Specialists to help men mature spiritually
Newly-commissioned men’s ministry specialists will serve
congregations by supporting clergy and lay leaders in ministry with men.
UMNS photos by Linda Green.
By Linda Green*
March 12, 2009 | NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)
 Men’s ministry specialists are collaborating with pastors to help The United Methodist Church reach more men.
Launched in 2008, the initiative from United Methodist Men provides
specialists to serve congregations by supporting clergy and lay leaders
in ministry with men. On March 8, seven men were commissioned during
the meeting of the denomination’s National Association of Annual
Conference Presidents to provide information and resources to help
congregations develop ministries for men.
A dozen more men will be recognized as specialists during the 10th National Gathering of United Methodist Men July 10-12 in Nashville.
According to the Rev. David Adams, top executive of the
denomination’s Commission on United Methodist Men, the program is a
response to the shortage of qualified leadership in men’s ministry and
the leadership emphasis of the church’s four areas of focus. The
possibilities for the denomination are diminished by the spiritual
condition of men, he said.
The specialists will motivate, inspire and serve as “coaches for the
conference and district to connect with local churches and connect to
the commission,” Adams said.
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The Rev. David Adams discusses the challenges of men’s ministry.
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“The program motivates leaders through vision, inspiration, cooperation
and encouragement,” he added. “This is about men helping men know
Christ so that others can find Christ.”
Each of the men commissioned was recommended by his pastor for the
specialist position. They also participated in a No-Man-Left-Behind
leadership training session sponsored by Orlando, Fla.-based Man in the
Mirror ministries.
The commission, working the United Methodist Board of Higher and
Ministry, created an on-line curriculum that includes church history
and polity, safe sanctuaries, and sexual ethics that men must complete
before receiving certification as a specialist in the United Methodist
Church.
In addition, United Methodist Men is developing a 12-hour advanced
lay speaking course in men’s ministry as a resource that provides an
understanding of men’s ministry principles, essentials and benefits.
A version of the training will be a workshop at the men’s
gathering in July.
*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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Resources
Men’s Ministry Specialists
National Association of Conference Presidents
Commission on United Methodist Men | 
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