Men, just like women, are essential to the church’s mission. Because of this, every church should find a way to effectively minister to men.
By Fran Trascritti
Men’s ministry has certainly impacted my life over the last 25-plus years, which is one of the reasons I love men’s ministry. I appreciate digging into the Word of God with other guys. I enjoy the joking and laughing, the fellowship and the ways that men can do ministry together.
Paul wrote to Timothy in 1 Timothy 2:8, that he wanted “the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.” This is significant because Paul is advocating for men to pray, worship, and lead the church in peace. In other words, men—just like women—are essential to the mission of the church.
That said, every church should find a way to effectively minister to men.
Years ago, I was a new pastor in a rural church, and decided to start a men’s Bible study in a little country breakfast café. We began with a few men and took up half of the room. Within weeks we filled up the place, studying the Word every Tuesday morning at 6 and ministering to the regulars employees of the restaurant each week. God truly bore fruit in that ministry for many years.
So what does a life-changing, fruitful men’s ministry look like? Here are five traits to keep in mind as you build an effective men’s ministry:
1. Christ-centered
Every ministry of the church needs to have Jesus at its core. I knew a man in his 70s who once pointed out to us younger men that if it wasn’t for Jesus, we probably would never even talk to each other.
Jesus is our reason for our existence, and He’s the reason for all we do. Don’t miss this point as you keep Christ at the center of your ministry.
2. Prayer-focused
Paul called Timothy to first have the men to pray together. God does an amazing work when men pray together in unity. James 5:16 (CSB) says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is very powerful in its effect.”
Prayer of righteous, unified men in Christ is powerful beyond our natural means.
3. Word-impacted
We’re called to make disciples, and men’s ministry is an important part of accomplishing that mission.
My preference is to study the Bible book by book, and Lifeway’s Explore the Bible has some easy-to-use, affordable resources to help you study the Word together.
4. Relationship-building
Paul also emphasized to Timothy the need for men to be at peace with one another as they served Christ together.
Relationships take time, honesty, and patience, and an effective men’s ministry has activities and settings that encourage bonding to take place.
5. Ministry-engaging
The purpose of a men’s ministry is to make disciples of the men you engage. However, this also includes equipping men in your ministry to do the same.
One idea is to set up mission trips or ministry events that make use of the gifts and experience of the men you have in your ministry. An effective men’s ministry will make plenty of opportunities available for men to serve others.
I can’t thank Jesus enough for the men in my life who have loved, encouraged, and strengthened me in my walk with Christ. There’s such great joy in having a healthy men’s ministry in a church. What has been a blessing for me, I hope can be a blessing for you and those you lead as you put some of these ideas into practice.
Fran Trascritti
Fran is the pastor of Beacon Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has served churches for more than two decades.
