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Godmen - 2/9/2007 11:38:42 AM
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FolkSingerBlues
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I have recently found out about a movement called "Godmen" that is really addressing the needs and issues that Christian men are facing.
They have a pretty interesting approach to all of it and it encourages honesty.
Some of you may be interested in it too.
They have an event coming up in Nashville TN.
Check out their website Godmen and let's talk about it.
I was skeptical of the first event they had back in November, but have grown extremely interested since that time.
_____________________________
My Blog
Proof texting is a very dangerous thing...If we were given the Scriptures it was to humble us into realizing God is right and the rest of us are just guessing.
-Rich Mullins
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RE: Godmen - 2/9/2007 3:01:46 PM
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kljohnson77
Posts: 73
Joined: 12/28/2006
From: North Central Texas
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quote:
ORIGINAL: FolkSingerBlues
I have recently found out about a movement called "Godmen" that is really addressing the needs and issues that Christian men are facing.
They have a pretty interesting approach to all of it and it encourages honesty.
Some of you may be interested in it too.
They have an event coming up in Nashville TN.
Check out their website Godmen and let's talk about it.
I was skeptical of the first event they had back in November, but have grown extremely interested since that time.
Beware of going "movement" to "movement"--large "praise gatherings" and "exciting worship bands" does not make a man godly. It's sort of like living from summer camp to summer camp. We are to be godly men where we are at whenever we are there and no matter what we are doing. Going to a "movement" gathering may be uplifting for a time but it is not a life lived to the Lord. I remember "Promisekeepers" and the "promises" that it was supposed to hold (I was even at the million-man gathering in DC) and that it is now gone. I am not against attending gatherings and camps, but they are patches in the narrow way.
< Message edited by kljohnson77 -- 2/9/2007 5:30:33 PM >
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RE: Godmen - 2/9/2007 5:18:02 PM
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FolkSingerBlues
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kljohnson77
I remember Promise Keepers too. I wasn't impressed with them.
This things kinda scared me a bit at first because a few of the people associated with it were also associated with Promise Keepers.
Over all it's set up to be a "let's get this out on the table" kind of thing.
The last one had it's share of criticism, especially due to the fact that they weren't going to try and inhibit the language that people were going to use. With that said it wasn't a "free for all", the just wanted the inhibition to talk freely to be taken out of all of it.
_____________________________
My Blog
Proof texting is a very dangerous thing...If we were given the Scriptures it was to humble us into realizing God is right and the rest of us are just guessing.
-Rich Mullins
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RE: Godmen - 2/9/2007 5:26:45 PM
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timothypalla
Posts: 70
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From: The Gateway State aka The Buckeye State
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quote:
Check out their website...and let's talk about it
Okay, FolkSinger. Here's what I got off their website...
quote:
The truth is that on any given Sunday, 60% of church attendees are women, and something about church today is keeping men away. We are attempting to create a worship place for men that looks nothing like church. It is a place where men of no religion and men who have left the church break bread with followers of Jesus. Where simply being a man, created in Gods image, is celebrated. An environment familiar with and conducive to the way men are made comfortable and the unique way men interact.
Too many red flags for me. People forget that there are more women in the world than men. Women live longer (that's why we have more widows than widowers) and this could be a simple reason for the "60%" statistic--if it's even true.
What's wrong with the way church looks? Man, I love my church!
It seems to me that "men of no religion" don't go to church because church is for believers.
Is Godmen an evangelistic crusade of sorts?
Is celebrating manhood something that God is concerned about?
Are men to be searching for a "comfort zone"? I thought everyone was telling us to get out of our "comfort zone."
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We have committed to see what would happen if, for one day, our faith and its struggles would be discussed with absolute honesty, transparency and openness - not sugar coated or framed in church language but instead spoken in frankness and maturity where men can see their innermost fears, shames, and secrets brought to light in a safe environment. Not for judgment but instead to reveal a commonality of unique male struggles shared with their own tribe, a band of brothers who promise to walk this journey with them to the end.
Pardon me, but I must be living too far out in Po-Dunkville. These people don't know what would happen if they discussed their faith with openness and honesty? Com'on! Is this for real? Wait a minute, these men are of "no religion." That could explain a few things.
