News
New Members of the National Leadership Team. Len Ruffner, C&MA Men National Director, announced the appointment of three new members to the national leadership team. They are Jose Cornier (Puerto Rico District), Raul Forti (Eastern Spanish District) and Kou Her (Hmong District).

Alliance Construction Team (ACT). C&MA Men rolled out a new project ministry at the 2007 C&MA General Council. Vance Bartleson (Pacific Northwest District) has been appointed to coordinate this ministry. He is looking for regional representatives to serve on the ACT coordination team. “Our intent is to reduce the cost of construction projects for churches and conference centers,” said Bartleson. He also indicated that through the ministry, men will grow in the Lord through fellowship, mentoring, and daily devotions during projects and will reach others for Christ by example and word. Churches or camps needing assistance should plan their needs well in advance so that ACT can organize work teams. Go to www.cmamen.org/act to download the participant applications and requests for ACT services. For more information, contact Vance at act@cmamen.org or (206) 391-9133.

C&MA Men Leader Begins Weekly Bulletin. Len Ruffner, National Director recently began sending out a brief weekly e-mail note to leaders district men's ministry coordinators and others who are interested. These notes provide encouragement and information of interest to those on the front lines in the battle for men's souls. If you would like to be on the distribution list, contact Len at director@cmamen.org.

Stand in the Gap 2007, October 6, National Mall, Washington DC. “It is time to stop looking for a man to follow and start being one.” Ezekiel 22:30 echoes the call for men to step forward. "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it." I wish the verse ended there, but it does not. Unfortunately the quote concludes, "but I found none." Today the Lord continues His search for men who will take their place, to stand in the gap for their homes, their communities and their congregations. To stand back-to-back in support of their pastor, to love their wife and children sacrificially. Our land is being destroyed by the lack of such men. Will God's judgment on America be the same as that of ancient Israel - "but I found none?" With fewer men in church today than when the original Stand in the Gap event was held almost a decade ago, the time has come for good men to return , remember, renew and rebuild.” Tim Doyle, St. Joseph, MO. (SITG2007 Team Member)

Reboot (with Joshua) Characteristics of a Leader (Joshua 1:12-14)

Recall that the Book of Joshua begins with the Lord promising Joshua he would “give [the Israelites] every place where you set your foot” (v3 ), and “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (v5). The Lord then told Joshua that the Israelites were to be strong, very courageous and obedient. Joshua then turned to muster the Israelites for the battles that lay ahead.

Joshua's instructions to the Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manassah provide practical guidelines for disciples. He outlines eight characteristics or qualities needed for the upcoming battles. The men are to be accountable, leaders, team players, persistent, willing, obedient, encouragers and, lastly, guardians of truth. Here are the first two.

Be Accountable (v12-13). ¹²But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said,  ¹³“Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: ‘The LORD your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land.'

Joshua reminded the Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manassah of their commitment to Moses when he gave them the lands east of the Jordan River.

The Lord expects those faithful to him to follow through on their commitment. With God-given rest comes responsibility The Lord is looking for men who will say, like Isaiah, “Here am I. Send me.” (Is 6:8).

What is God calling you to do? If you are reading this, you probably have an interest in ministry to men. Disciple-making is the process of moving men from turmoil to peace and from peace to contentment (rest). First, the peace that comes through salvation and then the contentment that comes with making Jesus Christ the Lord of our lives. Those of us who are being given rest and hear God's call on our lives must assist men who have yet to receive rest. Because men tend to live compartmented lives, they need to work through the compartments of their lives: God, marriage, families, work, ministry and service. Spiritual maturity means that we allow God to permeate more and more of our compartments. Rest or sanctification is a process. We may enjoy contentment in some areas of our lives but not in others, Joshua does not make a distinction. The Lord is saying, “When you make me Lord of your life, I will give you rest.” With rest comes accountability. That accountability involves modeling personal growth and, as we shall see, leading others to rest. We are accountable to the Lord – and to the men in our sphere of influence. In Joshua's terms, we must go before our brothers. For some, that means watching a brother's back. For others, it means participating in or leading small groups. Still others may be called to lead ministries to men in a church, a region or denomination.

⁴Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to (1 Cor 7:24 ).

Those to whom God is giving rest he holds accountable.

Lead (Go Ahead) (v14). ¹⁴Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers.

Joshua instructed the Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manassah to lead Israel across the Jordan and into the Promised Land.

In crossing the Jordan, the army will enter the danger zone. Since the Reubenites, Gadites and half tribe of Manassah knew what it meant to be receiving contentment, Joshua places them on point, the most vulnerable position. They are to take the risk of being in front.

As disciples we are called to be on point. We need to lead the platoon, the company, or the battalion. We are to show the way. As a result we are visible and risk taking fire. By being in front, leaders of men protect those who follow, those who may not be mature enough to understand the attacks and how to respond to them. We need to be intentional in our efforts to bring men before the throne and build them into stalwart soldiers. We must mentor our men and model behavior that invites others to join the adventure.

Moreover, those in front frequently draw fire from opponents.

²⁵Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,  ²⁶and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will (2 Tim 2:25-26).

Those to whom God is giving rest he commands to lead.