For the last 3 years, a Christian brother has been sending the "Men of Integrity" issues to me every couple months. I've been blessed by these devotions. The issues are focused on certain themes relevant to men, their personal growth and character, and their relationships with God, wife, family, brethren, and the unsaved. What is so great about this devotional book is what has been confessed by real Christian men about how God has been glorified through their experiences and their struggles. As well, with each story, a relevant biblical verse is given. I've been blessed by this brother and by these devotions. The simple and yet profound teachings have lifted me when times were dark and reminded me of the lessons I've learned.
The concept for Men's ministry is a fairly recent one. Compared with other life group ministries or outreach opportunities, the ministry gained popularity just in the last 10 to 15 years. From what can be found in current US resources and from what I have recently read, the men's/father's rights movement in the 80s are deeply rooted in the development of the Men's Ministry Movement. Men wanted to reclaim their role as who they are in this world: leaders and doers. In some instances, men were attending retreats in the woods and painted their faces in tribal fashion attempting to gain a sense of manhood, masculinity, camaraderie, and being a man. These type of events did not last long. Also, the literature cites that divorce/child custody cases also played a role in developing the men's movement.
The reclaiming of the role for men as responsible, mature leaders has moved, or should I say reinforced that Christian men should take their Christian walk to another level: A wonderful desire to be more intimate (to grow deeper) with God and with His people.
A couple examples of Men's ministries include the national men's ministry, the Promise Keepers and Every Man Ministries. Also, recent books have been published so that men can draw closer to God. Such popular books include "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge. An awesome way to know what it is to be a man is to hang out with Godly men. It helps out. Men learn from other men. They don't learn to be a man from a woman. It takes time to grow as an emotionally mature, spirit-filled man.
Even the formation of the national men's ministry, Promise Keepers, did not come to "birth" until 1990. The first set of resources did not get published until 1993. With the onset during the 70s the strong feminist movement and the call for male sensitivity, men in North America have strived to figure what are their positions and roles in this world. With the changing face of male relationships to God, women, and even to other men, men have drastically changed as they related to women and as they viewed themselves.
What got me started to talk about this? My local church is re-developing the Men's Ministry. While discussing this topic at the initial meeting, an 84-yr-old associate pastor (yes, he is that old) was surprised to hear about the concept of a men's ministry group. Our second meeting is set for the 1st Saturday of November. At 8 am, no less! Surprisingly, I adjusted my business trip so that I wouldn't miss it. I don't know why I think it is so important.
Then God said, Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all[a] the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.
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