I know this may shock you, but America is not the only place in the world where the thought of Men’s Ministries brings Saturday morning breakfast to mind. As a matter of fact, I have discovered that the theme for Men’s Ministries around the world should be “More Than Pancakes”. Or in Great Britain’s case, perhaps “More Than Tea and Scones”.

At the invitation of my good friend Roger Bailey(South Texas District Men’s Director) and my new good friend Rae Galloway(South Wales Assemblies of God Superintendent), I was honored to be part of an exciting effort to advance the cause in the United Kingdom. A series of services in local churches, a morning leadership meeting with pastors and a one-day Men’s Conference were the formula for what I believe will bring a new vision for Men’s Ministries for months and years to come. Roger had the vision to make this available and Rae had the keys to make it happen.

I have rarely been so blessed as when the Welsh opened their homes, churches and hearts to the ministry that we attempted. The beauty of this European nation is exceeded only by the spirit of the pastors and laymen that we met. I was humbled that these great leaders would trust me to share my passion for missions and Men’s Ministries with their people. The highlight of this adventure was truly the Saturday as men filled the room for the conference. I am sure it was all they could do to understand this American and his accent, much less receive our ministry with gratitude.

More than pancakes, tea and scones. I am persuaded that the best days of Men’s Ministries in our Lord’s church are just ahead.

I’m in the process of reading a book. That’s right, process. I have a tendency to read several books at the same time. However, this one demanded that I mention it to you even before I finish. I am speaking of 27 Tough Questions Pastors Ask by Dick Hardy (www.thehardygroup.org).

As I am reading this book, all I can think about is “I wish I had this at the beginning of my ministry”. Therefore, I am recommending it to three groups of friends…seasoned ministers, young ministers and all laymen.

To my colleagues that have been down this lengthy road of ministry, we are never too old to learn. Believe it or not, we have not seen it all and done it all. There are still victories to win and obstacles to overcome or avoid. In other words, The Game Isn’t Over. Is that a shameless plug or what? By the way, www.tgreene.net.

To my young friends committed to the ministry, you owe it to those you serve to be as prepared as you can be for every situation. I was asked just yesterday, “Where do I get wisdom?”. Beyond the obvious answers of prayer and the Bible, it is books like 27 Tough Questions and The Game Isn’t Over (yet another cheap promo) that allow you to bypass the school of hard knocks and learn from the experience of those who have gone before you.

To you committed lay leaders, this manual will equip you to be a blessing to your pastor and provide truths that can be applied to your business. In addition to wisdom for your everyday duties, this tool of 27 Tough Questions will assist you in your desire to lift up the arms of the man or woman of God that serves you, your family and your community.

Thanks to my friend, Dick Hardy, for your willingness to face the tough questions of ministry and do so with candid, biblical answers.

I stood by his bed and the only thing that came to mind, “It’s hard to watch Superman die”. Well, he died this last Sunday morning. Armon Newburn went to heaven.

I’ve spent the last two days searching for the words to describe him. Hero…champion…legend…protector…leader. None of them are good enough, or big enough. Sorry, but the best I can come up with is Superman.

The obituaries will speak of the former District Superintendent, the Executive Presbyter, lifetime leader and preacher. He was a faithful husband, wise father and proud grandfather. He was the model for any position he ever held and for those who follow him. But for me, all I can come up with is, ‘Superman’.

He was my mentor, spiritual father and friend, and, and…I give up. I can’t find the words. Simply stated, one of the best gifts God ever gave me was Armon Newburn.

Superman died? No, he just beat me across the finish line. He won again.

See you soon, Superman. I love you. (I hope it’s alright that I said that to Superman.)

It is always a blessing to spend a Sunday morning in one of the great churches of the Assemblies of God…Jack Fork Assembly in southeastern Oklahoma. You’ve never heard of this mega church?

Actually, I’m not sure you will ever see it listed as a Top 100 church in anything. But ‘percentage of the community’ in Sunday morning attendance would have it easily in the Top 10. You see, Jack Fork Assembly of God is eighteen miles from the nearest business, a Sonic Drive-In. In Oklahoma, any building that is 18 miles from a Sonic is unheard of. Homes around this church are separated by miles, not just fences. The surrounding area is so sparsely populated, I am not sure anyone has ever attempted to project a number. My description of the community is not meant to be denigrating, but quite the opposite.

