Celebrate Men of the Church Sunday
The General Assembly has chosen special Sunday observances throughout the liturgical year to recognize the gifts of its members. Men of the Church Sunday is one of these special observances. It is a day for recognizing the gifts and contributions to ministry that men have made in every congregation, 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, stepparent 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 21, 2009, 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.
The Mission Statement of National Presbyterian Men’s Ministry (NPMM): "To equip and train all men to pursue the will of Jesus through: mission outreach; leadership; and discipleship."
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
- Its priority is “pursuing the will of Jesus”
- It identifies three aspects of this pursuit: mission outreach, leadership and discipleship
The Theme: Challenges Facing Men in the 21st Century
The theme for this year’s “Men of the Church Sunday” and also the theme for the National Conference of Presbyterian Men in Denver, Colorado, is “Challenges Facing Men in the 21st Century.”
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25 NIV)
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. (Philippians 2:14 NIV)
Hebrews
By saying “let us not give up meeting together,” the writer of Hebrews is signifying that worshiping together calls one to make corporate worship a priority. While some are in the habit of not attending or participating in corporate worship the writer is calling the reader to assume the role of encourager because of the urgency of the approaching Day. Getting into a habit of not “meeting together” leaves one in a rut, making the individual unprepared for the Day approaching.
With the “Day” approaching in view, the 25th verse of Hebrews calls individuals to care about corporate worship. In addition, to care about persons whose habits say they have given up meeting together — in worship. Caring matters:
- It is a way to deter one’s own “backsliding”
- It is a way to support and strengthen one’s own faithfulness
- It is a way to be an encourager to another, who has given up meeting together, to persevere in the faith
Philippians
The second scripture reference challenges men to become spiritual light in the world without complaint or argument. The world, described as a crooked and depraved generation, needs spiritual persons who will radiate the light of God. To be radiant as well as to remain radiant, worship (meeting together) is key.
Lesson
“Meeting together” (worship) nourishes and sustains our lives as disciples while broadening our resolve to “shine like stars in the universe.”
How can Presbyterians celebrate Men of the Church Sunday?
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 and provide mission support to NPMM.
Use this worship resource. Download and use this 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.
Some ideas concerning men in mission, ministry and partners in discipleship
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 database 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 “shine like stars in the universe.”
What might God be calling us to do to “shine like stars in the universe” as we continue to move into the 21st Century?
Submitted by the Rev. George C. Goodman and the Rev. David Caves Jr., advisors to National Presbyterian Men’s Ministry. |
