On a cold, rainy Saturday in January 2009, a group of 25 men gathered to discuss and offer guidance in ways to further develop the Men's Ministry at Forest Hills Baptist Church.  The information gathered was used by the Men's Ministry Team to craft a Mission and VIsion for the Men's Ministry.  In addition, and more importantly, specific attention was paid to the "how" and "what" aspects of reaching the men of our church.

 

 

 

Inspired by 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22, as well as the thoughts brought forth on that Saturday, this statment sets forth very succinctly what the Men's Ministry is all about.  It will be the guiding principle in everything the Men's Minsitry considers.

 

 

The men of Forest Hills Baptist Church seek to know God and reflect His Glory through salvation, prayer, and personal growth.  We strive to be a positive Christian influence in our families, the community, and the workplace.  We Teach, Encourage, and hold each other Accountable as we seek to be men after God's own heart.  The men of FHBC understand and accept our responsibility to Mentor younger generations to experience Christ in His fullness.

 

 

What should the men of Forest HIlls Baptist Church be ... and do ... as we strive to become men after God's own heart?  Ten years from now, when we look back and judge how well we have done, what will be the indicators of success?  Pay particular attention to the underlined words.  If we, individually and as a group, seek to know God, are a positive Christian influence, and we Teach, Encourage, hold each other Accountable, and Mentor those that are younger, we will be well on our way to accomplishing what God has set before us.  We will be living our Mission.

 

So how do we get there ...

 

The TEAM approach has as its foundation the responsibility we have to teach, to encourage, to hold each other accountable, and to mentor those that are younger.  Set upon that foundation are five pillars:

 

DISCIPLESHIP -- We must provide the men of FHBC a means to know and come closer to the Lord.  Whether by weekly classes, Bible study, or weekend retreats, the Men's Ministry must provide the tools to help men know their Lord better.

 

SERVING OTHERS -- Ministry to others is a key element to one's Christian growth.  Whether by a specific initiative of the Men's Ministry or by partnering with the Missions Ministry, the Student Ministry or others, ministering to others must be a central part of what the Men's Ministry does.

 

RESTORING/REGENERATING -- Life is full of ups and downs.  Everyone has good times and not so good times.  At times, some might not be as close to God as they need to be or may be dealing with issues and challenges that rock them to their very souls.  The Men's Ministry has to be in a position to reach out to the men in the church when they are in need.

 

TRANSPARENCY/TRUSTING -- Basic to any relationship is openness and trust.  Trusting each other and opening ourselves to each other are key elements for establishing the types of relationships that will allow the kinds of mutual support that is needed.  Openness accompanied by a trusting environment will facilitate men reaching out to each other and getting to know each other in ways that will allow ever increasing levels of support.

 

CAMARADERIE -- Webster's defines camaraderie as follows:  "The familiar, buoyant spirit proper to good comrades, characterized by mutual trust and loyalty".  Camaraderie envisions friendship on a deeper level.  Camaraderie envisions support for each other beyond the casual.  Camaraderie in the Men's Ministry creates the kind of relationships that men need to fully reach their potential for Christ.

 

The five pillars represent the "how" in achieving our mission and vision.  These are the key things we have to pay attention to.  Everything we do must be balanced against one or more of these five pillars.

 

Sitting at the top linking each pillar together is the Mission: 

 

 

This is our goal ... individually and for the Men's Ministry at Forest Hills Baptist Church.