majoring in men

Transcription

majoring in men

CMN MINISTRY BOARD
Bishop Dale Bronner
Chairman
Atlanta
Dear Man of God,
John Arana
Dallas
Welcome to the Christian Men’s Network!
Glenn Bollinger
Dallas
Joel Brooks
Kalamazoo
Doug Stringer
Houston
Jim Garlow
San Diego
Phil Pringle
Sydney
Kevin Dyson
Maroochydore
Robert Barriger
Lima
INTERNATIONAL
COALITION
Argentina / Adrian Juniors
Australia / Kevin Dyson
Brazil / George Nishimurra
Bulgaria / Media International
Ecuador / Jimmy Cornejo
Fiji / Suliasi Kurulo
Germany / Daniel Kwaku
Hungary / Asociatia Barbatilor
Crestini
India / Shekhar Kallianpur
Indonesia / Eddy Leo
Latvia / Alexey Ledyaev
New Zealand / Richard Eames
Peru / Robert Barriger
Philippines / David Sobrepena
Romania / Asociatia Barbatilor
Crestini
Russia / Igor Nikitin
Singapore / Kong Hee
Uganda / Alex Mitala
Ukraine / Sunday Adelaja
United Kingdom / Felix Ajayi
Uzbekistan / (Name Withheld
for safety)
You are now a partner and belong to an international brotherhood in this
exciting outreach God has initiated to reach and teach men God’s patterns
and principles.
Together we will accomplish what God has called us to do in discipling
men—to see them mature in the faith, become maximized in their manhood
and realize their potential in ministry.
As we share in the Christ-life together, you will get to know the Christian
Men’s Network better through the website and correspondence. That we may
also get to know you better, we ask you to do four things:
1. “Prayer produces intimacy.” You become intimate with the one TO whom
you pray, FOR whom you pray, and WITH whom you pray. We will be
praying for you and would ask you to do the same for us.
2. Throughout the year, we hold in-person men’s events. When we are in
your area, we encourage you to bring your men so we can meet each
other face to face. This is always extremely beneficial for all of us.
3. We invite you to attend the yearly CMN International Conference with as
many of your men as possible.
4. We depend on written correspondence, both snail mail and email. As
Edwin Louis Cole did for years, we also personally read all our mail.
Please take advantage of this system of communication and WRITE US!
Be sure to read this entire manual carefully, and you will be ready for one of
the greatest ventures in faith you will ever have, as you MAJOR IN MEN in
ministry!
Welcome and God bless you!
Yours in Christ for Christ,
Vietnam / (Name Withheld for
safety)
Zimbabwe / Tom Deuschle
Paul Louis Cole
CMN President
Seth M. Webster
Ed Cole ® Library Administrator
© 2007 :: CMN W orldwide :: PO Box 93478, Southlake, TX 76092 :: (888) 703-1204 :: [email protected]
MAJORING IN MEN® LEADERSHIP KIT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BUILD THE MOVEMENT
Christian Men’s Network Overview.................................................................................. 2
Ed Cole’s Introduction to CMN ........................................................................................ 3
Scriptural Basis for the Christian Men’s Network ............................................................. 4
Edwin Louis Cole® Statement of Purpose........................................................................ 5
Edwin Louis Cole® Statement of Ministry
Commissioned Men Statement of Purpose ..................................................................... 6
Ten Million Men in Ten Years.......................................................................................... 7
The History of the Christian Men’s Network................................................................... 10
Endorsements ............................................................................................................... 14
Sermon Outline: Why Do We Need a Men’s Ministry? .................................................. 16
BUILD THE MINISTRY
The Pastor’s Ministry to Men ......................................................................................... 17
Building Momentum ...................................................................................................... 18
Sermon Outline: Why Men’s Ministries Succeed or Fail ................................................ 20
Men’s Ministry Basics.................................................................................................... 21
Prayer for Successful Ministry ....................................................................................... 28
Building Your Men’s Group: Identification to Increase ................................................... 29
Points to Consider Before Starting Your Meeting .......................................................... 30
The Meeting Itself.......................................................................................................... 34
Tips on Speaking .......................................................................................................... 37
“Kick Off” Your Men’s Ministry: How to Conduct Men’s Retreats ................................... 39
Christian Men’s Events ................................................................................................. 42
Notes on Advertising Your Men’s Meetings ................................................................... 43
BUILD THE MEN
Reading Makes a Man Irresistible! ................................................................................ 44
Chronological Annual Bible Reading ............................................................................. 47
Psalms and Proverbs .................................................................................................... 51
Repetitive Bible Reading ............................................................................................... 52
