It appears that much cooler weather is finally arriving in Chattanooga, and I am excited about the change of seasons. College football, outdoor projects, and activities with friends and family – these are all things that make fall great. It is also a wonderful time to reflect on God’s goodness over the past year and to start planning for the year ahead. The CPC Men’s Ministry Team recently has taken some time to reflect on where we are in our ministry and where we are headed. One of our leaders (Doug Frazier) crafted the following statements to help define our purpose and direction:
- The Men’s Ministry exists to open avenues for men to serve, fellowship, and disciple one another.
- Currently, these opportunities are offered through retreats, monthly breakfasts, service and workdays, book studies, and organic smaller gatherings for meals or fellowship.
- While we feel the basic framework is solid, there are still ways we can improve and grow our ministry to one another as men.
- The theme for the 2024 ministry year will be to foster the “Welcome of Christ” as it is described in Romans 15.1-4: “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ‘The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.’ For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (In brief, we are called to bear patiently with others - inside AND outside the church - and display the character of Christ through patient endurance.)
- Considering all the conflict in our culture, it will also be timely to meditate on these verses from 2 Timothy 2.24-25: “And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.” We are working to develop these themes into practical and tangible initiatives.
- Going forward, we seek your input on how to add more service opportunities with a wider vision and scope. We also want to host fellowship opportunities that appeal to wider age groups. Finally, we want to broaden the audience for our book studies and discussion groups where men gather and share about deeper issues. Please pray that we on the team may have grace to be kind to everyone, able to teach, and patient with even difficult people (2 Timothy 2.24-25).
Men, we hope you will join us for a monthly breakfast or our weekly study groups on Wednesday nights or Friday mornings. Please participate in our upcoming church workday on November 4 and the Men’s Conference at CPC on January 19-20. May God help us all to show the “Welcome of Christ” to men inside and outside of our church. Reach out to one of the guys listed below if you have additional ideas or need more information on how to get connected.
The Men’s Ministry Team: Jay Fowler, Scott Barber, Tom Erndt, Doug Frazier, John Herberich, Nick Lazor, Mike Mason, Jared McCurry, Doug McEachern, Nate Pittman, Phil Spotts, and Bob Vogt
