Get in the Game - March 2005

Resources
to Disciple Men

Just think of all the hours many men spend commuting to and from work every week. What could happen in our churches if those men redeemed that time and used it to grow as disciples of Christ?

Man in the Mirror has a series of CDs designed for that very purpose. Why not purchase one or two of these series for your church and make it available to your men!! If you do buy them, think strategically about getting them into the hands of your men. Don't just stick them in your church library with a note in the bulletin!

Drive Time for Dads Toolkit
Patrick Morley
18 Audio/Video CD's for Dad's. This collection is perfect for the man who spends a lot of time in the car. Kit includes: "Family and the Man in the Mirror" (3 CD's), "Success and the Man in the Mirror" (3 CD's) and "12 tasks for an Effective Father" (12 CD's) Price $71.10
click to order

Drive Time for Husbands Toolkit
Patrick Morley
Use your time in the car effectively with 18 teachings directed at husbands. Kit Includes: "Work and the Man in the Mirror" (3 CD's), "Sex and the Man in the Mirror (3 CD's) and "Husband in the Mirror" (12 CD's). Price $71.10
click to order

Drive Time for Spiritual
Disciplines Toolkit
Patrick Morley
Develop a deeper life with God with this toolkit! Kit Includes: "Prayer and the Man in the Mirror" (3 CD's), "God and the Man in the Mirror" (3 CD's) and "Spiritual Disciplines" (12 CD's) Price $71.10
click to order

NEWS RELEASE for Men’s Ministry in the PCA

A new monthly men’s ministry e-newsletter has been developed for PCA men who are interested in discipleship ministry in the local church. Christian Education and Publications in conjunction with Man In The Mirror is providing this new resource for men in the PCA.

The newsletter is called “Get In The Game”. As the recipient of this first edition we are asking you to PLEASE FORWARD this to the appropriate men in your church who might like to subscribe to receive this by e-mail each month. There is no cost to receiving this e-newsletter. Thank you for your help in getting the word out to men in your local church.

Greetings PCA Brothers in Christ,

This e-letter is the first of its kind in the PCA directed toward men who want to disciple other men, and help one another grow in Christ. This endeavor is a joint project of CE/P and Man In The Mirror (MIM). Both organizations are very much committed to training, equipping, and providing resources to local churches in their mission of reaching and discipling men for Christ. It has been felt for a long time that there needs to be a network, if not an organizational structure, for men to belong to in the PCA.

As you read Pat Morley’s comments below you will see the magnitude of the battle men face. It shows that men need each other in following Jesus Christ the Captain of their salvation. Hence we have issued the call to “Get in the Game.” Click here to sign up for this new monthly e-newsletter. If you know of others in your church, who should be receiving it please forward this letter to them as well. We would like to have at least one “go-to-guy” in each church to champion the cause and sign on to receive “Get In The Game” e-letter. Gary Yagel who is a Teaching Elder in the Potomac Presbytery will be working with CE/P staff in putting together the monthly e-letter. Gary has extensive experience both in pastoral ministry as well as discipling men.

We envision seeing men who are already in men’s ministry grow in their enthusiasm for leading other men into the battle for winning their families, their churches, and their communities to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ. We also want to hear about some of your game strategies, and game players in this great endeavor.

CE/P’s prayer is that “Get In The Game” will help you be a better disciple-making coach and player. Now it’s time to get into the Playbook. Read on.

The Case for a Men's Discipleship Program

There is raging all around us a battle for men's souls. Men are under siege as husbands, fathers, workers, citizens, and churchmen. Many have already failed.

For every 10 men in today's church...

9 will have kids who leave the church (1)
8 will not find their jobs satisfying (2)
6 pay the monthly minimum on their credit card balances (3)
5 have a major problem with pornography (4)
4 will get divorced affecting 1,000,000 children per year (5)
only 1 has a biblical worldview (6)
all 10 will struggle to balance work and family

When a man fails it sets powerful forces of bondage and brokenness in motion. It can take several generations to break the cycle.

