Church of God LifeBuilders

By Ray H. Hughes Jr.

I never shall forget my first prayer partner’s retreat. At the end of the day, the pastor was sharing with us from his heart. He related that on one particular Sunday, because of schedules, none of the men had reported to his office on time to pray with him. He said the longer he waited, the more nervous he had gotten about facing the congregation without his usual prayer cover. Mind you, this was not a novice pastor, but one who was a well-seasoned preacher-extraordinaire and a student of the Word. He then shared how relieved he was when, one by one, the men came through the door and gathered to pray with him. His statement was powerful, it helped me understand the significance of the prayer partners to him, but what he said next overwhelmed me. He said, “When I came here as pastor I wasn’t sure how I felt about the people of this church, but after having shared with you men in this ministry, I feel that if necessary, I would die for each of you.” He then fell to his knees and wept as the men gathered around him, laid hands on him, and prayed. That is loving like Jesus loved, and it had come about through prayer.

At that moment, I felt closer to my pastor, and more a part of his ministry than I had ever felt in my life. All the partners have developed close relationships with the pastor. I have seen critical spirits melt into words of encouragement and support. Put simply, it is extremely difficult to be critical of someone you pray for daily as you share their burdens, and understand their heart for ministry. Pastors today really need to feel the support of the people in order to properly proclaim the Word of God. Perhaps the apostle Paul put it best when he tells us in Ephesians 6:19-20, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (NIV)

In 1995, a group of us decided to make an organized effort to systematically pray for our pastor. With the pastor’s permission, we recruited 40 men who would commit to pray for our pastor on a regular schedule. We divided into teams and committed to pray as a team one week each month, culminating on Sunday when we gathered with the pastor in his office. First, we had a time of sharing from the pastor as he related what God had laid on his heart for the service that day, including pertinent scriptures. Then we laid hands on him and asked for God’s anointing before he went to the pulpit. A group of five or six men remained behind in the office and surrounding classrooms, and continued praying for the pastor during the entire service. We are still praying for our current pastor, with many of the original prayer group still intact.

Although Sunday is a big day for the prayer partners, our prayers for the pastor do not end there. We have pledged to pray for every aspect of his life throughout the week. We pray for his private, personal life, his professional life, his family life, his preaching life, and his prayer life. We want to cover him whenever and wherever he goes. Why? Because we want him to be able to fight the good fight of faith as spelled out in 1 Timothy 6:12. I read recently that, “The number one fear among pastors today is that their congregation and peers will not perceive them as an effective leader.” We want our pastor to know as our spiritual leader we are holding him up in prayer. We want to be a constant source of encouragement.

Praying for your pastor sounds like a given on the surface. You might think, “who doesn’t pray for their pastor?” Until just a few years ago, praying for my pastor, I’m sad to say, was just a hit and miss proposition. Sure, during my prayer time I would ask God to bless the pastor, and then move on to more important things to pray about. After all, pastors spend so much time with God, my little prayer can’t be all that meaningful, can it? Yes it can! It can be so meaningful it can change the entire life of a church, and influence everything that occurs in and around church, especially church growth and outreach. But more importantly, it will change your life, as it has mine, and your relationship with your pastor will never be the same.

If you wish to establish an exciting Pastor’s Prayer Partners Ministry in your church, simply click here.

“We need more people who are more interested in what they can contribute than in what they can collect.” Vance Havner

by Dr. Terry Etter, President of Men’s Life Small-Group Bible Study

Observers of modern men have made some sobering comments lately. Gordon Dalby, in his book Healing the Masculine Soul, says men have become lost, “cast adrift from the community of men.” Stu Weber, in Tender Warrior, writes that “today’s real men are a vanishing breed and that it is killing our culture.” Bob Hicks, in The Masculine Journey, says men are experiencing a profound alienation from God, themselves, and each other.

What is the solution? Part of it is simple: Men must involve themselves in a relational community with other men around God’s Word.

As part of a men’s Bible study ministry for almost 10 years, I’ve learned a great deal about what does and does not work when it comes to attracting and holding men in small groups. Here are some key principles:

1. Men Must Be Personally Invited

Men typically do not respond to small groups without a personal contact, preferably from a friend. Don’t expect men to respond to announcements in church bulletins or flyers. They simply won’t. That is why leaders need to invest their time in developing a system of personal invitation. Plan on inviting three times the number of men you expect.

