K now Christ!
I nvite others to join God's team!
N urture your faith through prayer, worship & daily Bible reading!
G ive your time & money to support God's work in your congregation!'
' ( ' = a sign of "possession" and it's about "belonging"---who we are and whose we are!)
S peak well of your pastor and the men in your life!
KING'S men...that's who we are!
Or think of it this way..."one man at a time...no man left behind..."
And if that doesn't strike you...try the ELCA's Lutheran Men in Mission "vision" statement...
"That every man grow in his relationship with Jesus Christ
through an effective men‘s ministry in every congregation."
KING'S Men...I pray that we all sense God's Holy Spirit leading us to be just that...
Just a few months ago before Hurricane Ike wrecked havoc with our routines and whatever we used to refer to as "daily life," I sat down with Bishop Rinehart responding to his request to "share a vision" with him about men's ministry in our congregations and synod. We talked over lunch for about 90 minutes. He asked me questions and when we were done he asked, one more..."can you post this vision on our web-site and get this idea out to our pastors and our men?" It was also couched with the question, "and you will consider serving as the volunteer coordinator for men's ministry in the synod, won't you?" I said, "yes," to the first question without hesitation. The "couched" question required a more prayerful response and yet the answer is still the same..."God willing and with the help of the pastors and other men who are leaders in our congregations, I know this ministry can continue to grow and be a real gift to our men, their families, our congregations, this synod, the ELCA and the world! So, to all the KING'S men...let's dream and vision a bit about 2009... our conversation went something like this...
Question: "How strong is our synod's Lutheran men in mission?
Answer: That depends. At a synod level between 1/3 and 1/2 of our congregations have an identifiable men's ministry, a contact person and a communications link via phone, e-mail, etc. Each congregation is in its own place and journey; some farther along than others. Some not at all. However, I think the strength of Lutheran Men in Mission may be found in what we "don't know" and "don't see." It's all those men who are faithful in marriage and family, contributors to the life and breath of congregational ministry, diligent in their work and those kinds of things that are hardly credited as men's ministry. Our Lutheran Men in Mission must see themselves in a larger way than cutting grass, handing out bulletins, and gathering for breakfast and Bible study once a month.
Question: So, what is men in mission's greatest challenge?
Answer: Its a 3-legged challenge. One is to continue to the work of connecting pastors and men to this ministry and using it as a catalyst for all of congregational life. This is an ongoing "strengthening" process; two, is find ways to bring the other men (long-time members, new members, men with addressable stressors) on board and allow the work of men to be celebrated at many levels; and three, to force a conversation about "faithing" our daily life and work so that all the men in our churches don't see Men in Mission as something else to do...more work to plan and accomplish...more "to do's" on the schedule, but to see the work that is already being done by so many and for so many as a legitimate expression of men's ministry.
Question: OK, so how does this get done?
Answer: Well, we've been working on this for almost 5 years. For me, it goes back to the all-synod men's banquet we held in February 2004 when Coach Don Capers was the head coach of the Houston Texans and was the keynote speaker at that banquet. That night was a wake-up call. It was inspirational for all and our synod raised over $5000 to buy more LMM Master Builder Bibles to be distributed in our congregations. Men's ministry isn't rocket science. It's harder. At least that's what guys like Pat Morley, Doug Haugen and Rollie Martinson say. It's work that has begun, is continuing to be attended to and we won't stop until as Isaiah and St. Paul used to say, "til every knee bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord." It is work that requires a coordinated effort with pastors and leaders, with congregational groups and clusters of congregations as well as seeing to it that every man understands the opportunity to have a role in this work.
Question: That sounds like a daunting task. Is this a recipe for failure?
Answer: Well, it is and it isn't. The truth is we have no real "showcase" congregation in our synod for men's ministry. Even when people ask me about the men at New Life in Pearland, I'm quick to respond...Oh, don't use us as the litmus test. We're way better at this work than we used to be; but those who are involved will tell you we have a long way to go!" But, what is essential here to convey is what Dwight Moody liked to say..."I like the work that we're doing now better than the work we weren't doing before." And I think this is critical to our men's ministry posture. We can't fail because whatever we do is most likely better than or more than what we never did before!
Question: So, is this all written out?
Answer: Yes. It's not THE plan; but it is A plan and most likely a plan that will help upgrade the men's ministry in any of our congregations. It's posted on http://www.soggyshoes.org/ and is also part of the synod reports for 2007 presented at this past year's synod assembly. If anyone has need, I can send a hard copy in the mail or even better yet, come in person to address a men's group and talk about dynamics and the mechanics of being effective. We start where we are go from there.
Question: Good. How do we de-girlify our/the ELCA’s men’s ministry strategy?
Answer:
- Continue challenging intergenerational conversations; make connections;
- Teach pastors and men to evaluate their setting, speak to the men directly during their worship experience and MOST OF ALL expand the image of men’s ministry beyond cutting grass, & being ushers;
- Make use of Camp Lutherhill for men’s events;
- Do congregational review of current “men’s ministry” items & expand list;
- Provide ways for men to use hands, back & hearts in church and community (i.e. Hurricane recovery, mission trips, Habitat for Humanity, Church plant upgrades, landscaping, softball, bowling, BBQs, etc.)
- Review the potential "feminine" facilities and find ways to "man up" the interior of our building and/or at least find a "place/space" to feature men's ministry;
- make it a congregational tradition to give a copy of the LMM Master Builders Bible to each man who joins the congregation. (not as part of the public welcome in worship but quietly afterward, with each man targeted with this gift and an invitation to "read it" and bring it to Bible study;
Question: What other dreams and visions do you have for our synod's men?
Answer: O,bishop, that will require another lunch and another blog entry. But, I WILL ask the pastors and men of our synod...
So, KING'S men...what dreams and visions do you have for yourself, your small group, your congregation, the synod? Drop a note back here and let's talk some more...
One man at a time; no man left behind,
Brian