Sugar coated? "Secrets brought to light in a safe environment"? Wow, I guess I'm one of those fools who believes that the Work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God is sufficient to do all this stuff. What planet am I on?
These guys are promising to "walk this journey with [me] to the end." Of what...? the meeting? Saturday at 5:00? will I ever see them again? hear from them? are they true friends? will I be discipled by any of them on a regular basis? Probably not, since this "congregation" is made up of men who are "of no religion" and who have "left the church." Wow, where will they be when I need them? Will they look me in the eye a few times a week and share the Word of God with me.... oh wait, no. They will be celebrating manhood with me. Hmmmm... No thanks, I prefer my "manhood celebrations" to be non-public.
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Hosted by comedian
Verrrrry interesting... (clowns and free balloons too?)
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This is a place of worship where we engage in laughter for laughter's sake, music for the sake of music, and male-specific elements that let guys be guys.
Not MY idea of worship... but hey, let me check my Bible again, maybe I've missed something... Nope, I didn't miss anything. If this is what their worship looks like maybe they should call it "godmen" (using a lowercase "g").
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...we provide audience-speaker dialogue and interaction in order to teach men how to shoulder each others’ burdens, never to be alone again.
I thought that was why I married a "help meet." (?)
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Our ultimate desire is to encourage men to leave committed to daily acts of courage, guiding them into a new and fresh journey.
This is good...very good. But I have kids. You wouldn't believe the daily acts of courage I'm called upon to demonstrate. I bet I could win against them in a "one-up" contest. I wonder, do daily acts of courage and the "fresh journey" involve prayer, Scripture study, and/or the employment of my spiritual gifts in my local church?
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Does this resonate with you and your search for meaning and truth?
Not at all. Heavens no! I have my own Bible (several of them). I can read it (and rightly divide it) all by myself, too. I know what struggles I face and I know where to go to get them resolved. Don't need a cheerleader.
The Holy Spirit is more than capable of teaching me, guiding me, feeding me, strengthening me, and giving me victory. So far, He's done a magnificent job! I trust Him, Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father. They were sinless. Surely they know more truth than some "moderating comedian" I've never heard of before. How do I know I can trust any of the speakers for that matter?
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We don't want you....we need you.
Hey, I'm starting to feel warm and fuzzy over here. Maybe they do need "someone" or "something," but I fail to see why I would need THEM.
Okay, there. For whatever it's worth, I talked about it.
Wait, there's one more thing. The Home page has this quote from the LA Times:
quote:
A contrarian movement where thousands of Christian men are reaching for more forceful, more rugged expressions of their faith.
True Bible preaching/believing churches are the minority in the world today. Is this "Movement" really "contrarian" or are they going down the same "broad road" with the rest of the world--just disguising it as a Christian movement?
I'll be anxious to see how "forceful, more rugged" their expressions of faith become after the seminar. Maybe they'll all surrender to God's calling to become missionaries? If that happens, they've got 100% of my support!
< Message edited by timothypalla -- 2/10/2007 4:22:59 PM >
_____________________________
Abiding in His wonderful grace,
Timothy Palla
tpalla@rocketmail.com
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RE: Godmen - 2/10/2007 10:32:44 PM
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FolkSingerBlues
Posts: 440
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quote:
Too many red flags for me. People forget that there are more women in the world than men. Women live longer (that's why we have more widows than widowers) and this could be a simple reason for the "60%" statistic--if it's even true.
While there may be more women in the world than men it still doesn't explain why there is a lack of men and their involvement/leadership in our churches. I thought that Jesus explained in the Sermon on the Mount that His church was to be the exception not the rule. (We are to be "salty")
There isn't a complaint about women attending church, nor should there be. The men behind Godmen are trying to address the issue of the "...something about church today is keeping men away."
If your church has plenty of men willing to do the work and leadership in the church you pastor/attend I dare say your church in the EXCEPTION to the rule.
quote:
It seems to me that "men of no religion" don't go to church because church is for believers.
Is Godmen an evangelistic crusade of sorts?
I simply pose the question:
Isn't this the perfect reason to reach out to "men of no religion in a "non-traditional" way.
Godmen has an evangelistic goal as well.
quote:
Is celebrating manhood something that God is concerned about?
