October 2006 C&MA Men’s E-Newsletter

Impact
A man assumed the leadership of the men’s group and was actively implementing a new vision for the group. He suddenly found himself tempted to return to activity that the Lord had put behind him several years earlier. He met with two men in the church and prayed for the Lord to “lead him not into temptation” but to free him from the temptation itself. The Lord responded by removing the temptation.

One man attended a seminar on being freed from bondage and the Lord delivered him from compulsive use of the internet.

A pastor is engaged in one-on-one discipling of men in his church. The Lord is raising up a core of men who are committed to disciple others. Two of the men who have been discipled have "taken up the baton" and are discipling others: one a common-aged friend, the other his older daughter.

What is God doing in your life? Send your testimonies to editor@cmamen.org.

Pray for Men's Ministry on Thursdays

News
C&MA Men National Coordinators Meeting Summary. The C&MA Men’s Ministry National Coordinators met in Charlotte, NC, August 18-19, 2006. They:

• Agreed to proceed with video taping a Blueprint leadership training session.
• Reviewed a draft of Alliance Construction Team operating procedures. Agreed to ask for a legal review before proceeding.
• Reviewed a proposed approach to encouraging district participation in the January 2007 national leadership team meeting.
• Reviewed testimonies from 2006 new-worker short-term mission (STM) trips and saw a video tape interview of a participant.
• Approved an on-line survey for assessing the health of men’s ministry in the Alliance.
• Began making plans for the 2007 General Council.
• Discussed approaches to translating men’s ministry materials into other languages.
• Received a report on Challenge 300 progress ($9000 in commitments thus far) and discussed ways increasing participation.
• Discussed ways of improving ministry to young men.
• Discussed aligning men’s ministry position tenure into line with standard C&MA terms of office.
• Reviewed proposed changes to C&MA Men’s Ministry mission, vision and core values.
• Set January 26-28 for the next National Coordinator/National Leadership Team meeting and Phoenix as the location.
• Set August 17-18 for the summer national coordinator meeting. Proposed location: Dallas, TX.

Men (Not) At Work

According to the New York Times, about 13 percent of American men between 30 and 55 are not working. Many of these are former blue-collar workers. They have experienced the loss of a career and the sense that their work is valued. Many of these men are unsure of how or whether to reenter the work force. Is your church prepared to reach these men? Learn more by clicking here.

Life
Are You an “Extreme Commuter”?

Nearly 10 million people now drive more than an hour to work, up 50 percent from 1990. And according to the U.S. Census Bureau, more than 3.4 million “extreme commuters” travel 90 minutes or longer to work, one-way, making them the fastest-growing group of commuters. All those hours in the car leave little time for family and community – sacrifices many are willing to make in return for cheaper housing in quieter neighborhoods. Newsweek, May 1, 2006.

How are you using your commute? Develop a deeper life with God in your car with Drive Time Bible Study Kits! Available for Dads, Husbands and the Spiritual Disciplines. Each kit includes 18 Bible Studies taught by Patrick Morley and the Man in the Mirror faculty- over 10 hours of content! Click here to learn more, click here.

Leaving a Legacy. A few years ago I attended a men’s retreat at Big Sandy Camp and Retreat Center (C&MA camp in McGregor, Minn.). Our weekend speaker, Dr. Greg Bourgond, founder and president of Heart of a Warrior Ministries, centered his messages on Proverbs 4—the heart of a Christian and a God-focused lifestyle. For six months after the retreat, I could not open my Bible without focusing on verse 23: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Read More/Article of the Month)

Leadership

Takes Next Step

The preview site for disciplemen.com is geared up and ready for you! Check out www.disciplemen.com to get the latest scoop on the development. Check it weekly for poll questions and quotes on discipleship. Want more? Register for The Insider's Update e-mail.

The first component – e-Sherpa, an e-mail coaching system – is due to be operational by...Well, go to www.disciplemen.com and find out.

Success to Significance Luncheon and Workshop

LifeWay and Leadership Network are launching a multi-city nationwide tour with the simple goal of casting a vision for church leaders to reach the greatest untapped resource that sits in front of them every Sunday. Those resources are Halftimers, marketplace leaders and individuals with experiences, gifts, and callings to serve God.

Join Lloyd Reeb, author of Success to Significance, at this free luncheon for pastors and leaders interested in learning how to discover and deploy leadership that already exists.

Following the luncheon is an optional Success to Significance Workshop, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM. http://www.successtosignificance.com.

HonorBound: Men’s Ministries is more than a name for Men's Ministries. It is a new way of looking at oneself as a godly man. As a result, it embodies the vision of where we are trying to go with all the men. The major philosophy is to challenge men to think about who they are in Christ when they think of the name HonorBound. HonorBound rests on four basic principles, all of which come from the Word of God: honor our heavenly Father, honor our father and mother, provide for those in need, and honor those in authority over us. (Ministry/Website of the Month)

Reboot (with 1 Samuel 17:45, Part I)
The World: Absent from the Battle. Saul and the army of Israel are conspicuous by their absence. They were willing to let David, an alone, inexperienced warrior, fight the Philistine champion.

The Spiritual Warrior: Feat Not: I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. David displays boldness and confidence; confidence in the Lord. God will bring the victory. God will get the credit.

When we face our Goliaths, do we see the battles in spiritual terms? Do we understand that we are powerless in the face of the Enemy? Do we approach our battles questioning the outcome or do we approach with an unwavering faith like David? Are we willing to be foolish in the eyes of the world? Can we describe, with confidence, the outcome?

If your Bible is falling apart, you probably aren't

Visit us at www.cmamen.org.

What would you like to see in this newsletter? editor@cmamen.org.