When 20 guys just hanging out becomes kingdom work
A simple gathering of men from Good Shepherd Anglican showed how connection can become ministry.
Last night, about 20 guys from my church — Good Shepherd Anglican — got together on the shores of Lake Norman north of Charlotte.
No Bible study. No volunteer project. No kids, no spouses, no agenda. No expectations.
Just men. Hanging out.
We talked about jobs, sports, cars and Christ. We talked about fathers and sons — and wives, mothers and daughters. We shared appetizers and stories.
And while it may not sound like much, it turned out to be something many of us needed.
Loneliness in America is on the rise, especially among men.
Some of it comes from loss — like death or divorce. Some of it is self-inflicted, as we drift into isolation behind screens and routines. And the pandemic didn’t help. It pulled us away from our churches and other communities, and some never returned.
Our men’s Bible study still meets weekly at 6:30 a.m. — a good group, but not everyone can swing that hour.
Thursday night offered something different.
Men ages 21 to 89, stepping out of their routines for a few hours of food, laughter and connection. No pressure. Just presence.
Sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
Here are some benefits of Christian men gathering socially without formal programming:
Strengthens Relationships: Informal settings allow men to form deeper, more personal connections.
Builds Trust: Casual time together fosters authenticity and openness, which can carry over into discipleship and accountability.
Encourages Belonging: Men who might feel isolated or hesitant to join formal church activities often feel more at ease in a relaxed environment.
Supports Mental Health: Friendship, laughter and shared stories can help combat loneliness, stress and discouragement.
Models Healthy Masculinity: It gives men a chance to see and practice godly manhood in a context of respect and camaraderie.
In many ways, gatherings like ours reflect the way Jesus spent time with his disciples — not always teaching, but simply being with them.
He ate with them, walked with them, called them friends. Ministry didn’t always start with a message; often, it started with presence.
When Christian men come together without pressure or programming, we follow that same pattern — building friendships, sharing life and creating space where deeper growth can take root.