Welcome to the March/April issue of Equip for Ministry. This is an exciting one for us because we are promoting men’s ministry and announcing some resources to help local churches develop and coordinate and intentional men’s ministry. The lead articles by Peter Awlison and Pat Morley introduce you to Man in Mirror ministry with whom we will be cooperating. Peter is a PCA teaching elder and Pat is a PCA member in Orlando and the founder of Man in the Mirror ministry. Many of you will know of Pat Morley because of his books (Seven Seasons of a Man’s Life, Coming Back to God, etc.).

They have offered to assist us and provide resources through Christian Education and Publications to PCA churches interested in developing or redesigning their local men’s ministry. Now is a key time for Christian men to come together for mutual growth, accountability, and ministry. Husbands and fathers need encouragement. They also need to make themselves available for ministry in the church. Working with MIM, CE&P will be able to offer good resources that can be effectively used by local churches to take their men’s ministry to the next level or to help organize that ministry.

We are increasingly aware of the need to encourage the men to become kingdom disciples. One of the ways that can happen is through a local men’s ministry. In the “In Case You’re Asked” section, we expand on this and give a bit of the history relating to men’s ministry in the PCA. We have numerous testimonies from churches involved in men’s ministry. Their consistent conclusions are that men’s ministry is one of the major keys to growing a viable and healthy church.

Time is one of the biggest challenges facing men today. There are so many demands and often so little time to do important things. Work, family, church, social contacts, personal growth and development are all important, but knowing how to manage and budget time for each takes discipline, prayer, and commitment. Learning how to apply God’s truth to all of those aspects requires much energy and effort.

For fathers and husbands, God has provided wives and mothers to help you be what God wills you to be. But we also need other men for that task. We have to minister to one another, helping each of us to know how “to think God’s thoughts after him” and live as kingdom men. Knowing how our faith and commitment to Christ impacts our total life is vital to living the kind of life that God would have us do. As an outgrowth of our personal growth in grace, men need to come together and do the work of ministry. God never intended for us to be “Lone Ranger” Christians. He created us with a need to be ministered to as well as to minister in return.

CE&P is committed to challenging and helping our churches have viable men’s ministries. Man in the Mirror resources are being used in many churches, and we have found those involved in that ministry equipped to compliment and augment our ministry. We commend them to you.

In this issue we also have listed a number of training events scheduled for the next several months. Because of our focus on men’s ministry in this issue, John Stott’s book on Christian leadership will be worth both a personal read as well as group study. It comes from the opening chapters of 1 Corinthians. Also, to help you, as men understand something of the world in which we live, Brad Bright’s book, God is the Issue gives a easy to read analysis of today’s culture. I think you will agree with the author that God is the issue. We have also chosen to comment on a new book on marriage and family. It is filled with much food for thought in seeking to understand God’s plan and will for our marriages and family life. The book Kingdom of Christ is worth reading, especially if you want to learn more about early to mid-20^th century thinking on the Kingdom. Though pastors and teachers will find much rich material in this book, each Christian needs to think more seriously and carefully about the Kingdom. Our focus at CE&P is “making kingdom disciples.” That topic very dear to the heart of God and this new book will enhance your study and understanding of his Kingdom, including what that means for us as his kingdom people.

Equip for Ministry is designed particularly for those of you involved in leadership roles in the local church, officers, leaders in the women’s ministry, children and youth leaders, Sunday school teachers, pastors. The content and advertising are chosen carefully to help keep you aware of the resources available to you in your task. We make every effort to be selective, realizing your limited time. Our bookstore staff is available to assist you with resources at 1.800.283.1357 or www.cepbookstore.com. Our staff and regional trainers are here to assist you as well. We encourage you to visit our website, for more specifics about CE&P’s ministry toward making kingdom disciples.

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