What is Men's Ministry? For every man who asks this question, there is a particular answer. Let me couch the same question a bit differently. Remember when Jesus asked the disciples what the public was saying about who he was? Then he asked them, more pointedly, who do YOU say I am? We know that Peter answered correctly. Jesus made it clear that God illuminated Peter concerning this truth. For the other answers given, I would like to call those "subjective views." Why? Because each disciple had a habitual way of processing information. We call this a worldview. The result is that each disciple came up with their own conclusions based on outside opinions (see Matthew 16:13-14; Mark 8:27-28 & Luke 18-19).
Peter responded to Jesus' question, "You are the Christ, the Son of living God!" (Matthew 16:16). Does this mean that Peter was immune to a worldview. By all means, no! But we do learn that God's ability to reveal the truth can penetrate even the most stubborn of worldviews.
How does this help us to understand what men's ministry is? Well, each man has an opinion. They vary the spectrum from whole-hearted support to complete disinterest. And for each opinion, there is a worldview. If we want God to illuminate our minds to "see" what men's minstry really is, we have all we need for that to occur. First, we have the Bible recording Jesus' behavior and how he impacted his immediate world. Secondly, we have an abundance of teachers and pastors to help us see deeper into Jesus' identity as a man. Thirdly, we have the Holy Spirit to reveal spiritual truths to our finite minds. Lastly, we have men with whom we connect in life.
When men gather and begin exploring their lives, the lives of others, and God himself, a powerful thing happens: those same men experience Christ is a way they could never have outside men's groups. To be sure, each one of us has our own journey. Therefore, no one else can live our lives for us. We alone can choose to experience a deeper life in Christ. Spiritual growth is something we must be proactive about.
So, what is men's ministry? Well, it can be what you make of it. Or, it can be something God-inspired. The choice is ours to make. What's yours?
Men's ministry...I can see this as a great forum where men can share their thoughts, opinion, struggles, fears, hope, and joy in an atmosphere of genuine Love (that is God). I am looking forward to getting to know Christ more through other men that are of His body. This is truly of vital importance in a world that is spinning farther away from the Truth. I need this. We are in a spiritual battle, and the more "knights" I have fighting together with me, the stronger I will become to do whatever it is that God has planned for my life.
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