Chattanooga Area Men's Ministry leaders and pastors attended dinner and a Skype session with Pat Morley of Man in the Mirror on Tuesday night at Tyner Methodist Church.The MacClellan Foundation and Men's Ministry Network along with some good grub from Gollywhoppers Sandwich Shop made for an excellent evening of community and learning.
Doug Daughtery and Bernie Ritterbush hosted the evening and the spotlight was Pat Morley as he joined the group thru Skype from his home in Orlando.
Doug introduced Pat and stated that only 10% of churches across America have active men's ministries. (I think MIM has stated that only 7% have a men's ministry pastoral position in America)
Pat opened with some humor with this group by saying that today was a good hair day for him and at his age, each hair has a purpose.
He started with a story about four couples and how each of the four men in this group had issues around pornography, another woman etc and when all this shook up, did we know what the difference was? He said two marriages made it because the men had relationships in groups with men that stayed by their side.
Pat stated today that evangelism without discipleship is cruel. We have men today that don't understand Matthew 22-29..of knowing scripture and the power of the Lord.
Pat then asked what is discipleship and he used the definition he has for several years that a disciple is called, equipped and sent.
Called to to live in Christ, equipped to live like Christ and Sent to live for Christ (Serving)
Pat then quoted from his new book No Man Left Behind:
Why do many men's ministries succeed or fail ?
1) The Sr. Pastor has to have a heart and a have a vision to disciple men. This is where I love this part from NMLB. Pat says you see, you must have an all inclusive mindset. The men's ministry in your church is every man in the church. Later Pat explained this by using an example of an usher that catches this vision. As a leader in his area he should understand that he has one of the most important jobs on Sunday mornings. They can come in early before the service for about five minutes and share a brief scripture and then remember that each man ushering is helping people feel welcomed with the reason we want to help them become disciples of Christ.
2) the second thing must be determination.. It must be said by leaders that men's ministry will be important here
3) You must have a sustainable strategy. Think of how to utilize small or growth groups, have the right next step planned for each man, and tie it together.
Questions from the audience were very good, such as how do you encourage pastors to have a men's ministry? Pat had a good answer here that you must built your case thru leading and showing your calling in that area. You must ask your pastor-How can I help you? serve you? to come along side him and begin to build this.
NMLB points out that you really need a team of men to work on this so it is not all on one man's shoulders. Pat pointed out here that if the man in charge gets a promotion and leaves town, there goes the men's ministry! With a team this can be less of issue.
*Pat talked about the fact that leaders need to resemble shepherds and not teachers today. Men aren't looking for another boss, they are looking for someone to come along side them. A Shepherd does this by asking questions and communicating that they care.
Pat says the war is ongoing against this world giving a story around pornography's pull as he attended a Christian conference where they asked the men to turn in how many of them battled this and the answer was 60% of those attending the conference!
It is a real problem today. So available and so easy once a man is isolated away from friends and family. Isn't it. I always remember David Lawson's teaching on this from the Precept Men's Conference a couple of years ago where he said just flee from it! Kill it! Don't give it a chance!
-Local Ministry Resource------------Sue Moore locally has been called locally to start a ministry around this for women but is also wanting to begin men's groups in this area. Her website is www.forgivenmuch.net
It was a great evening, good to see friends there. The next meeting for CACMM will be on Thursday, July 16th @ Tyner and the guest will be David Murrow, author of the book, Why Men Hate Going to Church. This promises to be a great subject and even gives guys time to get the book and read it before David arrives. Please invite brothers that you know would be interested in this and you can contact the Men's Ministry Network @ bernie@mensministry.org
Pat's group Man in the Mirror is @ www.maninthemirror.org
Book's referenced in the meeting were Pastoring Men and No Man Left Behind
I urge men to get MIM's daily devotion guide, Equipping the Man in the Mirror, great daily devotional that I enjoy. Here is a link for that with more information:
http://www.maninthemirror.org/equippingthemaninthemirror/
Noteworthy and upcoming:
*Tom Kitsmiller mentioned at the dinner Tuesday that Brainerd Baptist Church is going to have a Discipleship Conference this fall which will feature Bill Hull. The dates are October 9th and 10th. Mark that down.
*Lee Atchley talked about CBMC and its monthly outreach luncheon. There are a number of small groups all around Chattanooga that meet. On the left under Cool Sites you will see a link you can click on for Chattanooga CBMC
*Woodland Park will be offering the Perspectives course on Sunday Nights this fall. Lots of excitement about this and also all the different teachers that will be in Chattanooga to teach at this. More information at this link for those interested in learning more about world Christian movement by attending this, especially college students for credit:
http://www.woodlandpark.org/featured/perspectives.asp
Notes from the last meeting with Bill Hull can be found below on March 22nd's blog . Note too in a follow up from that March 22nd blog that this week Ann Mulchay of Zerox has announced she is retiring. Wonder what she will do next? Run for office? If you like leadership make sure you read that Corner Office interview with her from the Superb comments she made back in March of this year.
May you have a blessed week this week.
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