If "celebrating manhood" searches out "lost sheep" of course he's concerned about it, and would totally support it.
Is celebrating "manhood" something God is opposed to? We are in fact very different from women. We were delegated in God's purpose with a different responsibility than women, not better, DIFFERENT. Why shouldn't we focus on our "identity" as men while addressing our purpose. After all, there are many women's ministries. Why? Because women have special needs, men do too.
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Are men to be searching for a "comfort zone"? I thought everyone was telling us to get out of our "comfort zone."
I'm not sure what context you are presenting this question.
In the Christian sense of "our" yes, we should get out of our "comfort zones". I think that is exactly what Godmen is attempting to do. They are taking a different approach.
If the context is that men in "general" should get out of our comfort zone, it seems this is being addressed too. The challenge to men, both Christian and "non-religious" are encouraged to bring their struggles to "the table".
How can either of these two things be the wrong direction.
quote:
Sugar coated? "Secrets brought to light in a safe environment"? Wow, I guess I'm one of those fools who believes that the Work of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God is sufficient to do all this stuff. What planet am I on?
The Holy Spirit is definitely sufficient.
That is if His call is submitted too. If the Holy Spirit was routinely submitted to the world would be a better place. Yes I am saying that the Holy Spirit can be ignored by any and or all of us.
What better reason for people, whether men or women, go to a place they can be encouraged. We have established churches filling part of that need, here is an alternative for people that aren't ready for that platform.
quote:
quote:
Hosted by comedian
Verrrrry interesting... (clowns and free balloons too?)
I'm just going to call that what it is a cheap pot shot.
There have been far more damage done to the church by men in suits and ties claiming a calling from God to be a pastor than there have been by men who claim to have a calling from God to be a Christian comedian.
The truth is this. Godmen is an attempt to reach out to men who have been bruised and battered in the course of life, encourage them, let them know they aren't alone and help them find ways to encourage one another.
I refused to attend the first one because I didn't have enough information about it, and was skeptical of it.
Since the first one (held in November) I have continued to research the event, and even addressed questions to the organizers AND men that attended the event.
I have prayed diligently about the issues being addressed.
That entity called the "Holy Spirit" seems to have changed my attitude towards it, I'm following it's leading instead of opposing it.
If I'm wrong, I will be the first to admit it.
I agree we don't need a "trend" or a "fad" or another "club". I do believe that men are falling into the lies of the world and Satan is pulling them in by the droves. Godmen is an attempt to help rescue those men.
_____________________________
My Blog
Proof texting is a very dangerous thing...If we were given the Scriptures it was to humble us into realizing God is right and the rest of us are just guessing.
-Rich Mullins
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RE: Godmen - 2/10/2007 11:25:33 PM
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job24.14
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From: The Blue Ridge Mountains of WNC
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Sounds pretty religious to me. I was religious for years and it succesfully kept me from seeking a personal relationship with Christ. I fully share your burden for men in their faith walk but I am sure that the blame for men not attending church lies directly on themselves. I feel that the great comission clearly demonstrates where and when we are to reach out to others with the gospel. I can also feel timothypalla's frustration. I get so tired of hearing those whine and complain about how church or whatever just doesn't meet with their approval. How about our men and women overseas stationed in warzones in countries that are openly hostile to Christianity? I doubt they suspend their worship or prayer meeting attendance due to uncomfortable circumstances. I have no real problem with a meeting of fellowship among Christian men, but call it just that. I would not attend any event that portrayed itself as dealing with "why the church keeps men away". If a man is a Christian, he will seek out and definitely find a church - THE church.
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RE: Godmen - 2/10/2007 11:39:38 PM
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zamdad
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Okay, I checked out the site (briefly) and like what I saw. I do see some similarities between Godmen and PK. But, then I cam back and read the resto of the thread. TiothyPallas comments left me scratching my head. Before Igo on I want to thank you, Tim, for the PM and the nice comments on my blog. I read through some of the blog on the Godmen site and gained some comfort from what I read.
My concern, like PK, is that events will be held that will cater to middle class urban America and leave those of us who live in rural America with less financial resources out in the cold. My other concern is that major events will light fires that will soon be doused upon returning home when the activity of daily life takes over and smolders the flam sparked by a stadium event.
