7
Steps to Developing a Men's Ministry in your Church
1. Develop
a Men's Profile
Help your pastor
make a profile of the men in your church by gathering information on age, marital
status, interests, and need for fellowship. Pastors who understand the profile
of their men will be prepared to pray for specific men to become Men's Ministries
Leaders.
2. Select
a Core Prayer Group
The pastor will
identify a core group of three-to-five men through prayer and personal contact.
This group will commit to meet with the Pastor weekly for three months to pray
for Men's Ministries. The most effective ministries are those that begin with
a core of laborers who are devoted to the Pastor's leadership and who have a
vision for the ministry. This core group may become the Men's Ministries Leadership
Team.
3. Select
Keyman
The Pastor will
then select a Men's Ministries Leader (Keyman) from the Leadership Team. The
Keyman is a critical link between the local church, the conference, and the
International Men's Ministries organization. Under the direction and authority
of the Pastor, alongside the Leadership Team, the Keyman has responsibilities
that include:
- Working with the Leadership
Team in prayer for and development of Men's Ministries.
- Initiating, organizing,
and promoting Men's Ministries in the church.
- Being the contact person
for the conference. This will allow him to be a conduit for resources and
materials for his church.
- Delegating various leadership
and program responsibilities to the Leadership Team as their desire, interests
and strengths become known.
- Developing and organizing
Men's Ministries small groups.
4. Develop
the Leadership Team
This Team will
take shape from the core group. Leadership is discerned by follow-ship, not
elections. Task-orientation, physical skills and spiritual gifts determine it.
If God wants Men's Ministries to happen, men will respond to the need with a
willingness to take on specific tasks.
5. Initiate
Small Groups
Men's small groups
are a good environment for men to grow in Christ. These are truly the heart
of the Men's Ministries and will meet regularly for prayer accountability, Bible
Study and equipping for sharing the gospel.
6. Develop
Special Programming
These special-event
programs can be used to strengthen the body life of the entire church, as well
as to upgrade ministry to the community. (see programming
ideas)
7. Encourage
MMI Partnerships
An annual gift
of $25 per man means ownership of national and international ministry activities.
But MMI is a ministry and not a dues-paying club. Gifts are encouraged as God
lays the burden on men's hearts. It is partners rather than mere members who
are sought. Maintain an up-to-date list of all your men's addresses and phone
numbers. It will aid you as you encourage men to become partners in the national
partner drive that is held each fall.