Men's Ministry

Course Descriptions

Courses are listed and briefly described below.

Please understand that it is impossible to list all of the various texts that might be used in these courses

Therefore, we have not attempted to list the required texts per each course. These are simply some suggested texts for the courses in question. In nearly all cases, there will be other texts also required. These other texts will be determined between the professor and the student.

Click here for Reading and Writing Requirements.

Also, sometimes a text is listed for more than one course—this, however, does not mean that one can simply read a single text for several courses. If a student has read a particular text for a class, he/she cannot use that same text again for another course.

Next, some of the suggested texts may no longer be in print. If this is the case, the students and their mentors will simply select other, newer texts dealing with the same topic.

It is important to make clear that though we offer studies in a variety of theological and philosophical perspectives, CES does not necessarily endorse all of the positions listed in the course descriptions. However, rather than simply telling students what to think, it is our belief that an institution of education should allow an open atmosphere of learning, and that includes reading, studying, and critiquing various perspectives within Christianity. We believe that students deserve the right to read, critique, and decide for themselves which perspectives they believe to be correct. To this end, some courses are set up to see both sides of a debate: for example see courses TH-603/803 Eschatology, TH-206/406 Sanctification, and TH-615/815 Perpetuity of Spiritual Gifts.

(Number Name Hours Description)

MM-400/500 Introduction to Men’s Ministry, 4SH This course provides an introductory view of ministry to and through men. Some of the objectives in this course will be to learn the stages in male relationship development, the process for starting a men’s ministry in the local church, identifying areas for improving a men’s ministry, and more. Some suggested texts and resources are Geoff Gorsuch and Dan Shcaffer, Brothers Calling Men Into Vital Relationship, Steve Sonderman, How to Build a Life Changing Men’s Ministry, Phil Downer, Editor, Effective Men’s Ministry, Ronald Oertili, Gary Bateman, and Chris Van Brocklin, 7 Keys To A Highly Effective Ministry to Men, Gary Bateman, Stop Look and Listen Assessment Survey Kit, and Pat Morely, Men’s Ministry Action Plan.

MM-401/501 The Problems of Men, 4SH This course provides an overview of various problems typically associated with men. Course content examines the types of problems men face, sexual temptations, moving from achieving success to achieving significance, and leading families. Some suggested texts and resources are Pat Morely, Man in the Mirror, Stephen Aterburn and Fred Stoeker, Every Man’s Battle, Bob Buford, Half Time, Steve Farrar, Point Man.

MM-402/502 Godly Masculinity, 4SH This course provides an overview of the attributes of godly masculinity. Some of the objectives in this course will be to learn the masculine aspects in men’s hearts, identify reasons why some men do not want to attend church, and identify solutions to help emasculated men. Some suggested texts and resources are John Eldredge, Wild at Heart, Dave Murrow, Why Men Hate Going to Church, Gordon Dalbey, Healing the Masculine Soul, Leon J. Podles, The Church Impotent.

MM-403/503 Spiritual Leadership, 4SH This course provides and overview of godly leadership. Students learn values for developing godly leadership through application of principles and laws, the differences between secular and Bible-based leadership, and ways to live out God’s will. Some suggested texts and resources are John C. Maxwell, Developing The Leader Within You; Developing the Leaders Around You, Jay Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership, Henry T. Blackaby, Spiritual Leadership: Moving People to God’s Agenda, Leroy Eims, Be the Leader You Were Meant to Be.

MM-404/504 Teams and Teamwork, 4SH This course provides an overview of working with teams and exercising godly teamwork. Some of the objectives will be to learn the qualities of Christ’s ministry team, examine the interaction between the twelve disciples, relate Christ’s ministry team to teams in the local church, and list the attributes of a successful godly leadership team. Some suggested texts and resources are Alexander B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve, John C. Maxwell, The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork, Leroy Eims, Be a Motivational Leader.

MM-405/505 Preaching and Teaching to Men, 4SH This course provides an overview of the principles required to teach and preach to men. Students learn the attributes for effective teaching, the type of preaching that affects men, and the process for creating sermons. Some suggested texts for reading and research are Howard Hendricks, Teaching That Changes Lives, Bruce Wilkinson, The Seven Laws of the Learner, Bryan Chapell, Using Illustrations to Preach with Power, Remesh Richard, Scripture Sculpture.

MM-406/506 Church in the 21st Century, 4SH This course provides an overview of issues facing the 21st century church. Some of the objectives will be to learn how to use motivational gifts in building a men’s ministry, evaluate churches that impact the surrounding community, help older boys grow into godly men, and examine the affects of postmodernism in the local church. Some suggested texts for reading and research are Carmen DiCello, Dangerous Blessings: The Emergence of a Postmodern Faith, Rick Walston, Unraveling the Mystery of Motivational Gifts, Robert Lewis, Church of Irresistible Influence, Robert Lewis, Raising Modern Day Knights, Brian D. McLaren, The Church on the Other Side, R. Scott Smity, Truth & The New Kind of Christian.

MM-407/507 Discipleship and Mentoring Men, 4SH This course provides an overview of mentoring and discipling men. Students learn to apply mentor and disciple-making principles, draft a training plan for making disciples, and understand the implications of neglecting disciple making. Some suggested texts for reading and research are Leroy Eims, The Lost Art of Disciple Making, Howard Hendricks and William Hendricks, Iron Sharpens Iron, Robert E. Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert D. Stanley and J. Robert Clinton, Connecting, Bill Hull, The Disciple Making Church.

Individualized Programs
Students may (and are encouraged) to engage in studies that go beyond the scope of the courses listed here. This can be done with the faculty mentor's approval and still earn a major or minor in Men’s Ministry. For instance, Making Disciples and Mentoring could focus on creating a local church training manual or course of materials for developing godly disciples. Another course could be the development of a leaders’ guide, workbook, and presentation that teaches men how to live godly lives. There are many opportunities to develop courses that are not specifically listed in herein. If a mature student can envision a topic and product from his study that furthers men’s ministry, the faculty mentor will seek to help that student develop a course of study to meet that need. The intent of this program is to allow students who are interested in Men’s Ministry the opportunity to develop studies that further the cause of God’s kingdom as it relates to laboring in the harvest field of men’s souls. Since this is an individualized and directed studies program, alterations to existing courses can also be considered; however, all who enroll in a CES Men’s Ministry degree program must complete MM-400/500 as detailed in this course listing.

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