Welcome to CLPC Mens Ministry!

I was asked to lead the mens ministry at CLPC in early 2008, and have spent all this time trying to figure out what that really means.  I am really not that slow of a person, but I am a firm believer that for any ministry to take root requires a movement from the heart and not a request from a governing body.  I think I have finally figured it out what I was asked to do and why.

Tell them what you will tell them, then tell it to them, and then close by telling them what you told them.  This is a common phrase in the world of presentations and public speaking.  I never related this to the scripture before until was studying Matthew and started focusing on Jesus first and last words to his disciples.  There is a lot of great scripture betweeen Matthew 4:18 and Matthew 28:18, but I think his point was made when he said "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men" and then closed with 'go do it'. 

We have a lot of great men involved already with this movement.  Art Wood and Don Brown lead the Wednesday morning group of men who have years of service and working behind them.  Joe Bradley leads the early Friday morning group that focuses on prayer and scripture.  Vic Hirsch applies his gift of insight and teaching every Sunday morning.   Shawn Gano heads up Thursday night basketball at CLPC, for those of you that are not on first name basis with your orthopedic surgeon (like me...).   But, we need more volunteers to really embark on this mission.

I am excited to let you all know that Jason Pettrey and Sandy Fine have volunteered to spear head Mens Fellowship activities.  This includes any fellowship outing from the annual mens golf outing to Bastrop to manly movie night.  Expect great things and events ahead in the area of mens fellowship.

Is God calling you?   If he is, then I think you know it.  Consider this blog entry as an invitation to respond to God's calling.   If you feel compelled to help out in any of the following areas, please leave a comment on this blog, or drop me an e-mail (Josh_Stras@yahoo.com).   If men respond, then it will happen.  If men do not, then we will move on in the areas that God has called us.  While we sometimes get frustrated with God's timing, it is something of a stress relief when you do relinquish control to Him.

• Sports Commissioner (the only role with an official title) - If you are interested in spearheading sporting activities such as basketball, golf, fishing, softball either as outings or an offical team, then let me know.
  
•  Mission and Service - Help identify, organize, and communicate service opportunities that could use a few good men.  The challenge is that there is always more opportunity to serve than people willing to serve.  If you feel called to help in this area, I want to hear from you.
  
• Outreach - Opportunities always seem to arise where a family is seeking a male mentor for a child, or we have men going through a tough time and just need support.  If this is an area of interest for you to be part of, then we need you.
  
• Communicaitons and Marketing - This involves everything from helping me with this blog, group communications, and identifying ways to get the word out through whatever means.  If you have gifts in this area, then share them.  
  

Special thanks to everyone that is instrumental in this ministry and have consistently stepped up in a variety of ways - Allison Groten (yep - every men ministry needs a woman), Vic Hirsch, Joe Bradley, Art Wood, Rick Hainley, Mark Christensen, Sandy Fine, Jason Pettrey, Jimmy Emore, Don Brown, and many, many others.

Please leave a comment or drop me a note for any feedback to this ministry or blog.    We want to hear from you - and pass the word.