One leadership team met together several times for the purpose of writing every man’s name down and then assigning those names for follow-up. It takes that level of attention to get men to participate.

2. Have Shared Leadership

Men’s ministries most often fail because they are initiated and led by one man rather than a team of leaders. The motivation and drive of a single person with a heart for reaching men may be enough to pull off a single event, but it is not enough to sustain ministry. Shared leadership not only blends a variety of spiritual gifts in the ministry, but also allows for leaders to “cover” for each other. Men’s small groups should have a minimum of two leaders for a group size of 8 to 10.

3. Groups Need an Outreach Mind-set

When men experience the benefits of a small group, it’s tempting to become inward and exclusive. There is a tension between being comfortable with the men in your existing group and inviting new men. Small groups must maintain an outward focus by inviting new and preferably unchurched men. Failing to do so will cause the group to become static as it loses the challenge and energy new members can bring. Smaller, more intimate accountability groups should become the place for deeper levels of fellowship for small group “veterans.”

4. Meet for a Specific Period of Time in a Comfortable Place

Men are reluctant to make long-term, open-ended commitments. I often say at our leadership workshops that men are “springloaded” to the “bailout” position. We live in an era where most people are overly busy and not committed to anything. If you are trying to reach unchurched men in particular, you must offer them a short-term experience with an option to renegotiate their commitment and opt out if they wish.

Seven one-hour meetings is a good length. The Men’s Life Bible study resources reflect the seven-session format. We have also found that virtually all the men do return to the study because the small-group experience is meeting a critical relational need in their lives.

For many unchurched men, a church building is an unfamiliar, sometimes intimidating place. We urge groups to meet in members’ homes or in places more familiar and less threatening. If your group includes men from several denominations or if it crosses racial or cultural boundaries, then a home, workplace, or other familiar location is a good place to gather.

5. Do Not Assign Homework

Men are unlikely to complete homework assignments, such as reading Scripture passages and writing answers in a study manual. Rather than show up and be embarrassed that they didn’t do the work, they just won’t show up at all. The approach runs counter to the way most of us were taught, but you will encounter fewer problems in your group if you do not assign homework.

Obviously, homework can be assigned and expected in a small group made up of mature Christians whose motivation level is more advanced.

6. Allow Men to Discover Truths From the Bible for Themselves

Don’t lecture. The key responsibility of the leader is to facilitate discussion by asking open-ended questions that invite answers. This principle is essential for having a successful small-group Bible-study experience.

The Bible is unchartered territory for most men. If they don’t feel in control or know the answer, they will soon decide not to come back. It’s better to use a format which invites the group member to participate by giving his own understanding of the meaning of the passage. There is no pressure to come up with the “right” answer. Rather, each person is allowed to uncover the truths of God’s Word in a self-discovery approach. A good small-group leader, then, will facilitate this discovery process rather than set himself up as the expert.

7. Don’t Ask Men to Do Something for Which They Are Unprepared

Be especially careful not to call randomly on men to read Scripture unless you ask for volunteers or are given prior permission. An increasing number of men today are unable to read or are embarrassed to do so in public. Don’t ask group members to pray without seeking prior permission. If you do have a group member pray, it’s a good idea to let the group know that you have gained his permission beforehand. As leader, you generally should take the lead in prayer.

The small group setting is pivotal to developing a relational community for men. This truth is at the heart of the Promise Keepers movement. The leaders of Promise Keepers know that the only way a man will become a Promise Keeper is to enter into a vital relationship with God through His Word and with other brothers who will help him keep those promises.

by John Campbell

In hundreds of Church of God congregations across North America, men are discovering spiritual vitality in small-group Bible study through LifeBuilders Men’s Ministry. LifeBuilders is a full-fledged program for encouraging both men in the church and men of the community to grow together spiritually. The program has a fourfold purpose focusing on spiritual, social, community service, and soulwinning aspects of a man’s life. This encourages the men’s group to grow in Christ and reach out to the unsaved.

The success of “Promise Keepers” and “LifeBuilders” conferences gives evidence that this is needed and desired by men seeking the things of God. We talk about numbers in attendance as the measure of a successful effort. Large crowds are appreciated, however, let’s not overlook the importance of the intimate small gathering where all men have a chance to participate in a meaningful way.

Ownership in the group and the feeling of being important are additional benefits that come not only to the group but also to the individual. Meaningful growth comes when one sits down with men week after week and seeks to strengthen their walk and develop personal accountability . . . with their help.

