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.