Partners

The General Commission on UM Men has entered into ministry partnerships with three non-denominational men’s ministry organizations to provide new tools for outreach, leadership development and spiritual growth for men.

“Traditional evangelism isn’t working very well, especially in reaching men for Christ” says Larry Malone, director of Men's Ministries. He notes that many husbands and fathers are absent from United Methodist pews and 66 million men in America make no profession of faith in Christ.

The commission has established ministry partnership agreements with the Florida-based “Man in the Mirror”, Colorado-based “Building Brothers,” and Texas-based “Letters from Dad” ministries.

Man in the Mirror

Man in the Mirror ministries conduct “No Man Left Behind” leadership training conferences based on 20 years of research in the best principles and practices in reaching men. The course is designed for men’s ministry leaders who want to learn how to apply an effective, long term, real life strategy for building spiritually mature men in their church. The course teaches leaders how to “create, capture, and sustain momentum in effective men’s ministry.” The principal book is No Man Left Behind: How to Build and Sustain a Thriving, Disciple-Making Ministry for Every Man in Your Church by Patrick Morley, David Delk and Brett Clemmer.

Building Brothers

Building Brothers assists churches in the spiritual formation of men who are pursuing God and capable of reproducing that pursuit in the lives of other men. A key element in this reproduction process is establishing a clearly defined spiritual growth pathway within the church, to lead men to spiritual fatherhood and to spiritual reproduction in a Wesleyan Band of Brothers. “Spiritual reproduction is the foundation for evangelism,” said Malone. Louisiana and Kansas annual conferences now have groups of men on their way to becoming WesleyMen. The principal book is Spiritual Fathers – Restoring the Reproductive Church by Dan Schaffer.

Letters from Dad

Letters from Dad invites men to join in groups to write letters to their spouses, children, parents and heirs. It begins with a barbeque, and in four monthly gatherings, men are led to write things that will matter most to their loved ones. Many groups of UM Men have had positive experiences with this program.

Men who participate in a Wesley Band of Brothers and who have received training by Man in the Mirror ministries may enter a program to become Men’s Ministry Specialists. These men must complete a course in United Methodist history and polity, attend a Wesleyan Building Brothers training event, and begin a “Wesley Band of Brothers.”

Malone describes Men’s Ministry Specialists as: “Twenty-first century circuit riders reaching out for men.” They will assist churches in their districts develop effective ministries to men.

Scouting and Civic Youth-serving Agencies

United Methodist Men have also partnered with organizations promoting mentoring relationships through scouting and civic youth groups.

  • Discover how lives of children, teens and their families can change through scouting ministry.