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Pastoring Men: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
“Much has been made about the ‘men problem.’ You can hear about it on Oprah. You can read about it in Time . Everyone is concerned about it. Many address the consequences of it, yet very few people are doing anything that will change the root of it.” No man fails on purpose, yet our society is wrought with the results. And our well-intentioned solutions often don’t deal with the root issue. So what solution does Pastoring Men offer? Disciple men. The purpose of Pastoring Men is to equip you to effectively reach all of your men. Men are hard to reach. But be assured—if you do, they will change the world.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published November 1, 2008
26 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 19, 2023
This is one of those books that I could just highlight all of it and that would be about perfect. A high quality look at ministering to men. While I may not do it exactly the way he proscribes it still made me think. The final section is amazing and worth the price of the book. It is a list of 70 things men need to be taught. For me it’s a list of things that must be preached on from the pulpit on Sundays and drill in on during men’s Bible studies! Great stuff
March 2, 2021
Really good on showing the importance of doing ministry directed towards men too. It is encouraging and motivating to categorize a “profile” of a typical mans struggles. Men are tired - therefore they don’t need another thing to do that doesn’t actually help them become a disciple of Jesus.
Focus is on helping men to follow Jesus (be a disciple).
Focus is on helping men to follow Jesus (be a disciple).
July 26, 2019
Excellent book for who it's intended for. The more I read by Pat Morley the more I like his stuff.
December 4, 2010
This is one of those books where I agree with the high-level ideas but not so much with the details. Morley correctly sees that pastoring men is 100% about discipleship. I couldn't agree more. I find Morley's view of what discipleship actually looks like to be much more of a mixed bag.
A perfect example comes early on in the book when Morley defines discipleship. He writes, "Discipleship is the process by which men become civilized." No it's not. The more study I do into masculinity, the more I become convinced that discipleship is the process of initiation by way of Jesus' transformative work. Initiation involves first the rejection of civilization. It is only in the later stages of initiation that a man returns to civilization. However, when the return takes place it is not done because a man becomes tamed, domesticated or civilized. When an initiated man returns to society he is dangerous, wild, powerful but also good and honorable. He is able to live in civilization, serve it and build it, but he is never under it.
The difference between being civilized and being capable of living in civilization is far from insignificant. Unfortunately, it's a difference Morley doesn't see or understand.
That's not to say this is a bad book. It isn't. There's a lot of great info and ideas in it, but at best, it should be viewed as a starting point. Morley's audience seems to be pastors who want to reach men but who aren't too big on masculinity. People in that boat need to reach this book. It'll challenge their preconceptions but won't throw them in at the deep end. For a lot of pastors that will be more than enough of a first step into larger issues of masculinity.
I'm glad the book exists for that audience, but, much to my relief, that audience isn't me. I don't need to be convinced of the value of masculinity. As a result, my own research has carried me well beyond this book.
So my recommendation on this one really depends on where you're at. If you have a desire to reach men but don't get the whole Wild at Heart thing, then this is a great starting point. If you're more where I am, this is a good one to skim through and keep for quick reference, but don't expect anything too deep. This one stands squarely in the shallow end.
A perfect example comes early on in the book when Morley defines discipleship. He writes, "Discipleship is the process by which men become civilized." No it's not. The more study I do into masculinity, the more I become convinced that discipleship is the process of initiation by way of Jesus' transformative work. Initiation involves first the rejection of civilization. It is only in the later stages of initiation that a man returns to civilization. However, when the return takes place it is not done because a man becomes tamed, domesticated or civilized. When an initiated man returns to society he is dangerous, wild, powerful but also good and honorable. He is able to live in civilization, serve it and build it, but he is never under it.
The difference between being civilized and being capable of living in civilization is far from insignificant. Unfortunately, it's a difference Morley doesn't see or understand.
That's not to say this is a bad book. It isn't. There's a lot of great info and ideas in it, but at best, it should be viewed as a starting point. Morley's audience seems to be pastors who want to reach men but who aren't too big on masculinity. People in that boat need to reach this book. It'll challenge their preconceptions but won't throw them in at the deep end. For a lot of pastors that will be more than enough of a first step into larger issues of masculinity.
I'm glad the book exists for that audience, but, much to my relief, that audience isn't me. I don't need to be convinced of the value of masculinity. As a result, my own research has carried me well beyond this book.
So my recommendation on this one really depends on where you're at. If you have a desire to reach men but don't get the whole Wild at Heart thing, then this is a great starting point. If you're more where I am, this is a good one to skim through and keep for quick reference, but don't expect anything too deep. This one stands squarely in the shallow end.
May 23, 2015
Broaden your vision to disciple every man (not just limited to your own church) to be godly.
Similar to John Eldredge’s big 3 (battle to fight, adventure to live, a beauty to rescue) in Wild at Heart, Morley’s book lists his big 3 C’s (categories of what men want): a meaningful CAUSE to give our lives to, COMPANION(s) to share with, and a CONVICTION or belief system that makes sense of our lives.
