Reaching and Discipling Men for Christ
Another survey reveals, “Fewer than 10 percent of U.S. churches are able to establish or maintain a vibrant men’s ministry and fewer than 1 percent of churchgoing men participate in any sort of ongoing men’s ministry program.”
Rick Allen, National Men’s Ministries director for the Assemblies of God, believes it is time to reverse these statistics and give men the opportunity, the resources, and the ability to not only follow Christ, but become a missional disciple that will live out godly principles in his life, home, church, and marketplace. When men become the missional disciples in their home, they become more involved in the local church. In turn, they will be men who serve their communities and share their faith.
“If we can provide the necessary resources, we will witness God do incredible things in the lives of men,” Allen says. “But for many congregations, the question is ‘How can we reach the men in our church and community?’”
At General Council 2017 in Anaheim, the National Men’s Ministries Department launched new discipleship resources in the form of small group studies. The resources cover four dimensions of manhood: identity, relationship, purpose, and vision. These free resources are readily available to assist pastors and leaders in helping men overcome struggles in these dimensions of their lives.
Currently, the National Men’s Ministries Department has 42 series with 177 small group lessons that a pastor or men’s leader can download for free. Of these, eight series and 38 small group lessons have been translated into Spanish. These studies encompass three faith levels for every man: Courage (discovering Christ), Strength (strengthen and grow deeper in Christ), and Endurance (finding deeper spiritual purpose). In addition to these resources, Jimmy White, director of Men’s Discipleship, is currently developing additional small group resources with a biblical focus starting with the gospel of John.
The National Men’s Ministries Department will also launch nine specific studies targeting different areas in man’s life over the next year. Jan. 28, 2018, is National Men’s Day in the Assemblies of God. The 2018 National Men’s Ministries theme is “Courage.” Theme resources are available for free.