Nine Keys to Intercession.............................................................................................. 54
USE THE METHODS
MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum .................................................................................. 55
Details on Commissioning............................................................................................. 58
Application to Receive a Commission ........................................................................... 59
Sample Commissioning Ceremony ............................................................................... 61
Unique Women “Commissioning” .................................................................................. 63
USE THE MATERIALS
Catalog of Materials ...................................................................................................... 65
Support Materials as a Tool for Counseling................................................................... 66
Men’s Ministry Self-Evaluation ...................................................................................... 68
CMN Licensing.............................................................................................................. 69
License Application ....................................................................................................... 70
2007 Calendar
MAJORING IN MEN® Roster
©1986 Chris tian Men’s Network
v.2.1
BUILD THE MOVEMENT
Christian Men’s Network Overview....................................................................... 2
Ed Cole’s Introduction to CMN ............................................................................. 3
Scriptural Basis for the Christian Men’s Network.................................................. 4
Edwin Louis Cole® Statement of Purpose............................................................. 5
Edwin Louis Cole® Statement of Ministry
Commissioned Men Statement of Purpose .......................................................... 6
Ten Million Men in Ten Years............................................................................... 7
The History of the Christian Men’s Network........................................................ 10
Endorsements .................................................................................................... 14
Sermon Outline: Why Do We Need a Men’s Ministry? ....................................... 16
v.2.1
CHRISTIAN MEN’S NETWORK OVERVIEW
The truths on each page of this Leadership Kit come from years of experience and success.
Begin and win!
In 2007, Christian Men’s Network celebrates thirty years of ministry to men worldwide. CMN
now has staffed offices in dozens of strategic locations around the world which distribute CMN
materials to 125 nations.
Why such an international appeal and impact? Because the Network works! When it comes to
ministering to men, CMN knows how.
Cofounded by Edwin and Nancy Cole, together with Paul Cole, in 1977, CMN launched the
men’s movement in 1982 through the book Maximized Manhood. In 1986, CMN launched a
Video Network with a monthly video sent around the world.
In 1992, Dr. Cole helped Coach Bill McCartney get Promise Keepers off the ground in the US.
In 1996, a World Tour established ministry to men in 210 nations by 2001. By 1997, the
MAJORING IN MEN® curriculum was launched, and the first men were commissioned after
reading nine books and working their corresponding curriculum/workbooks by Ed Cole.
In 2002, after Dr. Cole’s homegoing, CMN kept on the move around the world. Today, more
men study Dr. Cole’s books and preach Dr. Cole’s message globally than when he was on
earth!
As massive strides are made, faithful partners whom Dr. Cole called the “backbone of the
ministry,” keep the ministry going day in and day out, month in and month out through financial
support and by working in Ministry Teams to teach more men.
Changing men’s eternal future by changing their earthly lives is CMN’s singular goal and aim.
God does it…one man at a time.
©1986 Chr istian Men’s Network
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INTRODUCTION TO THE CHRISTIAN MEN’S NETWORK
by EDWIN LOUIS COLE
The Christian Men’s Network has been born of the Holy Spirit as a unique resource to reach
and teach men the truths of God’s Word. It is comprised of men whose hearts have been
touched by God to teach the truth that “manhood and Christlikeness are synonymous.”
The express purpose of establishing the Network is to enable the discipling of men to take
place in a biblical pattern. Meeting times are at the discretion of the leadership and are held
when best suited to meet the needs of the men.
When utilizing MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum in an ongoing men’s ministry, leadership will
directly determine the effectiveness of the ministry.
Personnel is always the problem; personnel is always the solution.
The Network was not established to supplant the leadership in the local church but rather to
give opportunity for the leadership to develop a strong and effective ministry to men through
resources such as videos, books, CDs/DVDs, ideas and opportunities.
Therefore, leadership skills will be necessary to nurture other gifts and ministries for the
purpose of building up Christ’s Body and bringing it to maturity.
Discipling men is the basic ministry of the church and pastor.
Mature men make a strong church.
A strong church makes a strong community.
Strong communities make a strong nation.
When men accept their responsibility to guide, guard and govern in righteousness both at work
and in the home, stability and strength are provided both at work and in the home.
