Archive for ministry

Top Tips for Men’s Ministry

By Brad Delaughter · Comments (2)
Thursday, February 24th, 2022

For many churches men’s ministry is either non-existent or the ministry consists of quarterly breakfasts and an annual cookout. I have talked with pastors and leaders from normative size churches, medium, and large churches, and all struggle to some degree with launching or sustaining a vibrant men’s ministry. Why is this the case? What makes men’s ministry so different and subsequently difficult from the rest of the ministries of the church? I have wrestled with this question, read blogs, went to trainings, and scoured books to find the answer. The answer is simpler than we might expect. Men’s ministry seems so difficult because we make it more complex than needed.

For a successful men’s ministry, a ministry that glorifies Christ, strengthens the body, and engages people, it needs to have at least three components.

Events
Yes, men like to do things. I know this may rub some of us practitioners the wrong way, but events are fun, and they allow people to connect in ways they cannot connect in a formal church setting. We are not trying to win men to an event. No event should be a stand-alone ministry. Each event should serve to connect men to the DNA of the church.

Groups
As men get older, they tend to isolate themselves more. Find ways to plug men into groups. This can be done many ways, but make sure that within these groups, men can share their lives honestly, have the confidence of confidentiality, and the opportunity to pray with one another.

Projects
Finally, a successful men’s ministry will include some type of project at some point during the year. The project can be anything from building a wheelchair ramp to helping with VBS. Projects allow men to come together and serve alongside one another. As men serve beside one another with a shared goal, a bond is created and strengthened that draws men to one another and to Christ.

Remember, there is no need to put so much pressure on yourself or your ministry. Simple is better. Get your team together and brainstorm how these ideas can be put into place in your ministry.

Written By Brad Delaughter, First Baptist Church De Soto, MO

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Categories : Sunday School
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Ministering to Members Going through a Crisis

By Fran Trascritti · Comments (0)
Tuesday, January 25th, 2022

“It’s time.”

I knew exactly what that statement meant, even at 2:30 in the morning, because I was ready for the call. The young couple that I ministered to in my church had begun to experience a nightmarish, tragic scenario as their newborn son became sick. In fact, within the first two weeks of his life, his health went from bad to worse, and day after day he was attended to by the staff at the hospital, a long two-hour drive away.

As their pastor, I visited them often, making the four-hour round trip to and from the hospital just to pray, read Scripture, and minister to them by being present. Yet I knew that I couldn’t be there all of the time, and so they had an open invitation for the parents to call me anytime during this crisis, day or night, especially if things took a turn for the worst.

Thus, the call: “It’s time.”

Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I jumped out of bed, got dressed, and started to head out to the car to make the two-hour drive. My wife joined me, and we made the trip to the neonatal ward with the intent to comfort and console the distraught parents and grandparents. As the two-week-old breathed his last, there we were together, praying, crying, and loving on each other in the presence of God.

That was over fifteen years ago, but I remember it like it was yesterday. Every year, the mom mentions her son’s birthday on Facebook, and every year, I am reminded of God’s grace through such a difficult time. But how should someone minister to someone in a crisis such as this?

Here are five takeaways that may be helpful:

  1. Be present. There is something to be said about the ministry of presence in a crisis. It doesn’t mean that you need to be there all the time, but you do need to be there from time to time. Strategically being available and easily accessible (at least on a short-term basis) to those in a crisis can be helpful and a comfort to those in need.
  2. Share the Word. In my rush, I didn’t bring my Bible and it was before smartphones existed. However, I was thankful that I memorized several meaningful passages of Scripture, including Psalm 23. This proved to be such a soothing experience as I spoke the words of Scripture from the heart to their hearts. Sharing Scripture allows those in pain to hear words of comfort and peace straight from the heart of God.
  3. Pray peacefully. We prayed, but I made sure that as I prayed, that my love for the family was felt. Thus, they heard my words as I prayed to the Lord and heard my heart as it broke for them. Also, I made sure that my prayers were subservient to the will of God. In other words, we laid the request at the foot of the cross, but we did it with a desire for God to bring us peace, no matter the outcome.
  4. Show emotion. Some would disagree, but I believe that it is normal and natural for the caregiver to show emotions with those who are grieving. After all, Jesus did (see John 11:35). Don’t be afraid to shed a tear with those you love, yet be sure to make this about you comforting them rather than the other way around.
  5. Follow up. Often when a crisis occurs, a short term means of support is needed for the family to walk through it. However, a longer means of support might also be needed. Weeks, months, or even years after the crisis, the family still needs ministry. This is especially true when holidays, birthdays, or anniversaries come around. Be organized and set yourself up with reminders to follow up periodically and during those occasions with the member, whether it’s by means of a card, a call, or some other point of contact.

Ministry isn’t easy, and crises occur all around us. If you set a plan to minister with both short and long-term perspectives in mind, you will be able to love those through the tragedies that they may be going through. Most of all, you will be able to point them to the One who comforts them most of all, Jesus Christ.


Dr. Fran Trascritti is a husband, father, and grandfather to 13 beautiful children. He is the Growth Team Leader for the Illinois Baptist State Association. He and his wife, Teresa, live in Springfield, IL.

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Categories : Ministry, Prayer, Serving, Sunday School
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Rethinking & Creating Care Teams

By Jeff Ingram · Comments (0)
Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020

            Adult Sunday School teacher, if you try to do it all, your class members will gladly let you do it all! Well, maybe that’s a little cynical way to look at service through your Sunday School or Small Group Bible study, but the truth is most people prefer to be served rather than serve.

