Men's Ministry Update

Have you been blessed by Man in the Mirror this year?
Has God used the ministry of Man in the Mirror to help you in your life or ministry this year? Would you consider letting us know in a very tangible way?

After a long summer and a tough fall, we need to have a strong year-end financially to close out 2004 and prepare for 2005. After you have met your obligation to your local church, would you prayerfully consider an investment in this ministry? A generous foundation has agreed to match every new or increased year-end gift up to $40,000. If you have been blessed by our webcasting, Pat's Weekly Briefing, this Men's Ministry Update, A Look in the Mirror, our website, one of our books or CD's, a seminar, or a training conference, please pray about your role in the ongoing support of our work.

If God leads you to help, click here. If not, that's fine too. We'll continue to be faithful in serving you in the battle for men's souls.

More Men Are in Small Groups...Really!
Some good news from the researchers at the Barna Group on small groups. Small group participation is on the rise: from 12% of the population in 1994, to 20% of the population in 2004. And what was one of the groups with the greatest increase? MEN!

According to Barna, participation “in a small group that met during the week for the purpose of prayer, Bible study or spiritual fellowship (excluding Sunday school or church classes)” has doubled in the last 10 years, from 9% in 1994, to 18% in 2004. See more at the Barna website, www.barna.org.

NTC Scholarships Available for Pastors and Young Leaders
A foundation is helping us make available a limited number of scholarships for pastors and emerging young leaders for men’s ministry leadership training! The National Training Center is conducting its first class of 2005, “Building a Sustainable Men’s Ministry,” from January 13-15 (that’s Thursday morning through Saturday noon).

This course confronts one of the biggest problems in men’s ministry – the roller coaster effect – and helps you develop a plan based on a proven, adaptable strategy to build a disciple-making ministry to men that lasts. This training is perfect for a team of leaders to experience together. So grab some leaders, invite a younger guy, and twist your pastor’s arm to join you in Orlando.

For more information -- location, tuition, etc. -- click here.
For information about the scholarships, click here.

Can We Pray for You?
Each week, our staff prays for requests sent in by the leaders and partners we serve. This Friday we will be having a special day of prayer. Can we pray for you? Email your prayer request to prayer@maninthemirror.org and we'll add you to our prayer list.

Ordering Your Private World
It's not everyday that you have a chance to give away one of the most important Christian books of the twentieth century for less than $2 per book.

Ordering Your Private World is a phenomenal bestseller -- over 1 million copies were sold upon its original release in 1984. With revisions and new material, it is even more timely. Gordon MacDonald’s classic book invites readers to bring order to their personal life by inviting God’s control over every segment of their lives. Lasting life change comes when a man is convinced that his inner spiritual world governs the outer world of actions. The Holy Spirit can use this book to do just that.

In a busy world of busy men whose hearts are dying, MacDonald's insights are more important than ever. Have you read this book? Who do you know whose life could be transformed by this timeless expression of wisdom from God's word? Great for Christmas gifts and small groups in 2005.

December 2004

Dear Friend:

I’m reading through the Bible with some of the men from the Orlando Bible Study in 2005. It would be a great idea for you to join us or get some men in your church to commit to reading through it together. Here are 3 possible steps...

Buy a One Year Bible.
Use the One Year Bible reading plan from the Internet with your existing Bible. (www.oneyearbibleonline.com)
Invite Other Men To Read With You. Lead out in your church with a bulletin and pulpit announcement, "Let’s read through the Bible together in 2005!” I’m doing this with our Friday morning group. So far about 70 men have signed up. I’m ordering One Year Bibles for some (31 so far, they pay), handing out the reading plan to some, others already have a One Year Bible or said they'll get their own. We’re going to meet a couple of times during the year so men can share how God’s Word is impacting them, and end the year with a dinner at our home with the wives. I'll talk to you more about this during the year.

Pat Morley