MEN’S MINISTRY YEAR ROUND ” A GATHERING OF LUTHERAN MEN AND THEIR FRIENDS NASHVILLE, TN SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2014 PASTOR BRIAN GIGEE, PEARLAND, TX / PRESENTER

“Rethinking…” Men’s Ministry for the 21st Century  ‘Men’s ministry isn’t rocket science. It’s harder. - Patrick Morley  Saturday AM Breakfast & Bible Study = ‘ training meal’  “We practice our faith so we have faith when we need faith”  This is not the only ‘training’ venue!  EVERY man in the congregation (Confirmation age and up) is LMM nation !  LONG HAUL ministry involves “seasons,” “projects,” and “a year round plan”  KEY: To get ‘bigger’ means to work ‘smaller’  “Church is ALWAYS one (1) generation away from extinction”

 Pastoral Ownership w/ LEAD MAN + Leader Team = Men’s Ministry  Congregational Inventory –Who are we? ( 5 kinds of men ) What needs do we have?  Develop and authentic mission plan  + PRAY + WORSHIP + STUDY + INVITE + ENCOURAGE + GIVE + SERVE +  CREATE Activities Calendar KEY INGREDIENTS

Dancer, TX pop 81 “W hat are you gonna do with your life?”

LMM Nation— Here, there & everywhere! “What kind of man do you want to be?”

The 5 kinds of men in our lives… …WE KNOW THEM--- THEY KNOW US! Are we looking for them? Are we looking out for them?  Non/believers / Un-believers/ Indifferent  Cultural Christians  Biblical Christians  Leaders of Men  The Hurting – this could be anyone of us at anytime ( including the pastor )

VALUES FOR 21st CENTURY MEN’S MINSTRY  We live in a time which demands:  moral courage  vision linked to optimism  HOPE  a sense of power to change ( in and around)  having a clear sense of destiny  concern for the environment  being passionate about a topic or cause  having enough conviction to attract others

Question? “ What must we do to shape our own destiny vs. reacting to the world around us?”  Did you see him glance at you?

Jesus said, “Take my yoke and learn from me; my yoke is easy & my burden is light.”

Start with the BIG Rocks…

What you have NOW!  A STEP… MAKE A LIST… SHORT OR LONG  ANOTHER STEP…  THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR VS. THE TV CALENDAR  A collision of will & purpose  Opportunities for “Work, Worship & Play”

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WENT TO THE GROCERY STORE AND SAW ANOTHER FROM CHURCH AND SAID, “HEY, I KNOW YOU...WE SANG A MIGHTY FORTRESS TOGETHER AT CHURCH LAST MONTH?” PROJECTS CAN INCLUDE:  SPONSORING AN AA GROUP AT YOUR CHURCH (AL-ANON/CYBER)  CONNECT WITH THRIVENT AND HABITAT FOR HUMANITY  SPONSOR A “MISSION” TRIP TO A “POVERTY” ZONE  HOST A SEMI-ANNUAL BLOOD BANK DRIVE  ·START A MEN’S SOFTBALL TEAM  HOST AN “APPRECIATION” BREAKFAST FOR THE WELCA  FIX UP THE EXTERIOR OF A ‘SENIOR’ MEMBER’S HOME  INSTALL A WHEELCHAIR RAMP IN A HOME OR OFFICE SITE  SHARE IN THE “WORK DAY” AT YOUR SYNOD CAMP

OR…  Organize a community wide “Frisbee Golf” tournament  Work with other community congregations to create a golf tourney to benefit the local food pantry or county “women’s /children” center  Randomly schedule “home invasions” for men in special or crises/urgent circumstances.  Look for moments to gather men for YOUR team… HS, NCAA, NFL, NBA, MLB, etc  Fishing trips lead to a Good Friday “fish fry” … OcT/NoV “Game Night” meal and speaker

…For every man to become a bold, daring follower of Jesus Christ.

GOD BLESS! GODSPEED… “What kind of man do you want to be?” “What kind of man do you want to walk with?”