Summer Activities

Hey guys,

It's been stagnant for a while around the OMN LIVE campfire. I think we've all had our noses to the grind of summer chaos. During the summer months it always seems like people are headed back and forth on vacations, and running to and fro. Our attendance numbers at church are usually well below normal and because of all that's going on our men's sportsman group usually doesn't meet regularly till after the kids get back in school. Just wanted to know what kinds of things you guys out there doing outdoor ministry do to keep the guys somewhat connected during summer months?

For the past two summers, we have organized a mission trip for the fellas. Last year we went to Montana and we just got back from Alaska for this summer's trip.

What kinds ideas do you guys have for keeping "in touch" with your group of men during the summer?

Pastors

Hey Guys ... when it comes to your pastor, or even pastors you know of or have been with in the past, do you see them spending much time out of the office??

That is, other than on "church" stuff like nursing home visits, hospitals, visitation? I'm just curious, because I think most pastors are bound to the "office." And normally that is by thier own guilt because they are too afraid to get out in the community and hang out with non-believers in fear of some member saying they are loafing.

I find it both hilarious and depressing that if a pastor spends 3 hours holding an invalid's hand in a nursing home then they are seen as a "great pastor." Yet if they spend 5 hours playing golf or fishing with a guy who doesn't know Christ, then they can be judged as playing around "on the clock."

When it comes to ministering to men, you've got to get on their turf.

Talking Turkey

I've been in several men's small groups over the years and noticed that it's really hard sometimes to get the fellas to open up and talk. It's especially hard at first - I guess that's just the way we men are. Sometimes it's like being on a turkey hunt on one of those days that no matter what you do or what calls you try, the gobblers just will not respond. I'm planning on starting a small group and wanted to know what you guys have done to get the fellas to open up and interact.

Scouting and Preparation

With any Ministry you need a few good people with the same vision, to reach the target audience that specific Ministry is directed to. What did you guys do to to build a strong ministry team and how do you keep those involved "fired up" about spreading the Good News of Christ to others? How did you scout your Church for the right people for your Ministry leadership?

Missions - The Man Way

Jeremy - your guys went from being pretty much disconnected from ministry all the way to going on a mission trip to Montana - and then another one to Alaska - inside of 24 months.

What happened to ingnite that so fast?

To think that through - what do you think was the hold up causing those guys to be disconnected in the first place?

Revelation

Guys ... I know that all (3) of you serve in different places, but you all deal with outdoormen. Now that you are on the inside of men's ministry, what has been the biggest revealtion that has caught you by surprise? That is ... everybody starts out with certain expectations, aspirations, or a view of what they think it will be like when it comes to leading men. However, once you really get involved, you learn things about yourself, your church, and even the men you "thought you knew." It stretches you when you step into leadership.

So what has been your biggest revealtion of what ministry is actually like as compared to what you thought it would be?