Attention Pastors and Lay Leaders : Energize your men's group

With all the talk lately of energizing the base from the recent Political Conventions I was moved at how simply one event can "energize" a group. I was recently speaking with a Pastor in Missouri on this very subject. I was there doing a Field Camera workshop and assisting their newly forming Men' Ministry group by filming the event for a short promo for potential sponsors, exhibitors and attendants for the next years efforts. The effort was well coordinated and had some very innovative ideas such as a very well laid out 3D bow range from elevated stands, They had even went to the trouble of a lift for a portion of the range as well as a Antelope (speed goat) on a cable line that would "dart" across the range. They had requested and received the services of the local Boone and Crockett org to come and score antlers free of charge. They had stirring testimonies from many different areas of outdoor recreationist as they provided worthy workshops and trainings including power lifter T.W. Norman. They sought and combined a sanctioned NWTF Turkey Calling Contest that featured this years reigning Champion Billy Yargus and the World Champion Stephen Richardson.

How innovative, but the point I am trying to make is can you see these men going to this effort for VBS or the next Spring musical? Yes some maybe but not the silent unmoved men on the peripheral that are just crawling in and out of our churches. Bottom line outdoor events like these seem to bring out the best of some of those men that stand at the edge and never truly get committed to exercising their faith in ANY real way. Now this is the key, they may not become over night Billy Grahams after one event or a weekend hunting trip but real discipleship and relationships are built shoulder to shoulder as C.S. Lewis said and that is over time. have faith in sanctification process and that God will begin to refine their efforts and they will find their rhythm they need. We just need to have faith in THE Champion and creator of men's hearts Christ Jesus and find what "energizes" these men's hearts.

Pastors, you do not have to have faith in the process of outdoor outreach but Christ's call to men's hearts to disciple and to just have faith in that our brothers need discipleship opportunities that they can find -not just common ground in- but are energized and comfortable in as they develop these relationships. I know that every one of you pastors out there right now could probably hear yourself saying this "I would be glad for my men to be excited about ANYTHING right now". Stand back and and consider the way disciplining opportunities used to develop, raising barns working on building or problem solving projects and yes the old hunting trips that men used to do and understand. And remember, Outdoor Ministry is not only a good excuse for purposing shoulder to shoulder time for men. But your marginal men can become more energized and begin to exercises their faith.

This is one of the fastest growing outreach efforts of our time. One conformation of this is the recent move to include Workshops for Pastors and Lay Leaders by Theological Seminaries. OK now go find that camo shirt of yours they bought you for the last Wild Game dinner and go see your "Boys" give them a hug and LET them be fishers of Men.

God Bless!

Dan

The importance of Follow up.

I have lately really been thinking about the many I have heard lament (including myself) about the short lived joy of a friend or family member that made a decision for Christ or to rededicate their lives to Him at a particular outdoor event just to then hear that there has been no real follow up or what some may call growth in that person's spiritual life. When I considered that and my own personal thoughts of how I have had that same feeling I was suddenly hit with the feeling that who was I expecting to do it. The Pastor and the leaders of that Church or Organization? Well I guess that seemed "logical" But we have to remember that the participants that we are attempting to encourage are not those that have or at least may not be as responsive to a traditional pastor or church leader and WE (I) should be the ones following up more so than anyone else. Since that point and by design approximately 30 days after the April Minnesota events we presented at I asked and received the names and addresses of those that made decisions and wrote personal encouragements as well as left my information for them if they should want to discuss where they are to date in their new walk. I was ensured that their friends and the church was as well. I was confident as I could tell by the spirit in that church they will too, but I have now a vested interest in those folks lives

Today at the "Father's Matter" event at Moffit Lake in Ky with Troy Black of God's Outdoor Disciples three men made decisions for Christ. Troy has promised to forward the names and address and I hope any personal particulars he can share so I can follow up along with them as well. ......SO......my new challenge to us all is let's remember that these friends and participants that we are so excited about sharing our faith and hope in Christ are OUR responsibility to follow up with and if we need some guidance there to meet with our pastors and the experienced church leadership for direction. But I believe that if your friend was there because you asked him and made that decision you already have earned his or her respect enough to help him along the next steps in "your" way. AND I WILL MAKE A COMMITMENT NOW TO FOLLOW UP AS PRESENTER OR SPEAKER .

P.S. One father son team caught over 200 fish! (They found what was working and "Followed up" {HUMM}

In His Service

Dan

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my area of ProVision Productions. Here I will share my thoughts and let you know how things are going here at ProVision Productions.

Have a blessed day.

Dan