Dr. Jim Guth, director of Florida Men of Integrity,¹ pointed out the benefits of critical mass in men's ministry in an article in FMI Update. With critical mass men have a sense of safety and freedom. He suggests several venues that already have critical mass: regional men's conferences and denominational men's retreats. He recommends bringing in nationally known speakers for local events. In other words, strive for critical mass and take your men to events with critical mass.

Those thoughts got my neurons flowing. How can I apply his suggestions in our situation, a (very) small church setting?

Church Size. The average size church in America is 75. That means that for every church of 75 and over, there are an equal number of churches of 74 and under. A recent book on leading a men's ministry in a small church dealt with a congregation of 200.²

In our case attendance averages 60-65. There are approximately 100 who would call us their church home. We have 38 men in our sphere of influence. Forty percent of our men are retired. Many have health issues. Often the cost of men's events is perceived to be beyond their means. Well-known men's speakers have not been big draws. A number of our men work on Saturday (and some on Sunday). I'm not making excuses. I am just defining the framework in which we work.

Do Numbers Matter? We humans measure success in terms of numbers. How many men came out to breakfast last month? How many men did we take to men's retreat? How many men came out for work day? How many men in your men's group? We should measure success in terms of numbers, but only if we are talking about changed lives. Missionary Debbie Adams expressed the desire to report the "big stuff" they were doing for God on the field. She went on to say, however, that what God considers big are the little things we do to advance His kingdom, like building a bridge to a non-believer and sharing our testimony.

The bottom line in men's ministry is: Are men's lives being changed?

What is critical Mass? In men's ministry, critical mass is the number it takes to sustain an activity. That means critical mass is relative to the task or objective.

Jesus' Ministry to Men. Consider Jesus' model for ministering to men. His objective was to change the world. For Him the critical mass was 12.

• He prayed

• Then He enlisted twelve men. He was especially close to three: Peter James and John.

• He taught His disciples - in public and private forums.

• He modeled appropriate behavior.

• He challenged them, encouraged them, and inspired them.

• He spent time with them. He was with them 24/7.

• As His disciples matured, He focused on equipping them for their own ministry.

• He commissioned them to carry on His work. He charged them with making disciples.

We know that in his public ministry He spoke to as many as 5000 men plus women and children. We know His influence went beyond the twelve because He sent out seventy two-by-two. He appeared to over 500 after His resurrection and there were 120 waiting patiently in the upper room for the out pouring of the Holy Spirit. However He concentrated His attention on the twelve. It was the twelve who went into the utter most parts of the world and made disciples themselves.

What does it take to see changes in men's lives? Where does critical mass fit in that process and how do we build critical mass in a (really) small church?

The objective of men's ministry is to change lives. The critical mass for doing so is three: A mentor, disciple or seeker and the Lord. Consider the following:

• Discipling Men - the Basics. The first step in discipling men is leading them to a saving knowledge of Christ. In this relationship, the mentor needs to cover Biblical topics such as: the Bible, God, Man, Jesus Christ, salvation, discipleship, the church, and the mission. At some point the seeker will recognize his condition. If not, the diisciplemaker will need to probe and encourage the man to evaluate his condition. Working through the basics may take eight to twelve weeks. Consider adding a fourth member into the group: a disciple who is being equipped to lead a non-believer through the basics.

• Discipling Men - Intermediate Steps. The objective in going through the basics is to move a believer into discipleship. The content includes the disciplines of the Christian life, such as tools for living the Christian life and developing personal holiness.

• Developing Men - Small Groups. Discipleship is not a point in one's life - it is a process. Men need to be in an environment where they can be challenged by the Word and by each other. This is an iron-sharpening-iron relationship. As the relationship matures, accountability becomes a component. Moreover, the two can invite other men to join.

• Discipling Men - Large Groups. I heard about a men's small group of 45. It is important for men to wrestle with or personalize the material being presented. A large group may not be the best forum for this. Consider applying Pat Morley's Friday Morning Bible Study model where men are assigned to tables of eight to ten with a table leader. The table leader leads a discussion after the message and the men can connect for application, prayer and intercession.³ Pat's critical mass is a small group of eight to ten men.

• Developing Leaders. Rick Warren describes congregations as a pyramid with a broad base of the least committed to the top consisting of those who are deeply committed to the Lord and the church. Not everyone will move up the pyramid. Others, however, will seek a deeper level of faith in and commitment to the Lord. They need to be encouraged and equipped for ministry. As above, the critical mass is at least three.

• Enlisting a men's ministry leader. In a recent survey of pastors, some expressed frustration that there was no one in the church to lead the men. There is at least one man in each church who understands the need to grow godly men. Therefore, it becomes his task to enlist at least one other man into the process of laying a foundation on which to build the ministry. Again, the critical mass is three. This process involves time in prayer, a focus on personal spiritual growth, defining the need, casting the vision and brainstorming. Men need a champion. It may take time, encouragement, and most of all, prayer.

Guth is right. Building critical mass is important. Doing so may mean one man at a time. The benefit of one man at a time is quality.

1 Guth, Jim, "Numbers Count! Work Hard to Get a Critical Mass Of Men to Your Event," FMI Praise Report, October 21, 2009.

2 Kloppman, Karl W., Men's Ministry for the Small Church, (Xulon Press, 2004). An excellent discussion of the condition of men in America.

3 Patrick Morley, Pastoring Men, (Chicago: Moody Publishers,: 2009), pp 145-158.