November 2006 C&MA Men’s E-Newsletter

Impact
A man in a new job among crude co-workers was supernaturally gifted by the Lord in the arena of sales. By his own self-description, he is not particularly personable. Yet, he is selling--benefiting his employer--at a rate four times the expected average; was that office's lead salesman for weeks running; and was recently one of the top five salesmen on the East Coast. When asked by his co-workers: "What are you doing differently?" He first said only that he is doing exactly what his employer has told him to do. (That is, he is operating intentionally under authority.) He is awaiting further practical evidence--i.e., on-going dramatically different sales results--to let them in on his "secret": that he is asking the Lord to give him sales. He believes that the Lord has him in this job for this "season" to demonstrate to his co-workers that there is a living God who is at work in his life, and can work in theirs. On two occasions in one week, when taking a sales proposal to customers, the customers said: "I'll take it!" before he was even able to quote a price. He said: "I'm not selling, I'm just delivering!"

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

Pray for Men's Ministry on Thursdays

News
Men’s Ministry in Russia. While visiting Alliance missionaries in Ekaterinburg, Russia, in October 2006, Les Tripp and Wayne Wakefield from Franconia Alliance Church, Alexandria, VA participated in a round-table discussion on men’s ministry with the men of The Resurrection Church. The discussion addressed evangelism, discipling, and service with a focus on Christ-centered relationships. The group addressed integrating discipling and service ministries into the overall ministries of the church since they were not yet large enough to create male-only ministries in these areas. The men related the challenges they faced in engaging their friends, coworkers and family members in meaningful spiritual dialog. Some of the barriers are the result of fear and a lack of trust of anything new or different, a carry over from communist days.

Life
Freed by the Holy Spirit. (Reprinted from an article posted July 7, 2006 on the @Life website as an On-Line Exclusive). George Barna has stated that half of the men sitting in the pew on Sunday morning have a major problem with pornography. Roy Comstock of Men in Ministry surveyed more than 1,000 men of different denominations during the past several years. He reported that 46 percent had willfully viewed explicit material within 30 days of answering the survey. Ninety-one percent of the men attended church at least once a week. On average each man had known the Lord 21 years.

Are these statistics true of men in Alliance churches? Yes. Following are three testimonies from men who have been set free from pornography Click here to read more.

Leadership

Building a Team: Realize the need for fellowship (Reprinted from the February 2006 @Life). Spiritual teamwork was central to Jesus’ ministry. He worked with a small group and sent his disciples out two by two. Yet we men seem to think we can go it alone when it comes to spiritual growth. In fact, a Promise Keepers survey revealed that 19 out of 20 Christian men are so disconnected that they have no best friend. From the time that Christ came into my life, my spiritual journey has been enriched because of Christ-centered connections with other men. Click here to read more.

The Joseph Resource Group, located in St. Joseph, MO, was launched in September of 2000 to serve pastors and churches in the belief that healthy pastors build healthy churches - and healthy churches impact communities. To accomplish that mission, the Joseph Resource Group focuses on three primary areas:

• Equipping leaders to serve effectively
• Calling the next generation to godly adulthood
• Encouraging relational unity in the Body of Christ

These efforts have allowed the Joseph Group to connect and serve individuals and churches across the country from a variety of denominational settings. In addition to extensive speaking and training resources, the new conference and retreat facilities give churches the opportunity to meet and conduct strategic planning sessions in a relaxed, secluded setting as well as offering pastors and clergy couples a quiet place to pull away for a time of rest and renewal. (Ministry/Website of the Month)

Reboot (with 1 Samuel 17:46, Part II)
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: This day the LORD will hand you over to me … How could David proclaim “This day…” and “Today…” David is specific. How did he know?

David displays innocence in the face of Goliath. The world lost that innocence when it came to depend more on its own devices, ways and understanding. God asks us to approach our challenges as children, trusting in him, depending on him, and HIS understanding of the situation.

David implies a partnership with the Lord. “I will” and “The victory is the Lord’s.” He perceives victory as a two step process: incapacitation and decapitation. He indicates from the outset that he will carry through until the enemy has been destroyed. Unlike Saul who failed to eliminate the Amelikites (1 Sameul 15:9). The evidence of the death of the enemy will be the birds feeding the carcasses of the army.

David is very specific in his prediction. David’s statement raises two questions: First, how can an inexperienced youth defeat a giant and the entire Philistine army. His message to Goliath is foolishness to everyone except David.

God’s people seem to face the same challenges over and over. Yet, the Lord does not respond the same way each time. Do we become comfortable with past solutions – and as a result move into battle in our own wisdom and strength? Do we move forward with confidence when we know the outcome but not necessarily how the Lord will defeat the enemy? Are we willing to be foolish in the eyes of the world? Can we describe, with confidence, the outcome?

Seek God, not the experience

Visit us at www.cmamen.org.

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