Our Field-Tested Method
We’ve done this many times, and this simple, repeatable plan works well for a men’s conference that runs from morning to late afternoon. This format is relational, impactful, and easy to organize with the right team.
Step 1: Gather Your Team
You’ll need about 3 key leaders to plan and run the event. Along with them, you’ll need at least 10 support volunteers to handle logistics, food, setup, and small groups.
With this team, you can easily host 50 men for a one-day event.
Step 2: Choose the Right Date and Location
One of the first steps is finding the location so you can lock in your date. As soon as you confirm those, send out a “Save the Date” text to friends and potential attendees. This gives them time to plan ahead and keeps them from booking something else.
Most events work best on a Saturday. Once you have the date and place set, you can start working on flyers and other promotions.
Ideal Locations:
Community centers Local halls Retreat spaces
Many men won’t attend church-hosted events, so a neutral spot works best. However, a church can work if needed—just be aware that some churches may not wish to host outside events they don’t officially support.
Step 3: Plan Your Schedule
Keep the schedule simple and focused.
Sample Schedule:
6:00 AM – Gideon-style early bird Bible study (optional; usually older men) 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM – Main event
Some younger men may show up later (around 8:30 or 9:00 AM). The early morning Bible study is a great option for the men who naturally wake up early. It’s usually just one chapter—something impactful like Philippians 4 or James 1.
Food:
Serve breakfast (kolaches, donuts, coffee, water). Keep water bottles and soft drinks on ice all day. For lunch, either cater BBQ or send someone to pick up Chick-fil-A after a headcount. Provide snacks like chips, candy, or cookies at the back of the room.
Step 4: Structure Your Sessions
Break the day into short, focused parts:
Morning: Optional Bible study Lectures: 2 to 3 short talks (about 30 minutes each) Activity: Hands-on project or fellowship time after lunch Small Groups: The heart of the event Closing Drawing: Give away a prize (Yeti cooler, guitar, game, or gift card). To enter, each man must collect 6 new phone numbers from other men at the event.
Small Groups (The Secret Sauce):
Small groups make the biggest impact.
Each group has:
1 facilitator and 1 co-facilitator (both should be men who can open up about real struggles—grief, addiction, divorce, etc.). Groups of 6 to 8 men.
Key Tips:
First small group session may be quiet—facilitators can get things going by talking to each other and modeling openness. By the second session, men usually feel more comfortable after hallway conversations and meals.
Structure:
Plan for 3 to 4 small group rounds (2 in the morning, 1 to 2 in the afternoon). Keep the same group for the first two rounds, then shuffle groups for rounds 3 and 4. Provide a question list related to the lecture topics. Remind groups that they don’t have to answer every question—the goal is connection, not homework. Still, some groups will proudly finish them all!
MCs & Music:
Assign 1 or 2 emcees to guide the day. Include live music—usually just a guy with a guitar. Play 3 upbeat songs at the start (around 8 AM) and again mid-afternoon (around 3 PM) to reset the mood and inspire men to live “on mission.”
Other Tips:
Minimum age: 16. Do not pair men with their relatives (father/son, in-laws) or close friends in the same small group. If men arrive together (carpools or friend groups), split them up—this helps them meet new people. Charging a small fee ($10 or $20) helps with accountability. If men pay, they’re more likely to attend. Free events often lead to last-minute dropouts.
✅ Key Steps for Success
Recruit 3 main leaders and 10 helpers. Lock in your date and place early. Choose a neutral location if possible. Provide simple meals and drinks. Keep lectures short and practical (30 minutes max). Prioritize small groups—use experienced facilitators and shuffle groups midway. Use upbeat music to energize the room. Separate men from friends and family during small groups to spark new friendships. Focus first on the date, location, and flyer—you can line up speakers and small group leaders closer to the event date.
The Lords Work 