame”
fadame@comcast.net
11/24/2009
Having a solid men’s group has always been a passion of mind and also a real need that must be established in every church. We started out with no plans to have a program just a men’s breakfast on the last Saturday of the month for a non-threatening time of fellowship and food and a short devotion. We used to get relax around one another, to be seen for who we really are, and to show the reality of our faith. It was amazing that over time we were able to growth not only in our numbers each month, but also growth in the men spirtually as they begin to freely open up and ask questions and discuss issues they probably would have never talked about. This had a great affect on the spiritual atmosphere of the church and now the men are involved in a very in depth study. The best program for starting any ministry is “Time”. We always run to the book store to see what the latest thing is instead of being patient and see how God wants to develop the ministry and remember that honest fellowship will speak more loudly to your men than any program.
CONSISTENCY!
Men need consistency. We have to have a steady and consistent offering for men in our churches, whether it be a bible study, men’s fellowship breakfast, or weekly mentoring program, we need to make sure that we are there when the do chose to get involved. Be consistent not matter what…even if only a few men show; some of the greatest breakthroughs occur in small settings.
CHALLENGE!
Every man likes to be challenged. If plays on their need for competition. We challenge our men to join the evangelism team at least once a quarter and this is effective. It gives them a goal to aim for and measurable results that they can see immediately.
CONFIDENTIALITY!
Nothing will destroy your men’s group faster than a breach of confidentiality. As leaders of men we need to be transperant, which will help to make the men feel safer in sharing, But when they do share, we must assure them that teh information devulged will not turn up in the church gossip rumor mill.
DISCIPLESHIP!
The must be some form of discipleship training infused into our men’s ministry programs. Events are nice for momentum building, but to see life-changing, world-moving, kingdom-building devlopment, there must be a process by which development and cultivation of men into Christ-likeness can take place.
Why Men Hate Going to Church is a great book. Here are a few others that you’ll want to add…No Man Left Behind…Effective Men’s Ministry…Wild At Heart…Understanding the Purpose and Power of Men.
Visit this store to save on purchasing. http://www.thekoinoniahouse.com/osCommerce/catalog
Be blessed.
I like what Chuck has to say, Transperency, integrity and honesty are trully characterisctic that must be seen in the leadership first and foremost. Without tthese quailitites being evident we have just created another men’s group that will be eventually fall apart. Paul exhorted Timothy that he was called into ministry because the Lord saw his faithfullness. Once these men see that, their hunger for growth will begin to develop, drawing in even more men. Do not become discourage, stay consistant, and remain faithful.
My name is Alex, I have been involved with Men’s Ministry all my life. I am a man, there was never any choice, i could not opt out. Men find it difficult to identify with Men’s Ministry in most churches, a gap between the men involved and those who do not want to associate with it at all. A gap between the young and the old. Over the years I have learnt that it is not great ideas nor great events that build ministry. Men want to feel a sense of belonging to something that engages them, listens to them, prays with them, has fun with them, talks about real life issues and has a sense of adventure.
A process of Discipleship is key. We are to make disciples of men, nothing lengthy and we must celebrate manhood. Ed Cole, a great man of God said that “Christlikeness and manhood are synonymous” Our manhood is christlike and ought to be celebrated. Small groups of men keep men connected, large gatherings bring inspiration and encouragement.
Men do not come to church because it is not a great experience for them. Most times they are ignored or passed over by the regular congregants. Some are also not ready for church gatherings but would feel more at home in a small gathering of men in another setting. Becoming a fisher of men is not one off occassion. Real fisher men constantly cast the net to catch the fish, at different times, different places. Jesus told Peter to cast the net when it seemed like there was no fish to be had, they were fishing all night and were worn out and tired. The catch was enormous, they had to get help to pull in the haul. We are not on our own, we have Christ and we have each other, let Christ take the strain and worry and we just do what he instructs us to do, ” Make Disciples”.
