Why Fish for Men?
To Change the World!
Steve Crawford
Who are we? Why are we here?
• Local church / regional Men’s Ministry
since mid 1990’s
– Worked with PK, Man in the Mirror, Iron
Sharpens Iron, many others
• Men of AIM (Action, Integrity, Maturity)
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–
–
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Networking / Communication
Taking A.I.M. newsletter – men’s event info
Heart of Illinois Christian Movie Central
Training for churches / leaders
Why Fish for Men?
To Change the World!
• This Workshop is NOT:
– “Men’s Ministry in a Box”
– “Five Simple Steps to Men’s Ministry”
– “Why NOT to do _____ ministry”
• Top Goal of Today – plant 2 seeds
– “Is it really that important?”
– “Are we as effective as we could be in reaching men?”
Current Landscape
(Stats from David Murrow’s book –
Why Men Hate Going to Church)
• Typical congregation 61% female
• 25% of married women attend church alone
• 80-90% of boys IN CHURCH will leave by
age of 20
– “Dad doesn’t go.” (ages 3-6)
– Putting away childish things (ages 8-12)
– Youth to Adult transitions (ages 18-23)
Swiss Demographic Study
• Robbie Low - Church of England –
The Truth About Men & Church
• Reviewed “The demographic characteristics of
the linguistic and religious groups in
Switzerland” Swiss study
• In their 1994 survey “The question was asked
to determine whether a person’s religion
carried through to the next generation, and if
so, why, or if not, why not.” The answer, how
involved is the FATHER in his family’s
religious upbringing.
Results of 1994 Swiss Study
Grown Children Attend Regularly / Never
Mother’s Attendance
Father’s Attendance
None
Regular
Irregular
None
Irregular Regular
Results of 1994 Swiss Study
Grown Children Attend Regularly / Never
Mother’s Attendance
Father’s Attendance
None
Irregular Regular
Regular
33
25
Irregular
None
4
80
Results of 1994 Swiss Study
Grown Children Attend Regularly / Never
Mother’s Attendance
Father’s Attendance
None
Regular
Irregular Regular
33
25
Irregular
3
38
None
2
60
Results of 1994 Swiss Study
Grown Children Attend Regularly / Never
Father’s Attendance
Mother’s Attendance
Regular
None
Irregular Regular
44
38
33
25
Irregular 25
3
38
None
4
2
80
60
Why so much on kids?
• It is imperative that we first understand the
impact having, or not having, the father in
church impacts their children. It is critical to
reach men to reach kids (future adults) for
the long term
• Reach the men of tomorrow today – and
KEEP THEM IN THE CHURCH
Ministry Pipeline
(Outreach / Evangelism)
Many Churches Today
Nothing for
me
Put aside
childish things
“Dad doesn’t go”
(Outreach / Evangelism)
Many Churches Today
Adult
Outreach
College
Ministry
Youth
Ministry
Children’s
Ministry / VBS
(Outreach / Evangelism)
What is “Men’s Ministry” today?
Your 1st thoughts
What are Expectations of men in
today’s church?
Where did Christian Men’s Ministry start?
Simon & Andrew:
“Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
James & John:
Without delay he called them, and they left their father
Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Mark 1:17-18, 20
Where did Christian Men’s Ministry start?
Simon & Andrew:
“Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
James & John:
Without delay he called them, and they left their father
Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Mark 1:17-18, 20
• Where did Christian Men’s Ministry start?
Simon & Andrew:
“Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
At once they left their nets and followed him.
James & John:
Without delay he called them, and they left their father
Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Mark 1:17-18, 20
How do we invite men today?
• Example invitation
– Provides 1,000 excuses (Audio)
– Trying to get men to do something they don’t
want to do and that you are not really sure you
want them to do!!
Jesus didn’t promise REWARDS,
but OBSTACLES!
Why do we not ask?
• We don’t see it being relevant to our friends
• We don’t see it being relevant to ourselves
Why are we so concerned with relevance?
Christ was not concerned with comfort!
He was concerned about saving the LOST.
What is our Primary Objective?
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Get men to church?
Get men to breakfast?
Get men to a retreat?
Get men to Promise Keepers?
Get men to move tables?
Get men to usher?
To smile / shake hands / hug? (and like it!)
What is our Primary Objective?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Get men to church?
Get men to breakfast?
Get men to a retreat?
Get men to Promise Keepers?
Get men to move tables?
Get men to usher?
Preaching
Teaching
God
Mentoring
Fellowship
Leadership
Training
Service/
Missions
Bible
Study
Seminars
Small
Groups
Godly
Families
Relationship
Evangelism
Great Commandment
Mark 12:29-31
Stewardship
Vocation
Christian
Literature
Worship
Private
Study
Social
Justice
Informal
Discussions
Neighbors
Three Strands of Leadership
Man Code
The Portal Priority - Discipleship
Equipping Men to Lead
• Men’s Huddle
– Hand to hand contact
– Additional Challenge / study
– Equip the men to be the Spiritual Leader of their
family
• Touchstones
– Small items to represent a story or challenge
– Regular reminder of what they heard
Bottom Line
• Ministry is not a zero-sum game
– Reaching one group does not mean ignoring
others
– It MAY mean adjusting resources
• Take Big Picture view
– Long term – which group will lead to the most
committed Christians in the future
More Men in Church provide:
• God FIRST relationships
• Stronger, covenantal marriages
• More committed and available women
– Less tug-of-war between church & home
– Stronger marriages & families
• More kids see God as priority
• A stronger, long-term church – for
generations!
Thank you!!
Stop by and see us at
Booth 100