Sitting around, writing this at almost 7pm on New Years Eve.  I sit with my immediate family, which is me, myself, and I.  (Can I ride in the carpool lane now?)  The normal men's group meeting on Saturday mornings has been postponed until the Saturday after New Years, yet it still weighs heavy on my heart.

It is a small group, of around 8-10 guys, originally formed as a book club.  That is one of those titles that means less than it implies.  Most book clubs would read a common book at home, then discuss it when they convene.  This club is lucky if portions are read as directed by the leader.  (Most of our men are not big into reading.)

At one point, around one Saturday a month, we would do a community service project.  THAT was a big hit with the men, but repetitive planning and logistics wasn't easy, so these outings gradually decreased.  To top it, the group had been led by our Pastor, who has now gone to another flock.  He appointed a very good leader to take his place. 

The problem is, that person's leadership is being used us the Sunday School Teacher for the "Married with Kids" class (He is also married, with 3 kids.)  This means his focus MUST stay on his Sunday School class,  while the men's group has become more or less a recycled men's Sunday school class with guided discussions.  I'm not saying that is a 'bad format', but, for our men, it doesn't seem to be encouraging them to be Biblical Spiritual Leaders.

I have tried to encourage the current leader, loaning him some of the books I've bought, even buying study outlines, but he has said he just doesn't have the time these would require, and I do respect that he is telling the truth.  I would not try to take over, because this would be seen as a 'power play' for leadership positions.  Our church really does not need any additional ruffled feathers, while we search for a new pastor.

Two quick asides, the leader I speak of is also the head of the Pastor Search Committee.  And we now have an interim Pastor!

I just purchased the teaching series from Liquid, called "The Ten: 1-5".  (Please use one of the advertised links on MCH to a Christian Outlet to purchase it, if you are interested.)  I noticed the segments were portions of the movie "I Am".  (I turned off inbound TV signals over 2 years ago, so I buy a lot of Christian media!)  I plan on buying the second section "6-10" soon.  I have the idea of showing the movie, as one Saturday meeting, then going through the ten week video guided discussion on the Ten Commandments, and how they are still very applicable.

I need to set this up as a benefit to the teacher, NOT me usurping his position.  It's going to take a lot of preparatory work on my part, so that he can present this without needing to prepare.  Please pray for me in this.  I will need to generate reproduce-able student outlines, and simple teacher talk points.  (Liquid DOES include a guide, but it is leader and participant guide in one! And still requires extensive teacher prep.)

If this is what God wants, He will enable it.  I may teach Sunday School, and lead Youth Group, but I am not running a business, with 3 kids, and a search committee!  (And I know how tough his kids are, I've taught each of them in one class or another!)

I know that our Youth Group is going to be the one's leading our church in the future, but doesn't that mean our adults should be leading our church today?  We do have around 8 people who have stepped up, and are literally running the church.  I see these strong men each Saturday, and it hurts me to know the things our Church could be, if we just allowed God to use us.

I guess it's time to push from the middle again. So, hitch up your breeches, rub your hands together, and find somewhere to push from where YOU are!

"There's a war going on out there, if you're not willing to shoot, why not carry the bullet? Even the worst of you could serve as bad examples..."

            &nb sp;                          - Dr. Kent Hovind

God bless!

Tags: JD Middle Man Ministry

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