Robert Lewis was the guest by Skype this past Thursday night of the Men's Ministry Network based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. MMN is working to address the need for intentional discipleship with men in their churches. This night the dinner meeting was held at the BX and 80 men attended.
Robert Lewis developed Men's Fraternity curriculum in the 90's at the request of the men of his church in Little Rock, Arkansas that had attended Promise Keeper events but wanted to learn more about being authentic men.
So Lewis, crafted three years of content and then also had it picked up for placement in Lifeway Stores too.
He was asked tonight to talk about discipleship.
Robert asked the question to begin, How are people transformed into authentic followers of Jesus Christ?
He said that are four ways 1) first by truth by moving from head knowledge to the heart 2) Close relationships drive it 3) Spending time with people 4) training that requires commitment and application for transformation
Is there real intentional men or women's discipling in your church he asked?
He said pastors should think of as few as seven areas where they want people to be transformed and select the right tools (the best out there) and then choose lay people who have those gifts in those areas and then train them how to use it to train others. (Equipping)
The key to men's ministry today in America is pastoral affirmation and Robert said a lot of pastors just don't get it. They don't see that so go the men so go the church. He said it is a big problem with pastors today.
His Q/A session was super and he was asked about how to just start discipling other men. He said think of areas that you love and you are really good at. Find a resource that amplifies it and then some guys around you and challenge them and disciple them. Could be money, marriage, evangelism he said this is what he calls "Slice of Life" discipleship. Everyone can disciple someone in something he said.
I shared early in the evening about using Men's Fraternity at work where we meet over lunch and watch Robert on DVD teaching. We just finished Quest of Authentic Manhood and have started Winning at Work and Home with 16 guys over a brown bag lunch group at work. (really more Chickfila than brown bags- somebody always makes a run) We have done this for two years now. Good group of men. This is probably my 3rd time thru "Winning" but it just gets better each time I go thru it. DVD's and workbooks are available at Lifeway Stores and online.
Chattanooga area Young Life helped serve dinner at this event. We hope several men signed up to disciple some of these college guys who love the Lord. Great group!
Bernie Ritterbush, of Men's Ministry Network gave a update on the intentional Discipleship mini-conferences that MMN will be offering in Chattanooga in the future called (re)think Discipleship. The next dinner is scheduled for May 19th and will debut certain discipleship classes for Pauls, Timothies and more.
Check out www.mensministry.org for more information as it gets closer and to purchase tickets to the event on May 19th and bring a friend with you. Many thanks to J-103 Radio in Chattanooga for helping promote the event.
I brought my son with me and he was fired up to begin some lunch meetings at school around the bible with some other guys. Meal was excellent and cooked by the group at the BX on campus at Brainerd Baptist.
As always we seek your help in praying for this ministry as we move from desire to engagement to intentional disciple making with men around the Chattanooga area. Love God, Love People.
Hebrews 13:8
Action Points:
So who or whom are you mentoring? Who is mentoring you? Not good to be alone. When you are alone you can be picked off by Satan. He is intent on destroying marriages. Think about whom you could ask to be in your inner circle and be more intentional of doing life with in areas where you need to grow. Pray about that.
If you aren't mentoring someone, consider it. Pray about it.
We weren't created to be doing life alone. God Bless you.