I pray God’s blessing upon you and your families as you continue to minister, continue to believe God to change the hearts of men and continue to make yourself available and teachable before God.
God bless.
Alex
I know this sounds like a broken record (or cd for those youngbloods oblivious to records) but I praise God for this blog site as well! I too am helping relaunch a mens ministry that had become dormant and had never really blossomed. I needed some ideas to prime the pump and get the thought pattern running and this site did just that.
Thanks for sharing some great thoughts.
Hi
I just want to thank everybody who contributed to these wonderful ideas.We restarted our fellowship today and my brothers in Christ are very happy. I did not know that there are so many of you out there. I thank the Lord for all your ideas.I wish we may all come together in one place to praise our Lord.
God bless
I also feel compelled to re-start our mens group. We used to have breakfast every 3rd Saturday monrng, but somehow died off. I feel a need to have a fellowship with other christian men. I to have read Why Men Hate Going to Church, I didnt buy into all of it, but I do agree there is a reason for concern. A mission for the men of the church, to create a “Band of Brothers” who can and will come together not only for each other, but for the community. I’m glad I found this site and have gained a few ideas. Keep em comming guys.
My Brother in law and I are looking at trying ot kickof some mens activiites in our church and finding ideas is pretty hard at times but we have a few
a dad’s and lads camping night
An Astronomy evening a friend of mine is a real enthusist and has agreed to put it on and bring a few of his mates.
WE had a “rissole” cooking competition ( for those of you who are saying whats a rissole its a minced beef pattie with whatever you want to put in it)
A mate of mines church in the city got a butcher half a cow and ran through the different cuts of meat then had a bbq and a talk.
There is of course the ususl though tof a sports night or two
the plan is to rotate an activity with a talk /discipleship night
hope these ideas are of some help.
Hi Guys, I have been truly enriched by your comments. Quite frankly, it is a relief to know that my anxieties on how to get around organising a Men’s Fellowship is not peculiar to me. I am currently working on getting ideas for my Church’s Men fellowship and my ‘frantic search’ (for ideas) led me to this blog.I agree absolutely with the view that there is the need- whilst seeking for avenues to unwind and bond- to strive to improve on our spiritual growth.
Keep the ideas coming!
Dear Brothers,
Reading all the blogs makes me feel good. It show me that there are a lot of Disciples out there who are interested in growing Men’s ministry. I believe what we should be doing is going out into our communities and bringing more men and women to Christ. That is the great commission! You see Jehovah Witnesses and Mormoms going door to door. Why don’t we do that? I think if your group, district or region would organize the Men to go out and testify you might be surprised with the results. Remeber the old saying…”you catch them and God will clean em”.
Peace to all of you!
I am just starting to find ways to get together with the husbands of my wife’s Bible Study. Most of the men’s groups are golfers, which I am not. This blog really shows a need for men’s fellowship. I hope to get some good ideas here.
Thanks
I admire your interest and committment to your Men’s fellowship. I too am spearheading a men’s group; but things has falen short a bit. As such we are currently reorganising ourselves.
The yardstick for a continuous men’s programme creating the interest, trust and committment.
All this is accomplished through leadership. In any group, a leader is looked upon to steer it in the a progressive direction. Our men’s group stagered because the baton was not passed when I was suddenly seperated from the group because of an urgent matter.
However we are growing, we have a positive programme dealing with men issues; these we will use to strengthen our bonds as men of God in our church, families and community.
I too have been appointed to lead or mens ministry with a fellow brother, this is what lead me to this blog. We have just completed a survey of (12)activities that we sent to the men of our church to get a feel for what they would like to do. Also had room for suggestions. Many of the activities are outdoor related as we live in northern Canada. To our surprise one of the top ranking choices was a hunting trip. We only have a half a dozen hunters in our church but 30 out of 50 men said they would like to do this. Maybe its the hunter / gatherer in us that makes us want to hunt a wild beast? I don’t know. We are finding that the men like to praise and worship with victory / battle songs instead of the traditional song of love, or I’m coming for my bride songs, don’t get me wrong these are good songs for the seasoned christian but do little to attract the unsaved men in the community. We as a church have portrayed Jesus as being this soft eyed, soft spoken, turn the other cheek, long hair blowing in the wind type of man. And he was, to a certain degree ( a little exageration maybe) but he was also a strong, powerful man who overturned tables and kicked people out of the temple kind of guy. And that is some of the things we need to teach or men so they don’t become to effeminate.