Reggie Dabbs was in our area a little over a year ago speaking with the kids in our schools. He does a great job. I told him when I had the chance to speak to him of my concerns regarding PK catering to the amjor metropolitan areas and leaving those of us in rural areas thirsting for deeper growth without the financial burden. Of course, I gave Reggie my business card. He said he would talk to the posers that be. Perhaps he has, but I have not heard of or seen anything to show me that there is any interest in doing anything that is not in a large enough venue that it's going to bring in much of the almighty dollar.
I think PK and Godmen are ministries that cater to us men and help us to be the men of God that He wants us to be. Unfortunately, these ministries tend to focus on large events and reach masses of men in one shot. Where is the discipleship that follows? Where is the discipleship needed to grow a baby Christian into a mature Christian?
I think that the web is a great place to begin some of the discipleship ministries like Godmen and PK can beging to reach men and allow us to share our struggles with one another. Yet, the more ways we develop to communicate with each other, the less we truly know each other.
_____________________________
You can't strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
A. Lincoln
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RE: Godmen - 2/11/2007 8:51:18 AM
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FolkSingerBlues
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I agree with your sentiments on the need for such events to take place in more "rural" areas.
I also agree with the concerns about class (even color).
If Godmen is created to build a spiritual high and then leaves men hanging, it will merely be the equivalent of a Metallica concert. All adrenaline. Adrenaline can be cool, but it's not a lasting high. ("Secular" concerts aren't the ONLY events that cause such highs).
I am also of the opinion that when "Christianity" is "Marketed" it becomes religion. Religion is useless, Christianity is precious. (Big difference between the two. I don't consider myself a "religious man", I am "Christian man"). Religion emerges from mere knowledge of Christianity. Christianity (the religion) is a teaching based on the life of Jesus Christ. Christianity (the lifestyle) occurs when one finally hands their garbage pile of sin, **** and dirty laundry to Jesus. (Scripture doesn't tell us that Zaccheus cleaned his house before Jesus came for lunch).
I don't know Brad Stine's heart or any of the other men speaking at Godmen, so I can't really testify to where their hearts are. But I can say this. As a Christian man I can use this event to recharge, be challenged AND be one of the ones that DOES follow up with someone I meet there. After all, what good are recharged spiritual batteries if you're just gonna keep it to yourself?
I have spoken with a couple of men that witnessed and experienced the first event. Their testimony to the event was not only positive, but seems to have been a lasting impression and challenge.
Godmen, nor any other spiritually based event is the lasting answer to any of our spiritual issues. It is however a place you can go to recharge, what you do with it after that is a personal decision.
I my negative sentiments about Promise Keepers exclusively but let me put it another way.
I do not endorse or recommend TBN to anyone. I think Benny Hinn, John Hagee, Jessie Duplantis, T.D. Jakes and many others that grace their broadcasting are shams.
I wasted time arguing this with many people over the years.
No one changed my mind about TBN or their Heavy Weight Champions (TBN=the religious equivalent of WWE (aka) Sports ENTERTAINMENT (is it really a sport?)
I do recall a parable that Jesus told in Matthew chapter 13. The parable of the weeds.
The servants asked the master if he wanted them to pull up the weeds. The master answered no, because it would pull up the good wheat too.
I can't control TBN, nor am I responsible for what Brad Stine or Nate Larkin, or any of the other speakers/organizers of Godmen motives or agendas. But I can tell you this, if they are false, they will be judged ever so severely for it (something about a mill stone around there necks and a swimming trip). However, if there are lives that are truly changed in the mean time, that is work for The Kingdom of Heaven.
If the attendee's of Godmen decide to "hide it under a bushel" when they leave, they will be judged severely also. And THAT's NOT MY OPINION.
_____________________________
My Blog
Proof texting is a very dangerous thing...If we were given the Scriptures it was to humble us into realizing God is right and the rest of us are just guessing.
