As a parachurch organization, Men for Christ will only be as healthy as the churches who support it. If you were to look at our financial statements, we are very healthy. Our general fund is doing well thanks to the contributions of churches and the Votaw Trust Fund is robust with money waiting to be loaned thanks to wise investments from the Votaw Trust Fund Committee.

Attendance at Men for Christ seems to be like many churches on Sunday mornings. When “everyone” shows up, it’s a good crowd, but depending on schedule and location, not everyone shows up. Still, I am encouraged by our attendance. Our lowest attendance of the last 7 meetings was 80, our highest attendance was 127. The average attendance over our last 7 meetings is 102. My guess is that in most of our churches those numbers would be on scale with our attendance.

So, if two metrics indicate that we are fairly healthy, can we do better? The simple answer is yes we can. Participation and engagement might be the best indicator of the health of an organization. So, how can we increase our participation and engagement? There are all sorts of methods and tools to use such as social media or websites and even newsletters like the one you’re now reading. But the best way to get more people involved and engaged with Men for Christ, is the same best practice for your local church. Talk to somebody. According to Lifeway Research, 63% of Americans said that a personal invite from a friend/neighbor would be somewhat effective in getting them to come to church. Another study found that 8 out of 10 people will accept a personal invitation to attend church. I believe the same holds true for Men for Christ. If we want more men to participate in our fellowship, then we simply need to ask them. We need to engage them.

In many of our supporting churches Men for Christ isn’t known past the men who attend from that congregation or the church treasurer who writes the missions check for support. That won’t change unless we actively talk to our men and engage them with the mission of Men for Christ.
What is the mission? To promote Christian Fellowship and the strengthening and establishment of churches after the New Testament pattern.
Here’s the reality for Men for Christ: Our monthly meetings are great fellowship and an encouraging time in worship and in the Word. Why wouldn’t we want more of our men to experience that? We have, over the years, supported and even currently support churches who are struggling financially. We have helped churches with unexpected emergencies. We are strengthening churches, but there are others who might need assistance available through a Votaw Loan. And we are continuing to establish new congregations. That process looks a little different than it used to, but it still continues to be a top priority.

So what can you do? That’s easy. Commit to attending a monthly meeting. Even better, commit to bringing someone with you for the first time. Commit to sharing information and news about Men for Christ with your local congregation. And finally, be ready to participate when needs arise, whether in sister congregations or in Men for Christ itself. Thank you for your support.
In Christ—Adam Hale, MFC Chairman

MACKVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH
56 Harrodsburg Road, Mackville, KY
Homecoming 198
August 18, 2024, 10:30 a.m.
Speaker: Bob Russell
Celebrating 198 Years of Ministry
Fellowship Meal After Service

BUSY ENOUGH FOR GOD TO USE?
God never goes to the lazy or the idle when He needs people for His service. When He has work to be done, He goes to those who are already at work. When God wants a great servant, He calls a busy person. Think about the great men of the Bible who were busy when God called:
Moses was busy with his flock at Horeb.
Gideon was busy threshing wheat with the wine press.
Saul was busy searching for his father’s lost sheep.
David was busy caring for his father’s sheep.
Elisha was busy plowing with twelve yoke of oxen.
Nehemiah was busy as the king’s cupbearer.
Amos was busy following the flock.
James and John were busy mending their fishing nets.
Matthew was busy collecting customs.
Saul was busy persecuting the friends of Jesus.
Are you busy enough for God to use?

LOST IN THE “WOULDS”
I would go to church today, but I enjoy too much my extra sleep on Sunday morning.
I would take my children to Sunday school and church, but Sunday is my only day to play golf.
I would witness to others about Christ, but I never seem to say the right words.
I would give more to the church, but there’s just not much left after paying the bills.
The only way to find your way out of the “woulds” is to set your eyes upon Christ. He will show the way.

QUOTABLE QUOTES
The church that is not a missionary church will soon be a missing church.
Too many people who depend on the church cannot be depended on by the church.
It is never “my church” as long as it is “those people” who are keeping it going.
Maybe folks shouldn’t seek a church to match their views, but one that will change them.
The true function of a preacher is to disturb the comfortable and to comfort the disturbed.

PROVIDED
It does not make any difference what church one belongs to. PROVIDED That church belongs to Christ. PROVIDED That church is not ashamed of Him, His commands, His name. PROVIDED That church honors Him in all things. PROVIDED That church teaches and practices all things whatsoever He has commanded. PROVIDED One BELONGS to it and not merely attends its services.