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Celebrating Men of the Church Sunday
June 20, 2010
Therefore We Make Disciples
Por Tanto, Hacemos Discipulos
그러므로 우리는 제자를 만드는
(Based on Matthew 28:19)
Throughout the liturgical year, the General Assembly has chosen special Sunday observances. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has designated certain Sundays to recognize Gifts of Women, Older Adults, Families, Young People and Men of the Church. Men of the Church Sunday is a day to recognize the gifts and contributions to ministry that men have made in their congregations and to give thanks for the witness that they make in the home, the workplace, community and church.
Men of the Church Sunday is designated as the Sunday usually recognized as Father’s Day. It was an intentional act of the General Assembly to recognize the contributions of men, but not limit it to those men who have children, and to be inclusive of single men, stepparents and men who are unable to be with their children on this day. Regardless of their family situation, all men of the church have been called by God to share their time, talents, spirit and energies, fulfilling their call to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
On June 20, 2010, congregations are invited to celebrate Men of the Church Sunday. This can be a day of thanksgiving and new beginnings, as all congregations recognize, rejoice and renew their commitment to providing vital ministries with men, that men might perform their unique ministries in the home, church and community.
As you plan the worship and fellowship events for the day, keep in mind the elements of the Mission Statement:
- It’s for all men.
- It involves equipping and training.
- It’s priority is “pursuing the will of Jesus.”
- It identifies three aspects of this pursuit: mission outreach, leadership and discipleship.
The theme applies to all of us who are committed to Jesus Christ and seek to follow him as Savior and Lord. The theme offers the opportunity to illustrate with concrete examples the many ways that men are involved in carrying out the great commission. Those who are fathers, grandfathers and/or uncles are involved in teaching their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Those who are husbands are involved in making disciples as they seek to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord in their relationship with their spouses. Those who are Sunday school teachers are involved in making disciples as they teach. Those who are scout leaders model Christian values as they work with scouts. Those who interact in the workplace and in the community demonstrate to their colleagues by the quality of their lives and relationships what it means to follow Jesus Christ. Those who volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and/or participate in Presbyterian Disaster Relief activities model behaviors that provide others an opportunity to see what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. The theme allows us to lift up and celebrate ways men in the church are involved in the process of making disciples. The theme also invites us to identify areas where men can be challenged to be more effective — to seriously consider ways they can intentionally be involved in making disciples.
And Jesus came and said to them, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NRSV)
Matthew 28:18-20 is a powerful affirmation of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus begins by affirming that all authority has been given to him in heaven and on earth. It is in response to his authority that we are called to make disciples. The lesson reminds us that the call to make disciples, baptizing and teaching along the way, is for everyone. It involves all of us in our family life, in our work life, in our community service, in our leisure activities. This commandment of Jesus has special application to men on Men of the Church Sunday. This offers an opportunity to celebrate and illustrate how men of the church are involved in the process of making disciples — in their families, in the life of the church, in volunteer activities, in the world of work, in the community and in volunteer service in places of disaster and need.
Here are some ideas.
- Be intentional in your invitation to celebrate and worship. Focus on how men worship and fellowship and don’t be afraid of stereotypes.
- Involve men in the worship service.
- Include a men’s choir in the worship service.
- Invite all men of the congregation and men from the community to worship.
- Let the balance tip toward more masculine language and music.
- Use more specific and directive language in the sermon, i.e. “here’s what needs to be done,” emphasizing the need for mission outreach, leadership development and discipleship training.
- Have a meal or coffee fellowship following worship or later in the day — let the men cook.
- Choose a man to honor as “Church Man of the Year,” someone who has demonstrated his leadership and discipleship. Use this form
 to register your nomination with NPMM and provide mission support to NPMM.
- Order of Worship
Order of Worship reminders
- Affirm in the sermon the Mission Statement of Presbyterian Men with emphasis on mission, leadership and discipleship.
- Be specific in an invitation that invites not only making or remaking a commitment to Jesus Christ but also commitment to a particular ministry or mission of the church.
- Recognize a Church Man of the Year.
Gathering together in worship reminds us of who we are — children of God, joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us to co-labor with him in his kingdom. Presbyterian men are responding to that call in a wide variety of ways:
- Some men’s groups meet for a meal and study, and then work on projects around their church building — cleaning, painting, maintaining lighting and other systems that enable or enhance ministry.
- Some men’s groups organize to meet needs in their local congregation and community — fixing up and maintaining the homes of elderly, disabled, aiding handicap accessibility.
- Some men’s groups organize teams of men with professional skills to help urban churches in changing neighborhoods to assess their physical plants and determine how they might be remodeled to provide more effective ministry in their particular setting — architects, engineers, etc.
- Some organize trips to help victims of disaster — to the gulf coast, to flooded areas of Iowa, to the mid-west victims of tornadoes — wherever there is need. Many work through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Many work with local congregations in communities directly affected by disaster.
- Some presbyteries gather information in a data base about the skills and availability of volunteers to respond to specific needs (mucking out and cleaning up after a disaster, framing, hanging dry wall, roofing, electrical work, plumbing, etc.).
- Some share in mission trips beyond our borders to build a building, to aid a ministry, to meet human need.
All share in our mutual calling to “make disciples.”
What might God be calling us to do to “make disciples” as we continue to move into the 21st Century?
Submitted by the Rev. David Caves Jr. and the Rev. George C. Goodman, pastor advisors to National Presbyterian Men’s Ministry.
"To equip and train all men to pursue the will of Jesus through: mission outreach; leadership; and discipleship." National Presbyterian Men’s Ministry is a covenant organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and a member of the General Assembly Mission Council.
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