Books by the Box!
Maximized ministry in tough economic times
For 8 years, MIM has offered great Christian books by the box for extremely affordable prices. Since 2000, close to 8,000,000 books have been distributed by church leaders all over the world. In an economically difficult time, this program makes it possible to reach a large number of people with a lasting message for less that $2 each.
Look for the articles below describing three great opportunities for you to reach the people in your church this year:
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The Gender Gap
Pew Research Shows Differences in Religious Practices
The Pew Foundation did a huge study last year - The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey. New analysis of the data keeps getting done, and a recent review was titled: "The Stronger Sex - Spiritually Speaking." Below are some of the results, identifying male and female religious practice and belief:
Affiliated with a religion: Men: 79% Women: 86%
Pray at least daily: Men: 49% Women: 66%
Religion is very important in their lives: Men 49% Women: 63%
Certain belief in a personal God: Men: 45% Women: 58%
Attend worship services weekly: Men: 34% Women: 44%
Of course, the news here isn't just the gap between the sexes. The fact is, we live in a country where there's almost a 50/50 split in belief in a personal God. If God doesn't know you and doesn't care about you, it does change your viewpoint, doesn't it.
Surprised by these statistics? There's more here. Discuss this with your men's group or leadership team. How should we respond as the church? As Christian men?
Go to the No Man Left Behind blog and comment on this research. |
Spreading the Ministry Out
Man in the Mirror Field Network Update
There are already 36 men involved in some way with the Field Network ministry here at MIM. In 2 days, on Thursday, March 5, 60 more interested leaders have registered to join a conference call to learn how to get involved. If you are interested in pursuing a personal ministry to churches who want to disciple their men, the MIM Field Network may be the place for you. There will be another conference call on Thursday, March 19. To register, email allenio@maninthemriror.org.
For more information, read the latest Weekly Briefing from Pat Morley, What Needs to Happen Next for Men's Discipleship to Flourish? |
An Article About Calvinism and the Meltdown at...The New York Times???
Stanley Fish is a law professor at Florida International University, and has a blog, Think Again, on The New York Times website. He writes in his recent posting, Faith and Deficits, "At first glance, Christian doctrine and economic exigencies seem unrelated," but he sees some connections. He points out, for instance, the virtue of "thrift", or stewardship.
We need Christian voices involved in the conversation about the economic meltdown. We should bring the message that our hope should rest in Christ, not our jobs, 401(k)'s or stock portfolios.
What are you doing to help your church and reach out to your community during these tough times? Man in the Mirror has Pat's new book, How to Survive the Economic Meltdown, for you to offer to your congregation. You can get the book individually, or to give away in boxes of 16, 60 and 240 for as little as $2 each. Go to our website to order. If you have other resources, please go to www.disciplemen.com and post them in the Best Practices section. Be sure to put in 'economic meltdown' as a keyword.
This may be one of the greatest spiritual opportunities of our life times. Let's not miss it!
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 Easter Book Giveaway
Featured book: He Still Moves Stones, by Max Lucado
Message: Many people have wounds from their family, particularly their fathers. But God is the Father we've always wanted and needed.
Perfect for: Huge crowds on Easter that might only come one time this year. This book will give your holiday crowd a reason to come back!
Order deadline: March 22
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| This month's blue boxes contain the prophecies about the Messiah. "Jesus said to them, 'This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.'" Luke 24:44
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 Mission Mother's Day
Featured book: Becoming a Women of Freedom, by Cynthia Heald
Message: This book helps women lay aside the burdens that can make them feel stuck.
Perfect for: All women who come to church on Mother's Day. Give all the women in your church a gift to show them they are loved.
Order deadline: April 17
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The Messiah would be born at Bethlehem.
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Micah 5:2
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem. Matthew 2:1 |
Messiah would ascend into heaven.
When you ascended on high, you led captives in your train; you received gifts
from men, even from the rebellious-that you, O LORD God, might dwell there. Psalm 68:18
After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. Acts 1:9 |
Anger Reconciliation
New Book by James Offut
Is anger tearing down your life
Do you struggle to express your anger? There is Hope For You!
Learn positive anger expressions that will strengthen your relationships. Through the book "Anger Reconciliation" you can learn practical Christian ways to resolve and even find peace in your conflict situations.
Learn more at www.angerispositive.com or purchase on Amazon.
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 One to One Discipleship
New Feature
A new department in Equipping the Man in the Mirror will give you a new tool to use in discipling men one to one. From the column:
Discipling another man, sometimes called mentoring, can be difficult to sustain. It takes a few weeks to get to know each other. You talk about the usual job or family stuff but then, it's time to move to spiritual things. Now what? How do you get beyond, "This was how my week went. How can I pray for you?"
That's where Equipping the Man in the Mirror comes in. What better way to mentor a man in his faith than to help him get into the regular study of God's Word? In the April/May/June edition you'll find a plan for using the Equipping magazine as a tool for a one-hour weekly mentoring and accountability meeting. Click here to start your subscription now.
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The Messiah will perform miracles.
Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer,and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. Isaiah 35:5-6
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. Matthew 9:35
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Dear Pam
The 411 on Successful Men's Events
Dear Pam,
We would like to host a men's event, but don't know what events are available and which would be the best one to choose?
--Inexperienced, Sacramento, CA
Dear Inexperienced,
Choosing the
right event is key. I would recommend surveying the
men of your church on what issues/topics they are most interested in. Knowing your audience and what they want is very important.
