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MONTHLY MEETINGS
Transforming From "Business Meeting" to Worship Rally
When the term "Brotherhood" or "Baptist Men" is mentioned, many folks automatically think of a Saturday or Sunday morning breakfast meeting in which men "meet, eat, burp and go home!" Unfortunately, this reputation is well deserved in many instances. But this is beginning to change. More and more, local church Baptist Men leaders are discovering the need to stretch beyond the traditional boundaries of Baptist Men into areas that will attract non-active men to the ministry. One of the keys to this is helping men grow spiritually. Men want to be challenged. Many want a chance to learn more about their relationship with Christ. One area where men's spiritual growth can be enhanced is the monthly men's meeting. Rather than being a time for primarily reporting and planning, many Men's Ministry groups are seeing the monthly meeting as a time for inspiration and growth. Most men are careful with their schedules these days. They are not likely to come to something they feel is not worth their time. Therefore, it is important that a monthly meeting be one thing - "relevant." That is, relevant to a man's needs - spiritual growth, involvement, challenge. Below are a few suggestions that may enhance the effectiveness of your monthly men's meeting. Remember, a goal is not only to enhance those men who attend regularly but also to reach men who have dropped out of fellowship, or who have never been involved before. - Consider holding your monthly meeting as a weeknight supper meeting
Many men today may not want to give up a Saturday morning for a meeting. If the intent were to meet, and then go do a mission project on Saturday, most men would rather meet briefly at the church or work site, and "get on with it." Sunday morning may not be the best time either. Time is limited. There may be a "formal" feeling to meeting on Sunday morning, and some men will need to go back home after the meeting to pick up their family. - Find ways to add spiritual dimension to your meetings
This is what many men hunger for. This is also what will help you grow your Men's Ministry. This will require a transformation for many as to what the purpose of the monthly meeting is. There should be a short time for announcements, planning and reporting, but those items are not the focus of the meeting. Focus on those things that will inspire and incite men to spiritual growth.
- Singing
Believe it or not, men love to sing! You will need to find the type of music your men respond to most favorably. Many groups are finding praise songs and choruses (with the use of overhead or PowerPoint) effective in setting a worshipful, meaningful tone to the meeting. - Teaching
This can be done with the use of a live speaker or video. Either way, it should be geared specifically to issues men face (spiritual growth, how to be a better father, money management, sexual temptation, etc.). Your pastor, visiting pastor, or speaker could be enlisted. A live speaker allows for interaction. There are also many good video series that are specifically for men. "Men Leading the Charge" by Steve Farrar, "The Man God Uses" by Henry Blackaby and "Wild At Heart" by John Eldredge are three good ones. There are others. This should be a time for challenging men and causing them to look at their own life and their walk with Christ. - Discussion
Once the teaching time is complete, organize the men into groups of three. Give them a sheet with two or three thought-provoking questions related to the teaching they have just heard, and ask them to discuss. This is a very important time, not to be overlooked. This sharing will reinforce the teaching lesson. It also gives a much needed platform for men to discuss the "real" things of life and not just the "safe" things men's conversation usually gravitate toward (sports, work, and the weather!). This is where real growth takes place. - Prayer
Ask for specific prayer requests in the large group setting. Then ask men to pray in their small groups for these requests, as well as others they may share among themselves. Encourage targeted prayer for spiritual healing and awakening, not just physical healing.
Mark Abernathy
Men's Ministry Consultant
NC Baptist Men
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