“Looking For a Few Good Men”How to Gain Active Men in Your Church School.
Rev. Daylan K. Greer, Sr.
Pastor, Bethel AME Church
New Haven, CT
Facilitator
If we are going to ask the question, "How do I retain and or gain men in my Church School?”, we must look at the numbers of the men in our churches. It is true that there are some cases where there are an abundance of men, but for the majority of African American Churches there are declining numbers of men in the
Church.
The African American Author Jawanza Kunjufu states in his book, Adam, Where are You? Why Black Men Don't Go to Church, that African American Churches are 75% filled with Women and Girls. The remaining 25% are mostly elderly men and boys. There is a clear gap in the population of the male portion of our Church between the ages of 18-45. This is evident for many reasons.
One, many men at the age of 18 leave the family home to either to pursue higher academic learning or begin a career path. This path moves in several directions and church is usually one of the last paths to which they return.
Second the spirituality of the family has often been put in the role of the female members. To take the children to church, teach them to pray and read scripture, begin the youth on their way while the male members are off busy trying to make ends meet financially for the family.
The reality of the matter is that both male and female members are busy trying to financially make it today that often church attendance and support are not high on the list of priorities.
Third, there is the competition of other Sunday events such as Pop Warner and other events that pull men both young and older from the church.
In the book, Why men Hate Going to Church, David Murrow states that some
reasons that men give for not attending church is: .”The Church is full of hypocrites. It is boring, and greedy. They possess a general disdain for clergy who are often perceived as taking advantage of the weak willed old women who support the pastor' new car or closet of new suits.”
Other faiths such as the Nation of Islam have much higher numbers of men in comparison to women because the focus of recruitment, as well as the fundamental teaching is concerned with building a better person through discipline and service. Thus men are attracted to this faith because it focuses on discipline. The drilling of the “what it takes to be a man” is the highest priority, so that often times the spirituality of having a personal relationship with God is lacking and many men eventually turn away.
I believe that the following principles will help to build the population of men in the Church and ultimately the Church School.
Prayer
It all begins with prayer, the invitation of the Holy Spirit to allow God to be glorified in your individual Worship setting. Ask God to direct your Church leadership in the direction so that his men may come to find salvation and a relationship with the Lord. We must be specific in our prayers.
John 10:26 tells us that any thing that we ask shall be given unto us. Do not be ashamed or afraid to ask God to build your men in the Local Church.
Plan
Now that we have prayed we must plan for the men's ministry of our local church. Church should not be a man hostile place. In many subconscious ways men are not lifted up in the local level and occasionally only a few men are celebrated or in leadership position. We must level the playing field. Strive for equality on all levels, and encourage male participation in the church.
Fellowship is essential to reaching men. We must take into account the types of activities that men will enjoy and seek to do. The Church School shou1d plan along with the Board of Christian Education events/activities that promote interaction.
Sports events such as basketball, football, hunting, cooking, bowling as well as many others should be scheduled on a regular basis. After fellowship activities are scheduled Men's Bible Study, Mentoring programs, halfway house ministry can be organized. Men should be encouraged to attend the regular Church School Sessions.
Think outside of the Box! Church School does not only occur on Sunday. Or even Saturday, some Church school Sponsored activities that involve men or led by men may happen during the week. Might I suggest having a monthly Church School Family night where the family on all levels comes to the church and learns God's Word through Bible Study, Men as well as women and youth. This family night should include fun activities such as arts and crafts and food. You may want to consider a Barbeque Cook Off among the men of the Church.
Promote
Please remember to promote the activities that are currently going on in your local church setting. Sometimes we have a lot going on but we fail to lift it up, and celebrate it so it goes unnoticed. Celebrate what the men in your church are doing and lift them up, thus encouraging them to do more.
At Bethel New Haven we have an active men's ministry, which includes two male Church School teachers. One third of our Bible Study attendance is male. Activities include Super Bowl Fellowship party, Annual Football Classic (four buses annually) with tailgate, Men's Day, A Mother's Tear-mentoring program for youth, Halfway House ministry (weekly-Thursday meetings), Suit and Clothing Givaway (Seasonally), Son's of Allen Choir. We make an attempt to include the men in every activity of the church even Women's Day. ( When the men cook and usher for the women)
In closing it is so important to keep the men active if they are to participate in the in church school. If you do not have men in your church at. all or the numbers are few. Use your fraternal and sororital as well as Masonic Connections to sponsor activities where the church is on display and outside persons can participate such as a fair, Pan Hellenic Council Day, Career Fair, or even community days, power lunches. Invite men to attend these events and participation is key.
Church School Seminar Quiz
Rev. Daylan K. Greer, Sr. Facilitator
October 28, 2006
1. Please list the number of Activities, which involve or are led by men in your local Church.
2. How can these activities be incorporated into a church School Setting?
3. How can the Church overcome the stereotype that is cast against it, which prevents men from ultimately committing?
4. Can you see the role of the Church School Expanding beyond Sunday morning? If so, how?
5. Did you find this seminar helpful to your local Setting?
Please send your comments to the Webmaster,
Rev. Roger A. Sawtelle, relates7@earthlink.net.
and look for more information about Men and the Church School in this place in the future.
