June 2014 Mens Ministry

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I just returned from being a part of the Tri-Annual Meeting of the International Association of Methodist related Schools, Colleges and Universities, held in Hiroshima, Japan.

 

While we were there some of the people I traveled with attended a baseball game in Hiroshima.

 

They told me that one of the striking differences between Japanese baseball players and American baseball players is that when the pitcher "brushes" back the hitter in Japan, the hitter does not respond with angry outburst or intimidating moves toward the pitcher's mound like players in the United States.

 

Japanese players take it in stride as if it is just another part of the game.

 

We in the good ol' U.S. of A know that it is a game tactic, but we have been socialized to see it as a hostile move and that the proper response is a hostile one.

 

We are just being "picked on" and we must respond in anger.

 

But, what if we saw brush backs as growth opportunities?

If we could view a brush back not as an opportunity to defend ourselves maybe we could improve our ability, dust ourselves off, get up, get a hit, and do something positive with our lives.

 

Lord knows––I've had my share of brush-back pitches, and I haven't always responded well, but I'm determined now to gather myself, try to compose myself, get my wits and notice how I might learn from this.

 

I hear Job speaking to us

 

"Surely he knows my way; when he tests me, I will emerge as gold."
––Job 23:10 CEB)

 

Blessings.

 

Bishop James E. Swanson, Sr.
President of the General Commission on UM Men
bishop@mississippi-umc.org

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The church where we attend in the Nashville area has begun a program described as a "Journey to Celebrate our Membership Vows."

 

We are using several resources to help us become more faithful in our "prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness."

 

So for the last few weeks I have been teaching ENOUGH by Adam Hamilton. I recommend this to you, for yourself, a small group experience, or a church-wide study; it is excellent.

 

In one of the sessions he discusses "Cultivating Contentment" and quotes James Mackintosh, a Scottish philosopher of the late 18th and early 19th centuries:

 

 

Hamilton goes on to point out we are content with our limited prayer life, our meager giving, our stagnant relationship with Christ, and discontent with what we accumulate because we always want more.

 

We have things backwards; we should never be content with our membership vows- those should always be part of an on-growing journey. And we have more stuff than we need, but still feel we "need" more.

 

The conflict here makes us miserable.

 

But Hamilton states our consumerism gives us a choice between two tents; you can choose content or discontent.

 

Each of us knows which tent is better for us and who is more pleasant to be around. For those who are content, the glass is at least half full; for those who choose discontent the glass is half empty, the water is polluted and the glass has a crack in it.

 

I met a woman on a recent kayak outing, and she stated her company refers to those persons who are in the discontent group as C.A.V.E. dwellers (Citizens Against Virtually Everything).

 

I'm going to choose this week to cultivate contentment. I am going to choose to thank God for the gifts He has lent me, and strive to improve in areas that bring me closer to Him.

 

Why don't you join me in the tent?

 

Gil Hanke, general secretary
General Commission on United Methodist Men
GHanke@gcumm.org

 

 

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It's 2014 and we are at half time. There is still hurt and need close to you. Your game plan may need some adjustments. It's time to listen to our coach and respond the way he wants us to respond. He knows the outcome.

 

In Hebrews 12:1-2 we are encouraged by these words:

 

 

He endured the cross, ignoring the shame, for the sake of the joy that was laid out in front of him, and sat down at the right side of God's throne.

 

As we approach the second half of 2014 know that I am proud of you and I pray for you. We can win this thing for Jesus Christ.

 

Let's make a difference. Let God make a difference in your third and fourth quarter of 2014. That's where we get our strength and direction.

 

Thinking of you!

 

Dan Ramsey, president
National Association of Conference Presidents
dramseyjr@sbcglobal.net

 

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Scouting for Boyswas written by Lord Robert Baden-Powell, a famous British general, in 1908. It is the fourth best-selling book of the 20th century. Baden-Powell is credited with founding the Scout movement by incorporating aspects of his military and camping experiences. His vision for developing young boys into leaders has withstood the test of time.

 

After learning about the Scout movement while on a visit to England, prominent businessman William D. Boyce founded the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) in 1910.

 

Church-sponsored units bring with it a degree of ownership: approving leaders and providing as a safe meeting place. Today religious institutions account for 72 percent of all BSA units.

 

There are several reasons for this phenomenon.

 

One of the primary reasons has been that many denominations view scouting as an evangelistic tool and/or an outreach program serving the community.