As America staggers beneath the load of a 100 major problems like divorce, fatherlessness, poverty, pornography, adultery, abortion, disrespect for authority, ethical failures, and truancy-where have the men gone? Where are the men? What has happened to our men? (click here to continue reading this article by Pat Morley)

A Healthy Church (A Layman's Letter to His Pastor)

Dear Pastor,

As I was sitting in church on Sunday, I decided to write you this letter. When the service began, this is what I found myself thinking...

I'm here, pastor, I'm here. I worked 55 hours this week (that's five days from 8 to 6 and 2 hours every night after the kids went to bed), slept 48 hours (I'm short one whole night), spent Saturday morning shuttling between soccer games, worked Saturday afternoon on the yard, took my wife to dinner Saturday night, and now here I am on Sunday morning.

All week long the world has told me to buy everything from computers to cars, and to want everything from more sex to more fun. My boss is not happy with me, nor I with him. My spouse appreciates my problems, but she has problems of her own. She's frustrated that I don't spend enough time with the family, but doesn't complain about the money. Besides, I can't share many of my struggles with her-like sexual temptations, work overload, and how to cover all these bills. The kids need more of me, but it's not like they can really tell the difference-I've always shorted them.

Meanwhile, I read my Bible and prayed four mornings this week-a total of one hour. I don't wake up in the morning wanting to fail. My intentions are good, but I still fall short.

Because I love you so much and want the best for you, I decided to write a letter and share my thoughts about our church. I'm only speaking for myself, but here are ten things I think most of us men really need. (click here to continue reading this article by Pat Morley)

Building a Sustainable Men's Ministry

Step 1: Find 1-3 Men's Ministry "Go to Guys"

"Developing a lasting men's ministry in your church starts with leadership. Nothing in ministry, or all of life for that matter, happens without leadership. Until you have a man willing to lead your men's ministry, you will have a difficult time getting it started. In fact, you may want to hold off starting your ministry until you have your point man in place." Chip MacGregor, Effective Men's Ministry

A great way to begin to identify those who could lead your men's ministry is to think through 3-5 potential men's ministry champions and send them a copy of this e-letter with a suggestion that they consider subscribing to it, and becoming part of a men's ministry leadership team. Then, see which men respond.

From this group, look for 1-3 men to be the leaders of the men's ministry. One man can take the initiative to build a team around him. But since 2 are better than one and a 3 fold bond is not easily broken, 2 or 3 men sharing the leadership role is ideal.

Here are 5 key qualities to look for in considering a men's ministry "Go to Guy"

One who models faithful discipleship as a follower of Christ. This is mostly a matter of direction not perfection, but leaders should be a reasonable way down the path to spiritual maturity. They don't have to be ready to be elders; but they should be headed that way.

Humility. Humility is reflected in having a supportive attitude towards the pastor and leadership of the church, and in having a teachable spirit. It desires to honor and encourage others, and views the goal of ministry as glorifying God.

A servant's heart. Men don't need one more person in their life to nag them or lay a guilt trip on them. If the tone of men's ministry is to "straighten them out," it will fail. Using men to accomplish their men's ministry agenda will quickly be detected.

Initiative. Leaders are self-motivated. They act. Pastors and elders do not have the time to keep pushing men's ministry leaders to do something.

Passion. Those with leadership gifts by definition are self-motivated; but if they don't have a passion for men's ministry they will move on to some other ministry. Men's ministry is tough. If it were easy, more churches would be successful at it. The only leaders who will show the endurance it takes to build a strong, sustainable men's ministry will be those with a fire in their belly for men's ministry.

PCA Men's Ministry News

The March issue of Equip for Ministry is focused on Men's Ministry and contains timely thoughts from:

Charles Dunahoo Coordinator CE&P

Pete Alwinson Pastor Willow Creek Presbyterian Church

Patrick Morely Founder Man in the Mirror

Richard Aeschliman Resource Coordinator CE&P

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Presbyterian Church in America
Christian Education and Publications
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Phone: 678.825.1100 Fax: 678.825.1101 Email: cep@pcanet.org