Organisers say it was the promise of ‘practical Christianity’ that drew a record number of men to this year’s Men Meeting the Challenge conference.

"Men are responding to the fact it's providing practical advice and solutions to real issues that confront Christian men in their Christian walk," says publications manager Andrew Frank.

More than 550 men travelled from as far afield as Wauchope and Adelaide to attend the third annual Men Meeting the Challenge Conference hosted by Tyndale Christian School in Blacktown on Saturday.

Key note speakers Bishop Paul Barnett and Morling College Principal, the Rev Dr Ross Clifford addressed a crowd that included a hundred more men than last year.

Mr Frank says the emphasis on practicality energised attendance.

“Paul Barnett taught on the sacredness of marriage and how to be a better husband,” he says, ticking off the program.

"Ross Clifford challenged men to be rigorous in the application of the teachings of Christ when it comes to ethical issues such as stem cell research and homosexuality, and to prioritise life for Jesus and not money or other gods of this world.”

Taboo topics extend masculine appeal
The multi-denominational conference contained three sessions of electives on issues including sexuality, depression, prosperity gospel, masculinity and mateship.

Men for Christ Ministries Chairman Richard Bolton says he was particularly challenged by the elective on leadership led by Head of Theology at Wesley Institute, Dr Jim Harrison.

"As leaders in men's ministry we can get too caught up in the position and fail to remember that as leaders we are merely clay pots in which we take God's treasure before us and share the grace of God with others," Richard says.

Mr Bolton says this year’s down-to-earth approach had the conference’s original demographic in mind.

"The bloke in the west is typically a practical sort of bloke who needs Christian teaching in a down-to-earth way that's clear and doesn't muck around,” he says.

Evangelism slated for year of spirituality

In the year that Sydney will be grappling with the implications of World Roman Catholic Youth Day and a high-profile Hillsong Conference, organisers have decided to focus on evangelism.

The 2008 event is already planned for September 6 with the theme “Reaching Men for Christ".

Speakers include Moore College vice principal Bill Salier, Bishop of Wollongong Al Stewart and author John Dickson.

For more information visit the Men for Christ Ministries web site.