He then launches into the Biblical call-equip-send mentality of discipleship, but then gives us practical steps of how that could look like in every city and church, based on his own experience in his weekly ministry to men in Orlando over the past 30 years, now reaching groups all over the world with their free web-based resources in www.pastoringmen.com .
The second half (and to me, the best part) of the book addresses the 70 heart areas that that is guaranteed to benefit every man serious about improving his life.
I find this book practical, the strategy sustainable, and the resources beyond the pages encouraging for anyone who wants to minister to men vs. another men’s ministry.
I will be using this book as a reference for decades to come!
Similar to John Eldredge’s big 3 (battle to fight, adventure to live, a beauty to rescue) in Wild at Heart, Morley’s book lists his big 3 C’s (categories of what men want): a meaningful CAUSE to give our lives to, COMPANION(s) to share with, and a CONVICTION or belief system that makes sense of our lives.
He then launches into the Biblical call-equip-send mentality of discipleship, but then gives us practical steps of how that could look like in every city and church, based on his own experience in his weekly ministry to men in Orlando over the past 30 years, now reaching groups all over the world with their free web-based resources in www.pastoringmen.com .
The second half (and to me, the best part) of the book addresses the 70 heart areas that that is guaranteed to benefit every man serious about improving his life.
I find this book practical, the strategy sustainable, and the resources beyond the pages encouraging for anyone who wants to minister to men vs. another men’s ministry.
I will be using this book as a reference for decades to come!
February 1, 2017
It feels like we are in a drought when it comes to men in the church - maybe not from being physically present, but rather a drought where many men are absent from involvement and we aren't seeing transformed lives like we should. This is just my own personal observation, however I have read of many others resounding very similar thoughts on this very topic. We are in desperate times where we need men of God to lead transformed lives and stand up, but that begs the question of how do we get men to that point. How do we disciple men without trying to "force it down their throat" making them resent our efforts? Patrick Morley has written this very timely book that is based on his Man in the Mirror Bible Study ministry. Morley does a great job in outlining what pastoring men is and what it isn't from a biblical basis. Providing examples on how to work with men in an environment that doesn't intimidate, but rather cultivates discipleship, ultimately resulting in men who are leading transformed lives. I received a copy of this book in exchange for this review from Moody Publishers and all opinions are my own.
January 15, 2013
this is a book that asks a serious question on the why, what, where, and how too's of leading men in the faith.
While some of the material feels dated, there are some good points to glean from it if you are active in men's ministry. He builds up a discipleship program for men, but the thing I had an issue with is that if a church has its own program of discipleship, this seems to want to add a whole other level to it, and even asks you to run two programs at one time, and even buy into his program.
Aside from that, like I said there are some good things in here to glean from, and the above does make you question what you should have as your levels of discipleship within your church. The man thing I can take from this book is just how the church has not been kind to men and the need to help them become the leaders of their homes, the challenges that happen are dealt with in this book, and need to be reexamined in the church today.
While some of the material feels dated, there are some good points to glean from it if you are active in men's ministry. He builds up a discipleship program for men, but the thing I had an issue with is that if a church has its own program of discipleship, this seems to want to add a whole other level to it, and even asks you to run two programs at one time, and even buy into his program.
Aside from that, like I said there are some good things in here to glean from, and the above does make you question what you should have as your levels of discipleship within your church. The man thing I can take from this book is just how the church has not been kind to men and the need to help them become the leaders of their homes, the challenges that happen are dealt with in this book, and need to be reexamined in the church today.
July 28, 2016
Men need discipleship. Jesus started it roughly 2,000 years ago and its just a relevant now as it was back then. Sadly, many in Christianity today do not have programs in place to disciple the men in their attendance. It is not that they do not have men but rather that they do not have specific resources for men to develop as men.
In his latest book Pastoring Men, Patrick Morley has written on the value of discipling men and the value that doing such can create. Recognizing the need for men to be discipled, Morley set out to find what men want, what works for them, and what doesn't.
What he found is that when a church has a strong discipleship program for men, men step up and become great leaders, husbands, fathers, and examples. However, when it is not there, men seem disengaged and aloof.
This is a great read and a must for any church looking to disciple men.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
In his latest book Pastoring Men, Patrick Morley has written on the value of discipling men and the value that doing such can create. Recognizing the need for men to be discipled, Morley set out to find what men want, what works for them, and what doesn't.
What he found is that when a church has a strong discipleship program for men, men step up and become great leaders, husbands, fathers, and examples. However, when it is not there, men seem disengaged and aloof.
This is a great read and a must for any church looking to disciple men.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
April 12, 2014
I can't say I agree with 100% of all Morley's psychological labels and conclusions, but this is a powerful and thought-provoking book on the importance of men's discipleship in the local church. Contains valuable insights about men and some very helpful, practical tips for Creating, Capturing, and Sustaining momentum in any ministry.
February 9, 2011
Great book on "Pastoring Men"
December 12, 2011
OFF THE CHARTS! A must for any man trying to lead men into a relationship with Jesus Christ!
April 4, 2014
A good resource for anyone running a men's ministry. The list of seventy things every man must know is worth contemplating
October 28, 2016
Practical and helpful. An easy read that will help pastors develop a men's ministry that is fruitful.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews