The General Commission on United Methodist Men has been blessed with the LORD'S direction to focus on men and men's ministry, an area of great need today. Due to the universal absence of men from the church, there is a lack of experience, understanding, materials and resources to effectively address men, men's issues or men's ministry. It is important to remember that General Commission on United Methodist Men is not a traditional program agency of the United j Methodist Church. Rather, the Commission seeks to be a vehicle and conduit through which men can become convicted, reconci#ed and relationally discipled to the LORD JESUS CHRIST. according to GODLY principles. The ministry of humility and discipleship are vital to man's salvation. They help to unite men with JESUS CHRIST (Phil. 2:1-5). CHRIST has given us the ministry and
message of reconciliation, therefore we are to be HIS disciples (2 Car. 5:17-21; Matt, 5:24). The General Commission on United Methodist Men has centered its focus on discipling men and more specifically addresses it through its name! What is a United Methodist man? ...a man's man is a GODLY man-, a GODLY man is a man of integrity and a servant: A man who grows in Christ and serves his friends, family, church and community throughout his lifetime.
The General Commission on United Methodist Men is committed to discipling men. This discipling is done through the local church and under the leadership and guidance of the local pastor. The General Commission on United Methodist Men is sensitive to the demands and pressures placed on the pastor as well as the demands placed on the ministries and resources of the church. Understanding the needs and providing a plan to help meet these is one of the assets General Commission on United Methodist Men brings to its relationship with the local church.
The General Commission on United Methodist Men seeks to come along side the local pastor and church and assist them in assessing, identifying. igniting, equipping and resourcing the development of their men's ministry.
? Why get involved with United Methodist Men?
The crying need in our society and churches is for strong male leadership to join faithful female leaders. Men's ministry is one of the few effective environments that encourage men to allow God to develop the male leadership that we need. For too long, men have been isolated from one another and separated from the church. Some view the church as a feminine environment without realizing it and respond to the church as an unfriendly place. In order to involve men and build boys into men it is imperative to have a part of the church that is male friendly. General Commission on United Methodist Men has been put in the forefront in identifying those elements that make an environment friendly to men.
How can GCUMM assist?
Men and men's issues are two of the most misunderstood and least resourced areas in our dysfunctional society today. The church is probably the only place where these issues can be properly and meaningfully addressed. GCUMM continues to address these issues by developing materials and establishing infrastructure. i.e. local, district, and conference training, which can efficiently and effectively assist and resource the pastor and the church with help in men's issues and ministry. GCUMM has also established a series of men's events and a process which helps to facilitate the transition of men, in a non-threatening way, into relationships.
What are the benefits of Gen. Comm. on United Methodist Men and men's ministry?
Features and Benefits:
1. The commitment and support of an agency of the United Methodist Church dedicated exclusively to men's ministry.
2. The ready availability of materials and resources which are developed and focused on men and men's issues.
3. A staff with the heart, gifts, and experience to help develop a relational ministry.
4. A resource and support team of men who can share both personal and collectively experiences that reflect God working
through man to man relationships.
5. A staff who is personally engaged in a men's small group, the level of relationship where men become transparent and share ... men sharpening men.
6. A staff who is sensitive and have a heart for the pastor and the church.
7. A staff who provides experience on the "do's" and "don'ts" when approaching pastors or ministry leaders and also assures the thoughtful development and use of ministry, materials and resources.
8. A staff who are aware and sensitive to the training and preparation of pastors and ministry staff in the area of men's ministry.
9. Materials which are situation and need responsive and sensitive.
10.A practical model for creating and maintaining men's ministry.