All the materials offered by Christian Men’s Network are for the definitive purpose of discipling
men which, in turn, will bless women and children.
The Christian Men’s Network is not the idea of a man but a manifestation of the wisdom of God
to accomplish His purposes on earth.
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SCRIPTURAL BASIS FOR THE CHRISTIAN MEN’S NETWORK
“Manhood and Christlikeness are synonymous.”
These verses of scripture were the starting motivation for launching the Christian Men’s
Network:
“Behold I have made a new threshing instrument with a sharp, cutting edge.”
Isaiah 41:15 TLB/AMP
“Send us around the world with the news of your saving power and your eternal plan for all
mankind.”
Psalm 67:2 TLB
“But, you have given us a banner to rally to; and all who love truth will rally to it.”
Psalm 60:4 TLB
“The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.”
Psalm 68:11 KJV
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EDWIN LOUIS COLE®
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The original message God gave with which this ministry began is stated in the book Maximized
Manhood. Continuing understanding of the Word has caused it to grow and multiply.
However, the basic truth of being identified with Christ, which is the essence of salvation, is
finding greater application in men’s lives today than ever before.
We do not minister for reaction but for result.
Since beginning full time in 1980, we have ministered personally to millions of men in
seminars, rallies and church services via videos, radio, television, books, tapes and satellite
broadcasts. We have millions of books in print in dozens of languages. Our MAJORING IN
MEN® Curriculum is now used by thousands of men in small groups globally.
Through reports we receive, it is estimated that thousands have received Jesus Christ as their
personal Savior and Lord, tens of thousands of men’s lives have been completely changed,
and hundreds of thousands of marriages have been resurrected as a result.
To see men changed through the power of the Gospel is our goal.
For that purpose, to that end and for God’s glory, determine to fulfill His calling and to impact
men with the message of manhood and Christlikeness.
EDWIN LOUIS COLE®
STATEMENT OF MINISTRY
God called me to speak with a prophetic voice to the men of this generation and commissioned
me with a ministry majoring in men.
God has called me to speak with a spirit of edification; given me a ministry of reconciliation; put
a word in my heart to direct, protect and correct men; to declare a standard for manhood that is
synonymous with Christlikeness; and to stand in Christ’s stead, making His message
applicable to every man in every nation.
May this venture in faith that is called the Christian Men’s Network be a time in your life to
maximize your gifts, talents and ministry. Together let us do the work to which God has called
us for the generation of men we serve.
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CHRISTIAN MEN’S NETWORK
COMMISSIONED MEN STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
“I believe God has called me to speak with a prophetic voice to the men of this generation. He
has commissioned me with a ministry majoring in men, to bring them to an identification with
Christ and impress them with the reality that ‘manhood and Christlikeness are synonymous.’”
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TEN MILLION MEN IN TEN YEARS 10/10
“At whatever place you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for
us” Nehemiah 4:20.
“I would rather fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed
than succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail.” – Woodrow T. Wilson
TEN million men in TEN years! It was the final rallying cry of men even as angels ushered Ed
Cole to glory. “Spiritual sons” picked up the mantle to run the race… they faced an audacious
goal, a large vision, but a war they knew could not be lost…a battle that must be joined by
hundreds, thousands more men.
We are in a life and death battle for the souls of men…CMN is fully committed to creating an
army of godly men around the world. The first strike force is to recruit and train ten million men
by 2015. The malice of the cultural wars is increasingly hostile, and Christianity is no longer the
prevailing worldview. It is the counter-culture in a Post-Modern world. This generation has no
“seed” of the Gospel. For most people under 25 worldwide, neither Grandma nor Grandpa nor
friends nor any authority figure was in the Church or ascribed to a biblical worldview.
In the United States, arguably one of the most “churched” nations in the world…
* 108,000,000 men are 15 or older.
* 66,000,000 men make no profession of Christ.
* Only 8,000,000 men are involved in any discipleship training, leaving 100,000,000 men
not involved in biblical training.
* 72,000,000 children are under 18. 33% live in a home without a biological father.
* More than 40% of first marriages end in divorce.
* 33% of all children are born outside of marriage.
* Any top-selling gangster rap CD will sell 1,000,000 copies in its first week.
* There are 350,000 new cases of STDs every week.
* 35% of college-age women have an eating disorder, struggling to find their own
uniqueness.
* Stress has surpassed cancer as the largest killer of men.
