Why the Church Doesn’t Need Men’s Ministry
We have all seen it.
A man comes to Christ, and at some point he decides he wants to get his life on track with the Lord. He is tired of his old ways and longs for something better, deeper, stronger, and more meaningful. So, he starts attending whatever his church offers under the banner of men’s ministry. At first, it motivates him. It gives him a spark. Unfortunately, that is usually as far as it goes.
Life gets busy. Culture pulls hard. Before long, he drifts away from the ministry he once felt excited about. No lasting transformation has taken root. He slips back into the same habits he hoped to leave behind.
I have been a pastor for a good while now, and I have seen men’s ministry appear in every imaginable form. Small groups, men’s breakfasts, big events, retreats, outdoorsman gatherings, and hands on activities. Men’s discipleship can happen in any of these settings, but none of them are men’s discipleship by themselves. Too often, men’s ministry becomes the church equivalent of throwing ideas at the wall to see what sticks. Do not get me wrong. These things can be helpful. I mean, men’s breakfast? You had me at bacon.
There is a reason men’s discipleship often devolves into events and activities, and honestly, it is pretty innocent. Most pastors genuinely want men to grow in their faith. For the last hundred years, American churches have struggled to consistently engage men. That may be shifting in recent years, but historically it has been a real challenge. So the pastor looks around, sees what is working at another church, and tries a plug and play approach. Voila, men’s ministry! But after a few years, he realizes it is still the same eight to ten guys who started it. Men show up. Men enjoy the moment. Men leave unchanged.
Here is the real difference:
Jesus never ran a men’s ministry.
I have read the Bible many times, and I have never seen Him host a men’s breakfast, plan a hunting trip, or organize an annual retreat. These can be wonderful additions to discipleship, but they are not the core. What He did do, and what He commanded us to do, is make disciples.
Matthew 4:19: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Mark 3:14: “He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out.”
Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…”
Jesus’ model for discipling men was simple. Follow me. Become like me. Act like me. Lead others to me. That is discipleship, and it is the only thing that truly changes a man.
ACtion Steps
Invest intentionally in one man.
Find someone who can help you grow spiritually.
Join a men’s discipleship pathway like The Battle Plan at New Community Church.
Help your church cultivate a discipleship mindset.
Start small. Start slow. Go deeper.
Ask Yourself
Who has been instrumental in growing my faith to this point?
Who could I help in a similar way?
What spiritual habit do I need to develop?
Additional Resources
https://www.crosswalk.com/church/pastors-or-leadership/why-are-men-disappearing-from-
https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/church/why-are-more-men-going-back-to-church-in-2025/
