Men’s Ministries

The Salvation Army’s ministry to men is dedicated to all the great blokes who are looking for insight, understanding and empowerment in the journey of Christian manhood.

David Noakes is Men’s Ministries Consultant. His role is to encourage men in the unique and special contribution that they have to make as father, husbands, citizens and mates in the world.

The typical bloke today is confused and uncertain, says David. ‘His role in the world has been under question.’ New Zealand social commentator Celia Lashlie writes in ‘He’ll be OK: Growing Gorgeous Men into Good Men’ that the ‘women’s quest for freedom has perhaps taken its toll on our perception of men and manhood’. In other words, women’s needs deserve attention and energy, but it is a mistake to undermine the strengths and roles that men have to contribute to society and family.

• David and his wife are Salvation Army corps officers (pastor) in Newtown, Wellington. Feel free to email David to discuss your views on men in the church.

Bringing male balance to church life

Here are some of the things to consider in ensuring that the needs of men are met churches that may have become more heavily oriented towards women’s needs and preferences:

• Challenge men to ‘Follow Christ’ rather then have a ‘relationship’ with him
• Bring balance to your song choices for worship by including those with strong masculine imagery and language
• Use strong character or event-driven stories that men can relate to
• Speak to and address what is happening in a man’s world, including his workplace
• Encourage men into leadership and discipleship

Some ideas to try

• A Guy’s Sunday – perhaps with a rugby, tool time, backyard shed, car, motorbike or fishing theme (check out www.churchformen.com)
• A Short-term Mission that will stretch men and build a sense of camaraderie is always productive
• Arrange a Men’s Retreat – getting a man away from his normal environment with even 24 hours will mean he can hear the voice of God more clearly. Get men out into the bush, rivers and mountains. God did his most telling preparatory work on men in the wildnerness
• Check out The Salvation Army’s Adventure-based Learning Centre near Tongariro National Park (www.bluemountainadventure.org.nz)
• Try a series of Lectures/Dialogue focused on men’s heath issues, effective fathering, being a full-on husband, men’s spirituality, issues of life passage or life stages, or mission in the workplace
• Working bees on long overdue work on a church property at the hall are always good ways of getting men to pull together