As few as ten years ago, many had not realized the need for ministries that were for a particular gender. Today, most Adventists are aware of, are involved in, or support a gender-based ministry, with women’s ministry leading the way. Nevertheless, the men’s ministry director also fills an important role in the church, in that he works to encourage, lead, and nurture men who serve as brothers, husbands, fathers, and ministry leaders. The director is responsible for organizing, planning, and directing programs that will meet the unique spiritual and emotional needs of the men of the church.
The men’s ministry has often been chased by the big-screen TV and Super Bowl stereotype. It is your duty to lead the men of your church, as well as their families and the church-at-large to a new understanding. The men of your church need to come away from the men’s ministry gatherings better equipped to serve the church, their families, and each other. “For you have been called to live in freedom–not freedom to satisfy your sinful nature, but freedom to serve one another in love” (Gal. 5:13, New Living Translation).
Duties of the Men’s Ministry Coordinator and Committee:
Spiritual Gifts Desired:
Resource Materials
The following resources are recommended for your ministry. You can purchase these by calling AdventSource (800-328-0525), the Adventist Book Center (800-765-6955) or your local Christian bookstore.
Website
- Develop and conduct on a periodic basis a wide variety of programs and activities that will meet the various contemporary needs of a diverse male constituency.
- Encourage and facilitate meaningful spiritual, mental, and emotional growth among the men of the church.
- Work with the small group committee to develop groups centering around the needs of men.
- Plan a Men’s Ministry worship service once per year which especially addresses the needs of men. This will need to be coordinated with the pastor several months in advance.
- Communicate with the board and pastor when scheduling programs.
- Serve as a communicator of news of interest to men that is disseminated from the division, union, and conference men’s ministries programs.
- Encouragement
- Administration
- Shepherding
- 600 Minutes With God, Dick Duerksen/Ray Dabrowski, eds, AdvenTalk Media. 200 (3-minute) devotionals written by Christian men for Christian men. Personal, direct, humorous and pointed. Each page will challenge you in your personal Christian growth.
- Expect Great Things: How to Be a Happy, Growing Christian, by Richard O’Ffill. A template for successful Christian living, with the goal of being like Jesus.
- Follow Me: How to Walk With Jesus, by Miraslov Kis. With sensitive sketches of people whose lives were transformed when they met Jesus, the author gives us new eyes, and then explores the implications of following Jesus.
- Leap Over A Wall, by Eugene Peterson. Through the story of David, Peterson suggests new and powerful possibilities for how you can live as God’s best friend today.
- Temptations Men Face, by Tom L. Eisenman. Straightforward talk on money, affairs, perfectionism and insensitivity. How do men experience common temptations and what can be done about them? Insights into a man’s perspective on these and other tough issues.
- Then Men Think Private Thoughts, by Gordon McDonald. If you have ever questioned your personal value, wondered how God can use you better, tried to evaluate your success as father or husband, this book will encourage you. McDonald, with almost painful honesty, shows how to peel away your selfishness and see what God is eager to do in you.
- The North American Division Men’s Ministry site (www.emale.org) has information on how to start a men’s ministry group, offers confidential counseling, and lists resources for men and ministry leaders.
- Visit AdventSource On-Line at www.adventsource.org for a complete list of the latest resources available for local church leaders. You can place an order or request a catalog by calling 1-800-328-0525.
- For information about additional resources and answers to your questions call the Adventist Plusline at 1-800-732-7587 or visit them on-line at www.plusline.org.