Our Director of Men's Ministry have been talking and praying about the type of men's ministry that would be good for our church. Our church is multi-ethnic and so we also want to use material that is inclusive. We will be working with the football team so we need materials for young men. Through our prayers the Promise Keepers material has come to us as what we should be using as resources. I was happy to read RP's post about his experience. We also don't want to reinvent the wheel. What resources does our denomination have for men's ministry. Also could you share with me the types of activities your men's minstry does. Our men's ministry is called "Men of God" and we are excited that they will be co-sponsoring a pancake brunch for our college football team. Thank you my brothers for your help.

-- Anonymous, August 25, 2002

Answers

Hey Rev Denise,

At Oak Grove AME Church in Detroit, we have the Master's Men Ministry. Our former pastor, Presiding Prlate of the 15th Episcopal District, Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram actually wrote a book about the ministry. Some of the minsitries include (can't remember the exact names) church security, serving with the church day care, visting the sick, etc. We also host "Iron Sharpens Iron" quarterly, a for men only worship service where we fellowship with men of all denominations. We also host an annual fish fry which is billed as the largest fish fry in the city. You also may want to look at Bethel Baltimore (Men of Bethel).

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2002

Thank you my brother for the suggestions. Our director of Men's ministry and I are also looking for curriculum specifically for me. We will hsve service, projects, breakfasts etc. But I want the men to also have a time of learning about God that is gender specific. Thanks and it is great to hear from you!!!!

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2002

Rev. Rogers.

Please see the Sons of Allen -- Connectional Men's Fellowship--found on pages 83 and 451-455 of the AMEC Discipline 2000. If you need additional information I will be more than happy to assist you since I am a past District Director of the Sons of Allen.

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2002

Oh I forgot my music How is that possible?.SMILE.

The Sons of Allen also have our own Hymn with words I believe written by Bishop Talbot. If you cannot find this I will also locate and send you a copy of the hymn.

-- Anonymous, August 28, 2002

Greetings Rev. Rogers I will agree that mens ministries are needed. And it is good to get materials from different folks such as the promise keepers. It is great you will be working with the local football team. But before you start any ministry weather to men, woman or children. It would be wise to throw away all your ideas and seek the Lords ideas. It is his church. You never know he may want you to go minister to the poor, the homeless or the outcast. You may be ask to get your hands dirty, you may even be ask to give a helping hand or and caring ear. The ministry of Christ is about becomeing involved in the real world problems of real people. Like a child that has no bed! Or a woman who has no food to feed her children. Real ministry is about walking in love. Not just working with the local football heros. Ministry starts by befriending the lost,the down trodden and the broken hearted. When you are out there making those pancakes you may want to seek a person who is hungry. And go feed them like Jesus said. Our boss is the Word of God. If you do not want to reinvent the wheel. That is fine, but it has been my experence that God demands that we reinvent the wheel all the times. The greatest witness to the lost is your witness. And if your church is not producing a witness in the area of the church. It can only be because of two things. Either you do not have a witness or you hide your witness with in the walls of the church building. Build a witness then the ministry will come. Do what Jesus said and he will open the doors. Obidence is the price. If you want to play chuch go tell it to the foot ball team. If you want to be the church then let you witness be to the poor, the naked,the elderly, those in jail, the broken hearted, the down troden and the fatherless. These are who we are called to ministry to. That is who we start with. Not the popular local football team. If you want to be a jock, go be a jock. If you want to bring Christ into the lives of folks. Then stop picking the cream of the crop and having a fun time at you pancake breakfest. Christ is your example show me we he rejected any of the people i have named. Christ did not say go build up the foot ball team. What Christ did is forsake the ways of the world. Now sence the world is draw to the high life of the football game and the glammer of that none-sence you would think you may want to rethink were Christ has called to serve.

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2003

Brother Andrews,

You obviously don't know who you are addressing.

Rev. Rogers (or should I say Pastor Rogers) doesn't make a move without consulting the Lord.

I believe your comments were made in the spirit of love, but please don't assume that anyone on this board blindly jumps into ministries. If God did not want her to reach out the football players, he would close the door.

That being said (it's thanksgiving and I'm watching my tone), let's drop some science on 'ya:

• The reason families are homeless is because MEN didn't step up.


• The reason drugs and gang violence continue to claim our young black men is because OLDER MEN didn't step up.


• The reason our women are still abused in 2003 is because MEN DON'T STEP UP.


• The reason our churches and this planet are going to hell in a handbasket is because MEN WON'T STAND UP.

I find it distressing and amusing that a WOMAN (no offense to ANY of my sisters) has to start a MEN's ministry, but that just proves my point.

Brothers: GOYADS!

-- Anonymous, November 27, 2003