POWER TOOLS

United Methodist Churches and leaders in North Carolina are serious about reaching ALL men for Christ!

The Reverend Dr. H. William Green, Associate Pastor of First United Methodist Church in Cary North Carolina offers this report:

Thank you for your support and prayers. The “No Man Left Behind” Conference was a “lift off!”... over 100 men from 27 churches... eight pastors present! Participants were trained to lead men's ministry in their local church, using the material contained in the recently published book, No Man Left Behind.

We had excellent coverage in the Raleigh News and Observer and TV coverage from cable TV News Channel 14. The response of the participants was fantastic.

I am proud of the UMMen of First UMC. Our men opened their homes to receive out of town guests, they were greeters, servers, and helpers at the Conference (over 20 volunteers behind the scenes), PLUS they men raised $2000 to provide a free “Feed the Beast” steak dinner at the Conference.

Frank Cizerle, President of the New Bern District UMMen, commented, “I now realize that men's ministry must be about heart transformation and not just behavior modification.”

Barry Merrill, N.C. Conference President of the UMMen, was the driving force behind the conference. Our next step is to meet with the bishop and his cabinet to see about taking this training to the other 11 districts in our Conference!

Reverend Ned Hill, Raleigh District Superintendent, was pleased that the Raleigh District broke new ground by becoming the first district to host such a Conference in N.C.

Here are some comments from participants of the “No Man Left Behind” Conference held at First United Methodist Church Cary May 10-12.

“The ‘No Man Left Behind' Conference has transformed my approach to men's ministry. It has been a paradigm shift in my thinking toward men's ministry and provided me all the tools to regenerate, reinvigorate, and transform events and activities into really discipling men and changing their hearts. I can't wait to put the lessons learned into practice.”
Al Everett, Pine Valley UMC

“This event brought clarity of purpose for our men's ministry. It has a strong biblical foundation for developing and implementing change to take men to the ‘next' best step toward faith and servant-hood to our lord Jesus Christ.”
Tim Penny, Coats UMC

“Regardless of how good or how lacking your church's environment for men happens to be, this training will significantly improve your effort. Your leaders walk away more confident, more prepared, and more Christ-like.”
Bill Shuler, Wake Forrest UMC

“I was so inspired to see this many leaders who are passionate about reaching and discipling men. I can't wait to see what God does in these churches in the years to come.”
David Delk, President of Man in the Mirror

“I don't know that I have ever trained a group of men so ready to receive and implement the principles of discipling men. I'm encouraged with the direction I see UMMen heading. Ministers of men are starting to surface in United Methodist Churches all over.”
Bob Keiderling, Staff of Man in the Mirror

“The energy and enthusiasm of the men attending was a step above. When that type energy is present, it takes the energy and enthusiasm of the speakers to another level as well. For that, we thank you, and may God receive the glory!”
Steve Hutton, Staff of Man in the Mirror

As director of men's ministries for the General Commission on United Methodist Men, I invite you to join me in shouting praise to Christ Jesus over the men's ministry leadership training conducted last weekend in North Carolina. This event is remarkable in many ways. It is partnership at it's finest – between United Methodist Men and Man in the Mirror; between a UMM Conference President and a UMC pastor committed to men's ministry; between 27 UM congregations in a supportive conference with their bishop. These congregations will receive immense blessings as men and clergy work together building sustainable and effective ministry with men.

Our desire is for every UM congregation to increase its capacity to reach the men in its pews and to encourage their spiritual growth to maturity. Those men, in turn, will reach their families, friends and other men for Christ. The Christ they will offer to others will be the same Christ that reigns on the throne of their hearts, at work through their hands and heads.

I just received this report from George Houle who is spearheading Wesleyan Building Brothers in Kansas with UMM Conference President Loyd Hamrick;

Great weekend! Our Phase 2 training went well. Dan'l (BB trainer) is really connecting with our guys. Calvary, First, Woodlawn and our Hispanic brothers came together and shared where we have been and got the vision for where we are going. We set the dates for Phase 3 & 4 and promoted the August Male Leadership Experience (MLE). I believe the Spirit is active and the flame is spreading. Our vision must be upon Christ and spiritual reproduction. Our goals must include spiritual growth as well as service opportunities.

