What the men’s ministry planners should have done
To get men to come to a kick-off for a ministry or Bible study for men, the church leaders needed to pray, but they also needed some marketing savvy and some common sense. They should have:
#1 Provided food and advertised how great it would be.
A good, hearty, regional favorite—ribs, tri-tip, all the pancakes and sausage you can eat, whatever appeals to the men in your area, provide it (and lots of it) at the kickoff event. Jesus often fed people both in large groups and at fish cookouts on the beach for his disciples. Copy his caring for the whole person.
#2 Made it an event that would appeal to men for more than primarily spiritual reasons.
Starting a men’s ministry or Bible study series with a locally popular speaker (a sports figure, perhaps) who is also a believer in Jesus that the men would want to come and hear would have also been a good idea. Guys hear the pastor every week. A successful businessman or athlete or coach can help men see that the values of the Bible transcend Sunday morning.
#3 Been honest about the spiritual value.
Most men want to have a lasting and significant impact on their families and those close to them. Becoming a man of wisdom, insight, and strength that a study of the Bible and becoming a mature disciple of Jesus can provide is a great benefit. In the outreach materials, these benefits should be clearly stated. Respect your men enough to be straight with them. We have the Words of eternal life, the message of true and significant power. We should not be shy in sharing it.
#4 Given complete information each time the event is mentioned in order to actually make the connection.
Remember, “The message is the message.” It doesn’t matter if you spend a pile of money for four-color printing or a scrolling Web site header, if you don’t give the time something starts or the location for the event. Don’t forget childcare options for single dads. Complete basic information is the foundation of all successful ministry marketing.
#5 Sent out a series of postcards and/or e-mail or text blasts to the men of the church, as well as provided information in the newsletter, bulletin, Web, or whatever other channels your church uses for announcements.
Don’t discount postcards. The current USPS television ads with the tagline “the refrigerator has never been hacked” are a great reminder of their continuing usefulness. Postcards, if done correctly, tend to get carried directly from the mailbox to the refrigerator. Once posted, an announcement on the refrigerator is far more likely to illicit a response than an announcement in a discarded church bulletin. E-mail notices can be added to electronic calendars. All the details mean nothing if they can’t be accessed when needed.
Growing and advertising a men’s ministry isn’t easy, but it also isn’t impossible.
There are many challenges and a lot of hard work that needs to be done to advertise, promote, and grow a men’s ministry at Father’s Day or any time of the year, but it is worth it.
A strong group of men who are growing in Jesus and discipleship is a joy and strength to churches and families not only at Father’s Day, but throughout the year.