-Rich Mullins
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RE: Godmen - 2/12/2007 10:08:29 AM
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exodus3025
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Well, I would like to add my two cents worth to this conversation. I actually went to the Godmen conference last year. I was very skeptical when I first went. As the day progressed however, I really understood what they are trying to do. I liked the fact the they covered topics most pastors won't.(how to reach the unchurched, porn, "No more Christian Nice Guy" etc.) I liked the fact that aside from Brad Stine, who is a riot by the way, not a one of the speakers is well known and all are active members of churches. I also liked the fact these guys are real and open and I assure you the issues discussed are happening in churches all over the country. To Timothypalla. Dude that was an arrogant statement about a program you know nothing about. I am surely glad my salvation and others is not depandent upon what you think! You can slice and dice this program up one side and down the other, but you truly have to expierence this to know what they are trying to do here. And finally I have one other thing to add. I've been to PK, I've been to other group meetings. Godmen is the first program I have attended where they actually challenge you to do something when you leave (check out the Samson Society) PK never did that! Guys need other guys to help them thru their battles. Timothpalla, if you have no battles to fight, just wait you will at some point and if don't have some good christians guys in your life who will be honest with you. Then you will fall into the traps that Satan sets. Bottom line, go to Godmen and then tell me what you think. This is a great program and well worth a Saturday with my family to go.
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RE: Godmen - 2/12/2007 11:14:48 PM
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PTC
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Exodus 3025, and others, I'm Paul Coughlin and I'm one of the creators of and presenters at GodMen. I want to thank you for defending what we're doing. I'm also one of the Bloggers here at Crosswalk.com (www.crosswalk.com/blogs/pcoughlin/). As part of my beat that covers male spirituality, I will be writing about GodMen, our mission, and our hard-fought work in helping Christian men embrace a more rugged yet still loving expression of faith. I hope that those of you who have been on both sides of this issue will come over to my Crosswalk Blog because there are some misunderstandings that need to be cleared up. I know that not everyone will support our work. But at least you'll get a better understanding of what we're really about, as opposed to what people have read about us in the news.
One of the reasons why there are varying opinions about the event comes from some of the media coverage that was not accurate. This has led to some inaccurate speculation about the event, which has been unfortunate.
For example, one of the accusations against GodMen is that it's anti-woman. This is traced back to what a 26-year-old construction worker said in a news report: that he was going on a camping trip, leaving his wife to care for their new born child alone. This misguided young man said the he's going anyway because he's the "leader" of his family. GodMen denounces his definition of leadership, which is really an excuse for selfish and naive behavior. We recommend that this misguided young man watch our DVD series and pay attention to what was really said.
GodMen is pro-man, pro-woman, and pro-marriage. I care deeply about marriage and children. My wife and I wrote "Married But Not Engaged: Why Men Check out and What You Can Do to Create the Intimacy You Desire." Library Journal, an influential publication in the world of publishing, gave our book the best review possible and recommends it to all libraries. "The writing is clear and not condescending; the information offered will help any married couple dealing with passive aggression and rigidity, regardless of religious affiliation." There is nothing anti-woman about this book, which was sold at GodMen. It is pro-family, pro-marriage, pro-woman. I also wrote "No More Christian Nice Guy," which many women have read and thanked me personally for writing.
I'd like to give you a behind-the-scenes understanding of GodMen. The people who are working hard to help it meet the real needs of their brothers care deeply about this work. So it's been hard to read what some have written about what they think our motives are. I read somewhere that someone said we were in it for the money. What's remarkable is that none of the speakers were paid! Some of the remarks about my friend Brad Stine have been especially hard to read given their unfair caricature. Please try to keep in mind that you are writing about real people. GodMen is going to get more and more popular in the coming months. Please pray for us during this important time. There are those who do not want to see Christian men become more alive in Christ. Thanks for your time.
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RE: Godmen - 2/13/2007 12:28:02 AM
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zamdad
Posts: 1078
Joined: 4/8/2005
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quote:
So it's been hard to read what some have written about what they think our motives are. I read somewhere that someone said we were in it for the money. What's remarkable is that none of the speakers were paid!
Hi Paul, I'm not sure if the above quote was in referance to my comment about PK and the financial aspects of their ministry. It' encouraging to hear that your speakers are not paid. I wrote a post earlier in this thread that I had a concern about events like PK being geared more toward urban middle class men as the cost is about $85 per person and the event is usually held in a large stadium or arena. While it is more practical to reach more men with an event like this, there are many men who may have a heart for God that are shut out of events like this because of the added cost of travelling to and from an event, finding a place to stay for the event and having to eat while gone in addition to all the books, t-shirts, CD's, tapes and trinkets that are sold at these major events.
