C&MA Men Living the Adventure

Stopping the river at flood stage is not a problem for the Lord. Unlike at the Red Sea, He not only stopped the river, He pushed the river 20 miles upstream. Immediately upon the priests stepping into the water, there was dry land both upstream and downstream. Go figure! God was giving the Israelites a dramatic demonstration of His power in preparation for the battles that lay ahead.

Is this the God you are depending on in your personal battles? Is this the God you are depending on as you lead your men? “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom 8:31)

One of our men holds a part time job with the understanding that he would not have to work on Sundays. He recently checked the work schedule and found that he was scheduled to work on Sunday. His manager asked him if he could make an exception this one time and that his services were needed. He told her he would pray about it. He enlisted some men to pray that he would not have to work on Sunday. The next time he went to work he checked the schedule and found that he was not scheduled to work on Sunday. He thanked his manager and was informed that the store was over payroll and she had to cut back on hours.

NEWS
Katrina Relief Continues. John Rohrmayer, construction manager for the Christian Life Center, Waveland MS, reports that 94 families have been placed in homes this year with 215 families needing permanent housing. Of those 93 have funding for materials but need labor to repair/restore their homes. This past summer 330 volunteers assisted in repair and restoration of homes. More volunteers are needed. For information, contact John at John@clcgulfcoast.com or Tom Barbour at jtbarbour@comcast.net. Bring a team. Let’s get the job done.

The Bigger Breakfast. Churches across the UK are taking part in The Bigger Breakfast, an attempt to break the world's record for the most men eating breakfast at the same time. Fact sheets on sensitive men's issues such as prostrate cancer and pornography will be distributed. "We're delighted at how churches are responding to The Bigger Breakfast," says Phil Creighton, BMM vice president. "We want the day to kick start ministry to men across the UK, and these will be terrific resources for churches." Read the full article here.

McCartney at the Helm. Promise Keepers is expected to undergo major changes after co-founder Bill McCartney was brought out of retirement to once again head the nearly 20-year-old organization - arguably the most prominent among men's ministries. McCartney, 68, returned to the helm of the organization, assuming his new role as CEO and Chairman on Monday, five years after having resigned. He also brought back with him former Promise Keepers executive Raleigh Washington to serve as president. Read more here.

NEW ON THE WEBSITE:
The following Resources have been added to the website over the past month:

Six Key Issues When Planning an Event for Men – (Local Church Toolkit)
Establish a Tradition – (Local Church Toolkit)
Affirm Your Pastors – (District Leader’s Toolkit)
Ensley Men Blog – (Front Page)

MINISTRY OF THE MONTH: Altoona Alliance Church, Altoona, PA. (www.altoonacma.com/amen.html)

We have an active alliance men's group...doing activities/ministries in a number of areas. A few brief examples:

Missions – The men have sponsored/run a Golf Tournament for past 4 years...with the funds raised used to send folks from our church on short term missions trips - very successful.
Evangelism – We have had 4 Hunting/Sports Banquets with primary purpose of reaching the lost with Gospel of Christ. We have seen a number of men and youth accept Christ as Savior at these events.
Fellowship/Relationship building – Each August we have a men and sons STEAK OUT...were we grill steaks and have an evening of fun and fellowship.
Service/Mercy/Helps – The men do home projects for widows, elderly, special needs. Also have had "free car washes" for community.
Bible Study – a number of times we have had special training events on parenting, fathers, husbands...etc.
Hot Dog outreach – Cook hot dogs and giving out for free on a Wednesday or Sunday evening in our city.

The Altoona Alliance Church website: www.altoonacma.com/amen.html.

What is God doing in your men’s ministry?
Let us know at editor@cmamen.org.

PERSONAL TOOLKIT

Depression: Tough Enough to Make a Grown Man Cry by Dr. Don Miles. I know a man who we'll call Luis, a 48-year-old owner of a small, custom cabinet-making shop, has struggled most of his life with interpersonal relationships. He has two failed marriages and no close male friends.

He came to faith as a child when he "walked the aisle" in his grandfather's church and has all his life dreamed of being a pastor. However, his angry demeanor... Read More here. (Article of the Month).

LEADERSHIP TOOLKIT

Tool: Six Key Issues When Planning a Men’s Event. What are some of the critical factors to consider when planning a men’s event? Read more here.

Ensley Men Blog. The experts are relatively consistent in defining the framework or principles for men’s ministry. The challenge comes in applying those principles in our churches. In particular, how do you do men’s ministry in a small church? The “experts” say that you can do men’s ministry in a small church – but then they define a small church as 200 adherents. What about men’s ministry in a “really” small church, say, a church of 75 or less?

Ensley Alliance Church (Pensacola, FL) is a small growing congregation. In early 2007 the average Sunday morning attendance was about 35. By mid-2008 average attendance was 65. The church has connections with about 30 men ranging across commitment levels from the community to the core. Up to 2007, the men’s activities at Ensley consisted of a once-a-month Wednesday evening meeting with an emphasis on missions with the men and women of the church separating for prayer. A second element was the annual district men’s retreat. In 2007, three men attended.

The intent of the blog is let you watch over the shoulders of the leadership team as the men’s ministry evolves. You will get to see what works and what does not. The leadership team promises to let it all hang out.

So ... Can you do men’s ministry in a really small church? Keep in mind that what works at Ensley may not work in your church. But the blog may get your creative juices flowing. Check back periodically to see what is happening. Send questions and comments to editor@cmamen.org.

Clich here to download past issues and scroll down to C&MA Men’s Ministry.

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