This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission from purchased products at no additional cost to you. See my full disclosure here.
If you are looking for something new for your small church men’s events, take a look at these 24 men’s event ideas for small churches!
Small Church Men’s Events Categories:
- Food Events
- Service Projects
- Indoor Events
- Outdoor Events
- Spiritual Growth Events
These categories are designed for men in your church looking for camaraderie, wanting to deepen their walk with the Lord, and wanting to get together with some brothers and have a good time.
Food Events For Men
1. Meat & Greet
Plan a buffet of various types of meat for a men’s night. Try wings, pulled pork sandwiches, brisket, grilled chicken, venison tenderloin, and turkey. Ask your men to bring their specialty!
2. BBQ At A Local Sportsman’s Venue
Combine a sports outing with some BBQ. This idea works well because even men that don’t participate in the given sport may come and enjoy some fellowship and a good BBQ.
3. Wing Night
If you’ve got a grillmaster in your group, invite him to do the wings. If not, hit up the local wing restaurant for a night of food and brotherhood.
4. Monthly Breakfast
This can be done at the church, someone’s house, or your local breakfast place in town.
5. Wild Game Dinner – Wild Beast Feast
If you have men who hunt in your group, ask them to bring one of their favorite dishes. (Have them invite their friends to bring a dish, too!)
6. Chili Cook-Off
Ask the men to bring their chili (not their wives). Vote and choose winners in categories: Traditional, youth, most unusual ingredients, and chili verde.
7. Coffee Shop Or Dinner To Support Local Musicians
Inviting others who are not part of your church is a super friendly idea because it is less intimidating than meeting in a church building.
Service Project Events For Your Men’s Group
8. Help An Elderly Member
Someone in your group knows an older adult that could use some help. Consider taking half a day to help them with yard work, snow removal, an oil change for their car, or another project.
9. Church Work Day
This is a typical service project with men’s groups. Work together to spruce up the outside landscaping or tackle a project indoors. Offer breakfast at the church before the work starts, or buy the pizza after the work is done to celebrate a good job.
10. Building Or Construction Projects
Put up a fence or build a handicap ramp for someone in need. Plan these types of projects in advance to have skilled people for the project and a list of things others can do to help.
Spiritual Growth Men’s Events
11. Bible Study
Do a topical study, delve into the book of James, or follow along with a study book.
Encourage everyone to share in the discussion what they learn.
12. Video Series
A video series can be a great option if you don’t have anyone to lead your group in a study. Check out the Moving Mountains video series by Wild at Heart.
13. Forty-Day Challenge For Spiritual Growth
Design one yourself or purchase it for your church to use. If you go the DIY route, include scriptures to study, questions to think about, and points to pray for.
14. Praise & Worship Night
Do this as an all-church men’s event or work with another church or two in your town to offer it to both churches. Sometimes changing how we promote an event from a men’s ministry event to an all-church men’s event can help someone on the fringe be more likely to attend.
15. Men’s Fellowship: Message, Worship, & Snacks
To give this a different feel than a Sunday church service, try giving a devotion instead of a sermon and offer opportunities for your men to share what God is doing in their lives.
Outdoor Men’s Events for Small Church
16. Water Events
Canoeing, fishing, a day at the lake, or renting a pontoon boat. Each provides an excellent opportunity to get outside and build relationships. Watch out for each other and keep safety in mind while having fun in the water. Make these day events or overnights.
17. Field Trips To The Zoo Or Local Park
Don’t underestimate the idea of going to a zoo or walking the trails at a local park. These men’s events are great for those who might not be sportsmen but love the outdoors. Take advantage of local offerings.
18. Hiking And Camping
Teamwork and relationship building are two benefits of hiking and/or camping; they offer great opportunities to get to know one another.
19. Sports Outings
Take a golf outing, attend a local baseball game, or play miniature golf. If you have a go-kart track, build in time for lunch while you are there.
20. Yard Games
A cornhole tournament, bocce ball, badminton, and horseshoes are good choices for events staying close to home. These men’s events are easy to set up at your church, someone’s house, or the local park.
21. Shooting Sports
This can include skeet, target, hunting for deer or duck, or going to a range. If you have those that like to shoot, this could be a great way to reach out and invite others.
Indoor Men’s Events
22. Cards Night & Board Games
Plan this on its own or have it as a backup when needed. This event is great to invite others who may not be ready to join in a Bible study.
23. Escape Room
These events are lots of fun, encourage teamwork, and build friendships.
24. Movie Night
Whether you go to a theater or host it at the church, movie nights offer a great time for first-time visitors as well as long-time members. Choose a movie suitable for the audience, and ask everyone to bring a snack to share with the group.
Successful Men’s Ministries Aren’t One-Size-Fits-All
One-size-doesn’t-fit-all when it comes to events for men’s ministry. Each man in your church has different talents and gifts, priorities and obligations, schedules, and time constraints. Read The Ministry Funnel For Effective Small Church Ministry to discover the value of offering different types of events with different levels of relational and spiritual depth.
Build Relationships And Invite Them Personally
Few enjoy attending events alone, but many will jump at the chance to hang out with friends or a brother. Take the time to build relationships with other men in your church.
Put one of these events on your calendar and let your guys know it’s coming!
If you’re navigating the challenges of small church ministry and want a place to connect with other leaders who understand the journey, consider joining our Small Church Ministry Facebook group. It’s a space for encouragement, shared wisdom, and real conversation as you lead.
Read More
Why Personal Invitations Work Better Than Bulletin Announcements