I am a probation officer in rural Minnesota. I have worked with countless men over the past few years that have come to a point where they may be ready to meet Christ. Going to a PK event would be an ideal way to light the fire within many of these men. As I have spoken with men and encouraged them to go, the $85 price tag usually cools them to the idea. If I tell them that I can get a church to pay the admission fee, they get encouraged. But, then they begin thinking about the drive to the cities and the cost of lodging and having to eat out. They find every excuse in the world not to go.
If there is a DVD series I would like to know more about it. I would really like to see groups develop in local churches and/or geographic regions where men can live for Christ and encourage each other to grow.
_____________________________
You can't strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
A. Lincoln
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RE: Godmen - 2/13/2007 10:24:07 AM
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PTC
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Joined: 2/12/2007
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Probation Officer: We want all kinds of men to come from different income levels. At the same time we have hard costs to cover, which can get substantial when you're creating an event that men want to come to. We're working on scholarships for guys who can't afford it.
There is a DVD series available, and yes, one of our goals is to get men to create fellowship with other men in their area. One shocking study shows that most married men over 35 and with kids do not have one other guy they can really talk with and ask for help from. That's a recipe for disaster.
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RE: Godmen - 2/13/2007 12:21:44 PM
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kljohnson77
Posts: 73
Joined: 12/28/2006
From: North Central Texas
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PTC
Probation Officer: We want all kinds of men to come from different income levels. At the same time we have hard costs to cover, which can get substantial when you're creating an event that men want to come to. We're working on scholarships for guys who can't afford it.
There is a DVD series available, and yes, one of our goals is to get men to create fellowship with other men in their area. One shocking study shows that most married men over 35 and with kids do not have one other guy they can really talk with and ask for help from. That's a recipe for disaster.
Yes, and it's a disaster that is the responsibility of the group, ministry group, church, etc., at a local level that is what God designed for the purpose of discipleship. Groups such as PK and GodMen DO NOT provide the daily discipling that men (and women) need to grow in Christ. As I stated earlier, I don't oppose these events as such, but I deny that they really provide what any believer needs on a continuing basis.
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RE: Godmen - 2/13/2007 1:11:49 PM
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PTC
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You got that right. Our hope, prayer and intent is that guys will take advantage of the discipleship opportunities present during the event. We have materials available that can help with spiritual growth after the event as well.
We try to inspire change and then create opportunities for that change to continue.
quote:
ORIGINAL: kljohnson77
quote:
ORIGINAL: PTC
Probation Officer: We want all kinds of men to come from different income levels. At the same time we have hard costs to cover, which can get substantial when you're creating an event that men want to come to. We're working on scholarships for guys who can't afford it.
There is a DVD series available, and yes, one of our goals is to get men to create fellowship with other men in their area. One shocking study shows that most married men over 35 and with kids do not have one other guy they can really talk with and ask for help from. That's a recipe for disaster.
Yes, and it's a disaster that is the responsibility of the group, ministry group, church, etc., at a local level that is what God designed for the purpose of discipleship. Groups such as PK and GodMen DO NOT provide the daily discipling that men (and women) need to grow in Christ. As I stated earlier, I don't oppose these events as such, but I deny that they really provide what any believer needs on a continuing basis.
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RE: Godmen - 2/13/2007 2:23:03 PM
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zamdad
Posts: 1078
Joined: 4/8/2005
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quote:
ORIGINAL: PTC
Probation Officer: We want all kinds of men to come from different income levels. At the same time we have hard costs to cover, which can get substantial when you're creating an event that men want to come to. We're working on scholarships for guys who can't afford it.
There is a DVD series available, and yes, one of our goals is to get men to create fellowship with other men in their area. One shocking study shows that most married men over 35 and with kids do not have one other guy they can really talk with and ask for help from. That's a recipe for disaster.
