I am the men's minister at a new church, and I am responsible for organizing events for the men of our church and community. We are having a kickoff 2006 party on Jan. 28th. We have advertised it as a night of "meat, men, and competition" (we're having BBQ catered). This is a funneling event to attract men to Jesus and our church. I am looking for some good ideas for the competition part of the event. Ideas of things that men would really enjoy, and are acceptable for this type of event. We are having it at a camp, so space is not an issue. Ideas are appreciated.

Thanks
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Any kinds of sports. Flag football, dominoes, basketball. Why don't you try sending out a questionare to the men who will be going and see what they would be interested in doing.

Going forward, you must do Men's Fraternity.

http://www.mensfraternity.com/

I sat in on a training session with the founding minister of this group and it is perfect for a men's ministry.

late night farkling. (It's a game with dice for those of you that have never played.)

A poker tournament with no buy in but some sort of prize and trip or whatever for the top 3 finishers.

I've read Robert Lewis' book "Raising a Modern Day Knight". I loved that book, and have encouraged every man I know to read it. The men's fraternity looks like powerful and exciting stuff. I want to start a fraternity this fall.

The poker tournament is another good idea. I think we are going to set up different areas/stations with various activities.

Thanks, and keep 'em comin'.

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Since you're having it at a camp, they might have facilities for a bb shooting contest or archery or fishing. You could throw in some scripture memory for extra points.

Ooooh...I like the archery and shooting idea.

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I vote for a "Know Your Bible" contest...

This thread was not started for the purpose of debate or for you to troll for an argument. -Staff]


[This message has been edited by TexAgs staff (edited 1/7/2006 11:14a).]

nm

[This message has been edited by b.blauser (edited 1/7/2006 9:38p).]

AgGermany,

I'm sorry that you want to presume so much and make assumptions when you don't have all the facts regarding the event or me and the leaders of my church.

All I asked for were ideas for fun things we could do. I never shared the spiritual aspect of the event.

We won't be "springing" religion on anybody. The spiritual aspect will be clearly stated so that no man will be caught off-guard. There will be time for worship and praying together.

This is not about "religion" anyway. This event is about drawing men to a relationship with Christ Jesus and with other men.

There is nothing wrong with having fun. We are a church about relationships, and this is a fellowship event designed to begin, develop, and foster relationships with one-another and Jesus.

Nobody will be "buying in" and gambling their paycheck away. We may not even have a poker tournament, but it is a good "idea" and something to think about.

We want everyone to leave with more than they came with (physically and spiritually). We will be handing out Bibles to every man that comes. It is our desire for men to discover authentic manhood (which is not beer and women) and become the leader of their homes and families just like God has commanded.

We can still have fun while learning and experiencing the life-changing message of Jesus. That's the way He would want it.

Recommended reading: "Why Men Hate Church"


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Eph 4:29

[This message has been edited by TolarAg (edited 1/7/2006 9:34a).]

AgGermany is really a good guy!

[This message has been edited by b.blauser (edited 1/7/2006 9:39p).]

Tolar - Have you read Wild at Heart? I couldn't get through it, but it does address man's need for outdoors and wildness types things. It should be able to give you some ideas.

Also, please let us know how it goes or what you decide. I need some ideas in this area as well.

my email is in my profile.

Thanks for helping me with the ideas for this event. We wound up having different stations that included archery, tomahawk toss, casting for accuracy, paintball, football, and tug-o-war.

There were 60 men that showed up, and many of them stepped up in a big way. They developed friendships with other men and signed up to be part of accountibility groups or one on one discipleship.

A local place catered the BBQ, and the guys left full and happy.

The testimonies of some of the men's leadership team really touched a lot of the men. Many of them want to learn how to be better fathers and husbands by following Christ.

Thanks again for the ideas and encouragement.

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