Last Sunday, I preached to about thirty people with half of them younger than 21. In relation to the size of the community, that is huge. In hopes for its future, the median age is exciting. In terms of apples to apples, we could only pray that every AG church mirrored this operation. Long before Convoy of Hope, this church was involved in compassion ministry by feeding and clothing many local citizens. Bus ministry? That old van travels the many miles every Sunday and Wednesday along mountain roads. Missions has been a priority while many such works would have never gotten beyond seeing themselves as the should-be missions recipient.

Perhaps you have heard me tell the Jack Fork story as I have challenged others across the nation to dream big for missions. In the more than twenty years I have known Pastor Ruth Deskin and her husband Doyle, I am conservatively guessing that this ‘little church in the Jack Fork valley’ has given more than $150,000 to Speed the Light, in addition to other needs. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry as Pastor Deskin expressed deep regrets that hard times had limited them to give “only $6,000 this year” to STL.

As I drove away on that rocky, dusty road from Jack Fork, I was encouraged more than I can say. You see, churches like this across America are among the best in the Assemblies of God. These are the faithful leaders that are willing to work out of the spotlight where only the Lord knows they are there.

It sure was an honor to speak in one of the mega churches of our movement…Jack Fork Assembly of God.

I regret that Men’s Ministries is the weakest ministry in our church.”
 
This is a paraphrase of too many conversations that I have with too many pastors across America. My regret is that it is a reality in too many of our churches. It is a reality that contradicts the plan that Jesus illustrated when He recruited twelve young men and poured His life into them for more than three years with the expressed motive of building His church. That is Church Growth 101.

Jesus Christ was the leader of Men’s Ministries in His church.
 
Pastor, I have an exciting idea that will assist you in leading the growth of Men’s Ministries in your church and community. Follow our Lord’s Matthew 4:19 example by personally recruiting and training men to build His church.

As a matter of fact, challenge your men to “follow me”, their  pastor, to the National Men’s Ministries Leadership Conference in Branson, Missouri.

This is an incredible investment of your personal time and energy that could revolutionize the way your church “reaches, teaches and releases men to grow to their full potential in Christ”. Visit our website at men.ag.org for even more details.
 
I believe that this is one conference that will provide the opportunity to…

•  spend valuable ‘hanging out with guys’ time for you and your men
•  gain ideas that will energize your men’s ministry with a strategic plan throughout the year
•  challenge your men to commit to serving on the pastor’s team
•  help us see men’s ministries as so much more than a monthly breakfast

Please consider this a personal invitation to bring your men to what, I believe, will be one of the best leadership decisions you have ever made. I will be looking for you in Branson!

Only a schedule like September could have a guy looking forward to dental surgery. Three missions conventions, thirteen Light for the Lost banquets, and a men’s conference prepared me for the dentist’s chair and the three hour laser surgery that went with it.
 
Before you start reading between the lines, let me explain myself. I am not comparing the pulpit to the dentist’s office. I love the pulpit more than I can explain in a few words. It was the strain of the miles on the road and in the air, the dozen different hotels and too many days away from Pam that had me excited about the few days following the surgery. You see, I was very willing to sit in the dentist’s chair because that would lead to three days on the couch…doing nothing more challenging than ice cream shakes and spending precious time with my sweetheart.
 
Well enough of that. It is time to get back to the road and the pulpit. And I love it!
 
However, there is a lesson to be learned. There can be too much of a good thing. BALANCE is one of my favorite words and yet I never seem to practice it as I should. Maybe a few less days on the road and a few more minutes on the couch would be wise. I don’t think I want to “look forward to dental surgery” again.

I am really in a rut.
 
The bookshelves in my home, office and even the local bookstores are filled with variety. There are commentaries, novels, history books, how-to manuals, devotionals, and photo collections. And yet I continue to pull off biographies and autobiographies for personal reading purposes. I am really in a rut.
 
It is simply because I love to learn from the life experiences of successful people. I do at least look for variety in those I study. They are sports figures, historical characters, business gurus, theologians and heroes of the faith. I am not apologizing for this rut. As a matter of fact, I am convinced that some of the best lessons in life come from those that have lived it. Much can be drawn from both the successes and failures as well as the good and bad decisions.
 
One of the best is the book I just finished. Always By My Side, the new book by sports broadcaster Jim Nantz is one of the best I have ever read. It may not go down as a classic, but it is one of  the most effective presentations of how to deal with the peaks and valleys of what life brings. Although not written as a personal statement of faith, this is a warm, sensitive and sometimes humorous presentation of how no one is exempt from the good, bad, and ugly of life, but everyone can successfully deal with it. I would highly recommend it whether you are an avid sports fan or not.
 
Me, I am in a rut. I love to learn about other people in order to be a better person myself. The Lord knows how much I need to. No amens please!