Paul, Thanks for the response. I know that putting on any type of even can be quite expensive. I'm also glad to see the effort to get men to create fellowship with other men in their area. I am not surprized at the findings of studies showing that men (especially married men) have no other guys they can really talk with and/or ask help from. In an earlier post I stated, "We have developed more ways to communicate with each other, but we know each other less than ever." In speaking with a friend several weeks ago he told me about something he had read that reported back in the 1970's most men had two close friends they could share life with. In the current time period, that number is down to near zero friends.
I've read your book No More Christian Nice Guy. I've also read numerous other men's books. For five years of my time as a probation officer I supervised a caseload of sex offenders and co-facilitated sex offender treatment. In the course of this occupational journey I got to know many men more intimately than I ever imagined possible. I got to work with them to help them identify beliefs, values and attitudes that form thinking which creates behavior. I learned, I think, what true discipleship really is in that I got to be a part of the process of transformation. Within the church I see many men who claim they want to open up and experience this kind of intimate discipleship. Yet, they are also afraid to let others under the mask. Often, many of these men are afraid to peer under their own mask and they come to realize that looking behind anothers mask will require them to have examine behind theirs as well.
While I feel priveleged to be used by God to work in the lives of others, I have found that the male freindship I need from within my own church has not been adequate. I think there are a number of reasons for this. BUt, at a time when I was needing some male guidance and accountability, it was sorely lacking. One of the major resons, I believe, was that most of the men I reached out to seemed to get uncomfortable when things got under the surface.
I'm encouraged by what I read of Godmen and I pray that it begins to develop the kind of discipleship that cuts through the surface and gets into the hearts of men. Not only for the transformation of individual men, but for the transformation of our homes and our culture.
_____________________________
You can't strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
A. Lincoln
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RE: Godmen - 2/13/2007 6:31:08 PM
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FolkSingerBlues
Posts: 440
Joined: 1/11/2006
Status: offline
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Okay,
There is a plan in the works to provide free lodging to some of you who may be interested in coming to the event and need help cushioning the cost.
More information will be made available very soon.
If you are interested you can pm me here or email lodging-for-godmen@yahoo.com (without the - 's)
Thanks
_____________________________
My Blog
Proof texting is a very dangerous thing...If we were given the Scriptures it was to humble us into realizing God is right and the rest of us are just guessing.
-Rich Mullins
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RE: Godmen - 2/13/2007 7:45:56 PM
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timothypalla
Posts: 70
Joined: 10/17/2006
From: The Gateway State aka The Buckeye State
Status: offline
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quote:
Well, I would like to add my two cents worth to this conversation.
Exodus, this is a public forum. FolkSinger is a friend of mine and posed a general question to any readers of this thread:
quote:
Check out their website Godmen and let's talk about it.
My two cents worth hold no different value than your two cents worth just because you attended the seminar; moreover, my opinion isn't going to stop the show. It is only an opinion.
quote:
To Timothypalla. Dude that was an arrogant statement about a program you know nothing about. I am surely glad my salvation and others is not depandent upon what you think! You can slice and dice this program up one side and down the other, but you truly have to expierence this to know what they are trying to do here.
I'm glad salvation isn't based upon what anyone thinks... but salvation was never the issue.
I simply quoted from the website. Based upon what I read (about the marketing, the worship, the goals, the commitments, etc.), I was not impressed in the least. Please don't let that make you angry. I don't have to go along with everything I read or hear, just as you don't have to go along with everything you read or hear. Several posters have said that they, themselves, were skeptical. Let me be skeptical too.
Please forgive me for being sarcastic with the "clown and balloon" comments. I was trying to add a little humor, that's all.
quote:
Timothpalla, if you have no battles to fight, just wait you will at some point and if don't have some good christians guys in your life who will be honest with you. Then you will fall into the traps that Satan sets.
You have no idea what battles I have fought... no idea whatsoever.
I have faced and fought many battles in my lifetime, but my answers came from a personal encounter with the Word of God. There was nothing sugar-coated about it. Something "framed in church language" wasn't offensive to me in the least. Those words gave me hope.
GodMen may have a niche/ministry, but it's not for me. There was nothing on their website that interested me whatsoever. I don't have to apologize for that. It's okay. Please don't be offended that I'm not on the GodMen bandwagon.
