2. Capturing the Hearts of Boys & Girls What difference does gender make
and how does it impact ministry.

3. How would you describe boys?

4. How would you describe girls?

6. To capture the hearts of Boys and Girls we must understand their God-given uniqueness.
@MarkEntzminger

7. What is “Gender-Specific?”
1. Gender-Specific is a MIND-SET.
2. Gender-Specific is an ENVIRONMENT.

8. Five Reasons for a Gender-Specific Approach

9. 1. Unique Concerns for Boys and Girls

10. Unique Concerns for Boys
Suicide rates in boys are about 3.5 times higher than in girls
Adolescent boys are more likely to be victims of almost all types of serious violent crimes
Boys are suffering in school
Boys who don’t do well in school will struggle in life

11. Unique Concerns for Girls
Depression
40% of date rape victims are between 14 and 17 years old
Eating disorders
Sexual issues

12. 2. Diminished Role Models

13. Diminished Role Models
Girls: In the absence of girls ministry, girls have less female role models within the church because there are more male pastors than female pastors.
Boys: Have less role models both at home and in school, fewer male school teachers (1981 = 18%, today = 9%), and a majority of volunteer teachers in the local church are women.

14. 3. Boys and Girls Learn Differently

15. BOYS Learning Attributes
B - Becoming Competent
O - Order
Y - Yelling and Running
S - Stretching Beyond

16. GIRLS Learning Attributes
G - Greater Sensory Intake
I - Inductive Thinking
R - Real Life Application
L - Love and Acceptance
S - Speaking

17. 4. Separate Topics and Approach to Mentoring

18. Separate Topics
Girls use restrooms as social lounges. Boys in a restroom will never speak a word to each other.
Separate Topics for Girls generally center around self-value, self-image, and interpersonal relationships
Separate Topics for Boys generally center around issues related to authority and maturing into a godly man
Unknown

19. Topics for Boys and Girls
Self Worth In Christ
Body Image
Social Maturity
Loving Future Husband
Loving Future Children
Showing respect for authority
Purity
Becoming a Homemaker
Earning respect when in authority
Risk-Taking
Developing Leadership
Model heroic behaviors, ideas, and stories featuring godly manhood
Avoiding bossiness and manipulation
Knowing How to Disagree with Someone
Conflict Resolution and Communication Training
Expressing and Receiving Encouragement
Manage emotions so they are stronger and less directed by emotions
Developing Empathy–may be most effective in leading boys away from violence and toward an understanding of what it means to be a godly man.
Emotional Health within relationships – bullying, relational aggression, high need for control, submitting to authority

20. 5. Classroom Management Benefits

21. Classroom Management Benefits
Reduced Distractions
Open Discussion
Stronger Mentoring Relationships
Camaraderie Built
Response Time Equalized

22. Five Reasons for a Gender-Specific Approach
Unique Concerns for Boys and Girls
Diminished Role Models
Boys and Girls Learn Differently
Separate Topics and Approach to Mentoring
Classroom Management Benefits

23. Six Components of Effective Gender-Specific Ministry

24. 1. Discipleship and Leadership Training for Leaders

25. 1. Discipleship and Leadership Training for Leaders
90% spiritual growth of the leader and training in cultural issues of the child. 10% focused on how to run the program.
Training topics include role modeling, accountability, bonding, and the discipleship pathway
People as early as high school should understand they importance of discipleship of the next generation.

26. 2. Small Groups

27. 2. Small Groups
A mentor relationship can only be formed in small groups.
Small groups facilitate unique environments.
Boys need an active environment
Girls need plenty of conversation
Some aspects of discipleship can only occur in small groups: Answering and asking questions, accountability, feeling of belonging.

28. 3. Current and Relevant

29. 3. Current and Relevant Postmoderns are image driven
Girls highly value relationships and the opportunity to communicate so simply being together meets girls’ needs
Boys care about what is being taught. Relevance of content is very important in boys ministry
Awareness of current issues and how to provide godly counsel
Utilize updated methodologies and technology

30. 4. Events

31. 4. Events
Create Momentum
Build Teams
Contribute to Church Growth

32. 5. Numerous Stakeholders

33. 5. Numerous Stakeholders
Desired Stakeholders
Lead Pastor/Pastor’s Wife
Kids Pastor and Youth Pastor
Men’s/Women’s Pastors
Parents

34. 6. Holistic

35. 6. Holistic Kids Grow: Spiritually Relationally Intellectually
Emotionally
Physically

36. Characteristics of Effective Curriculums
Both
Girls
Boys
Support Church Culture
Encouragement
Rite of Passage Experiences
Strong Communication with Stakeholders
Role-Modeling
Focus on Movement and Space
User Friendly
Communication Oriented
Use of Humor
Allows for Self-Direction
Variety in Teaching Modes
Competition Opportunities
Vertical and Horizontal Mentorship
Technology
Experiential and Minimal Verbal Directions
Postmodern Values
Model heroic behaviors,
and godly manhood
Developed by practitioners, discipleship experts, and educators
Leaders Carry Powerful Authority

37. Take the Next Steps Speak to the Future Train Leaders
To capture the hearts of boys and girls we must understand their God-given uniqueness.
Speak to the Future
Train Leaders
Recruit Gender Role Models
Encourage Longevity
Resource Appropriately
@MarkEntzminger