To foster the growth of male lay members, pastor male communities, and cultivate male leaders, it is crucial for churches to create ministries specifically aimed at male believers and husbands. In celebration of Father's Day, the editorial team at the Gospel Times, an online Chinese Christian newspaper, has gathered a variety of distinctive men's ministries to highlight. The reporters' names mentioned below are pseudonyms for safety reasons.
Family pastures: Respect and affirmation empower men
A church in Liaoning places great emphasis on family, establishing family gathering sites to nurture believers. Even if some husbands do not believe in Jesus, they are still given important roles in activities. They may not be assigned specific tasks, but their position as the head of the family is affirmed.
Xiao Dai, a staff worker of the Gospel Times who visited this church, said many have been built up through this activity.
As the church's pastor adheres to the principle that “men need respect and affirmation,” even men who generally lack interest in church activities are willing to participate in family gatherings.
After twenty years of persist efforts with family pastures, "now most of the people serving in this church are men." They have risen up and led many to faith. Many families with troubled marital relationships have also been restored, becoming beautiful testimonies in their lives.
Men's camps: The first step to healing is opening up
The men's camp that Xiao Fu attended primarily targets married men, conducting a three-day, two-night retreat. Besides teaching biblical responsibilities of husbands, it particularly emphasizes that men must adhere to God's word and view the Bible’s instructions as commands rather than casual suggestions.
Additionally, the key to the effectiveness of the men's camp lies in the pastors who opened up about their own experiences with temptation, weakness, and sin, no matter how shameful or difficult to speak of, and shared how God helped and healed them.
“In the same group, many problems and weaknesses are common,” Xiao Fu said. The demonstration by the pastors makes it possible to share within the small group and collectively outside the group. Because of this, a brother in Christ was encouraged to speak about struggles he had never shared with anyone before, and the pastor prayed for him. “Sharing one’s weaknesses here does not lead to condemnation but rather to help from everyone.”
Effective use of games to break the ice
Games have been used in many church activities, from daily small group gatherings to couples' retreats. They should also be widely used in men's ministries. Due to reasons such as shy personalities or professional identities, many men are not good at opening up. Games can help break the stiff atmosphere and promote integration.
A men's retreat in a church in Ningbo left a deep impression on Xiao Shi. The event was divided into three parts: a tour, games, and learning activities, starting with a church tour and then moving on to games. In men’s fellowship activities in Shenzhen, Guangdong, and Jinjiang, Fujian, games are also widely utilized.
Tailored teaching based on men's characteristics
In addition to the above case studies, Xiao Yin summarized that the key to men's ministries is recognizing the unique characteristics of this group, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and thus providing targeted care.
“The best way to lead men to grow is to work with them,” a pastor from Anhui told Xiao Yin. During the dedication of a new church building, all tasks, such as vehicle management and reception, were handled by men.
Compared to women, men prefer ball sports. A grassroots church plans to set up a basketball court in the churchyard to attract more young men.
A pastor in Guangxi found that the church rules on holiness by establishing moral and lifestyle requirements, such as prohibiting smoking and drinking, which prevents many people from approaching the gospel.
“Do not set entry barriers for someone to come to church. You must quit smoking and drinking, or you cannot enter the church,” the pastor urged. He is willing to take risks, placing ashtrays at the venue when inviting new men to participate in activities. The aim is to let these people feel accepted by the church. Jesus accepts them not because they have been changed, but because he loves them unconditionally, with their lives transformed through this love.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
为发展弟兄平信徒，牧养弟兄群体，塑造弟兄领袖，教会有必要建立起专门针对弟兄以及丈夫的事工。父亲节即将到来，福音时报编辑部特地讨论整理出一些有特色的弟兄事工。
家庭牧场：尊重与肯定令弟兄兴起
辽宁某教会重视家庭，以接待家庭的形式建立家庭牧场。即使有的丈夫不相信耶稣，还是会把这个人放在活动中重要的位置上。不一定让他做具体的事情，但在职分上一定肯定弟兄或丈夫是这个家庭的家长。
“弟兄需要尊重，需要肯定，”前去这个教会拜访过的福音时报同工晓戴认为，正是因为牧者一直坚持贯彻这个原则，所以一般对教会活动参与兴致不高的弟兄们，也会很乐意参加家庭牧场的活动，有不少人在这个活动中被建造。
家庭牧场坚持二十年之后，“现在这个教会服侍的大多数都是弟兄”。他们站立起来，带领不少人信主。许多夫妻关系有问题的家庭也被重新恢复过来，在生活中成为美好的见证。
男士营：敞开心是得医治的第一步
晓福参加的男士营主要针对已婚男士举行为期三天两夜的培灵会。除了教导圣经所说，丈夫应当承担的家庭职责外，还特别强调，弟兄一定要遵守神的话语，圣经上的话是命令而不是随便的建议。
此外，让男士营真得发挥功效的关键在于，参与教导的牧者在见证环节，完全敞开自己。将自己曾经经历过的试探、软弱、罪恶，哪怕它是不堪与难以启齿，也都分享出来，讲述神对他们的帮助和医治。
“同样一个群体，很多问题、软弱和心情是相通的。”牧者的示范作用，让小组内分享和组外集体分享成为可能。正因如此，当时一个弟兄得到鼓励，将自己多年从未对人言的挣扎道出，牧者为他代祷。“在这里说出自己的软弱，不会被定罪，反而会得到大家的帮助。”