 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) use scouting as their official youth program. The LDS Church is the largest charter organization of the BSA followed by the UMC. Over 349,000 youth, mostly boys, meet weekly in 10,700 units in 6,700 United Methodist churches, or approximately 20 percent of all congregations.

 

Over 17 percent of youth in scouting experience church for the first time through membership in a Cub Scout pack or a Boy Scout troop. Additionally, surveys conducted in UM churches indicate that approximately 50 percent of youth that meet in these units come from un-churched families. The presence of these unchurched youth provide an opportunity to invite their families into the church and into discipleship.

 

One of the key points for a church is reflected in the 12th point of the Scout Law, "A Scout is Reverent."

 

Although scouting is a secular organization it is grounded in tenets that reflect a recognition and reverence for God. Baden-Powell mentioned "duty to God" in Scouting for Boys and subsequent BSA publications provide more detailed references.

 

Churches may be intentional about how they integrate the Christian faith into the lives of boys in Scout units. For example, steering Scouts to mission projects on the trail to becoming an Eagle Scout is an effective method for developing principled Christian leaders at young ages.

 

An intentional discipleship committee of the church would be wise to incorporate scouting into its strategic planning for evangelism.

 

Larry Coppock, national director of scouting ministries and director of the Strength for Service Publication Fund
General Commission on United Methodist Men
LCoppock@gcumm.org

 

 

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Whose responsibility is it to disciple a man?

 

Is it the church's responsibility?

 

Or is it a man's responsibility to disciple himself?

 

The answers are "yes" and "yes."

 

In regards to it being the church's responsibility to disciple a man, I offer the following:

 

Jesus told the eleven to "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
––Matthew 28: 19-20

 

As leaders of "the way" the disciples followed Jesus' command.

 

The church grew from those small numbers in the first century to a world-wide faith community in the 21st century.

 

The commandment found in Matthew 28 remains the major part of the church's mission, vision, values and goal-setting strategies.

 

As representatives of men who lead our churches today, we must take––with dead seriousness––the responsibility to create environments in which men have the opportunity to have their hearts warmed to the presence God.

 

These disciple-making environments should be created both within the walls of church buildings and on the streets and in marketplaces of our communities.

 

So, yes, the church does have a responsibility to disciple men. In fact, I believe the church owns 50 percent of the discipleship responsibility.

 

That being stated, our men are responsible for the other 50 percent charge to transform themselves into the likeness of Jesus.

 

Jesus commanded us to "make disciples," but the adages: "You can't bring what you don't have" and "You can't do what you don't know," ring true.

 

Men need some skin in the game!

 

Men who become effective change agents in the lives of others, must first be managers of their own lives. They have to want to do it; we can't make them into who we want them to be.

 

But, I also know our men will not be successful in achieving their 50 percent stake in this journey of being like Jesus if they try to do it alone.

 

Men need to commit their behaviors and actions to those who will support their becoming disciples of Jesus and not just followers and consumers.

 

If we are to be witness to more men of all ages who will walk with Jesus, it will be the servant leaders in our churches who will lead this charge of change.

 

It will be the servant leaders who help men see Jesus in other men as a "want-to" and not a "have-to" behavior.

 

So, it is indeed the church's responsibility to obey God's will in creating environments both within their walls and in the streets so all followers can experience God's presence in their lives.

 

It is equally the charge of these men, women and children to gather in social community so they can become equipped to grow and go into the world as models of His love and grace.

 

Jim Boesch, deployed staff member
General Commission on United Methodist Men
jboesch@gcumm.org

 

 

 

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A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.
- Psalm 68:5

 

Opportunities abound for fellowship and fun during the summer. Now is the time to grow your men's fellowship and make an impact for Christ.

 

Why not look for ways to both enjoy the summer and bless others in your community? How about activities that are fun and that are suitable to reach youth in single-parent homes in disadvantaged neighborhoods? They would love to have someone take interest in them.

 

The easiest way to do this is to hold a group activity that both youth and men will enjoy. It becomes a win-win for all!

 

A few of the things you might consider sponsoring:

Be sure to obtain the appropriate church and parental permissions. Check with your church authorities for such activities and permission forms.

 

Now is the time to strengthen your group while ministering to the community.

 

Blessings,

 

The Rev. Mark Lubbock, deployed staff member
General Commission on United Methodist Men
mlubbock@gcumm.org

 

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