I thought we had a very important and timely discussion this morning about men's ministry, our small group, and how to make it good, better, best, etc. I am concerned that the current format is too laid back, not focused, not intentional, and not challenging. While I think its phenomenal to just hang out and discuss life, politics, golf, or whatever - I think its important as a New Life Church small group to have some real ministry (whatever that means).
The organized men's ministry at the church, for some reason, is attended mostly by 50+ men with grown kids. While that would be extremely beneficial from a mentoring standpoint to guys in our group and others in our demographic, it just doesn't appeal to me (us) for a fellowship / freindship-based small group. We don't have the time in our busy schedules to dedicate a night every week away from home - mostly because a lot of us try as best we can to give our hard-working wife a break from the daily struggles of mommy-hood after beeing gone all day at work, in addition to other small groups and commitments (T-ball, ballet, soccer, etc.) we have during the rest of the week. And there may just be a cultural gap. To use perhaps a poor analogy with Christian music, the older generation is still listening to The Imperials or Petra while we're jamming out to Switchfoot or Falling Up.
Whatever the reason, I think we should expand a little beyond our current format of idle chatter with the occasional prayer request or thematic discussion of the book we're reading. Let's take turns hosting the guys once a month for a more focused time of "ministry". Whoever is hosting will be in charge of a devotional time or a testimony as to what God is doing in his life. I'll bring my guitar and we can have a time for worship (that's means I have to dust it off and practice, I guess). And we should have food and maybe a movie. We could also meet for pizza or bowling or a hockey game, or a game of touch football, or a trip up the incline, or even bring all our kids to a park, which would serve the double purpose of giving our wife a break from the kids AND meeting for manly fellowship.
I will try and be more organized with all of these changes so that we can be sure and put plans on the calendar way ahead of time.
Strength and Honor
Friday, August 22, 2008
Our Fall 2008 book
This fall we will be reading Safely Home by Randy Alcorn, a work of fiction concerning the Chinese church. First discussion over chapter 1 September 5th. I found a copy at the library.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
New Beginnings
Okay, so I had high aspirations about the group blog. Obviously, it did not match my desire to keep it updated - which was extremely low. But, now is a time for new beginnings.
Since I am re-dedicating my passion for this blog, I thought I'd also kick around the idea of re-energizing the group format a little. Is it just me or has it been a little dull lately? My fault entirely as the Group's leader. Help me out, though... What is our purpose for meeting? Is it for the quick 3 minute prayer we (I, anyway) begrudgingly get to right before we all split? How can we make it more purposeful - especially since we are "Men of Purpose." Should we try and meet evenings once or twice a month for a more focused time of "ministry" (whatever that is), with worship and more discipleship, fellowship, etc? I feel like there is something missing that will take us to the next level. I want to be in a group that is passionate about being a man of integrity, passionate about being godly husbands and fathers, passionate about destroying the things in our lives that don't measure up to God's will. And I absolutely need other guys to sustain that passion in me - I can only assume that you all need that as well.
I welcome your suggestions, feedback, criticism, help, etc. There is such a great need for men's ministry for our demographic (mid 30's w/ kids) that is not being met by the current men's ministry, in my opinion. Why is that? How can we make it more accessible, more enjoyable, more worthwhile, more exciting, more indispensible? We need to brainstorm this this week. Hope you all can make it.
Strength and Honor,
Steve
Since I am re-dedicating my passion for this blog, I thought I'd also kick around the idea of re-energizing the group format a little. Is it just me or has it been a little dull lately? My fault entirely as the Group's leader. Help me out, though... What is our purpose for meeting? Is it for the quick 3 minute prayer we (I, anyway) begrudgingly get to right before we all split? How can we make it more purposeful - especially since we are "Men of Purpose." Should we try and meet evenings once or twice a month for a more focused time of "ministry" (whatever that is), with worship and more discipleship, fellowship, etc? I feel like there is something missing that will take us to the next level. I want to be in a group that is passionate about being a man of integrity, passionate about being godly husbands and fathers, passionate about destroying the things in our lives that don't measure up to God's will. And I absolutely need other guys to sustain that passion in me - I can only assume that you all need that as well.
I welcome your suggestions, feedback, criticism, help, etc. There is such a great need for men's ministry for our demographic (mid 30's w/ kids) that is not being met by the current men's ministry, in my opinion. Why is that? How can we make it more accessible, more enjoyable, more worthwhile, more exciting, more indispensible? We need to brainstorm this this week. Hope you all can make it.
Strength and Honor,
Steve
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