善用游戏助力破冰
游戏已经被应用到许多教会活动当中，小到日常小组聚会，大到夫妻营会。在弟兄事工中也要多加利用游戏。由于性格腼腆或工作身份等原因，很多弟兄不擅长放开自己。游戏可以帮弟兄打破僵硬氛围，促进其融入。
宁波一间教会的弟兄培灵会给晓时留下深刻印象。活动分为游园、游戏、游学三部分，从参观教会开始，再举行游戏。广东深圳、福建晋江的弟兄团契活动中，也多有利用游戏之处。
针对弟兄特点因材施教
除了上述实例分析，另一位同工晓音根据她走访期间的所见所闻，总结牧者牧养弟兄的关键是，看到这个群体的独特之处，知晓其优缺点，从而有针对性地牧养。
“带领弟兄成长的最好方式，是让他跟你一起同工。”一位安徽的牧者对晓音说，在这个教会的新堂庆典活动里，车辆、接待等全部由弟兄负责。
相对姐妹，弟兄更喜欢球类运动，一个基层教会为吸引更多年轻弟兄过来，计划在教堂院子里架设篮球场。
广西一个牧师发现，教会出于圣洁，设立不可吸烟喝酒的规矩，或者其他道德和生活上的要求，让很多人被拦在福音之外。
“不要对一个人进入教堂设置门槛，你必须要戒烟，必须要戒酒，否则不能进教堂。”这位牧师愿意冒险尝试，在邀请新人弟兄参与活动时，在现场放置烟灰缸。旨在让这部分人群感受到，他是被教会接纳的——不是因为你改变了，耶稣才接纳你；而是耶稣先无条件爱了你，你才因为这份爱发生改变。
父亲节圆桌谈：教会弟兄事工精彩实例及其内在智慧
To foster the growth of male lay members, pastor male communities, and cultivate male leaders, it is crucial for churches to create ministries specifically aimed at male believers and husbands. In celebration of Father's Day, the editorial team at the Gospel Times, an online Chinese Christian newspaper, has gathered a variety of distinctive men's ministries to highlight. The reporters' names mentioned below are pseudonyms for safety reasons.
Family pastures: Respect and affirmation empower men
A church in Liaoning places great emphasis on family, establishing family gathering sites to nurture believers. Even if some husbands do not believe in Jesus, they are still given important roles in activities. They may not be assigned specific tasks, but their position as the head of the family is affirmed.
Xiao Dai, a staff worker of the Gospel Times who visited this church, said many have been built up through this activity.
As the church's pastor adheres to the principle that “men need respect and affirmation,” even men who generally lack interest in church activities are willing to participate in family gatherings.
After twenty years of persist efforts with family pastures, "now most of the people serving in this church are men." They have risen up and led many to faith. Many families with troubled marital relationships have also been restored, becoming beautiful testimonies in their lives.
Men's camps: The first step to healing is opening up
The men's camp that Xiao Fu attended primarily targets married men, conducting a three-day, two-night retreat. Besides teaching biblical responsibilities of husbands, it particularly emphasizes that men must adhere to God's word and view the Bible’s instructions as commands rather than casual suggestions.
Additionally, the key to the effectiveness of the men's camp lies in the pastors who opened up about their own experiences with temptation, weakness, and sin, no matter how shameful or difficult to speak of, and shared how God helped and healed them.
“In the same group, many problems and weaknesses are common,” Xiao Fu said. The demonstration by the pastors makes it possible to share within the small group and collectively outside the group. Because of this, a brother in Christ was encouraged to speak about struggles he had never shared with anyone before, and the pastor prayed for him. “Sharing one’s weaknesses here does not lead to condemnation but rather to help from everyone.”
Effective use of games to break the ice
Games have been used in many church activities, from daily small group gatherings to couples' retreats. They should also be widely used in men's ministries. Due to reasons such as shy personalities or professional identities, many men are not good at opening up. Games can help break the stiff atmosphere and promote integration.
A men's retreat in a church in Ningbo left a deep impression on Xiao Shi. The event was divided into three parts: a tour, games, and learning activities, starting with a church tour and then moving on to games. In men’s fellowship activities in Shenzhen, Guangdong, and Jinjiang, Fujian, games are also widely utilized.
Tailored teaching based on men's characteristics
In addition to the above case studies, Xiao Yin summarized that the key to men's ministries is recognizing the unique characteristics of this group, understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and thus providing targeted care.
“The best way to lead men to grow is to work with them,” a pastor from Anhui told Xiao Yin. During the dedication of a new church building, all tasks, such as vehicle management and reception, were handled by men.
Compared to women, men prefer ball sports. A grassroots church plans to set up a basketball court in the churchyard to attract more young men.
A pastor in Guangxi found that the church rules on holiness by establishing moral and lifestyle requirements, such as prohibiting smoking and drinking, which prevents many people from approaching the gospel.
“Do not set entry barriers for someone to come to church. You must quit smoking and drinking, or you cannot enter the church,” the pastor urged. He is willing to take risks, placing ashtrays at the venue when inviting new men to participate in activities. The aim is to let these people feel accepted by the church. Jesus accepts them not because they have been changed, but because he loves them unconditionally, with their lives transformed through this love.
- Translated by Abigail Wu
Father's Day Special: Exploring Men's Ministries in China
