Defining Men's Ministry

As we enter into a new year, I think it is important to focus on the goals and purpose of Men's Ministry at OBC--including defining what Men's Ministry should be.

There is often a great deal of confusion and misperception about what Men’s ministry is and what it should look like. It can become a conglomeration of social activities and work details, a recruiting ground for other ministries, and a place of ongoing confusion. This confusion can cause a seasoned saint to opt out and avoid shepherding others. This can cause a newer believer to hide in fear and can cause those in between to remain on the sideline and believe that the church doesn’t really have anything for the Christian man.

Men’s ministry in its base form and definition is simply ministering to men. It’s helping, equipping, encouraging and empowering men to fulfill their God-given roles. It’s an opportunity to grab hold of our God-given responsibility and privilege as servant-leaders, husbands and fathers and live it to the fullest. This can only be done by men connecting with other men and opening God’s Word—together. Doing this allows us to grow spiritually and to lean on and encourage others in their daily walk. This is where true friendships are built and strong Christian bonds are formed. Bonds that are stronger than pride, jealousy, pity and fear. As we connect with one another, not only do we benefit personally, but our wives, our children, our church and others around us benefits as well.

Defining Men’s ministry also means defining what it is not. Men’s ministry is not a “help-wanted” ad for other ministries but a place for men to discover and develop their spiritual gifts and passions to be used for God’s glory. Men’s ministry is not just a place for new or spiritually immature Christians but a place for each and every man to build relationships, regardless of where they are in their walk. To be complete is to have Paul (somebody mentoring you), Silas (you encouraging spiritual peers) and Timothy (you mentoring somebody) relationships in your life.

Rest assured, just as he wants us to stay disconnected from God through unconfessed sin in our lives, Satan wants Christian men to remain in isolation from each other and to render us powerless. The most effective way to fight our spiritual enemy is to first be on our knees in prayer and then to rise up and stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers in Christ.