Planning a Balanced Men’s Ministry
Mark Abernathy

Ministry Purpose:
-Evangelize men to salvation and church membership
– Establish men to spiritual maturity
– Equip men for ministry
– Extend men on mission

A. Evangelize Men to Salvation
1. Christian Men Must…
– Accept responsibility for witnessing
– Pray
– Seek the Spirit
– Build witnessing relationships
– Be prepared to:
— test for receptivity
–give their testimony
–share the gospel message
–lead in a prayer of salvation
–witness with a partner

2. Ideas for Evangelism/Outreach
– Testimony workshop
– Evangelistic events
– Wild-game dinner
– Sports event
– Golf tournament
– Father/child event
– Businessman’s breakfast
– Needs-based seminar
– Evangelistic ministries
– Men’s health program or seminar
– Ministry to deer-hunting clubs
– Chili cook-off
– Father/son campout
– Father/daughter banquet
– Activities for single fathers and their children

B. Establish Men to Spiritual Maturity

1. Some Ways to Establish Men to Spiritual Maturity
– Small groups
– Men’s prayer teams
– Mentoring
– Retreats

2. Benefits of a Small Group
– Allows men to share on a meaningful level
– Provides a place to function as genuine Christians
– Provides a means to grow men in Christ
– Maintains the momentum of a large event or rally
– Offers accountability

3. Disciplines of a Small Group
– Optimum size is four to six men
– Agree on purpose, time, place, frequency
– Commit to regular attendance
– Leadership style: one leader or shared
– Consider balance of content and sharing
– Establish rule of confidentiality
– Encourage total group sharing

4. Small Group Leader Qualifications
– Personal commitment to discipling men
– Reliance on the Holy Spirit
– Commitment to grow personally
– Leadership qualities
– Love for others
– Facilitator of discussion

5. Other Ways to Establish Men to Spiritual Maturity
– Support groups
– Covenant groups
– Growing disciples weekend
– Spiritual growth retreats
– Bible studies

6. Guidelines for Mentoring
– Establish clear expectations and boundaries
– Combine transparent sharing with active listening
– Resist the urge to solve all of the man’s problems
– Don’t just talk; do something together
– Trust God for the results

The above article, “Planning A Balanced Men’s Ministry” was written by Mark Abernathy. The article was excerpted from www.ncbaptistmensministry.org website. Sept. 2017.

The material is copyrighted and should not be reprinted under any other name or author. However, this material may be freely used for personal study or research purposes.

This article may not be written by an Apostolic author, but it contains many excellent principles and concepts that can be adapted to most churches. As the old saying goes, “Eat the meat. Throw away the bones.”