For every 10 men in the average United States church…
* 9 will have kids who leave the church.
* 8 do not find their jobs satisfying.
* 6 pay only monthly minimum on credit cards.
* 5 have a major problem with pornography.
* 4 will get divorced, which affects 1,000,000 children each year.
* Only 1 will have a comprehensive biblical worldview.
* All 10 will struggle to balance family and work.
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“It isn’t that they can’t see the solution.
It is that they can’t see the problem.” – G. K. Chesterson
Ever since Adam blamed Eve and God for his indiscretions, men have found it easiest to go to
places of denial and blame, but now it is time to accept the responsibility to change the culture
in which we live and change the world.
“Maturity does not come with age.
Maturity comes with the acceptance of responsibility.
Mediocre men want authority without accountability.” – Ed Cole
The answer is found only in a passionate relationship with Jesus Christ. The answer to AIDS,
poverty and world hunger is men filled with the Holy Spirit, full of genuine and sacrificial love
for God and for people.
“The tragedy of a man’s life is not that he set his dreams so high that
he could not achieve them but so low that he did.” – Michelangelo
THE ANSWER: A SACRIFICIAL, PASSIONATE, STRATEGIC COMMITMENT TO RAISE
LEADERS…MEN WHO WILL NOT LEAVE THE FIGHT, WILL NOT DEFER THE PRICE TO
BE PAID NOR HESITATE TO ENGAGE THE ENEMY.
“In the battle of life, it is not the critic who counts, nor the one who points out how the strong
person stumbled or where the doer of a deed could have done better. The credit belongs to the
person who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who
strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without
error and shortcoming; who does actually strive to do deeds; who knows the great
enthusiasms, the great devotion; spends oneself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in
the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he or she fails, at least fails while
daring greatly.
“Far better it is to dare mighty things; to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by
failure, than to rank with those timid spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live
in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.” – President Teddy Roosevelt
There Is Good News…
As godly men, when we face the facts and understand the issues, empowered by God, we
then act. Global leaders are gearing up initiatives to reach men, develop leaders and see men
saved in an historic fresh wave of God’s grace.
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Our vision…
To BUILD MEN RAISE SONSSM, impacting men everywhere with the message that “Manhood
and Christlikeness are synonymous.”
Consistent, constant and clear
Minister to men where they are…then take them where they need to go.
Work with the men who are in front of you. Don’t look over their heads, looking for the ones
you hope will be there. God has always used the man who was overlooked by the world to do
some of the greatest works for the Kingdom.
Give your men goals that can be reached. Engage them for a 6-week course or a 3-month
study…It has an ending. Then have them do it again.
It takes time to make a rugged disciple.
Your ultimate goal should be to get men studying God’s Word with other men. Small groups
are the place where men can find the security to share what they are really dealing with.
Whatever you do…just start. It won’t happen until you do.
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THE HISTORY OF THE CHRISTIAN MEN’S NETWORK
This ministry began in February, 1980, when, at a men’s retreat in the mountains of Oregon,
God gave Edwin Louis Cole a “word” for men. It produced such a phenomenal response in
men’s hearts that, within two months, the first city-wide rally for men was organized. In April,
1980, 38 men attended that first city-wide meeting. From those two seemingly small events,
the Christian men’s movement was ignited. Four years later, in April, 1984, in Houston, Texas,
7,800 men attended the first National Christian Men’s Event.
The “word” Dr. Cole gave was that Israel’s five deadly sins are the same five sins that still keep
men from their personal “Land of Promise.” That original “word” became the basis of the
bestselling book, Maximized Manhood, one of the most widely read men’s books in the world.
Twenty years later, Coach Bill McCartney would call Ed Cole the “father of the men’s
movement,” and men in 210 nations would be using materials for manhood created by Ed
Cole.
In June, 1980, while again at a men’s camp, God spoke to Dr. Cole’s heart to “major in men in
ministry.” Immediately, there was an effort made to gather some men to help sponsor the
ministry. The first concerted nationwide effort in the U.S. to minister to men took place in July.
While teaching in July, Campbell McAlpine prophesied that this new ministry would become a
“new threshing instrument with a sharp cutting edge,” based on Isaiah 41:15. At the time, the
thoughts of Christians were not on men’s ministry but on the ministry of pastors. However,
subsequent events have proven the accuracy of the prophet’s words in regard to this ministry
and God’s purposes for it with this generation of men.
