The functions represented on the local church men’s ministry team should be tailored to the needs and size of the church and the maturity of the ministry. Adapt these suggestions based on the men who are available and the needs and direction of your men’s ministry.
Getting Started
Team Leader (Chairman/Captain/Coordinator, etc.) This is the man with a clear vision for ministry to and through men and who is liked and respected by the majority of the men in the congregation. He is the “up front guy” who is willing and able to take on some of the administrative work of the men's ministry.
Pastor: Ministry to men is critical to the health of the church, so the pastor needs to be part of this team. His role on the team is to listen and advise. His role outside of the team is to 'champion' men's ministry to the congregation. Everyone in the church should know that ministry to and through men is one of his most important priorities.
Leadership Team Functions
• Vision and Mission
• Ministry Strategies
• Service Projects
• Discipling
• Outreach
• Men’s Events
• Missions
The Maturing Ministry. Consider adding the following positions as the ministry matures or as the church grows.
Prayer Coordinator: This man is a man of prayer. He understands how critical it is to mobilize other men to pray and organizes at least one team of men to pray with and for the pastor.
Event Coordinator: This man sees events as part of the men's ministry big picture. He is careful to schedule everything so that it complements the overall ministry of the local church. He looks for opportunities to take part in regional events and seeks outside resources.
Discipling and Small Groups Coordinator: This is a man who has a passion to see the men get connected. His role is to match up as many men as are willing with a small group or with someone that can disciple them. He may oversee some type of formal mentoring program. He has resources for small group leaders and serves as a coach to these leaders.
Service Projects Coordinator: This man enjoys maintenance and repair around the church or helping people in the congregation. He understands that men need to sense accomplishment, i.e., participate in successful projects. He has the ability to organize projects and work teams. He may be the chairman of the trustees or a trustee.
Missions Coordinator. This man has a heart for missions. He coordinates periodic missions emphases, encourages giving to approved missions special projects, and participation in short-term mission trips.
Administrative Coordinator: This is the man on the team who handles mailings and sign-ups. The database would be his responsibility. He is creative and enjoys making posters and brochures and going to FedEx Office or Office Depot! He would oversee a 'call team' that gives the men of the church a personal invite to events.
The Large Church
Sr. or Associate Pastor: This is the staff person with the responsibility to oversee ministry to men. He helps develop a budget for the men's ministry. He shepherds and sometimes disciples the men on the leadership team. He makes sure that men's ministry is integrated into the life and ministry of the church.
Small Groups Coordinator: This is a man who has been blessed by his small group and wants the same experience for every man in his church. He is relational and is organized. His role is to know who is in a men's small group and who is not and match up as many men as are willing with a small group. He gives ongoing encouragement to the small group leaders. He has resources for small group leaders and serves as a coach to these leaders. He is the small group champion.
One-on-one Discipling Coordinator. This is a man who has been personally discipled and who is discipling others. His role is to match up as many men as are willing with someone that can disciple them. He may oversee some type of formal mentoring program.
Outreach Coordinator: This man is gifted in evangelism and passionate for the lost. He understands masculine context and has many creative ideas of how to connect to and reach lost men. He has some training skills and takes responsibility to equip men to share their personal story as well as the gospel story. He may work with the event leaders on developing an outreach event.
Additional Event Coordinators: These men take on one event per year so that they do not burn out. They are team leaders and recruiters. Each man sees the event he is responsible for as part of the men's ministry big picture. They are careful to complement their labors and not compete with each other's events.
Adapted from Brian Doyle, Director, Iron Sharpens Iron Men's Conferences. Used with permission.