Man in the Mirror has some great events to choose from (click here to see events) as do many other men's ministries. I suggest that you
check out www.disciplemen.com. There
are several great resources available there. Whatever event you choose,
be sure to offer the men in attendance the opportunity to join a follow
up study. Pick a resource that correlates to your that the men could
continue studying for 4-6 weeks. You don't want this to be just an event. You
want to Create Momentum by having the event and Capture it through the
follow up study.
Please
email me at pamadkins@maninthemirror.org
if you have further questions.
Serving Together,
Pam
Over the last 10 years, Pam Adkins has helped
churches conduct over 1,000 events for men. We think this makes her the single
most experienced men's event specialist in the world! Pam uses questions she has
been asked to write this column. All identifying information has been changed to
protect the clueless. To use a men's event to get your men into long-term
discipleship or to ask a question for this column, email pamadkins@maninthemirror.org.
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Join Us in March and April
Church Events
March 6 - Seven Seasons - Newport News, VA Marhc 13 - Seven Seasons - Waynesboro, PA March 20 - Seven Seasons - La Porte, IN March 20 - Success that Matters - Newbury Park, CA March 27 - Rewired - Eustis, FL March 27 - Success That Matters - Tampa, FL April 3 - Rewired - Temperance, MI April 17 - Seven Seasons - Detroit, MI April 25 - Success That Matters - Bermuda Full Calendar Leadership Training Center Events
Reaching Every ManMarch 10 - Brandon, FL March 23 - Fulton, MD April 18 - DC Area No Man Left BehindMarch 19-21 - Orlando, FL March 26-28 - Chicago, IL March 26-28 - El Paso, TX Full Calendar Questions? Call us at 800-929-2536. |
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| Disciplemen.com
Leader Profile: Ian Ridpath
join date: 
location: Milton, ON, Canada
ministry expertise: Ministry website: www.threecordministries.org. Praise & Worship Leadership, Small group leadership, Bible Study facilitation, Men's Ministries leadership, Alpha Course leadership, Ancient Paths seminar facilitation, public speaking (Toastmasters ATM-S 12 years)
ministry experience:
-- Men's small groups -- Praise & Worship leader -- Marriage Course co-leader -- ALPHA Course facilitator -- Healing Prayer ministry facilitator -- Ministry in Arctic Canada & Alaska -- Itinerant teaching and preaching
Ian is one of disciplemen.com's Best Practices top contributors!
Haven't joined the disciplemen.com Community yet? Click here to join!
You must be logged in to view the Members Directory. |
The Messiah will be born of a Virgin.
She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21-23
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"-which means, "God with us." Isaiah 7:14 |
 Project Father's Day
Featured book: The Measure of a Man, by Gene Getz
Message: True masculinity is not measured by a man's strength, but by biblical guidelines spelled out in this book. This Christian classic, originally published in 1974, has been fully rewritten and updated to reach a new generation.
Perfect for: Guys who want to be "real men."
Order deadline: May 29
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 The Gospel Man Conference
How Grace Changes Men
Come to Orlando March 6-7, 2009
or Atlanta April 24-25!
The Gospel Men Conference is a time to help men reflect deeply and enjoy the grace of God in Christ. The Gospel itself is the source of ongoing power to change us into men that enjoy and glorify God. The conference seeks to explore the implications of His grace in all the areas of a man's life over time, facilitate men in local churches growing together, and point us toward a lifestyle of 2 Timothy 2:2 influence in other men's lives.
We want to explore and be transformed by how God's grace changes men! Join us and pray for this time. Get more info at www.thegospelman.com! |
Keyword: Man Code
"Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe. " -- Saint Augustine
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Messiah is betrayed by a friend.
Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me. Psalm 41:9
I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He. I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me." After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me." John 13:18-21 |
Take the Reach 3 Challenge
An Offer of Christ for Every Man
Use these handy business sized cards to help you reach 3 friends, neighbors or co-workers for Christ! Also, encourage others in your church and community to make the Reach 3 challenge a reality. To view an image of the card and order click here. |
 Men's Ministry News
Johnny Hunt Conference Reaches more than 12,000
More than 12,000 men from 30-plus states attended a two-day conference at the Atlanta-area church where Johnny Hunt, president of the Southern Baptist Convention, is pastor.
With the theme "Temptation Island," the event offered three keynote addresses from Hunt as well as breakout sessions on leadership and development, marriage and family, and spiritual growth and obedience. Tracks also were available for youth and Spanish speakers.
Read more from The Baptist Press.
Application: What temptations do the men in your group face?
'Just for Men's Health' seminar draws dozens
Thirteen doctors, the organizers who spoke at a health and fitness seminar just for men, agreed on one thing -- men often don't take care of themselves and need to wake up.
"Men don't talk about health, they just man up, get sick and die," the event's organizer said. "We want them to get information, get healthy and live." Continue reading the article here at The Montgomery Advertiser.
Application: How can you encourage the men at your church to live healthy lifestyles?
Teens say they benefit from Faith Fighting Ministries
Thirteen-year-old Christopher Stark attends West Intermediate School, and he admits to having problems controlling his anger.
About five weeks ago, he decided to become willing to make some changes in his young life, by attending an after-school activity titled Faith Fighting Ministries. Read the rest of the article about Faith Fighting Ministries from The Morning Sun.
Application: How can your men's group reach out to kids in a way they can relate to and make a difference in their lives?
Send your men's ministry news and ideas to brettclemmer@maninthemirror.org. |
Messiah would rise from the dead.
Because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. Psalm 16:10
"Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. Mark 16:6 |
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