In November of that year, while attending an intercessory prayer meeting, the Holy Spirit
inspired those praying to ask for 10,000 men in total attendance at men’s meetings the next
year, 1981. At the time, it seemed like a mountain that would have to be moved.
In January, 1981, Dr. Cole was ministering with two Christian television networks, acting as
Chancellor for a school of ministry in San Diego, helping establish a world-wide radio ministry,
pastoring a congregation and launching a ministry to men.
On April 24, 1981, a group of people met in California to pray and help sponsor the burgeoning
ministry. Again, one of God’s choice servants was used to bring a word, giving God’s direction.
George Otis said, “This ministry is running late.”
Within twenty-four hours after hearing the statement, Dr. Cole resigned every ministry with
which he was engaged, walked into the church where he pastored, preached and prayed then
made farewells.
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The following day, an IBM typewriter was purchased, put in his kitchen with a four-drawer file
cabinet, and the ministry was underway from that office. Shortly thereafter, a volunteer
secretary came to help. She became the “office manager” when another person was
employed, and the office was moved into Dr. Cole’s garage. That was in July of 1981. By
September, they had rented office space in Corona del Mar, California, and stayed there until
moving the office to Dallas, Texas, in September, 1984.
In November, 1984, God began to impress on the hearts of all who were involved that there
needed to be a “multiplication of the ministry.” Then, in March, 1986, at the dedication of the
new Willie George television studios, God gave Dr. Cole the answer. In the same way that
Pastor George was able to minister to children in local churches, Dr. Cole could minister to
men in the local church.
This was Dr. Cole’s answer to be able to be a part of the pastor’s call to disciple men, to stand
alongside God’s chosen servants, the local pastors, and deliver the life-changing truths God
was pouring into people’s hearts and minds. This meant that, rather than having every man or
minister adapt his ministry to Christian Men’s Network, CMN could adapt its ministry to the
minister.
By the use of videos, making them available to men and ministers throughout the world, men
would be able to minister in their church, home, school, business, prison or elsewhere. The
ministry could occur any day of the week, fit into any schedule and be as effective as if it were
being done in person.
The Christian Men’s Video Network was launched at the U.S. National Christian Men’s Event
in Washington, DC, on June 7, 1986. Many of those attending showed up the next day on the
Capitol steps to blow a trumpet and sound a note of victory that would symbolically carry into
the hearts of men throughout the country and the world. Network Centers were already being
established in locations from Maine to Hawaii.
Within weeks, the news traveled internationally, and CMN began to receive inquiries from
other countries. The first Video Network meetings began in September, 1986. The first
overseas campaign was in Australia in October, 1986, where more Network Centers were
established. Other nations followed, but it took ten years for anyone at CMN to fully realize the
global impact God was making.
In 1996, Christian Men’s Network launched a major thrust to establish ministry to men in 210
nations by 2001, effectively covering the globe with the message that “manhood and
Christlikeness are synonymous.”
To achieve the goal, two years were spent on a World Tour (1997-98), establishing and
strengthening the ministry in National Offices and building the International Communications
Center in Southlake, Texas, which was constructed and occupied debt-free. A national flag
flew at the International Office for each National Office of CMN worldwide.
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In 1998, a global effort was made to bring men in from around the world for training, equipping
and commissioning, resulting in representatives coming from 50 nations for “Let the Lions
Roar!” That year, a curriculum was launched, and within the next 12 months, nine books by Ed
Cole had a corresponding curriculum.
At the 1998 International Christian Men’s Event, 18 men were called to start National Offices,
and 27 men became “Ministers to the Men of the World” in the first-ever commissioning
ceremony, receiving the emblem of a sword.
By the autumn of 1998, there were CMN offices in 34 nations, with dozens more ready to
launch. Thousands of men attended monthly video meetings, and hundreds of thousands of
books were distributed in dozens of languages. A CMN outreach existed for the Spanishspeaking world with translated books and videos.
At the 1999 Lions Roar event, the Network had grown to 70 international offices and many
more men commissioned, all of whom had completed the curriculum and all of whom received
a sword as the emblem. The International Communications Center was expanded, and an
auditorium was added. Two churches made the auditorium their home, so the building was in
use every day of the week.