            Care Teams, Care Group teams, ministry teams, whatever you want to call them, can play a key role in helping your group fulfill the Great Commission Jesus gave in Matthew 28:18-20, to go into all the world to make disciples. Most adult Sunday School classes and Small Groups are already organized for Bible study. The great need of the hour is the personal touch of these ministry teams, making certain all the members and non-members alike, are loved and cared for.

            Although every adult class or group is different in its unique ministry context, a good strategy in organizing the class is to enlist a care leader for every 4-6 people. These leaders may difficult to enlist at first, but as the class/group experiences new opportunities for ministry and service, as people see the value of service to others, it is probable servant-leaders will step up to help.

            Teacher, start enlisting small, setting a goal of enlisting a new care leader each month until you have the number of teams needed for effective ministry in your class. Too many members in a care group will tend to overwhelm a leader. It’s best for men to be with men, and women to be with women in care groups/teams, if it’s a couple’s class.   

As your class or group organizes itself for ministry to members, non-members, members in service and inactive members, needs will be met, and servants will mature. The teams can each include a variety of these “members.” Adult teachers enlist others to share the ministry God has called them to.

            In closing, Jesus taught His disciples (and teaches us) in John 15:13-14, “No one has greater love than this: to lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.” It’s through service, ministry to others, inside the church and outside the church, that we grow in our obedience to Christ. This does not mean, of course, that we are saved through our obedience, but that our salvation is evidenced by our love for God and service to others.

Care teams are still an effective strategy for classes and groups to help the teacher share the ministry load, but also for members to invest their lives in eternity. Who can you prayerfully enlist today?

Written by Jeff Ingram, Adult Ministry Specialist, Louisiana Baptist Convention

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Categories : Sunday School
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Prayer as a catalyst for a focus on serving others

By Tim Turner · Comments (0)
Monday, April 20th, 2020

Think back to when you first met Jesus. Would it not have been easy to selfishly grab hold of only what salvation had to offer you? Security. Eternal bliss. Future promises. Walking with God. But what about focus on others? What? One could easily be caught up in the things that God has in store for their life or family, but what about the people of whom God has placed around them? Prayer should actually lead to that type of discipleship mindset. When one humbly comes before Holy God, the main focus cannot be self only. Initially, yes, the heart is drawn to God, but will eventually bend thoughts toward others’ needs – completely outside of oneself.

Consider the passage in Mark 10:37 when James and John asked Jesus, “Allow us to sit at your right and your left in glory.” — asking for a place at the table of glory! We tend to think, “How could they ask such a selfish question?”. In reality, all Christians are capable of such selfish behavior because of a Genesis 3 world. Outside of Christ, no one would be able to live unselfishly. Jesus replied, “On the contrary, whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be slave to all. For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (CSB)

Then one should ask, if that is true, where is that biblical principle expressed with prayer. Two strong examples come to mind. First, we find Jesus in the upper room with the Twelve. Jesus knows exactly what is about to unfold, yet He prays a prayer over them instead of himself. In John 17:11-16, “Holy Father, protect them . . . that they may be one . . . joy completed in them . . . so that they may be sanctified by the truth”. (CSB)This narrative is an amazing example of selfless servanthood. Through Jesus’ intimate prayers, He called upon the Father to minister to these men who would become future pastors, leaders, and martyrs.

Secondly, the greatest example is found in Mark 14:36, “Abba, Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will but what you will.” (CSB)It could be quite easy for a believer to simply wash over these verses and go on to another activity in their life. Jesus not only placed the Twelve at the top of His priority list, but the entire world of sinners. He died to show that servanthood was more important than glorification.

What does it take for a believer to come to the realization that serving others trumps glorification? Answer: Prayer that leads to humility. When one prays, unworthiness rises to the top. That unworthiness subsequently points to others and challenges one not to serve themselves. Therefore, the goal is to resist selfishness through vibrant prayer that leads to true servanthood.

Written by Dr. Tim Turner, Dir.of Evangelism & Discipleship, WV Convention of Southern Baptists

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Categories : Sunday School
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The Work (Involve the Guest in Group Ministry)

By Jenni Carter · Comments (0)
Thursday, August 31st, 2017

Nothing makes someone feel more a part of a group than being involved in shared experiences.  Ministering to others should be part of your group’s mission, but a great byproduct is helping a guest feel more connected.  Make sure the guest is aware of opportunities to serve and all the details.  Have a member offer to drive the guest to the ministry location or offer to meet them at a specific spot.

Ask staff members what needs there may be in the church.  Your group could organize, restock, and refurbish a Children’s Resource Room or other Children’s Space.  You could help with Senior Adult Ministry or offer child-care for a Young Adult Event.  Have your members make cards that can be used in multiple ministries.

Look outside the church for ways to minister as well. Is there a local food bank where you could go to help pack boxes or an Assisted Living Home where you could go to sing hymns, play games, or just sit and talk with the residents?  Find homeless shelters and offer to minister or talk with a local high school and offer to work the concession stand so that parents can watch their own children play at athletic events.  Offer to build wheel-chair ramps to those who may suddenly need them.

Simply gathering items to be given to a ministry doesn’t help a guest be a part of a shared experience so be sure you’re truly ministering and not just “gathering” items so that someone else can minister. Use the ministry as an opportunity to have gospel conversations with those you encounter.

Jenni Carter is a State Missionary at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.

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Categories : 31 Ideas of Outreach & Evangelism, Evangelism, Outreach/Evangelism
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