A Moment for Mission
“But we have this treasure in clay pots so that the awesome power belongs to God and doesn’t come from us.” —2 Corinthians 4:7, CEB
What is men’s ministry? In United Methodist congregations, it’s a core group of men who partner with their pastor to invite and initiate spiritual growth opportunities for all men.
In every congregation, we find people with different gifts, graces and areas of interest. Opportunities for participating in men’s ministries reflect that diversity: organizing prayer groups; supporting missions; leading Bible studies; participating in retreats, workshops/seminars and small groups in the Wesleyan tradition; leading and participating on committees; teaching Sunday school classes or youth ministries; leading scouting groups; mentoring and leading worship services. The focus is outward to all men, helping them to engage the process of spiritual growth.
Across The United Methodist Church, congregations observe Men’s Ministry Sunday, celebrating men’s work within and beyond the local church.
Children’s Message
Today is Men’s Ministry Sunday. It’s a time to say thanks for the many ways men serve God and help in our church and community.
Look around our church. What are some of the ways that men help in our church? In many churches, men are pastors. They also help in worship, teach Sunday school classes, sing in the choir, lead youth groups and help with scouting. Others lead Bible studies, prayer groups and retreats; do mission work at home and around the world; and share their special skills.
God calls each of us, sometimes at surprising times and in surprising ways. On Men’s Ministry Sunday, we say “thank you” to the men who serve our church and our community in so many ways. Together, we all serve God and help our church love others.
Prayer
Eternal God, today we celebrate the ministry of men. We realize that it is the responsibility of every man to conform to the image of God as expressed in Jesus Christ. Our celebration today is in recognition of that goal for every man and boy of this congregation. We acknowledge that we may only obtain this goal to the degree we are willing to submit ourselves under your Lordship.
Strengthen our resolve, instill in us your confidence and empower us to be the old men, young men and boys you created us to be through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Newsletter Nugget
“But we have this treasure in clay pots so that the awesome power belongs to God and doesn’t come from us.” —2 Corinthians 4:7, CEB
Across The United Methodist Church, congregations observe Men’s Ministry Sunday, celebrating men’s work within and beyond the local church.
Men’s ministry is important for many reasons:
Men lead others best by modeling Jesus Christ in thoughts, words and deeds.
Spiritual maturity is signified in spiritual reproduction as the faith of mature disciples continues in others.
Men growing in Christ become effective spiritual leaders in their homes and congregations, working as partners with their spouses and congregational leaders, both lay and clergy.
Spiritually growing men help congregations to become vital and alive.
Everything desired from and through men comes as a result of men growing spiritually and maturing as disciples. Men are foundational to the church’s life and health.
When a man lives daily in surrendered faith, God is honored and many lives are blessed. Transformed hearts are forged only within Christ-centered lives.
Adapted from General Commission on United Methodist Men