Let's celebrate what God is doing in and through the UMM and UMC! In these partnerships and men's ministry resources are the keys to a movement of God through men.

8. Lead him through an afternoon of rigorous physical training in the back yard while you sit in a lawn chair with a half-gallon of ice cream.
7. Eat until you're about to burst and then ride the Screamin' Hurler roller coaster.
6. Put cream on his face and let the cat shave him with its tongue.
5. Walk behind him through his school halls yelling, "You da man!"
4. Send him to the local discount store to buy mom's "personal things."
3. Give him Grandma's lime green Gremlin with personalized license plates that say, "TUFFGUY."
2. Send the womenfolk shopping, then get out your secret Old Yeller video and have a good cry together.
1. Shot put catching.

Pat and David are working on a new marriage book and they need to hear from you. If you'd consider helping other couples by sharing a true experience from your marriage, visit marriagebook.wordpress.com. We'll disguise names and details but preserve the essence of the story. We are praying God will use your stories to change hundreds and thousands of couple's lives!

Men to Gather at Washington Monument
For Once-Every-Decade Event
October 6, 2007

WASHINGTON, DC – The men of America are being invited to return to the grounds of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, on October 6^th for a national gathering of men called Stand in the Gap 2007.

The emphasis of this event is to call generations of men together to honor God, hear from God, and to embolden each man to leave a legacy of spiritual leadership and faithfulness from one generation to the next. Psalm 145:4 captures the essence of the day: “One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.”

For more information visit www.standinthegap2007.org.

Need an experienced, trusted speaker for a Mayor's Prayer Breakfast, Denominational District Meeting, Pastor's Conference, Businessmen's Outreach, Ministerial Association, or Leadership Team Retreat? Man in the Mirror associates Pat Morley, Dennis Puleo, Bob Keiderling, Brett Clemmer and David Delk are all available on a limited basis to come help you in your ministry. You can see all of their bios online at www.maninthemirror.org/ltc/faculty.htm. Call Pam, at 407-472-2100, or 800-929-2536 for more information.

For Your Congregation: Divorce Rates Drop

According to the Associated Press, America's divorce rate began climbing in the late 1960s and peaked at 5.3 divorces per 1,000 people in 1981. Since then it's dropped by one-third, to 3.6. Click here to read the full story.

The mission of the National Center for Fathering (NCF) is to improve the well-being of children by

inspiring and equipping men to be more effectively involved in the lives of children. The Center was founded in 1990 by Dr. Ken Canfield to conduct research on fathers and fathering, and to develop practical resources to prepare dads for nearly every fathering situation.

On Fathers.com (NCF's website) find research and facts on fathering, parenting and how to develop a great relationship with your kids (and some great jokes too!).

All Pro Dad is another excellent resource for men who want to become better fathers. Visit AllProDad.com for interactive quizzes, books,

audiotapes, brochures, free articles, online classes and surveys, support groups and many other resources on parenting.

You can read about Bryan Davis, director of All Pro Dad, in the July/August 2007 issue of The Fourth Seed.

Order a case of The Fourth Seed for the fathers in your church to bless and encourage them.

It's not too late! The regular ordering deadline has passed, but Father's Day books are still available – there is a $10 rush delivery charge in addition to

the regular shipping fee to ensure arrival in time for Father's Day. Limited quantities of Point Man, Wild at Heart, Twelve Ordinary Men, and The Man in the Mirror are still available to give to the dads in your church. You must call us at 800-929-2536 to order rush delivery!

Genesis: The Business Workshop features 60 stories about business leaders like J.C. Penney, John D. Rockefeller, Sam Walton, Mary Kay and

Ray Kroc. It focuses on How to Build a Business on a Solid Foundation (Biblical basis) with 13 colorful videos and participant workbooks. They are looking for workshop leaders and participants who have a heart to be more effective and profitable in business. Check it out at www.thegenesisworkshop.com.

We want to stand with you in the battle for your soul. Over 1000 people from 35 countries are part of our 24/7 prayer ministry! What are you asking God to do in your life and your ministry right now? Email your ministry prayer requests to prayer@maninthemirror.org and we will pray for you! We would love to know who we are praying for, so please include your city, state, and country in your email.

Want to pray for leaders who are discipling men? Click here to learn how to join the prayer team.