A personal one-on-one relationship is the most effective ministry opportunity we will ever have. It’s called disciplining or mentoring and is encouraged in the Bible. Two mornings a week can be set aside where two men meet together and encourage one another in Christ. This could become an exciting thing. Many now prefer the small group and actively pursue the one-on-one relationship . . . you may also once you have experienced it.

Another excellent video from LifeBuilders in the United Kingdom.

Attendance

An effective program of the Men’s Ministry depends upon interest and attendance. Various methods of communication should be used in contacting the absentees and soliciting new members. Personal contacts and advertising encourages regular attendance at the meetings.

Publicity

All activities of the Men’s Ministry must be well–publicized. This includes posters, brochures, church announcements and direct mail. All correspondence and the utilization of other methods of publicizing the program, in keeping with the standards of the Men’s Ministry, shall be carried out by the appropriate team member.

Program

Each meeting should be well planned with a specific objective to be accomplished.

Spiritual Life

The goal of every believer is Christian maturity. LifeBuilders Men’s Ministries offers an effective way to help men become more like Christ. This is accomplished through the LifeBuilders discipleship program, especially LifeBuilders Essentials and Kingdom Calling. The result of these courses is to cultivate the following in men, which the Chapter should facilitate and encourage:

• Scripture reading and devotions
• Training in personal witnessing
• Developing an effective prayer life
• Spiritual outreach ministries
• Becoming responsible stewards

Every member of a LifeBuilders group should be given the opportunity to present the devotions.

Matthew 25 Men

Matthew 25 Men is available to those churches who select a Head Coach. The Head Coach is the “point man” for the organization and coordination of Matthew 25 Men trips. The Head Coach contacts one of the designated “Matthew 25 Men Centers” which have been selected by either the Department of Lay Ministries or the state/regional office. He makes the arrangements for housing, food and work schedule with the Matthew 25 Men Center. Normally the men will make an overnight trip to the center, perform their ministry work and return to the church in time for Sunday worship.

Team Leader

The Team Leader’s duties and responsibilities include:

• Presiding over meetings
• Planning and presiding over Leadership Team meetings
• Assigning specific tasks to team members
• Directing the training of team members
• Presenting needs to the Pastor and/or Church and Pastor’s council
• Communicating information on denominational programs
• Providing for distribution of publications materials for Men’s Ministry members
• Being a contact person for the International Department of Lay Ministries

Team Members

Chapters can be flexible in how they allocate various duties to team members. Duties and responsibilities include:

• Overseeing all committees to keep them organized and active
• Assisting in distribution of church publications for men
• Developing procedures to increase attendance and enrollment
• Publicizing meetings
• Promoting fellowship
• Recording minutes of all official meetings
• Presenting records and minutes for approval at each regular meeting
• Recording attendance at each meeting
• Maintaining an accurate membership list
• Receiving and disbursing funds
• Participating in the planning committee meetings
• Ordering materials and supplies
• Completing and mailing the annual report in November to the International Department of Lay Ministries
• Notifying the International Department of Lay Ministries of any change in Team members.

Watch this exciting video about LifeBuilders Men’s Ministries in the United Kingdom.

Does your church, state or region have a video you want to share?  Let us know!

The global outreach of the church depends on the contribution of dedicated men. To meet this  challenge the Church of God does hereby establish LifeBuilders Men’s Ministries, which shall be the official organization for men of the Church of God throughout the world.

This organization shall be designed to promote . . .

• Personal spiritual growth
• Men’s Ministries on a local, state, national, and international level
• A program for lay participation in the global outreach of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the ministry of lay evangelism.

ARTICLE I

Name

Section One: The name of the organization shall be LifeBuilders Men’s Ministry.

Section Two: LifeBuilders is the normally designated name for local church chapters of Church of God Men’s Ministries International. It is permissible to use an alternate name for the men’s ministry.

ARTICLE II
Membership

Section One: Membership in LifeBuilders Men’s Ministries shall be open to all Christian men. Membership is granted only through a local Men’s Ministry chapter.

Section Two: Applications for membership shall be submitted to the Men’s Ministry Leadership Team.

Section Three: All members of LifeBuilders Men’s Ministries shall be encouraged to wear and display the official LifeBuilders emblem.

