Activities for Men's Ministry

Spiritual maturity has been identified in multiple surveys with men as the number one priority. As men mature spiritually they grow into real biblical manhood, exercise biblical leadership and start to fulfil the mission that God has called them to. This directly impacts their families, their churches, the communities and ultimately the nation.

This must be a goal of ministering with men. Yet tragically, as we have travelled the country and asked churches what process they have in place to build spiritually mature men, the answer has often been a deafening silence.

Unfortunately, many Men's Ministry activities are undertaken by churches without considering the outcomes that these activities will produce. This has caused the momentum of Men’s Ministry to start and stop, leading to frustration, disappointment and discouragement.

Promise Keepers has developed a grid>> which allows you to identify the outcomes of the various activities which a Men's Ministry undertakes, enabling you to plan a process of activities and events that will encourage men through their journey toward biblical manhood and spiritual maturity.

Level 1: Acquaintances - The vast majority of men in church are at this level. The purpose of events targeted at this level is to attract men on the fringes of the church or men who have little or no commitment to Christ. Remember when reaching these men that their mindset often reflects the culture around us and can be summed up by the statement, “it’s all about me”. This focus on self diverts away from the call to serve. Initially, social events that are fun and appeal to a broad cross-section of men can be used as a starting point to begin to create new friendships. Men’s breakfasts are a good activity to cater for men at this level where they can be challenged with an evangelistic message. Ultimately, the outcome of this level is to challenge men with a decision to make Jesus Lord of their lives.

Level 2: Friends - Most men in our nation lack real friendships with other men and feel isolated. The purpose of this level is to start to draw men out of isolation into friendship. True friendship builds trust and encourages men to grow spiritually, and as a result they become more at active in the church. The church events that develop these types of friendships are PK Events, camps, retreats, seminars or training. As men spend more time together getting to know one another this in turn builds friendship and trust. The outcome of these events should be developing followers of Christ.

Level 3: Brothers - At this level, men are beginning to model what it means to be spiritually mature and are growing into biblical manhood. Their mindset is changing to where it is all about others, and they are beginning to undertake activities that will meet those needs. This is almost always the first situation where men will allow other men to bring meaningful correction into their lives, as a deeper level of trust has been built over a period of time. We believe the only effective types of activities that grow men into this level are Men's Small Groups, being discipled or mentored. The outcome of this level is for men to be living as true disciples of Christ.

Level 4: Mission - Men now realise that they have been called for a purpose to fulfil a mission of eternal significance. Their mindset has moved from “it’s all about me” to the next level, “it's all about others”. These men are committed to pouring themselves out in sacrificial service to God and to others. Men should be encouraged into mission both locally and internationally. The ultimate outcome of progressing through the grid>> to this level is to produce biblical male leadership, men who are ready to fulfil the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.

Remember - this process will take a minimum of five years. Men need to understand there is a clear pathway for spiritual growth and maturity, and this grid>> will assist the Men’s Ministry team in allowing men to understand where they are in their spiritual walk, and how to ultimately fulfil their purpose and mission in life.

To overcome the roadblocks and difficulties, both large and small, that can frequently occur, Promise Keepers has introduced personalised Men’s Ministry Coaching. This Coach will provide the encouragement, inspiration, ideas and concepts that will assist churches to develop an effective, life-changing and powerful Ministry to Men.