Welcome to our next Leadership Tip where we discuss some of the most pressing issues you will face as a leader of men in your church and community.
There is so much excitement and anticipation for what will be a new ministry season. It has been a long time that we’ve been in lockdown, so there are a lot of men that are anxious to get going.
After so many months of limitations, restrictions, and distancing, many leaders don’t even know how to start thinking about returning. This can lead to anxiety and discouragement.
Here are 3 practical tips as you consider re-starting your ministry to men:
Discern God’s Will
This may be obvious, but I think it is important to say this: We need to discern.
We need to take time, both alone and with your team, to gather intentionally and frequently to pray, and ask God what he wants for the ministry season. Invite key leaders that are around you to pray with you for direction, for intervention in the hearts of the men of the church. Invite key guys to pray with you, and that may include the church leadership and the pastors.
James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths.”
God wants to bless his people, and He gives wisdom and direction to us when we ask him. God’s ways will always work best.
Discover Your Guys
The second thing a leader must be prepared to do is to discover their men again.
Remember, you have lost touch, literally, of your men. Many of them have been somewhat connected only from a distance and online. Others have left entirely, while others, you don’t know how they are doing or what their plans are for when things return to normal.
Be prepared to survey or poll your men who are in your database. Ask questions trying to get a sense of how there are doing, what they are struggling with, and more importantly, how your ministry can help them. It can be done via email, zoom calls, or even going out for coffee with key guys.
Do Something
Also, in addition to knowing God’s will and knowing your men, it is essential to do something and begin to design your program.
After a long hiatus, there is a risk that many leaders face: that the perfect becomes the enemy of the good. In other words, to wait for your team to have all figured it out before doing anything may be too late. Just do something with them. Engage them. In his book, Do Something, Miles McPherson helps you create an outline, a kind of master plan to accomplish something. It may be worth it to check it out.
Remember that you cannot do everything, but you can start by doing something. Plan one thing – a worship service for the men, a social activity like a ball game, a BBQ. Be creative!
This three-step approach will give you time, discernment, and knowledge to get to the drawing board and design a plan. You do want to have a plan. You will need a year-long plan for ministering to your men.
This plan also needs to be holistic. It needs to consider all guys who are already part of your church, those searching for answers that are not yet a part of it, men that are growing and thriving in their walk with Jesus, and your leaders and potential future leaders.
This moment is an excellent opportunity to engage with the church leadership to coordinate calendars, activities, and vision. Your ministry will need to be aligned with the church’s overall vision.
Use this website for more tools and resources to help you develop a plan with solid tools in hand.
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