Presbyterian Men

History of Presbyterian Men

In 1895 the first mandate for a ministry with men came from the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. Presbyterian Men can trace their roots back to 1906-1907 with three major men's groups: The Presbyterian Brotherhood (UPCUSA), the Men's Missionary League (UPNA), and the Layman's Missionary Movement (PCUS).

In 1923, Northern church men's work began in congregations and presbyteries.

In 1932, the General Assembly of the PCUS declared men's work as “men working in the church.”

In 1948, the church set up the National Council of Presbyterian Men and UPNA reorganized men's work. Both thrived before merging in 1972 into United Presbyterian Men. In 1949, the PCUS set up a Division of Men's Work, which thrived for twenty years. Reorganization in 1972 abolished it from the General Assembly structure. In 1982, several PCUS synods worked together to hold a convention in Atlanta, Georgia, and established the Men of the Church Council. In 1984, the Men of the Church Council and the United Presbyterian Men merged into a new National Council of Presbyterian Men, with each synod sending a representative to serve on the National Council and the National Board.

In 1997, the National Council of Presbyterian Men restructured to streamline its administration in an attempt to work closer with synods, presbyteries and congregations. The National Council of Presbyterian Men continues to hold annual Council meetings, plan and coordinate men's assemblies, assist with the development of resources for men's ministries, and promote the use of denominational resources for men's ministry for use by all men's groups throughout the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

In 2002 the National Council of Presbyterian Men Inc. were incorporated in the state of Wisconsin and received a federal tax exemption under section 501 (c) (3) from the IRS.

In 2007, the National Council of Presbyterian Men Inc. (NCPMI, Presbyterian Men), adopted an extra alternative name, National Presbyterian Men's Ministry (NPMM), to more fully describe the purpose of Presbyterian Men.

Also in 2007 NPMM and National Association of Presbyterian Scouters (NAPS), entered into a covenant relationship with the goal to bring men and youth to a more meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. This relationship is a partnership to cooperate to seek and perform the goals of our mutual objective of service of men and youth of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

The General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is responsible for leader and resource development in the Church's ministry with men.

Presbyterian Men remains a strong arm of the total program for Men's Ministries.

Purpose of Presbyterian Men

The Mission of Presbyterian Men is to lead men into a vital relationship with Jesus Christ and to assist them in their spiritual, personal and community development. The goals of Presbyterian Men are as follows:

To develop their understanding of the mission of the Church and to assist congregations in nurturing men of the church to mature discipleship;
To encourage men through their commitment to Christ, to fulfill the ministry to which men are called in their families, in their daily work, in their ministry to other people and in the community and world;
To involve men of various racial and ethnic backgrounds and men of different ages.

The Presbyterian Men of the First Presbyterian Church of Kalispell, Montana meet the first Saturday of the month from October through May. The location of the meeting will be announced in the Mountain Messenger and on the church calendar. All the men of the church are invited to be involved in this important ministry.