Most churches have some kind of plan for men once they come through the doors. But the reality is that many men in my life will not first encounter God in a church setting. They will encounter Him in a common space we share. I imagine that is true for you and your men as well.
Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-9 is that kind of man, and there are practical lessons we can learn for reaching similar men in our lives.
Make interruptible plans.
In Luke 19:1, Jesus’ plan was to “pass through Jericho.” He had places to go, people to see, and a whole world to save. But He stopped to give attention to one man.
To break from our plans and give someone our full attention, we must hold our agendas loosely, with a pre-determined commitment to let God interrupt us by placing someone in our path.
Question: In what practical ways can you create margins that make you interruptible?
Pro Tips:
- Arrive at work and social gatherings earlier and stay later.
- Create margin in meetings and make it part of your culture. Practice saying, “We have a little more time…”
- Show interest by inviting yourself to places when appropriate.
Expect opposition and don’t take it personally.
I wish reaching men far from God had a clear pathway and predictable outcomes. Nothing could be further from the truth. Opposition is part of the territory.
For Jesus, the opposition came down to association. Because He befriended an outcast, people questioned His judgment, holiness, and associations. Our invitation is to bring the Kingdom of God to places where others have given up hope.
Question: If you want to grow in reaching those far from God, who needs to hear about your strategy so they are not surprised by it?
Pro Tips:
- When you have a strategy to go where men are, don’t go alone. Find at least five people to join you in this exploratory journey. In many places, it helps to call this a “pilot group.”
- Commit to going where men are. Find someone connected to your city’s events and invite friends to join you. Explore where men gather on Sunday mornings.
Belonging before belief.
Jesus’ self-invitation to Zacchaeus was scandalous. It meant Jesus accepted Zacchaeus’ hospitality before there was any clear sign of transformation. Zacchaeus was given belonging while still on his journey toward belief. Jesus communicated that Zacchaeus had value, independent of his spiritual journey: Dignity before transformation.
Many men will walk in the ways of Jesus as the pathway to knowing the heart of Jesus. Our work is to help them identify activities and contributions at the heart of our mission and invite them into it. Jesus did not merely offer Zacchaeus a seat at the table; He asked for one. Many men respond first to being needed rather than being helped.
Question: In what ways does your ministry provide opportunities for involvement for men at every stage of their spiritual journey?
Pro Tip: Lead conversations with your own needs. Identify a local nonprofit that engages with men and invite your men to be part of it.
We would like to hear from you.
What are some ways your church or ministry is reaching men who are far from God? Please share them with us here.
Get more practical stories on reaching men from Pastor Mike on the Leading with No Regrets Podcast.
