For Pastors

Dear Pastor or Church Leader:

I suspect you already know this: some of the men in your church are hurting—badly. It is doubtful that they will mention this to you—and likely not even to their spouse--unless things seem headed toward a divorce or the loss of a job. And therein lies the problem. Men frequently have difficulty leveling with others about their concerns, fears.  

I hope you will consider a Men in Balance™ discussion group in your church. It is a program intended to help men by offering small discussion groups in which they can talk freely with other men about their issues. For many, it is a long-awaited blessing.

The issues on men’s minds are many, but some men can’t even articulate them. They may even feel guilty acknowledging that there is something they can’t handle alone. Some of the issues we hear:  

• I have worked for years in a career I did not like and have become someone I do not like.
  

• My responsibilities to my family are so huge, I must be away from them a lot to maintain the standard of living they expect of me and that hurts the family.
  

• I never received my father’s blessing. I don’t know who I am. I feel I am going through the motions—even at church—and my life doesn’t have much meaning.
  

• I had hoped to make a difference with my life. It depresses me that I have not. am divorced because my spouse said I was gone too much working and I don’t seem truly present when I am home. I wish I could open up with her.
  

• I have lost touch with my children, and maybe their respect as well. I feel like a failure as a father.

Men in Balance™ offers men the opportunity to learn they are not alone. Other men are facing similar issues and gladly offer support through discussion groups of their peers in a safe, high-trust, Christian environment.  

I hope you will agree to host a small group in your church. The details about how to do this are enclosed. There is no charge to your church—but naturally, we hope the men who benefit from this program will want to support the ministry in some way. (We are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.) And we would like your church to make a donation as the program bears fruit. A recommended contribution is $1 per adult male member.  

I would like to talk with you about the program. To get started, you would need to name a facilitator of the group and select the first 8 men to participate (or let them sign up voluntarily).  

Call us soon to chat further. God bless you for your concern for the issues men are facing.

Sincerely,

Jerry Hancock, Executive Director
Men in Balance, Inc.