For the next few weeks, we’ll be sharing summaries of chapters from the book How to Disciple Men, a “short and sweet” practical guide to men’s ministry. For more information about the book and how to get a copy, click here.
When most think of “men’s ministry” I bet something like a men’s breakfast pops into your mind or possibly an annual men’s retreat for the guys in your church. While men’s breakfasts and retreats in of themselves can be valuable ways to minister to the men in your church, they should not be categorized solely as your church’s men’s ministry.
In How to Disciple Men, Brett Clemmer asks churches to break that way of thinking in his excerpt “The Keys to Discipling Every Man in Your Church.” How exactly can we do that? He asks churches to consider and “all-inclusive ministry to men.” So what does that mean? In short, don’t limit discipling the men in your church to men’s only events. Clemmer puts it this way:
“First, God has called us to disciple every willing man in the church and community, not just those who are currently coming to men’s only events. Second, everything that any man does with your church is ministry to men. An all-inclusive ministry to men maximizes the kingdom impact of every interaction with every man no matter.”
The first suggestion Clemmer gives it to make a list of all the areas in which men participate and serve: “Sunday School teachers, deacons, elders, parking lot ministry, softball team, and sound booth.” Once those ministries are identified, Clemmer encourages strategizing ways to minister to the men already serving. He gives the example of having the head usher read scripture before service to his team on Sundays. Another example? Finding mature men to join the softball team so they can encourage other men in their own spiritual walk. Essentially, find the areas where men are already serving and “fill in the gaps.” Help men disciple other men where they are already involved and don’t get hung up on the fact that they aren’t attending “men’s ministry” events.
In fact, Clemmer supports eliminating the term “men’s ministry” altogether. In Clemmer’s words, “It usually conjures up a picture of a bunch of guys eating pancakes anyway, rather than bold, faithful disciples passionately pursuing Christ.” Start small by working with men on the various ministry teams to see what strategy works for them.
For a more in-depth look at how to pursue an all-inclusive ministry to men, read Brett Clemmer’s chapter in How to Disciple Men, available in bookstores now. Brett is currently serving as President and CEO of Man in the Mirror and has spoken and trained for Man in the Mirror in the U.S. and abroad.