Rev Francisco Bilog1 Thessalonians 5:21
“But test everything; hold fast to what is good.” ––1 Thessalonians 5:21 –
To Help Men Grow In Christ, So Others May Know Christ.”––Mission of United Methodist Men.
Take a moment to ponder the mission of UM Men above. Even if an activity is purely social, it should have this mission at its heart. As we plan activities for the next 12 months, let’s take full advantage of every opportunity to connect men with Jesus Christ.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
Here are some quick ideas as to how you might weave disciple-making with the various activities.
ROUTINE MEETINGS:
1. Recruit someone to bring the devotion. Leave the subject open-ended, but ask him to close the devotion with a simple question such as, “How do you see yourself through this devotion?” Have a moment of silence for contemplation. Rotate devotional leaders.
2. Tie the agenda to the mission. Point out how various activities contribute to “helping men grow in Christ”.
3. Share a story from the UMM magazine at each meeting.
4. Close with a prayer led by rotating volunteers.
SERVICE PROJECTS:
1. Begin with a short devotion or prayer.
2. Point out how this service project is more than work and fellowship. Explain how the project brings the love of Jesus to others.
3. Close with thanksgiving and prayer. Ask participants if there are any prayer requests. You will be surprised at how this opens up opportunities to connect!
4. Hold a celebration dinner after the activity(ies) to honor participants. Invite a couple of volunteers to share short testimonies about how this service work served as a spiritual catalyst. Prior to the event, coach potential speakers in how to tie their service to others with their commitment to be used by God, and how to keep their messages tight and clear.
COOKING FOR OTHERS:
1. Hand out Index cards and pens with meal inviting folks to write down personal prayer requests. Requests may be anonymous or cards may include contact information if guests want to speak with someone.
2. Provide guests with slips of paper with a short scripture verse and hand-written words of encouragement.
3. Prior to meal preparation, tell volunteers how their work represents Jesus to others. Then share a short scripture like: Matthew 25:35 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me”
SPORTS:
1. Encourage key leaders to recruit additional players from the community and to reach out to those who seem to be less engaged.
2. Teach youth leaders how to spot young people who might need words of encouragement.
3. Following the games ask for prayer requests and close with a prayer that addresses those requests.
STUDIES:
1. Rotate facilitators to give a variety of men the opportunity to become more involved and engaged.
2. Pick a study that is easily understood and facilitated, not one that requires a biblical scholar. A DVD study with outline is often the best for this sort of activity.
3. Ask the facilitator to start with a short devotion, and close with prayer requests. Have a few leaders prepared to set the example by offering short, specific and personal prayer requests to get things going. Praying for Aunt Edna is fine, but men also must see leaders ask for personal prayers like: “I’m struggling with my relationship with my kids right now.”
These are just a few quick ideas, of course. My word of encouragement to you is to approach everything with the question: “How can we use this activity to advance the UMM mission?” Look for ways to add spiritual content to everything you do, but make them appropriate for the group, activity and opportunity.
For example, if you are serving a community meal, you would not want to submit this captive audience to a sermon. Plan ahead of time with your leaders––always coaching them to look for ways to fulfill the UMM mission in every activity.
You may not be able to introduce spiritual content to every activity, but you can always reach another man, and make a connection that may lead to other chances to share Christ.
Blessings,
(The Rev. Mark Lubbock, deployed staff member)
UM Men need a strong infrastructure,
United Methodist men need to build strong infrastructures to stand against destructive inner forces.
“The Great Wall of China was designed to keep out enemies.” However, soon after the wall was completed nomadic tribes entered the country without breaking or breaching the wall. “They bribed the gate keepers.”
“No matter how strong we build a fortress outside ourselves, if we don’t do anything about the enemies within we do nothing,”
A man needs three things for a strong infrastructure:
1. Become a man of faith.
“You must believe you are made in the image and likeness of God.” Growing up as a poor boy in the wilderness of Southern Philippines, Mindanao it was difficult to have a positive self-image. But a compliment on the quality of my voice helped him realize “God doesn’t “create any junk.”
