Successful men's ministry

I'd like to share a series of posts on men's ministry that come from a book titled Effective Men's Ministry. It's more than I want to put into one single column and I think it will be more meaningful if I share these over the next week or so.

Give some thought to these and see if they hold true in your life. Your comments, as always, are eagerly solicited. And so we begin...


George Barna did some research in 1997 and identified seven key factors that unchurched men said would draw them to the the church.

1. Men are looking for meaning and purpose in life.
2. Men are seeking understanding of who they are and what they are thinking.
3. Men want solutions to their everyday problems and difficulties.
4. Men want to know God -- who he is and what he means to them.
5. Men want effective men's ministry that touches them where they are.
6. Men want friendships that are built on trust and that will last.
7. Men want help with family issues, especially training for their children.

It our ministry to men is going to be successful, we must develop a system that will help men to form significant and lasting friendships. Without vital relationships between our men, too many men will continue to feel lonely, isolated, and without hope. When building our ministry, we most focus primarily on establishing relationships, not on developing programs.

A successful ministry to men will encompass the following key components of a man's life: identity, friendship, God's calling, discipline, marraige and family skills, and stewardship.

A call to prayer

Over a year ago there were 4 to 6 guys from the church who met early in the morning at Panera. We started meeting around 6 or 6:15 -- and quickly learned that Panera opens at 6:30.

We also started to look at a book titled, The Power of a Praying Husband.

Written by Stormie Ormatian, she tells the story of asking her own husband to consider writing the book. The exchange went something like this;

"Why don't you write a book called The Power of a Praying Husband?"

"If I wrote it," he says matter of factly, "it would be a brochure."
Double spaced. With lots of pictures.

I'd like to say we finished the book -- but we didn't. However, for a season in time we encouraged each other to bow our head and kneel before our Lord and Savior to pray for our wives and our families. And it was good.

Care to join me in a new season called "today" and pray for those closest to us? Let's pray...

Thanks for the mosquitoes

I don't know what your small group was like, but ours was in rare form tonight. Thanks for the laughs and I hope someone learned something. At least we'll pray about it...

As you read this you are likely starting into your Monday and, for some, a short week as we head towards Thanksgiving. Can I ask if you have a take-away from this morning's message?

One of the great challenges is to take Sunday's sermon and apply it the rest of the week. My own notes from Pastor Ted's comments included scratchings on God's provision, God's plan, God's reception, God's purpose, God's patience and God's presence.

One line in particular stuck with me, "thanks for the mosquitoes." Memorable, eh?

So as we race towards a Thanksgiving break (and three NFL football games on Thursday) let me encourage you to take a moment to count the blessings in your life and give thanks for all things.

Yes, even the mosquitoes. (And Monday!)