IN AND OUTSIDE THE CHURCH COMMUNITY.
Men's Ministries
Director Rev. Marshall Delay
“Deep in his heart, every man wants to be a part of a team that does something great. Just look at the movies men adore. A team comes together to save the world, steal the money, or win the championship. The Lord of the Rings, X-Men, The Matrix, Saving Private Ryan, Oceans Eleven, Remember The Titans… feature a band of brothers who attempt the dangerous, the outrageous, the impossible. Each member of the team has a specialty and makes a vital contribution. A band of brothers. Though he may not realize it, every man longs to be a part of one” (Why Men Hate Church, D. Murrow). Men’s groups are not about having a club or a guild (people with common interests or goals); it’s about integrating men into church. It’s about camaraderie, affirmation, personal development and spiritual growth. According to churchformen.com, A significant number of churchgoing men attend out of habit, unaffected by what they hear. Quite a few men go to church simply to keep their wives/mothers/girlfriends happy. The majority of men who attend church do nothing during the week to grow their faith. Relatively few churches are able to establish or maintain a vibrant men’s ministry. Men are a different. The common perception is men are self-reliant, don't feel, don't touch, don’t need fellowship, are too macho and are very competitive. Men see life as a puzzle. So how do we integrate men in and outside the church community? One solution is through small groups (a weekly/bi-weekly discipleship program), affinity groups (a group that shares a common interest or goal such as sports, exercising, etc.) or service groups (providing mechanical work, home restoration/repairs for families in the church). The basic concept is creating an environment for men to grow together in life’s adventures, affirm their masculinity and challenge them in their pursuit of God.  | Bleacher Bonding As we long ago came to suspect, our husbands are hardwired to use sporting events as a way to socialize. A recent study at University College London’s Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience found that when men heard the sound of laughter or cheering, it activated the areas of their brains associated with smiling and laughing – meaning that when your guy hears the roar of the crowd, a good time will be had by all. “Laughing and cheering are innately social activities,” explains Sophie K. Scott, Ph.D., lead researcher on the study, which found that the same conclusions held true for woman, too. “If you’re watching something funny on TV by yourself, you might giggle, but if you’re watching with someone else, you’ll laugh harder. And if your husband’s at a game with everyone cheering, he’ll root even more.” Dr. Scott speculates that these positive emotions are contagious because they promote group bonding – so your husband feels a strong sense of kinship with his friends as they all urge their team to victory. By Sara J. Welch -Printed in “Ladies Home Journal”, June 2007
Building Godly Men by Eddie L. Long A godly man is not macho, hard, tough, womanizing or egotistical. Rather, he is a warrior, a mentor, a friend and a priest. His goal is Christlikeness. He is a builder, nurturer, instructor, provider and protector. He is strong yet sensitive and firm yet tender with his children. He is strong yet romantic with his wife. He is teachable and not intimidated by the gifts and strength in others –– including those innate strengths of his wife. He is a leader and also able to follow. He leads at home; yet, he may lead or follow on the job or at church. He desires God above all relationships and will not compromise or turn in the face of adversity.The godly man’s focus remains on God. His wife can feel secure even though she may not totally understand how God might be leading him. He is following God and has his wife and family’s best interest in mind. He is both serious and fun loving. He can destroy evil and build character in others. He disciplines, protects and loves with the same hands and heart. Confidence, not arrogance or boastfulness, are part of his makeup. His creed is integrity and his character is unshakable. His word is his bond; you can trust what he says. Those around him become stronger because of him. They can stand more steadily because he has helped them become spiritually strong. He is driven and balanced, not lazy, shiftless or impulsive. A godly man takes responsibility for his actions, his wife and his family. Those who don’t are relegated to live in obscurity and immaturity. A man who is unwilling to shoulder his responsibility disqualifies himself from God’s blessings. The godly man is accountable, first to God and then to other men and women. His accountability begins with his father and mother and then to other authority figures God brings into his life, especially accountability with his wife. If a man will not be held accountable, he is a danger to himself and those around him. With spiritual maturity the godly man walks in the fullness of God’s Spirit and Word. He brings vision from his heart and is led by God’s Spirit. His vision is always bigger than himself and is passed on to those who come behind him. Author: Eddie L. Long Bishop Eddie L. Long is senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church (Lithonia, Georgia), which has grown from 300 in 1987 to over 25,000 today. |