Starting an HonorBound Men's Ministry

An intentional ministry to men is an incredible benefit to the pastor and church, as well as, the families of the men and the men themselves.  When a church determines to begin ministering to the men in its congregation, it makes a decision to raise the bar of influence and effectiveness in lives of its families and congregation.  With so much riding on this one area of church life, ministry to men must be more than a monthly Saturday breakfast meeting.  It must be approached prayerfully, intentionally and with an understanding of the needs and makeup of men. 

These steps have been used by congregations across our nation to launch hundreds of successful men's ministries:   

1. PRAYERFULLY select a HonorBound Coordinator.

    This is the most critical part of starting a HonorBound ministry.  John Maxwell, author of numerous books on leadership, says; "Everything rises and falls on leadership."  Pastor, it is crucial to seek the Lord's guidance for the right man to assist you in leading the men of the church toward becoming HonorBound men.  This man will be the team leader for you.  He will carry the bulk of the ministry for you.  This ministry should not add to your work load, rather part of its purpose is to be a support of you, the pastor.  He should demonstrate the ability to lead and influence others through positive relationships.  Men will not follow a leader they don't have confidence it.  He must have your support and he must be supportive of you.  He operates under your authority and must have your complete confidence and understand his place in that position.

2. SELECT a Core Group Leadership Team

    The HonorBound Core Group leadership team is the backbone of the ministry.  This group is composed of 4 to 8 men.  The men who make up this group should share the vision of HonorBound and the enthusiasm for reaching and leading men to Christ.  Each one of these men will have a portfolio assigned to them through which they will serve men’s ministry by training and releasing men in ministry.

3. ATTEND The Blueprint Training Seminar for Core Groups.

    HonorBound has developed a four-hour seminar for the Core Leadership team of your men's ministry.  This seminar will help your team capture the momentum of the national men's movement for your church.  It is designed to help your leadership team ensure that the men's ministry of your church is purpose driven rather than event driven; thereby ensuring you have an effective ministry to your men and community.  Contact the Indiana District HonorBound office for the Blueprint Seminar nearest you.

4. CUSTOMIZE A Ministry Strategy for Your Church.

    After attending the Blueprint Training seminar the Core Group of your men's group will have the tools to begin formulating a mission statement for YOUR group.  They will be able to come together and establish balanced ministry goals which flow with the ministry goals of their church.  Men will be able to have a clear set direction for the use of their spiritual gifts and talents as they discover the fulfillment of moving forward on their spiritual journey in unison with the ministry goals of their church.

5. LAUNCH a Discipleship Process in Your Church

    Men need a goal to work toward.  When they see the benefit or understand the reason for what it is they are being asked to do, they can "buy in" to the process.  HonorBound has established a process to help make this happen.

STEP ONE - Preparing to Win

   This video series is designed to help introduce men to discipleship.  Through prerecorded video segments and prepared small group questions that are written in a male context, men will find themselves "doing discipleship" in a non threatening process.  This video series should be offered a few times through the course of a year, allowing men to join into the process as they are ready to step in.

STEP TWO - Establish Small Groups

    Through the Preparing to Win series small groups will naturally be developed.  Instruction for the leaders of small groups is included in the teaching material.  It has been proven that it is through close vital relationships, such as those developed in Preparing to Win, that major changes in a man's spiritual life will occur.  This step is vital in ministering to men.  Don't short circuit this process by neglecting this important need in men's lives. 

STEP THREE - Join the Champions Network.

    Once men see the benefit of growing in their spiritual journey it is important to have a tract for them to continue.  Without a deliberate plan for growth,  they will soon loss interest and fall away.  There are several resources to take the next step with, which can be found on the resource page.  Champions Network is a discipleship resource which has an objective of moving men forward in their growth to a point where they are ready to become Ministers to Men.  Combining proven resources with a pathway toward a goal men can get excited about, Champions Network helps a church maintain the discipleship process.   Click here to read more about Champions Network.