Every once in a while it's good to hold perspective. Every once in a while we realize the compass gets dropped or we've turned the corner to a path unfamiliar and undesired or we've listened to the voice of one who does not have a our best interest at heart! "From time to time"... the old saying goes... and it's biblical... part of the work and rest... the rhythm of being fruitful and experiencing 'sabbath/rest' ... from time to time to stop and change the oil... from time to time... to stop and smell the roses...and bring some to the one we love the most! From time to time to review the highs and lows of life... from time to time to tend to the grace that is gift to us in order to continue on after that time of self-assessment... from time to time to consider the brevity of life and the desire to be a partner in the community being built for us and around us and within us... from time to time... make a short list of the important matters of the mission and ministry of the men in the Gulf Coast synod... so, let me tend to some BIG rocks and let you know this...
- All the men in all of our congregations are involved in this work! How is your congregation's men's ministry keeping track of how this is going and who is tending to what?
2. The
Vision: "that every man have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ
through an effective men's ministry in every congregation."
3. National ELCA LMM web-link: http://www.lutheranmeninmission.org/. This is a great place to begin when looking for ideas and opportunities for men's ministry in your corner of the kingdom.
4. The Gulf Coast connection: http://gulfcoastmen.blogspot.com/ to find information,
inspiration, a place to connect and event calendar. YOUR ON IT RIGHT NOW!
6. Synod Leaders:
- Synod Men's Ministry Coordinator: Rev. Dr. Brian Gigee (New Life/Pearland) brian@newlifelutheran.com
Please keep this information available as these men stand ready to help...
7. EVENTS:
- 2013 Synod Assembly Men's "Breakfast Break-Out" Saturday May 18 @ Camp Allen. Speaker: Mr. Rich White, LMM National President
- "Disciple Project" @ TLU June 24 - 28 "MEN @ WORK" (Leadership Training for Year-Round Men's Ministry)
- you can get started here: http://gulfcoastsynod.org/events/the-disciple-project/
- Fall Men's Leadership Gathering @ Camp Lutherhill "One Year to Live" Retreat September 19-20-21, 2013
- Tri-Synod Men's Huddle: March 21,22 & 23, 2014 @ Briarwood Retreat Center (NTNL Synod hosts) This is the PRE-Gathering to the National LMM event (see below!)
8. NEXT
National LMM Gathering:
- The National LMM Gathering/Assembly will be held in Nashville, TN July18-19-20, 2014. The Pre-Assembly gathering is July 17 - 18, Assembly (Business Meeting).
- The theme is : "GUYS, GUTS AND GOD'S GLORY." This promises to be an exciting gathering in a fun city to visit. If you have not already done so at your synod LMM gatherings this year, please elect or chose delegates (voting members) to represent your synod to vote on issues and elections at the assembly.
- Hopefully, the 3 synods from TX and LA will have a significant contingent attend and return to our respective synods with renewed faith and energy to keep tending to this important work.
- At this year's annual gathering in February our men voted to help complete a project at Principe' de Paz in Houston. Doug McNaughton of Holy Comforter will take the point!
- Principe' de Paz's pastor, the Rev. Adriana Johnson-Rivas has a growing outreach to families via a 'soccer' ministry to families. They have 1 good field but room for 3 fields including upgrading Field # 1 to a tournament a field and building some bleachers and a stand for refreshments. This will take some planning and 'hands on' plus some financial support to complete. Ps. Pedro Suarez, our synod's Director for Evangelical Mission will also assist us in this plan. Pray. Stand by. Step up. It's on !
10. GENERAL FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
- Over the years, all congregations have been asked "from time to time" to share a financial gift to the ELCA's LMM national campaign but to also share a gift to support the 4 "LOVE PROJECTS" of our Gulf Coast Synod LMM 1) Camp Lutherhill; 2) TLU; 3) Synod LYO; and 4) the mission of LMM's support staff. If your congregation has sent a gift this year...thank you... and if you have not will you please send a gift to Ps. Sam Brannon (mark "Gulf Coast LMM") at St. Paul's LC PO Box 267 Columbus, Texas 78934.
From time to time it is good for us to stop and check our oil, check our compass and see that we are on a path that leads to life and listen to the voice of the one who calls us from darkness into his marvelous light! It was no coincedence that Luther picked a 'rose' for his crest of faith!
One man @ a time; no man left behind,
Brian
Gulf Coast Men's Ministry Coordinator