Good Day,
I men have always been on my heart and my Pastors heart. He asked me to head up our men. My first task was to select 7 key men to support me in this task, which we call our Care Group. The first responsibility of this group was to contact every men within the church in person or by telephone. We did this by dividing the men into seven group based on age. The men were placed in group with leader of the same age. Our age range was 19 – 70. We have a men event every month; Bowling, Fellowship breakfast at the church, Fellowship breakfast at Golden Corell, Men Fellowshp One Hour Prayer at the church, Men Fellowship One Hour Prayer at Prayer Mountain, Men Fellowship at All You Can Eat Catfish place, Men Fellowship – Men Talk service; Pastor Speak. The most important thing that I see God moving in our men is the for Men Only Bible Study. We went from having 10 men per bible study to 40 men per bible study night; what said in the bible study stays in the bible study. This allow the men to talk about men issues they are going through with their wifes looking at them funny or causing family problems when they get home. We have also seen our men fellowship grow from 5 men per fellowship to 40 men per fellowship. I must state that this year out of the last three years has been my tuffest year, where I am really seeking God for a move and ideas. I can see the number going down within the fellowship, and my excitement going down also. It alot to plan events and to contact 60 men per month; spending 5 to 30 minutes with each one. We have around 150 men divided between 7 men, but being the leader Pastor and I try to connect with all of them. The key is to ‘POINT THEM TO JESUS’, and make sure you show them Jesus is why you are doing what you do. There is a saying we use in the word, ‘Game recognize Game’, so I would say in our spiritual lifes ‘Spirits recognize Spirits’. If you are coming from the Heart and the only motive is to get the men to receive God’s best for them. They will feel it and come on board. For all of the men leader I would say get a connection with God again, again, again and again. He will get you throught the time when you have an overflow of men and when you have two or three.
Thanks for the ideas
Hey men, Sounds like God is really working in men today. I was honored on fathers day by my church to head up our men’s group, Men of Valor. I want our first meting to be something real and special. What do you guys think about this? We have a guy in our church who makes duck calls and turkey calls. I also know a guy who makes fishing lures, I am planning on getting someone to bring their four wheeler, my uncle makes hunting knives, we also have a guy over sports in our church, I rabbit hunt so I plan on bringing a dog box and such. Not every man hunts or plays ball. What else can I do to get the guys involved who are not the outdoors type? I want them to kwow that they fit in. Everyone is different and being a Man of Valor is not about what your hobby is but using who you are and what you do to glorify God and being what He has called you to be while living life doing what you love to do. All suggestions are welcomed.
Allen
I thank God for everybody that contributed to this blog. Reading through has actually opened my eyes to the challenges ahead and the fact that the problems I’m currently facing are not peculiar to our church. I was inadvertently made the leader of the Men’s Fellowship because the defacto leader was really not keen about the whole idea. While I was trying to figure out how to move ahead, I was asked to lead a group of leaders from a number of churches making the challenge more daunting. However, with the grace of God and the comments I read on this blog I’m confident we’ll make progress. I sincerely thank all the contributors for the various ideas. One thing runs thruogh most Men’s Fellowship organizations, and that is the fact that in one breath you have everybody routing for Christ and in the next most of the members are disinterested. The challenge is how to sustain the enthusiasm for a long period to the glory of God. The answer is not the quick fix solutions but what will keep the fire burning. Thanks everybody keep sending those noble ideas and suggestions!!!