_____________________________
Abiding in His wonderful grace,
Timothy Palla
tpalla@rocketmail.com
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RE: Godmen - 2/13/2007 7:59:54 PM
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PTC
Posts: 4
Joined: 2/12/2007
Status: offline
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Timothpalla, I wrote a book to men knowing it wasn't for everyone. I wrote so in the book. And we know at GodMen that it's not for every guy as well. But we also know it's for a lot of guys who struggle with living out their faith.
I'm glad it's not for every guy; this way people like you are free to make the sandwiches :)
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RE: Godmen - 2/13/2007 10:23:55 PM
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FolkSingerBlues
Posts: 440
Joined: 1/11/2006
Status: offline
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I can't stand the thought of sitting through a football game (unless my 9 year old son is on the team).
I've never been hunting a day in my life (okay, I went once but it was about 25 years ago).
I read poetry.
I read A LOT of books. (Mostly "boring stuff" about God. My favorite authors are C.S. Lewis and Tony Campolo among many others).
I love to fish (sometimes catching one interrupts the reason I go).
I think it's funny to say things people don't expect you to say to see them smile, or be suprised.
Jocks are my least favorite people to be around.
I dropped out of Bible College (because I thought life experience was as important as degree, if not more so important).
I cry when I hear a sad story.
I cry when I hear stories about little kids that don't have parents and give gifts to people that belonged to the parents that have been taken or choose to be absent from their lives.
I tell other guys that I'm friends with I love them.
I sing at church and sometimes in bars.
Sometimes I like to drink wine.
I hug other guys sometimes.
I think that celebrating "testicularity" is kinda dumb.
I think that many men look to sports as a way to define themselves. I think that is sad.
Sometimes I am compelled to look at pornography.
I volunteer to help make sandwiches for things at church.
I cook a really MEAN pot roast.
I like to have dinner ready when my wife get's home from work.
I'm going to Godmen hoping that I can be proof positive that you don't have to be a "jerk" to be a man, but you will be looked at as a jerk when you don't "lay down" under pressure.
I'm going to Godmen because I have something to offer too.
Some guys think I'm weird, because I am.
I don't have an effeminate bone in my body.
Godmen is for weirdo's like me too!
Godmen is a meeting ground. Not a "frat house".
_____________________________
My Blog
Proof texting is a very dangerous thing...If we were given the Scriptures it was to humble us into realizing God is right and the rest of us are just guessing.
-Rich Mullins
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RE: Godmen - 2/15/2007 10:35:36 AM
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Gutcheck
Posts: 45
Joined: 2/8/2007
From: Virginia
Status: offline
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timothypalla... I AGREE WITH YOU!!
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RE: Godmen - 2/15/2007 6:58:32 PM
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FolkSingerBlues
Posts: 440
Joined: 1/11/2006
Status: offline
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Please expand on your agreement Gutcheck.
_____________________________
My Blog
Proof texting is a very dangerous thing...If we were given the Scriptures it was to humble us into realizing God is right and the rest of us are just guessing.
-Rich Mullins
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RE: Godmen - 2/15/2007 9:58:55 PM
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timothypalla
Posts: 70
Joined: 10/17/2006
From: The Gateway State aka The Buckeye State
Status: offline
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quote:
people like you are free to make the sandwiches :)
I'd love to make you a sandwich, PTC. But, fortunately for you, I'm busy that weekend.
I have some good news though... FolkSinger is planning to be there.
quote:
I volunteer to help make sandwiches
(Sorry guys, I couldn't resist...) :O
_____________________________
Abiding in His wonderful grace,
Timothy Palla
tpalla@rocketmail.com
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RE: Godmen - 3/14/2007 10:18:33 PM
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FolkSingerBlues
Posts: 440
Joined: 1/11/2006
Status: offline
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I attended the GodMen event last weekend in Franklin TN.
The Today show will be airing a segment about the event in the morning at 7:38 central time.
Nightline have a segment about GodMen on Thursday night.
I look forward to seeing how the even will be presented since I was at the event and have firsthand experience.
_____________________________
My Blog
Proof texting is a very dangerous thing...If we were given the Scriptures it was to humble us into realizing God is right and the rest of us are just guessing.
-Rich Mullins
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