Overview

The ministry of men in the local church is defined as a core group of men, partnering with their pastor, to invite and initiate spiritual growth opportunities for all men of the church. Everyone has different gifts, graces and areas of interest. Therefore, opportunities for participation would include diverse ministries of the church, such as prayer groups, missions, Bible studies, retreats, workshops/seminars, small groups in the Wesleyan tradition, leading and participating on committees, teaching Sunday school classes, youth ministries, scouting, mentoring and assisting in leading worship service. The focus is not inward, concentrating only on those who attend a set meeting, but outward to all men, assisting them to engage the process of spiritual growth.

Mission

Our mission is to support spiritual growth among men, helping men to mature as disciples as they encourage spiritual formation in others.

Goal

Our goal is to empower the ministry of Jesus Christ through men within the congregations of the UMC.

Pathway

Our pathway is a lifelong commitment to spiritual growth to maturity as Christ followers. Our spiritual formation is marked by spiritual reproduction, as our faith passes on in others.

How can The General Commission on United Methodist Men (GCUMM) serve local churches?

The GCUMM can serve local churches by training and equipping leaders. With that in mind, the GCUMM has developed a new leadership training experience called Men’s Ministry Specialist. Men’s Ministry Specialist (MMS) is a leadership-development position for laity or clergy who are called by God to the ministry of Jesus Christ through men. A MMS serves the UMC as a resource, promoter, communicator, and connector within and beyond the congregation. He equips and motivates leaders for effective men’s ministry through training, inspiration, and assistance.

United Methodist Men would like to train at least 100 Men’s Ministry Specialists to serve local churches. This would mean that there would be about two MMS per conference. Each specialist in a given conference would work with local churches in that conference to create and sustain a thriving ministry for men in the church.

Why is men’s ministry important?

• 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 passes on 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: family blessings, stewardship, service, outreach, prayer, spiritual leadership, lifestyle evangelism, and faithful obedience. Men are foundational to the life and health of the church.
• 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-nothing less is our acceptable offering; nothing less truly reveals Christ.