Have You Been Inoculated?

Dear Leader,

Nearly every church I go to has a program or ministry for children. Many of them also have an active women's ministry. Yet very few of them have much, if anything, going for their men. Why is that?

I have even seen churches with a women's ministry leader on staff, yet have nothing going for their men. There are church websites that promote women's ministry, and again, nothing for the men. Why is that?

Likely, it's a number of things, but I believe there are two big reasons why this is the reality for so many churches. First of all, a man is a hard thing to reach. In chapter 1 of "No Man Left Behind," we discuss how men's ministry is like rocket science.

Secondly, churches and leaders have become inoculated. They have tried and failed multiple times to implement a men's ministry. Each failure is like a little inoculation, creating more and more resistance to a sustainable ministry to men.

The ultimate conclusion many come to is that men's ministry is too hard. It doesn't work.

While it is indeed difficult, ministry to men will work if implemented properly and invested in with time and resources. More importantly, it is well worth the return on investment when men are truly transformed.

If you've experienced inoculation to the process of reaching men, can we talk? Before you give up completely, I would be grateful for the opportunity to help you.

In Christ,

Nate Flynn

Area Director

DiscipleshipChangesEverything

Rocket Science

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Rocket Science

Anyone can find a problem. We need people who are willing to find solutions.

When it comes to discipling men, No Man Left Behind is the solution to the problems we've encountered in trying to reach our men.

When working with men, we experience parallels with rocket science:

Gravity: Most men shoulder the burden of supporting a family financially, trying to be a good husband and father, and resisting the temptations of the world that try to drag them down.
Velocity: New Christians go like gangbusters; but many men have been in church for a long time, and their enthusiasm is waning.
Angles of ascent: Some men get it and steadily move forward; others careen back and forth in their spiritual journey, veering off and hurting people as they go. The key is to ensure they are moving toward Christlikeness.
Coefficients of drag: Jobs, soccer games, family problems, church commitments, hobbies...all of these seem to hold men back - leaders too - as they seek to develop their faith and their ministry.

It brings relief when you realize a man really is a hard thing to reach, and hope when you understand there is a strategy to help you succeed.

Ministry Highlight

The 2nd Annual SoIN Scramble was a smashing success! We had over two dozen sponsors, 76 golfers, 15 volunteers, and 20+ different churches represented.

Our event raised over $4500 for ministry to men right here in Southern Indiana, and introduced our mission to numerous dozens of individuals.

THANK YOU to everyone who participated and supported us!

Action Steps4

YOUR ACTION STEP:

Battle Inoculation

Every other Sunday I serve in the kid's ministry of my church. Why?

For one, I remember fondly the influence that my Sunday School teachers had on me as a youth. Furthermore, I believe we need to teach children the Word of God. They need to know the good news of Jesus and that they are loved by God.

My point is, children's ministries are important, as are ministries for women. Churches should absolutely make investments in these areas.

However, I believe that these are easy investments to make because families are looking for them. According to Barna research, 80% of churches have a children's ministry, and over half of all church congregants believe children's ministry is the most important focus of a church.

Similarly, women are actively seeking support, community, and spiritual growth opportunities.

While these ministries are undeniably important, the challenge arises when they inadvertently lead to a lack of investment in ministry to men. Oftentimes, men feel that church is not for them. It is a place to take their children and their wives, but it doesn't really have anything to offer them.

So, men aren't looking for value in the church, and the church isn't providing it.

Instead, we continue to invest in the ministries that we think work. In reality, if we could truly reach our men, we would not only transform their lives, but it would bolster every other aspect of the church as well.

Like it or not, as the men go, so goes the church.

If we want children who are instilled with a strong faith foundation, we need men and fathers who will show them the way. If we want women to be loved as Christ loved the church, we need husbands who understand what it means to serve and sacrifice like Jesus.

When a man is discipled, it changes everything. Just because the things we've tried in the past didn't work, doesn't mean there isn't a way that will. Not only can we be effective at reaching and discipling men, we MUST make it a priority.

Build My Men

GO DEEPER WITH THIS POST FROM THE MAN IN THE MIRROR BLOG

Men's Ministry is Rocket Science

Men’s Ministry. How hard can it really be? Think about it: You’ve got men; you’ve got a church. Add a testimony, some pancakes, a prayer, and—poof!—a men’s ministry. Right? We’ve worked with thousands of churches across America to help them disciple men. Leaders from churches all over the world have been through our leadership training.

Continue Reading →

Check out our SoIN Touch page for an updated list of ministry happenings and resources for men in Southern Indiana!

Xtreme Character Challenge

Join 4MUSA on the trails of Southern Indiana for an amazing adventure.

For 72 hours, you will be placed on a team to battle with the elements, with yourself, and with God. Eventually there is only one winner! Weekends are physically challenging with great spiritual lessons where you will examine your life and your purpose. You will hike many miles but ultimately it is the 18 inches between head and heart that truly matters.

Indiana XCC

Clark State Forest

November 7-10, 2024

Check out their website for additional dates, locations, and events!

Find Your Adventure!

Edge Weekend

Edge Venture is a Christian Ministry that focuses on men discovering who they are in the eyes of Jesus. Edge seeks to build a community of men that uses biblical principles and experiential tactics to help them hear the Holy Spirit in their lives and conquer the roadblocks and challenges ahead of them.

West Lebanon, IN

November 8-10, 2024

Check out their website for additional dates, locations, and events!

Join an orientation or host your own!

We would love to invite you and your men to be a part of this congregation-changing initiative. Through our campaign, we aim to empower and equip the mature Christian men in your church to become spiritual guides to the next generation of men.

We want to see 10,000 mature Christian men across the country disciple the younger men in their local churches - including your church! Let us help you restore the ancient art of one-to-one, intergenerational men's discipleship.

Together, we can invest in a new generation of strong, compassionate, and godly men who will lead the church for generations to come.

Learn more

If you have events, resources, or other opportunities for men in Southern Indiana, please use the form below to share them with our network.