There is a great need for younger men to be engaged and involved in the ministry to men in your church. Younger men are at a pivotal time in their lives where they are asking questions, making tough decisions, and trying to figure life out.
Your ministry could be a key influencer in the life of a younger man, but you’ll need to think a little differently if you want to engage younger men in your men’s ministry.
Here are some things to consider:
- Think about when you hold your gatherings. Saturday mornings or 7 p.m. on a midweek night are tough for younger men to attend. They often have family time that they want to be a part of, so pulling them away can be tough. Hold your meetings later (9 PM) or even change up how you do them (e.g., Bible study via texting). Move away from a Saturday AM breakfast to a Saturday PM meat night. Make it easily accessible for a man with a young family to engage in.
- Make your topics relevant. Try to address things that younger guys are going through: career changes, dating, marriage, fathering, anger, anxiety, insecurity, etc. There are so many things that guys face that the Bible can address. Answer questions from the Bible that people are asking.
- Provide easy on- and off-ramps. Often, we start something in ministry that feels like it will never end. Instead, think of the commitment level as “easy in” and “easy out”; 4 to 6 weeks max for a Bible study, or just a 3-hour commitment once a quarter. If you think and promote in this way, it becomes easier for younger guys to engage and not feel like they are bailing on their long-term commitment if they need to step back mid-program.
- Create opportunities for them to engage their families. Hosting father-son / father-daughter events is a great way to help guys engage their families while building relationships with other guys. Father-son floor hockey or father-daughter dances or craft nights are family fun ways for men to honor their commitments to their families while also engaging in a ministry opportunity. Encouraging guys to bring their kids to things can be helpful for the whole family.
- Do one-day events. It’s easier for guys to commit to a one-day event than a 6-week Bible study. Host a workshop. Do a service project. Have a “meat night.” Every 2-3 months, have a one-day connection where guys can join in and be a part of the ministry, even if they don’t come often.
- Get the younger guys doing things. Whether it’s hosting, praying, planning, or teaching, get younger guys involved in the ministry. Yes, there may be some risks there, but it’s a great way for you to engage younger guys in active ministry. Always lean younger in everything you do. Take a mental note of the ages of the guys in your church. How can you engage the 20-30-year-old man this week? Start now and lean younger; you’ll be glad you did.
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