In 2000, Nancy Corbett Cole was called home after a long fight with pulmonary fibrosis. Edwin
Louis Cole continued ministering, circling the globe in 2001 to minister with Robert Barriger in
Peru and Argentina, Kong Hee in Singapore, Eddy Leo in Indonesia and Alexey Ledyaev in
Latvia. At the end of the year, he sustained the first serious health issue of his adult life when
he was found to have a broken back from a fall he’d sustained in Argentina. At the first of
2002, the diagnosis worsened as he was found to have multiple myeloma, cancer of the bone
marrow. Dr. Cole successfully fought the disease for eight months then entered the gates of
Heaven to see his Christ face to face on August 27, 2002.
Dr. Cole ended the original “history” essay with the following words, but that was not the end of
the ministry.
Why does CMN have such an international impact? Because the Network works! The truths
we teach on ministry to men come from years of experience and success. For over 18 years,
we have seen men follow the patterns and principles taught. They have dramatically impacted
families, businesses, churches, communities and even entire nations.
It is our purpose and our prayer that the Network will impact men throughout the world,
reaching 210 nations by the year 2001. The venture of faith, which it is, was initiated by God to
multiply the ministry to men which He so sovereignly started in 1980 with just 38 men.
It is God’s Network, God’s men and God’s ministry for our generation.
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Spiritual sons worldwide rallied to the last great challenge given by Dr. Cole: BUILD MEN
RAISE SONSSM. They prayed and strategized to reach the goal he gave: Reach 10 million
men in 10 years.
By 2005, the movement was once again growing around the world, using one of the most
powerful curriculum tools for men ever created, tested globally for two decades. The “sons”
criss-crossed the globe to speak at each other’s men’s conferences. Because Dr. Cole had
regained the rights to all of his books, except Maximized Manhood, the sons were free to
translate books and curriculum into new languages and publish them in new countries. The
numbers of “grandchildren” of Ed Cole swelled and began to come into maturity around the
world as well.
In Indonesia, 100,000 men have completed “Maximized Manhood” weekends which have led
tens of thousands of Muslim men to Christ. In Peru, 18,000 men are studying the curriculum.
From the Peru base, every nation in South and Central America has started men’s groups with
the curriculum. In Brazil alone, 1400 men have become certified trainers to teach other men
with the curriculum.
In Uganda, the entire nation has reduced the AIDS epidemic from 76% to 18% of the
population. Leaders credit Dr. Cole’s annual travels throughout the 1990s, from which he wrote
home impassioned letters of the desperate need for the message of sexual purity. The “Glory
of Virginity” movement that resulted, GLOVISMO, has brought national healing and created a
modern phenomenon.
More stories exist around the world with men who have caught the vision and pressed on with
the mission. Today, more men are buying and reading the books than when Dr. Cole was
alive. The movement was birthed, the movement was built and, now, you are one of those
through whom the movement will broaden throughout the world.
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ENDORSEMENTS
“Ed Cole was one of the primary voices of this generation. What he taught will pass the test of
time.” Pastor Jack Hayford
“Edwin Cole’s ministry changed my life, changed my marriage. I thank God for his ministry.”
(the late) Reggie White, NFL Superbowl Champion
“Dr. Cole’s ministry has helped instill some of the courage I need to face the battles of
professional sports. I encourage you to become the champion God created you to be.”
A.C. Green, NBA Ironman
“Dr. Cole’s ministry is an inspiration to all real men, young and old, fathers and sons—and
grandfathers like me.” (the late) Dr. Kenneth Taylor, The Living Bible
“Ed Cole’s ministry produces ‘fruit that remains’—godliness, righteousness, holiness.”
Jim Garlow, Pastor, Skyline Wesleyan
“Ed Cole has delivered a stirring message for men, filled with illustrations and the practical
advice that men need for victorious living.” Pat Robertson, President, CBN
“Ed Cole articulates Christlike attributes of manhood that will enable men to stand for right and
fight against wrong in the tough times ahead.” Tommy Barnett, Pastor, Phoenix First Assembly
“Edwin Louis Cole shows us how to become what all men need to be and want to be.”
Gavin MacLeod, Actor
“This is a man with the word for men today.” Mike Singletary, NFL Hall-of-Famer
“Edwin Louis Cole is doing wonderful, critical work on the frontline of spiritual warfare.”
Ted Baehr, Chairman, The Christian Film and Television Commission
“A nation rebels against the heavenly Father because it does not know what an earthly father
is. Edwin Louis Cole is a role model for this generation.” Doug Stringer, Founder, Somebody
Cares
“The hour is late and the problems are massive. We must be strong! Dr. Cole’s message is
part of God’s answer to the tough times we face.” Billy Joe Daugherty, Pastor, Victory Christian
Center
“God has developed a magnificent ministry in Edwin Louis Cole. He has ministered to me,
drawing out of me an intensity for Christianity that God has placed deep within me.”
