This past Thursday night a group of men's ministry leaders from all around Chattanooga gathered. (CACMM (Chattanooga Area Coaliton of Men's Ministry)
It was a great time to recconnect with brothers that I value greatly and appreciate their desire for men to "live up" and be passionate in their faith. I am thankful for Bernie Ritterbush of Men's Ministry Network and Doug Daugherty with the MacClellan Foundation for sponsoring this get together.
At my table was one man that I hadn't seen since an advance @ Rock Eagle about three years ago. It was good to see him and catch up.
The special treat of the night was a internet hookup with author Bill Hull. Dr. Hull has written some great books on discipleship and his latest work is Called Choose The Life. The illustration today is from the book. http://www.choosethelife.com/
I would like to share some "nuggets" he shared with us.
First, will them that call themselves Christians, call themselves Disciples?
Ask yourself, what are we creating? What kind of influence are we having?
You can become a Christian without becoming a disciple.
Discipleship is optional. Churches are more concerned with doctrinal issues today.
You can't hide a genuine faith. It permeates your whole life.
Bill talked about how busy everyone is today. AMEN. Staying in touch with all kinds of technology but knowing each other less. (Same theme as Session I of Quest for Authenic Manhood) He quoted John Wesley who traveled many miles on horseback.
"I am always busy, but never in a hurry," said Wesley.
Discipleship is life touching life. Dallas Willard says that it is good overcoming evil.
He points out that that the church and the world's cultures are getting so close that one will swallow the other.
This one comment was big. I mean this applies to all of us.
"Unless you have the basis for truth from a relationship then that relationship can't move ahead."
I see that alot not just in the church but in ALL relationships. It holds so many leaders back too.
He spoke one moment from a question from the audience about small groups and hit the major points again. 1) the problem with many small groups is that there is no accountability 2) They are not managed well 3) Is anyone in the small groups being stretched? challenged? {They should be} 4) Group leaders need to be trained to address these areas.
Men's leaders in the Chattanooga area are invited to attend the next meeting on , Thursday, May 21st at Tyner United Methodist Church. Pat Morley , with Man in the Mirror will be the special guest by internet from Florida to speak and answer questions from the group. Dinner is served. Registrations are accepted at
This article caught my eye from the NY Times Saturday issue's "On Religion," column
Also, I would say that this article with Ann Mulcahy, CEO of Xerox is one of the best interviews of a leader I have read in a newspaper. Usually this kind of detail is in a book. Some of her answers are so dead on.....if you are a leader you need to read this interview all the way thru especially what she learned going into page 2 while working in Human Resources. Dead on!
Hope your brackets are holding up. Mine are still in really good shape...believe it or not. (Well, Marquette hurt today.)
God Bless.
Hank
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