Mens Teaching

donb1959 · #1 26th October 2009, 10:10 PM

Why is it so difficult to find a church that has an active mens ministry that teachs and helps men with issues that are particular to men. Every church has a womens ministry, but very few a mens....any ideas why that is?

mont974x4 · #2 26th October 2009, 10:17 PM

I have tried getting men's groups started in a few churches. It is difficult to get consistent regular committed attendance and involvment from men. Men do not seem to be willing to set aside the time.

donb1959 · #3 26th October 2009, 10:53 PM

I have tried getting men's groups started in a few churches. It is difficult to get consistent regular committed attendance and involvment from men. Men do not seem to be willing to set aside the time.

Those were my thoughts, was just wondering if I was missing something. It's a shame

mont974x4 · #4 27th October 2009, 11:09 AM

It is a shame. They do tend to step up for special events, like if the men cook breakfast for mother's day, or attendance at an annual men's retreat. However even in those cases it is usually the same guys all the time.

Maybe we do a poor job of welcoming men into the fold? (just thinking about when we get new members/attendees)

FrancisAlbert · #5 27th October 2009, 11:28 AM

I saw a 20/20 or Dateline show on this a few years ago. The bottom line was simply more women go to church in the first place. They focused on lots of families where mom and the kids go to church every Sunday and dad stays home. I don't think they ever came up with an actual reason - it's just the way it is.
That said, with fewer guys involved at all, there are fewer to choose from to form any kind of men's group. That doesn't explain Promise Keepers, except PK is not touchy/feely - it's more in your face and has lots of testosterone involved.
Come to think of it, I do think this report said something about church and worshiping being perceived as kind of feminine and that's what keeps guys away.
My 8:30 mass has lots of couples and families, but single adults....almost all female.

SuperSaint4GodDBZStyle · #6 30th October 2009, 01:54 PM

Men really don't wanna be as active in the Church now a days.

AirForceTeacher · #7 30th October 2009, 04:26 PM

In my experience it's a little spotty. I've belonged to a couple. One was work based - helping out widows and orphans around the house. I quit because they decided that they wouldn't include single moms "because the Bible says widows and orphans."

Others were play-based - go for motorcycle rides, fishing etc.

heron · #8 4th November 2009, 03:14 AM

helping out widows and orphans around the house. I quit because they decided that they wouldn't include single moms "because the Bible says widows and orphans."

!

And -

I've seen some effective Men's Breakfasts -- some Saturday mornings in the church, some in diners on workday mornings. You could just declare a meeting time at a restaurant, and see who shows up.

One church has a specialty meats dinner every year, where they buy bison, rabbit, duck... cook all sorts of game. It's expensive, though.

A grilling event or bonfire can work...combine it with prayer over a specific cause, or study of a chapter.

As said earlier, you don't want the mens group to start feeling like a second job. It should lead people closer to Christ. Some people don't have time between work and family, and really need the boost. (Men and women.)

By the way, I am a woman and don't gain much from women's events.

An activity becomes worthwhile when we make it worthwhile.

I am not sure what the feminine parts of the service are, but churches I go to are often led and organized by men. Many churches discourage women in leadership. If they are including feminine activities, then that was their choice.

wayseer · #9 4th November 2009, 03:57 AM

Originally Posted by donb1959

Why is it so difficult to find a church that has an active mens ministry that teachs and helps men with issues that are particular to men. Every church has a womens ministry, but very few a mens....any ideas why that is?

Men are still inevitably treated as part of the greater outside world and until the church tackles that little issue men will generally stay away in droves.

AirForceTeacher · #10 4th November 2009, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by heron

!

And -

Exactly. When I brought up single mothers and stated that they are today's equivalent, he got an uncomfortable look on his face and said "We're just gonna follow the Bible for now. Maybe we'll expand it later." I never attended another meeting. So much for being known for our love.

I've seen some effective Men's Breakfasts -- some Saturday mornings in the church, some in diners on workday mornings. You could just declare a meeting time at a restaurant, and see who shows up.

One church has a specialty meats dinner every year, where they buy bison, rabbit, duck... cook all sorts of game. It's expensive, though.

A grilling event or bonfire can work...combine it with prayer over a specific cause, or study of a chapter.

As said earlier, you don't want the mens group to start feeling like a second job. It should lead people closer to Christ. Some people don't have time between work and family, and really need the boost. (Men and women.)

By the way, I am a woman and don't gain much from women's events.

An activity becomes worthwhile when we make it worthwhile.

I am not sure what the feminine parts of the service are, but churches I go to are often led and organized by men. Many churches discourage women in leadership. If they are including feminine activities, then that was their choice.

My church in Colorado Springs used to do something called BYOM - they set up a huge grill in the church parking lot, then everyone brought food to grill. Once the food was done, they went inside and watched a movie (movie theater church.)