RE: Godmen (Full Version)

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1mlasp -> RE: Godmen (4/19/2007 4:52:59 PM)

quote:

The passion it takes to follow Christ can't be synthesized.

This is by far the most profound statement (of many) on this thread.

Thanks to both sides for an intelligent and respectful discourse.



FolkSingerBlues -> RE: Godmen (4/5/2008 11:26:23 AM)

It's been about a year since I posted about Godmen. There were many of you who threw stones at the whole concept.
Godmen has taken a different direction. Instead of meeting at over the top loud multi media events we now meet at a place called The Foundry downtown Nashville.
We meet the first Tuesday of every month and have men driving from as far away as North Carolina (six hours) to attend the meeting.
At the meeting we are led in worship by Michael Merritt who has also written songs specifically for the Godmen meetings in addition to some of the more popular worship songs of the day.
There are two messages given by two different people during the meeting. The first is one of our men sharing there struggle toward healing the second is an offering of "tools" to fight our battles with.
Our attendance nearly doubles each time we meet. (I didn't do a head count last week but I would estimate over a 100 men were in attendance.
My post isn't about "numbers" it's about "Godmen hasn't died!".
We have made the decision that when the attendance reaches 300 we will split to form two groups. I invite any of you to make plans to attend the upcoming meeting in May.
www.godmen.org has more information.
I'm not advertising this, I'm advocating it because I have seen God working among these men. I for one think men need to be stirred by God and stand up.



beauregarde -> RE: Godmen (4/5/2008 3:50:43 PM)

I am in very late on the Godmen thread, but I will add a few cents anyway.

Godmen seems to be an active expression of a collective thought process in Christian thinking, especially as it pertains to men. The book chain is something like this:

Wild at Heart
Bringing Up Boys
Why Men Hate Church
No More Christian Nice Guy

Speaking from my own experiences (not part of Godmen), I have found that stepping up in assetiveness definitely rubs people the wrong way, but it is often the right thing to do.

Case in Point: At at certain point in time I was a very visible leader in my church. I was approached by a woman whom "had concerns about what I was teaching my children, especially since I was a church leader." Her reasons for the approach couldn't have been more wrong. After some honest discussions it was clear we had reached an impasse. I then firmly said to her:

"What is it with you? Why do you always have issues with my family? A few years ago, you had something to say to my wife about how to raise our children."

She had a cow, and the next day the Pastor was on the phone with me. I explained what happened, and he was fine with it. He told the woman I had done no wrong before, during, or after her conversation with me.

The point being, I could have said, "I'm sorry you feel that way. I know you are trying to help. Your point is duly noted." That would have been the "churchy - meek - turn the other cheek" approach that we are always taught about.

I have other testimonies as well, but this seemed to be the best fit for this discussion.

I watched the Dateline segment (the link still works), No one was pitching Godmen as a substitute for church. What I say was a much needed supplement. The job of the church is not to feed people. The job of the church is to make people hungry for the things of God. Persuing the things of God through a Godmen venue should not pose a threat to others. In the end, the large gathering of Godmen probably break into many small groups which are regionally scattered. We don't have to like everbody, we just have to love everybody.

To round this out, I would encorage the reading of another book which seems to get a real grasp of what is truly happening in our world of Christendom.

The Forgotten Ways by Alan Hirsch.


For those wondering why I was a very visible leader in my church (past tense), and no longer am, it has much to do with the needs of my family, and the time requirements those needs consume.



willfs -> RE: Godmen (4/5/2008 9:58:50 PM)

Even movements that die out can still have done a great deal of great things. I didn't really like promise keepers although I got some stuff out of a few conferences but I know of many men who did get a lot out of that movement. I really liked the whole Wild at Heart thing with Eldrigde and got a ton out of his stuff.

Even if it is a flash in the pan movement. As long as its not hurting a guy's faith and is temporarily their to encourage them, it's about the impact of the movement and not how long the organization lasts. BTW: I know nothing about GodMan and do not nessesarily endorse it. I am just talking about men's movements in general.



zamdad -> RE: Godmen (4/5/2008 11:36:00 PM)

I’m interested in Godmen. I like the concept. I like what you guys are doing thus far. I’d really like to see it grow, but not get so big that it goes the route of PK.

Last night, I noticed a banner ad on this site for PK08. While my experiences with PK have been good, I feel like PK has grown too big and lost its focus. Like so many evangelism crusades, PK events are done in large venues where thousands of men come from many miles. We tend to leave these events charged up and ready to lead anew life once we return home. All too frequently, we get home and the fire dims. Life begins to consume us again and we lose focus on the prize.

I know that some groups of men have managed to continue meeting, digging into the Word and building each other up. When small groups of men meet like this, it allows us to get to know one another, get beneath the masks and to encourage/equip one another. This is where discipleship is done.

I noticed that PK is going to have a small number of venues this year, all of which are in large metropolitan areas. The cost is still way up there. It feels like PK is geared toward the upper middle class suburban male. Those of us who live in rural communities and don’t make nearly as much money get left out.

I guess I would like to see GodMen keep it’s focus on God by teaching men to disciple men and not let money be a driving force for the organization.



BlackCapnHarlock -> RE: Godmen (4/6/2008 7:20:44 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kljohnson77

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.


I agree, I remember when Promiser Keepers were real big, but then all the scandal and issues came out, now they are a much smaller movement and group.

I like these things, but it's walking and working with fellow men locally that make a difference.



draexo -> RE: Godmen (4/11/2008 8:03:26 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: notmycity

quote:

ORIGINAL: FolkSingerBlues

notmycity,
no disrespect taken.
On one hand I think it's pathetic that a rally needs to take place. On the other I feel like it's time to wake up a bunch of complacent Christians.
I don't need the "club" either. The passion it takes to follow Christ can't be synthesized.


FSB,

I COMPLETELY agree with you in that “it's time to wake up a bunch of complacent Christians”, especially the men!

Where we need to exercise extreme caution is continually ask ourselves is this:

“Is this of God according to the truth of Scripture, or according to traditions of men?”

Take heart Brother. I know of godly, strong men who are being risen up by God in these last days, but please consider this: If it’s popular, it more than likely is of the flesh....

What a great post! How true!
We also need to remember that scripture trumps. Scripture is the final word. God will not place on our heart desire to go have an affair with our secretary, or steal from our employer.. He will not ask us to break His rules.



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