Why Have a Men’s Ministry?
By Various Authors

I have often been asked why I would make such a time consuming, often-disappointing investment in men.

My Response:

It is God’s plan for His church. I was seeking, with His help, to develop a breed of Christian men who would live up to the expectations of 2 Timothy 2:2:

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others.” (NIV)
H.R. London

The Economy of Men�s Ministry

“At the pastors conference, Focus on the Family’s head of Pastoral Ministries, H.B. London Jr., assured the congregational leaders that if they would only buy into the economy of a ministry to men, they would find that all of a sudden, there will be a new sense of purpose and exhilaration and meaning about what you do.”

London pointed out that he hears pastors say all the time how incredibly busy they are in their ministries, yet they often feel unsure about whether they are actually making an impact or effecting genuine change in people’s lives.

“But again, he assured his audience of clergy, if they would only make a priority of creating vibrant men’s ministries, the pastors would soon find themselves confessing, ‘I am so busy’ busier than I’ve ever been before  but I’m making a difference.”
– Agape Press

Findings…

1) There needs to be a clear definition of biblical manhood that men can adopt and follow.

2) Pastors need to realize the all-important message that their number one responsibility is to evangelize, disciple and involve men in the church.

3) Major events and conferences are not enough. Men need follow through in order not to wonder now what?

Men’s Issues and Struggles Summary

– Seventy-five percent are not satisfied with themselves as fathers.

– Thirty-two percent are not satisfied with themselves as husbands.

– Forty-three percent feel a deep sense of failure about their past.

– Sixty-five percent have no one to whom they feel accountable.

– Seventy-five percent have feelings they don�t share with anyone.

– Christian men feel alone.

– Christian men feel insecure, ganged up on, beaten down and unsure of what to do.

– Many carry a load of guilt and failure about their lives.

– Men are afraid to talk because they believe people will think less of them.

– Many feel bullied by their backgrounds: wounded, angry, visionless.

– Most have no concept of what it means to distinctly be a man.

– They feel bullied by the political correctness of our culture. Social confusion exists between men and women as a result of the gender revolution.

– They feel paralyzed by feelings of inadequacy, along with family and work pressures.

– Unwholesome peer pressure crushes them.

– Impurity and struggles with sexual matters create feelings of worthlessness.

Perceived Needs of Men

– Men need a safe place where they can discover someone understands them and that they are not alone.

– Men need a clear, compelling vision of biblical manhood that they can take hold of.

– Men need time with other men to effectively process their manhood.

– Men need practical “how to’s” with which they can taste success. They need ways to implement in a bite-size manner, what they hear.

– Men need male cheerleaders other men to admire their efforts and cheer their successes.

– Men need a sacred moment where they know they’ve become a man.

Material compiled from:
Man in the Mirror (Pat Morley)
Men’s Fraternity (Dr. Robert Lewis)

Adapted from ‘The Pastor’s Role in Establishing an Effective Men’s Ministry’

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.”