Implementing a Manhood Development Program

Handout Implementing a Manhood Development Program At Your Church

The following are some steps you can take to implement a Manhood Development Program at your church:

I. Pastor Agreement - Program must be a part of the pastor’s vision for the church

I. Who will Lead - Must have men interested, capable, and committed to developing the boys.

II. Establish goals - Important to be clear on what you want to accomplish.

I. Decide on target audience - Must know who you intend for the program to impact, e.g., characteristics, needs, activities. See resource in Example A on next page.

II. Establish curriculum - Must have lessons, activities and events that help accomplish your goal. See example B on next page.

I. Establish When, Where, and how often the program will meet.

I. Decide on Mentoring Structure - Must have a way to organize and focus men in helping to develop the boys.

II. Decide on Management & Coordination - Must have men organized in A way to ensure that all activities and events are planned and Effectively carried out to achieve the goals of the program

I. Decide on Parental involvement - Must have parental involvement for maximum impact.

X. Consider the costs that will be involved. EXAMPLE A According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Building Children’s Ministry by Tina Houser, for 11 to 13 year olds:

Characteristics: Growing rapidly; awkward and self-conscious; boisterous; peer approval more important than adult approval; interested in opposite sex; able to reason; developing own value system.

They are also beginning to see that issues are not just clear-cut and that information can be interpreted in different ways. Boys this age typically focus on the present, but they are starting to understand that what they do now can have long-term effects. They can understand spiritual concepts such as having the ability to have a meaningful relationship with God, that nothing exists without God, and God has given me spiritual gifts.

Needs: Guidance without pushiness; opportunity to make some choices of his own; consistent strong positive adult models; warmth and acceptance by patient adults who are not easily shocked; challenging material, firm discipline; social activities; challenges and opportunities.

Activities: field trips, games, music, discussion; research; drama and role playing; analyzing, competing, and problem solving.

EXAMPLE B A. What are the needs and interests of the boys to be able to accomplish your goal? 1. Character building lessons - to plant seeds for spiritual growth and practical living focusing on spiritual and character development. 2. Workshops - to help develop life skills. 1. Recitations - to provoke thought, sharpen memory, encourage public speaking and to build self esteem. 1. Community Service Projects - to build pride in community, encourage volunteerism, and ignite a spirit of community responsibility. 1. Field Trips - to educate & enrich life experiences and expectations. 1. Songs and marches - to develop discipline and teamwork and to invoke joy and gladness of spirit. 1. Rites of Passage Ceremony - to practically and symbolically acknowledge the transition from boyhood to the beginnings of responsible manhood.