2. Possess fidelity of heart.
“Be faithful in what God has asked you to do and do things that are above and beyond the call of duty.”. “Don’t fail to pick up a gum wrapper just because you aren’t the janitor. Don’t fail to pass out church bulletins just because you aren’t the usher. Be faithful to your commitment to Christ even when it calls for personal sacrifice.”
3. Have unshakeable love
The love shared between conference officers and prayer advocates gathering at this UMMO is building us.. “Men of all of all local churches are working together to make Christ a reality for all men no matter where they come from.”. “They are doing so even in the midst of deep
disagreements.”
Top of Form
Bottom of Form
A New Year’s Resolution that will transform the United Methodist Church
By Gil Hanke
What would transform each local church within our denomination? What activities have a proven track record that turn “pew sitters” into “disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world?” These are not new questions, and the core answer returns us to some basic premises of John Wesley as he understood the teachings and servant leadership of Jesus Christ. The delivery system of these basic tenants requires an update, but the answers are obvious.
Here are some assumptions:
1. Disciples are not made in worship services, but corporate worship is essential to being a disciple
2. Discipleship forms in small Christ centered groups that regularly meet, usually weekly
3. Discipleship focuses us on a growing relationship with Christ
4. Our Wesleyan roots require a balance in both personal and social holiness
5. Most discipleship groups are gender specific
6. Many discipleship groups are intergenerational
7. Some discipleship groups are formed for a particular study or from a particular event
8. Some discipleship groups form for a particular time frame
9. Many groups continue for years
10. Discipleship groups require some deliberate interaction with Scripture and with Prayer
What are the challenges with getting men into small groups?
1. Time
2. If they grow out of a particular event, adding new persons to the group can be difficult
3. Time
4. The group can get off track and become something that is not Christ centered or Wesleyan
5. Time
There is no shortage of materials for small groups. Some use fairly expensive materials that combine video and small group discussion, while some have only a set series of questions that each participant answers during each meeting. Many do some combination of materials, but cost should not be a limiting factor. Wesley began many of his small groups with the single question, “How is it with your soul?”
Are we inviting men with the right question?
How do we deal with the time issue? This is really a combination of issues. There is the time of the meeting, the time to get to and from the meeting. In larger cities the transportation time is a bigger issue. Maybe we are asking the wrong question. When we set up a group are we asking, “We want you in this small group, and we are going to meet at X (particular time) on every Y (particular day), at Z (particular place)?” Would we get further if we asked, “when could you meet, night or day?” Take the “where” out of the deal; take the travel time out of the deal. Focus on a meeting time. Then use the technology that is available. It could be a conference call, but more likely it will be a “hangout” on Google or a Skype call.
Technology is the best way to manage the “time” issue. It is also the best way to have men under 40 in your group. Because you are doing this online, does not mean you open this group to strangers lurking on the internet. This is using technology to connect with people you already know. This same group could decide that there is a special event they want to attend, or a local mission project they want to help with, so they can all get some “3D” time as well. The technology can also be used with a face to face meeting, for people who can meet, but can’t be at the meeting. Persons who travel a lot, or who move to another community can still stay connected.
If a pastor is asked, “What would you want the men of this church to do on a daily basis?” their answer would probably be:
1. Read the Bible
2. Pray
3. Celebrate where you see God at work
4. Find a way to deal with issues that challenge you
Here is a very simple format for a small group. Ask each man to read the Upper Room Daily Devotions every day. They can subscribe to small booklet, or have it sent to their phone, tablet, or computer every day. Each devotional includes the scripture and the prayer. In the meeting, ask “Which reading made the most sense to you this week? Which reading didn’t make sense to you this week? Where have you seen God at work this week? What is your plan to deal what is challenging you?” Groups typically meet for only one hour, and begin and end with prayer.
So as we start the new year, let us do what we can to start small groups of men who agree to read the Upper Room Daily Devotions each day and meet for up to one hour face to face in person or electronically. Let’s agree to transform the men of our churches. Let’s stop talking about the need for disciples and make some.
Gil Hanke is top staff executive of the General Commission on United Methodist Men