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Succeeding at Ministry to Men in the Local Church – Part II: Steps to Success
Step 1 – Pray, Pray, Pray
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Believing and Living
The Revised Common Lectionary for Sunday, March 29th, spotlights Jesus’ restoration of Lazarus to life. This amazing account, as recorded in John 11, offers believers timely hope amid an ongoing global pandemic. As Jesus’ prospect of suffering and death grew closer, He returned to the area of Jerusalem. Though the religious establishment spurned Him (10:39), His closest followers loved Him. Even rejection and scorn could not dim the glory of the Messiah as displayed through the restoration of Lazarus to life, a miracle that likely occurred in the winter of AD 29. The record of the above incident is important, for it serves as an undisputed, confirming sign of the…
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Leading Men’s Small Groups – Virtual Meetings (as a Response to COVID-19)
It is imperative that we recognize what our enemy is trying to do in the midst of this turmoil and fear.
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God’s shepherding love
Psalm 23 is part of the lectionary readings for the Fourth Sunday of Advent on March 22nd. It is a fitting passage of Scripture to spotlight, especially given our current circumstance of national and global crisis brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Of the 150 songs in the psalter, Psalm 23 is perhaps both the simplest and the best loved. On the one hand, the poem was written by David from the perspective of a shepherd. On the other hand, the ode represents the prayer and meditation of a person with a mature spirit. From an historical perspective, David’s confession of faith, hope, and trust in the Lord as the…
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Succeeding at Ministry to Men in the Local Church – Part I: The Key Ingredients
What must be included in order to have a successful, life-changing Men’s Ministry? Although there are many important elements, the following key ingredients are essential:
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A prayer to the Creator in the midst of the COVID-19 outbreak
May our sons in their youth flourish like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like stately corner pillars that are carved to adorn a palace. May our granaries be filled with every kind of produce. May our sheep increase by the thousands, and by the tens of thousands in our open fields. May our oxen pull heavy loads of produce from the harvest. May there be no enemy breaking through our walls. May there be no one exiled into captivity. May there be no cries of distress heard in our public squares. How blessed are the people for whom these realities are true! How blessed are the people whose God…
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God’s Thoughts and Ways – Part XII (Zipporah, Wife of Moses)
Seek to become more like brave Zipporah in her wholehearted service to the Lord!
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Succeeding at Ministry to Men in the Local Church – Introduction
Why Men’s Ministry? While this question may appear unnecessary, it is important that we clarify what is meant by ministry, as it relates to men. We must understand our unique role as godly men in an ungodly world. And we must understand how the world has impacted and influenced men in general, and what God’s Word says about who we are, what we are to become, and what we are to do.
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Leading Men’s Small Groups – How To Support Men Going Through Difficult Times
Once men start to open up, it is not unusual to discover significant past or present pain and failure. No matter how much we try to communicate that the church is a place for sinners, fellow strugglers, and wounded people, non-Christians and immature Christians will always feel that they are the only ones who struggle in the church. Often they will hide these struggles for fear that they will not be liked if people know the “real” them.
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Leading Men’s Small Groups – Success Keys 7-9
As followers of Christ, we are called to “make disciples.” This happens best through the method of small groups. In small groups, people experience true fellowship. They are able to share their joys and pain, they are challenged and held accountable to continued spiritual growth, and friendships are established for a lifetime. More simply put, lives are transformed for Christ and leaders developed for service in the Kingdom. The Holy Spirit does something in the lives of people in small groups that is profound, powerful and important, as people enter into an intimate relationship with God and each other.
