Summer 2008, No. 3 - United Methodist Men

July/August/September 2008Volume 44, No. 3United Methodist Men set new strategies, elect officersNASHVILLE, Tenn.––In the same yearthat the ministry of United Methodist Menis celebrating its 100th anniversary, annualconference presidents of UM Men learned ofnew methods to reach men in the next 100years.Meeting Feb. 28-March 2, the NationalAssociation of Conference Presidents (NACP)of UM Men, also elected new officers andset plans for their 2009 national gathering tobe held in Nashville after a long tradition ofmeeting at Purdue University.“I’m more excited than I’ve ever beenbefore about men’s ministry,” said DavidAdams, top staff executive of the GeneralCommission on UM Men. While noting thelong history of ministry through charteredgroups of UM Men, he said, “We need to beinvitational and provide many entry points formen.”Men’s Ministry SpecialistsTo help churches launch new efforts inmen’s ministry, the commission has establisheda process whereby men can become “Men’sMinistry Specialists.” These specialists willbe certified by the General Board of HigherEducation and Ministry following therecommendation and mentoring by theirpastors, training experiences in men’s ministry,a course in UM history and polity, andexperience in leading a local or regional event.There will also be an opportunity for personswho have completed courses in Lay SpeakingMinistries to receive additional training tobecome Men’s Ministry Specialists.Larry Malone, a staff executive with theGeneral Commission on UM Men, chatswith Brett Clemmer, an executive withMan in the Mirror Ministries, during theMarch meeting of the National Associationof Conference PresidentsTenth National GatheringThe 10th national gathering will be heldJuly 10-11, 2009, at Belmont University inNashville. The two-day event will includespeeches by Chicago Area Bishop Hee-SooJung and Kevass Harding, pastor of DellroseUnited Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas.Vince Gill, a nationally known country musicsinger, will perform. An informal worshipservice will be held on Sunday, July 12 forthose remaining in the Nashville area.In other business, the conference presidents:• presented the 2007 “Bud the SpudAward” to Virginia Annual ConferenceUM Men for the largest increase ingiving to Meals for Millions. The awardhonors the late Nelson Curtis of DetroitConference for his tireless efforts toeliminate hunger in America;• endorsed a resolution asking GeneralConference to make the Society of St.Andrew the official hunger agency for theUMC;• learned that conference prayer advocateshad contributed $8,741 for the UpperRobert Powell, executive manager of the United Methodist Men Foundation, tellsconference presidents of the time he accidentally hooked a rusty old fishing pole. Hebrought it home, ground off the dirt and rust, and he restored it to its former glory.“If I can do that with an old fishing pole, think of what God can do with us,” he said.Room Prayer Line and that the UM Men Foundation had paid the full 2007 watts-line $14,689phone bill for the prayer ministry. The ministry receives 30,000 calls each month and 7,000 e-mailrequests for prayer;• inducted Adams into the John Wesley Society;• previewed a six-minute video celebrating the 100th anniversary of UM Men’s ministry to bepresented to General Conference;• learned the UM Men Foundation has a net worth of $2.5 million.You can become a Men’s Ministry SpecialistIf you desire to serve God and the UMC in the ministry of Jesus Christ through men, you mightconsider certification as a Men’s Ministry Specialist (MMS), operating under the General Commissionon UM Men (GCUMM).A MMS is a man committed to lifelong spiritual growth. He is an active member of the UMC; aready learner who is teachable and can teach others. He communicates and listens well, using theseskills to work closely with a team of congregation lay and clergy leaders. Together they help the entirecongregation increase effectiveness in reaching men, and the spiritual growth of men. The MMSdoes not displace existing leaders––rather he serves alongside them helping congregations reach theirvision by more effectively engaging and growing men as followers of Jesus Christ. The MMS connectscongregations with effective and appropriate training and resources for ministry to and through men.Basic MMS Requirements Be recommended by your pastor, and if married, have the support of your wife. Grow spiritually under the counsel of a spiritually mature person. Meet and work with your district superintendent and conference and district leaders of UMMen. Participate in a small-group such as Disciple Bible Study, “Companions in Christ,” orWesleyan Building Brothers or engage in other spiritual formation work that moves youtoward spiritual maturity. Complete free on-line spiritual and personality assessment inventories that help you knowyourself and communicate well with others. Participate in a 2 ½ day “No Man Left Behind” men’s leadership training experience offeredthrough Man in the Mirror ministries. Read Spiritual Fathers by Dan Schaffer and No Man Left Behind by Patrick Morley, DavidDelk and Brett Clemmer. Complete a free on-line course on UMC/UM Men history and polity. Participate in UMC Safe Sanctuary and Sexual Ethics courses offered by your district orannual conference. Attend a basic Lay Speaker course; advanced courses are encouraged.When all MMS requirements are completed, you will be interviewed, reviewed, and recommended forMMS certification by a panel under the authority of the GCUMM. The panel will recommend youfor certification by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry for service within the UMCas a Men’s Ministry Specialist.For additional information and application forms, go to www.gcumm.org.41