Tag: Men’s Ministry

Three Common Mistakes Churches Make: #1 – Lack of Intentionality

During a trip to the New England area several years ago, Jeff Kisiah, a frequent speaker at men’s events, observed a common scene from a ministry display table in a church foyer. He discovered this is the typical approach in the churches he had spoke at during a nationwide tour.

On the table were three baskets with brochures. As he looked at the three baskets he recognized that most churches tend to focus on three sub-groups in the church… Children, Youth, and Women. In the basket were brochures for the Children’s Minintry, the Youth Ministry, and the Women’s Ministry. But there was nothing for the Men’s Ministry.

While we definitely support discipleship efforts with children, youth, and women, and offer instruction about an “All-inclusive: ministry mindset. We are constantly having to raise the awareness level for reaching and discipling men.

When I review a church’s website, rarely do I find anything on the site regarding ministering to men. If I do, it is buried deep in the pages of the site and hard to find. Ministering to Men need to be VERY visable.

Let’s review some examples of situations where men are neglected. Remember the example of the church above that didn’t have a brochure for Men’s Ministry (probably because they didn’t really have one) is a clear example that men are not important to the church. Or the video I shared in my previous post about a church’s overall ministry and they did not discuss anything in regards to men. Churches that refuse to make annoucements from the platform on men’s activities because it only affects a small percentage of the church. Church leaders not talking about ministering to men and encouraging them to be a part of a growing movement of men in their church.

But then there are churches who take a different approach. Their men’s ministry leadership team is very visable on Sundays. They are meeting and greeting men as they arrive for church and personnally inviting them to a men’s activity. Signs and/or brochures are out for the men to pick up (maybe even for the wives to pickup and give to their husbands) about the ministry to men and upcoming activities. I know of church that has a TV dedicated to inform arriving men of future activities. A church’s website that has a banner button to discover what is happening in ministering to men on the front page right along with the children, youth, and hopefully the women. Church leaders are talking about upcoming events from the platform and inviting the men to join them on the quest.

The question we need to ask ourselves is, “How would men visiting our church finish this statement?” “Men are _______ here.” Would they say men are important here, are valued here, are needed here. Or would they say men are not important, they are a nuisance, they don’t care if I even attend.

I did not really begin to grow spirtually in my walk with God until another man ‘tapped me on the shoulder’ and invitied me to join him and some other men in a study to help me be the man God desires for all men to be. But this is another story for a future post.

So my final question to you is, How intentional is your church in reaching and discipling men?

The next post will discuss the #2 mistake churches make – Lack of Multiple Entry Points.

Together in the challenge and adventure to disciple men – Mike

Three Common Mistakes Churches Make in Ministering to Men

Men are the most neglected people group in our churches today. To emphasize this, I recently saw a video a church made to highlight the ministries of the church. The video was professionally done and was in fact pleasant to watch. But then I notice the video was highlighting the various ministries of the church. The video talked about the children’s ministries, the youth ministries, the college ministries, small groups, mssion opportunities, and a few other areas the church was involed. But I noticed the video did not mentioned the Ministry to Men or Women. I surmised from the video this active church did not have a ministry to women or men. Therefore I reasoned that men are not valued or important to that church.

Did you know that less thant 10% of churches in the United States have an active and effective ministry to men. Most churches associate men’s ministry around a monthly breakfast or supper gathering. Spending some time in fellowship and eating. Nothing wrong with that and it would be encouraged. Or maybe the church has a monthly work day for the men to help someone in need. Nothing wrong with that. But ministrering to men is much more than getting together to fellowship, eat, and do a few work projects.

Leaders often conduct the same event each year that will only reach a certain group of men in their church and community. Why? Generally it is because it is what they enjoy doing. It is easy. We have done it before. And the biggest misconception, “I enjoy it – so all men must enjoy it.”

So how do we move toward having an active and effective Ministry to Men? Over the course of the next few posts I will share the Three Common Mistakes Churches Make when it comes to ministering to men.

Let me know what you think as I expand on these mistakes. Maybe give some insight of your own,

Together is the challenge and adventure to disciple men. – Mike

The Magnolia Tree

I know most people do not like Magnolia Trees because they can make a mess with their big, hard-to-rake-up leaves. But Magnolia Trees have always had a special place in my heart.

My wife and children understand this to the point they gave me a Magnolia Tree sampling to plant in our front year back in 2008. The year after, I went through my cancer battle resulting in the loss of a kidney.

My love for Magnolia Trees spurns from my days as a young boy when there was a mature tree probably a hundred years old in my neighborhood. I really do not know how old. As a kid, anything over twenty was old. But this tree was at least several decades old.

It was large enough that me and my friends would climb the tree and sit in its massive branches. Like a strong man’s arms holding us on his shoulders, gently cradling us so we could look around and see all around the neighborhood. We could sit there and virtually hide as we watched others walk below, never knowing we were just a few feet above their heads. We could have jumped from the tree and landed on their shoulders before they knew we were there.

Its massive canopy covered us above from the beating sun. Rain had a hard time getting through to wet us as the branches and leaves above were so thick. We could sit there for hours, it seemed, never concerned about falling. Moving from branch to branch like monkeys in the wilds of the jungle. The mammoth branches gather us like a grandfather hugging his grandchildren. Feeling his strength, love, and comfort in knowing you were protected from unknown forces we were unaware of at that age. 

The tree itself with roots reaching far from the trunk. Like strong fingers digging into the ground, shifting it, grabbing it. Reaching deep to hold secure from the winds. While other trees bend and sway in the strong hurricane winds of North Carolina, the Magnolia Tree stood the test of time, holding firm, never wavering, never bending to the whim of pressure. 

The tree is a symbol of my youth when I had no cares in the world when nothing could harm me. When nothing could persuade me, there was evil in the world looking for a chance to prance like a roaring lion to devour my very being. Standing strong and tall, magnificence in all its glory. Never to allow harm to those who hide in its giant branches.

Oh, I long for those days again. To climb into the branches of that magnolia tree. To sit and watch the world as it goes by. Never concerned about tomorrow. Only enjoying the moment of security and peace, I felt years ago.

Though today I cannot climb in the branches of a Magnolia Tree, and the tree planted in my yard in 2008 is now 30 feet tall, the branches are not strong enough to support me or hide me from the world.

Today, I climb into the arms of Jesus. He gives me that security and peace I long for and felt as a child. His foundation is strong; His protection covers me like the canopy of the magnolia. I rest secure in knowing that He will protect me from those unknown forces. He is the branch that supports me.

The Word of God is the foundation – the Rock – that I need, to keep me from being swayed. Like the roots of that childhood magnolia digging deep into the ground, the Word of God digs deep into my soul, and I find solace.

The Word of God quenches my thirst like a cool brook. Providing refreshing words of comfort as I rest, knowing that God has me in the palm of His hand.

And the Word of God covers me like the canopy of that magnificent Magnolia Tree with His Grace and Mercy, protecting me from the attacks of this world.

Thus comes the saying my friend and mentor Jeff Kisiah use to say to all his men after spent time praying over them. He would end his prayers with,

“I pray God will give you a rock to stand on, a brook to drink from, and a tree to shade you.”

His influence has resulted in me picking up this quote and saying it over those I pray with.

Where are you today in your spiritual walk? Are you standing on the Rock? Are you drinking the cool water of God’s Word? Are you resting under the canopy of God’s grace and mercy?

If not, I encourage you today to make the decision to follow Jesus. If you have turned your back on God, I encourage you to repent and return to the Lord.

I would like to hear about your decision.

To the challenge and adventure to disciple men.

  • – Mike

God Bless.