Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).  And he brought him to Jesus. – John 1:40-42a

Just get involved more yourself, and bring someone else along. It’s that simple. – Derek Maul

Saturday morning I got up extra early, drove more than two hours to a church in the community of West End, North Carolina, mingled with the somewhere around 50 participants who were attending the regional discipleship event, listened to the opening devotion and prayer, then made my way to the church parlor where I was slated to give a workshop on “Rethinking Men’s Ministry.”

I spent the allotted hour chatting with the two men who showed up. Apparently four had registered for my first hour, none for the second. Also in attendance was the Presbytery exec who had organized the event; we had a productive conversation.

I know what you’re thinking: “Was it worth all that effort?” and, “That’s a lot of preparation work and driving and investment for a one-hour chat with two or three people…”

Fact is, the majority of important work that goes on in terms of sharing the Good News is quiet and one-on-one and very much unglamorous.

That is actually a critically important point, one I made in my presentation. Ministry with men is not a numbers game it is a relationship initiative.

Ministry is not a numbers game it is a relationship initiative

This is what I said to one of the guys Saturday morning. “You really want to see more younger men more active in church? My suggestion is that you first get to know one or two of them, listen to them over breakfast or coffee, be a generous friend, pour yourself into them… then you can invite them to do a Bible study with you. Say something like, ‘I want to strengthen my faith and I’m looking for a couple of men to take the journey with me.’ Meet when and where it is possible, and as you do, begin to pray for one-another too. After a while reach out to another man, or two, to join you.“

It is not the job of some preacher to “attract” more people, younger people, to church. It is our job as disciples to make more disciples. This is usually one at a time, invitational, and deeply personal. Every last one of us is responsible for living this good news as an invitation.

We all have the answers we need. We have a friend in Jesus and this is what the world needs. Just get involved more yourself, and bring someone else along. It’s that simple.

In love, and because love compels us – DEREK