Men Resolved: We Will Worship God

January, 2005

by: Walt Bertelsen

How can men best help other men grow in likeness to Christ? We in the Men’s Ministry asked that question. We resolved to take God’s answer to that question as our purpose.

Most Christian organizations have some sort of purpose statement, such as: “We will glorify God, build up the Body, win the world.” There’s nothing wrong with that, but we sought something more specific to God’s purpose for all his children, particularly men. God’s purpose from eternity is stated clearly in Romans 8:28, 29—conformity to Christ. We wanted our purpose to capture the essence of what God is doing, and communicate it in a memorable way.

Our basic purpose then, is this: We will worship God by: exemplifying Christ–likeness, encouraging men to godliness, and equipping men for service.

Worship God

Worship is not mainly about singing or being together in a Worship Service. Worship is mainly expressed through service to God as a response to His grace and love; it comes from the heart in truth (Romans 12:1,2; John 4:23). Since God has chosen that men should be the leaders in the home and church, our ministry should be about doing what we can, in dependence on the Father, to bring men to maturity in Christ (Christ–likeness). Without that maturity, men will never become the leaders nor fulfill the role that God intends. But with that maturity, God will receive glory in the church.

What is God’s role for men? Whether single or married, it is, briefly: to walk humbly with Him in justice and loving–kindness (Micah 6:8); to shepherd the family (Eph 5:25-6:4); to serve the Body (Heb 10:22-25); and to make disciples (Matt 28:19,20). This role stems from God’s two great commandments.

Exemplify Christ–likeness

Our worship of service to Christ, then, in helping to bring about maturity, is to Exemplify Christ–likeness. A genuine, living example of the walking Christ is one of the most powerful incentives to living a life that pleases God. Seeing this helps men to know what Christ–likeness looks like in real life and understand that it is indeed possible to live like Christ in this world (Matt 11:29).

Encourage men to godliness

The word translated “encourage” also means to “exhort;” in other words, we are to relate to one another so as to motivate the life that pleases and worships God (Heb 10:24,25).

Equip men for service

Godly men need to teach and help equip other men for service in the church and family. This is done through the ministry of the Word by the power of the Spirit—from the pulpit and elsewhere—and through living in discipling relationships (Eph 4:13-16; Matt 28:19,20). To this purpose, we resolve to commit ourselves, under the authority of the Word, by the power of the Spirit, in submission to our leadership, and on our knees before our God.