ARTICLE III

Chapter Leadership Team

Section One: The leadership of the Chapter shall be invested in a Men’s Ministry Leadership Team, chosen by the Pastor. A Team Leader shall preside over Team meetings. The Pastor and Head Coach shall be ex officio members of the Leadership Team.

Section Two: All Team Members must be men who are Church of God members in good standing.

All Team Members shall be registered with the International Department of Lay Ministries and any changes shall be reported immediately to keep the files current.

Section Three: Each chapter may have any number of empowered small groups which should include, but not be limited to, the following: executive, program, lay evangelism, public relations, membership enlistment, projects, fellowship activities, discipleship programs, community service, and spiritual life.

The Leadership Team shall designate these teams, and also serve as the program committee.

Further, should the local chapter desire to network with other men’s organizations, the position of Head Coach shall be established and a person appointed to this office.

ARTICLE IV

Local Chapter Operation

Section One: The organization and program of the local chapter shall be designed to ensure the widest possible participation of men.

Section Two: The local chapter shall function to provide fellowship for Christian men and offer a tangible way for them to participate in the global outreach of the gospel.

Section Three: The method of financing local programs of LifeBuilders Men’s Ministry shall be recommended by the Leadership Team and approved by the chapter members.

Section Four: An annual report shall be completed and mailed in November to the International Department of Lay Ministries.

ARTICLE V

Chapter Bylaws

Section One: Each chapter shall establish bylaws to meet local needs (time, place, frequency of meetings, finance, etc.).

Section Two: All bylaws are recommended by the local executive board and approved by a majority vote of the chapter members.

ARTICLE VI

Amendments

Section One: Any suggested changes to the constitution shall be recommended to the International Lay Ministries Board in regular session. Constitutional amendments shall be adopted or rejected by a majority vote of the International Lay Ministries Board.

1. Q. Are Leadership Team members elected or appointed? A. The Pastor appoints the Leadership Team. He or she may call for an election at the Pastor’s sole discretion.
2. Q. How long may the Team leaders be in place. A. The Leadership Team serves for an indefinite term, at the Pastor’s discretion.
3. Q. What is the LifeBuilders discipleship process? A. The LifeBuilders discipleship process is the three-step process described in the “LifeBuilders Discipleship Process” page.
4. Q. Does the Men’s Ministry set church policy? A. The Men’s Ministry is an outreach ministry of the church and does not set church policy.
5. Q. Is Men and Women of Action part of the Men’s Ministries International? A. No. Men and Women of Action is an independent ministry working in cooperation with the Church of God World Missions. Matthew 25 Men are a ministry of the local church reaching out to the world in need through the LifeBuilders Men’s Ministry. Matthew 25 Men network with Men of Action in many ways to help hurting people. It is recommended that a Head Coach be selected from the group to head Matthew 25 Men teams.
6. Q. How often should our men’s chapter meet? A. Preferably once a month if possible; if not, a minimum of eight times per year.
7. Q. Should we have other regular meetings? A. Definitely! You may organize spiritual life studies, weekly Bible studies, early morning prayer, or prayer seminars held at the church or local restaurant, etc. There are no limits on how often you meet.
8. Q. Are the wives ever invited? A. The regular monthly meetings are for men only; however, occasionally the wives should be invited to special meetings.
9. Q. Is there an age limit for Men’s Ministry membership? A. Sixteen is the recommended minimum age for membership.
10. Q. Can sons under the age of 16 attend meetings? A. Yes, your children are a vital part of the Men’s Ministry and should be encouraged to attend
    when appropriate.
11. Q. Can non–Christians be members of Men’s Ministry? A. Encourage non–Christians to attend meetings but they are not eligable for membership.
12. Q. Is there a fee for chartering? A. Yes, a nominal fee is charged and the Resource Action Manual is included with the fee.
13. Q. How can existing chartered Men’s Ministry chapters get the latest Resource Action Manual?A. Every chapter is encouraged to purchase the Resource Action Manual as it contains a wealth of “how to” information.
14. Q. Does the local Men’s Ministry chapter exist to support the local church or the International Department of Lay Ministries? A. The Men’s Ministry is designed to support the local church and pastor. The International Department of Lay Ministries is the resource center for the local church LifeBuilders Men’s Ministry and, therefore, every chapter is encouraged to cooperate with recommended programs and ministries that are developed for the good of all churches.
15. Q. We’re trying to prepare great looking publications to promote our chapter. How to we obtain the LifeBuilders logos? A. You can download these from here.