Ten years ago a group of men met in a shed to pray, have a cuppa and read the Bible. Today, these shed meetings have become an established ministry in the Gilgandra area.
The Rev Tony Adams, of Gilgandra Presbyterian Church, recalls that the first meeting sprung out of a mixed Bible study group, in which the men decided to have their own one-off meeting.
As it happened, this new environment allowed men to open up like they had never done before.
"To actually have the environment for a man to open up can be tricky," he says.
"We didn't want to meet in a lounge room, because some men are uncomfortable meeting in a lounge room. Men feel more at home with tools, machinery and the smell of sheep and grain."
Today, over 20 men come along to the meetings, which are held on a Friday night every two months.
"Every time we've met, there have always been unchurched people who have been happy enough to come along," says Mr Adams.
What’s in a shed meeting?
The nights include a testimony by one of the local Christian men, a Bible talk by a guest speaker and activities such as blacksmithing, poetry nights, rope-making, ute evenings, woodworking and chainsaw tuning and cross-cut saw races. "Over that time we've had some stunning meetings " God has always provided speakers and interesting things to do," Mr Adams says.
"Many men have been prayed for and heard the message of Jesus," he continues. "We've built some fabulous relationships and they're continuing. One fellow gave his testimony and said ‘in this shed, seven years ago, I looked around and thought, "if these blokes can be Christian, so can I’."
The contents of the humble back shed draw men together in a unique and powerful say, he adds.
"The shed is our domain, where we feel comfortable. And because every man's shed is different, the tools, machinery and other items of interest are great conversation-starters. It also helps men to get an idea of what other men are doing " what are they welding, or how does their woolshed work?”
How Sydney inspired a uniquely rural ministry
Mr Adams believes the close-knit and informal way of communicating in country towns has made it easier to invite new people along.
"There's a networking that goes on here in the country and fellows are always saying "I bumped into so and so and invited him to come too'.”
While Gilgandra Presbyterian runs the shed meetings, other churches in the area have also been invited.
Mark Doyle of Gilgandra Anglican Church has attended some of these nights and says they an ideal way of connecting with men in the local area.
"They are a way of getting men outside church along and showing them it's OK to be a Christian, and being a Christian doesn't affect your manhood " in fact, it makes you more of a man."
Mr Adams says he “didn’t do this in a vacuum”, inspired along the way by material written by Peter Bolt and Dudley Foord, as well as the men's ministry at St Paul's Castle Hill, and Men's Katoomba Convention.
"I think we've got the most fabulous story of our Saviour and all he's done, and if men are inclined to be a little hungry to know what we think about God, they'll come."
Getting God on the agenda has also been another function of the group.
"Men know if they want to know God, they know where they can come and who they can go to."
