Throughout our churches men want to be more involved in missions and ministry. Men are asking how can we organize to make a difference for Christ in our families, in our church, in our community, and in our world? How can we harness these flames of revival that are moving through Christian men and have a dynamic active men's group in our church. Below are three areas that every Baptist Men's group should be involved in. Use these as a starting point or guide as you begin or evaluate what men are doing in your congregation. The three dimensions of a dynamic Baptist Men's Group are:

Men need to be growing in their relationship with God. Ways of having an ongoing relationship with God through Jesus Christ are personal devotions, small group Bible studies, discussing with other men how their faith speaks to the issues in their lives.

Some ideas for planning :

• Men individually engaged in personal spiritual growth
• Men's retreats
• Weekly Bible study and prayer groups for men
• Accountability or Encouragement groups for men
• Virginia Baptist State Men's Rally
  

Resources:

• The Man God Uses by Henry and Tom Blackaby , LifeWay Christian Resources
• Stand Firm Magazine, LifeWay Christian Resources
• Legacy Builders Retreat Materials by Jim Burton , LifeWay Christian Resources
• Men's issues books by well known men's authors such as: Patrick Morley, Stu Weber, Tony Evans, Steve Farrar, etc.

Men need to move out beyond themselves and their group and be engaged in missions in the name Christ. Baptist Men groups should have a plan of mission action that reaches from their local community to the world and challenges men to live a missions lifestyle.

Some ideas for getting involved :

• Mission Opportunity Points - short term mission projects in Virginia
• Transformers! Men building and renovating churches and low income housing
• Church Construction Mission Projects - In Virginia , U.S. , Worldwide
• Crew Chief Missions - Construction leader for Impact Virginia and Transformers
• Inter-State Partnerships - Mission projects in U.S.
• Partnership Missions - International short term projects
• Disaster Relief - U.S. and International

Resources :

• Missions In Motion - Resource for Monthly Baptist Men meeting, NAMB
• On Mission Baptist Men Addition, North American Mission Board
• Glocal Missions & Evangelism Team, Virginia Baptist Resource Center, 800.255.2428 or 804.915.5000
• Local Associational Office

Christian men need to be sharing their faith and introducing others to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Baptist Men groups need to have a plan and activities with the purpose of reaching others with the gospel.

Some ideas for planning :

• Use affinity groups and recreation to reach men such as fishing clubs and tournaments, golf outings, tennis, jogging clubs, softball, etc.
• Career support, divorce recovery, marriage enrichment, time management, and parenting seminars.
• Family outings and activities such as camping events, father son/daughter banquets, etc.

Resources:

• Drawing Men to God: Men's Ministry Manual, compiled by Sid Woodruff , Lifeway Christian Resources
• Leading Baptist Men On Mission; Developing On Mission Lifestyles in Southern Baptist Men, North American Mission Board
• Baptist Men Leadership Training events, Virginia Baptist Resource Center
• Individual church consultations, Virginia Baptist Resource Center
• Baptist Men Golf Outings - Opportunities to invite unchurched men in your community

For more information contact:

Billy Hutchinson
Virginia Baptist Resource Center
P.O. Box 8568
Richmond , VA 23226
800.255.2428 x 264 or 804.915.5000 x 264
email: billy.hutchinson@vbmb.org