By Ray Meyer and Dick Mann
KANSAS CITY, Missouri--The men's ministry from the Kansas City area churches sponsored a WCG men's ministry leadership conference Sept. 6-7.
One hundred five men attended from Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Ron Kelly of Church Administration in Pasadena also attended.
The vision and purpose of the conference was "to help men experience spiritual health and growth, develop Christian leadership and promote men's ministry in the Worldwide Church of God." The importance of servant leadership was emphasized.
The conference began Saturday morning, Sept. 6, with a praise and worship service and with elders praying for success and God's blessing.
Morning activities were capped off with a sermon by Ray Meyer titled, "The Gathering Place," focusing on the common ground at the foot of the cross.
The sermon was introduced by a Ray Boltz music video titled "Watch the Lamb," and concluded with another selection titled "At the Foot of the Cross."
The first afternoon session was "What Do You Mean, Men's Ministry?"
Exercises in this session gave a clear explanation of what men's ministry is: Men ministering to men; unconditional love and acceptance; and believing, belonging and becoming.
Resources from Promise Keepers and elsewhere were highlighted.
Larry Clark and Larry Whitehead (local men's ministry leaders) introduced members for testimonials and to model development in congregations.
The second afternoon session was "Rx for Heart Trouble." This session addressed three issues men have to confront: pride, fear and doubt. These issues are best confronted through worship, prayer and learning and doing.
The men were led to participate in a process of corporate confession and repentance. Prayer was offered for a dozen or more men who are carrying heavy burdens, as a group of pastors gathered around and laid hands on them.
Then about a dozen prayer groups were formed, and men took turns praying for one another.
The evening session was "No Man Is an Island." This session focused on small group exercises and group discussion about issues men face.
Group leaders then reported on the findings from each group. These activities were designed to help men develop vital relationships with their brothers in Christ, and help resolve problems resulting from isolation in their lives.
Sunday morning, after 30 minutes of praise and worship music, a session was conducted on "Who Me, Lead? ... Send me Lord."
This session focused on leadership and its lack in the world and in many churches.
A study of Jesus' example of servant leadership was presented. It was said that God is not looking for ability as much as he is looking for availability. There is a big need for servant leadership in the Worldwide Church of God, and never has there been more opportunity to develop and express it.
Next was a question and answer session. A panel of pastors and men's ministry leaders answered questions about the concept of men's ministry and issues and concerns in men's lives and in their congregations.
Then Mr. Kelly fielded questions of a larger scope that related to the church as a whole.
Sunday afternoon's session was titled "Stand in the Gap."
Mr. Kelly presented a message titled "Don't Come Down Off the Wall," which inspired the men with the example of Nehemiah, and his efforts to rebuild the wall of the city of Jerusalem in the midst of opposition.
The conference ended with a communion service with men forming small groups and serving the bread and wine to one another.
Men attending the meeting renewed old friendships, many going back to early years in the church. Many new friendships were created with the exchanging of postal and e-mail addresses and telephone numbers.
As an added bonus, the men learned that men can develop close relationships, that they can be open and admit that they too have problems that can be helped by brothers in Christ. Men can show proper emotion, and above all, develop a close relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Ray Meyer is regional pastor in Kansas City, Missouri, and Dick Mann
is an elder.
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