Coach Bill McCartney, Founder, Promise Keepers
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“Don’t just read his material. Take a moment to let Ed Cole be your dad. It will change your life
forever.” Willie George, Pastor, Church on the Move
“Edwin Louis Cole is an example to men; an inspiration to men in a time that cries out for just
such leaders with sound moral values.” Oliver North, Lt. Col., U.S. Marine Corps (ret.)
“I hope to convey, somehow, to the men I influence the influence that Ed Cole’s words have
had on my life.” Carman, Musician
“Ed is an anointed man of God. His ministry is bringing America to a place of repentance and
revival.” Evangelist James Robison, Life Today
“I thank God for the ministry of Brother Cole to men.” Barry Sanders, Heisman Trophy Winner,
NFL Hall of Famer
“Edwin Louis Cole’s uncompromised message has stirred and motivated the hearts of today’s
professional and collegiate athletes to utilize their talents for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Larry Kerychuk, Athletes International Ministries
“A message; a movement; a man raised up. Ed Cole, with unique spiritual chemistry, is on the
move to reset the ancient moral landmarks obliterated by a generation that has lost its way.”
George Otis, President, High Adventure Ministries
“Few people have done as much to maximize real manhood in today’s emasculating society as
Edwin L. Cole.” Pat Boone, Entertainer
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Edwin Louis Cole® Sermon Outline:
Why Do We Need a Men’s Ministry?
“Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but He revealeth His secret unto His servants the
prophets” Amos 3:7.
•
•
•
Priests speak to God about people.
Prophets speak to people about God.
Kings rule by ability to serve.
A father must speak first to God about his children before he speaks to his children about God.
•
•
•
•
Indifference is a form of rebellion.
Genesis 2:15
The basic ministry of pastors is to disciple men.
All truth is confrontational.
Criterion of spirituality is the love of truth.
Antichrist will gain power to bring “peace and safety.”
Gangs are formed from the fatherless.
Why do we need a men’s ministry?
The answer: For Raising up Fathers!
Acts 9:31
“And when I became a man, I put away childish things” 1 Corinthians 13:11.
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BUILD THE MINISTRY
The Pastor’s Ministry to Men .............................................................................. 17
Building Momentum............................................................................................ 18
Sermon Outline: Why Men’s Ministries Succeed or Fail ..................................... 20
Men’s Ministry Basics ......................................................................................... 21
Prayer for Successful Ministry ............................................................................ 28
Building Your Men’s Group: Identification to Increase ........................................ 29
Points to Consider Before Starting Your Meeting ............................................... 30
The Meeting Itself ............................................................................................... 34
Tips on Speaking................................................................................................ 37
“Kick Off” Your Men’s Ministry: How to Conduct Men’s Retreats........................ 39
Christian Men’s Events....................................................................................... 42
Notes on Advertising Your Men’s Meetings........................................................ 43
v.2.1
THE PASTOR’S MINISTRY TO MEN
The basic pattern of biblical ministry is the reason we at the Christian Men’s Network do
everything we can to build the local church. This ministry is not intended to replace the local
church but to augment the ministry of the pastor by providing a forum through which he can
disciple his men. The pattern of ministry that must be followed is “The pastor disciples the
man; the man disciples the family.”
The Old Testament pattern was followed in the New Testament with the organization of the
Church as we know it today. God gave only one person the responsibility to disciple men—the
pastor.
The Bible says, “Touch not God’s anointed.” If the minister is called by God, he is the authority
in that church. The position of authority must be reverenced and respected.
A man may give responsibility to others, and a good pastor delegates work to a good team, but
the authority is always his. Those who have authority will be held accountable for it. Men must
accept responsibility but recognize those in authority over them. Men with authority must
accept accountability.
If you, as you read this, are not a pastor but have been given the responsibility for men’s
ministry, remember that the authority for discipling men emanates from the pastor himself.
When you are given responsibility, be sure not to use it to usurp authority. Christian Men’s
Network leaders and members are encouraged to be in fellowship with a local body of
believers. CMN is not a substitute for church.
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BUILDING MOMENTUM
Motivation, Momentum, Maintenance
The Christian Men’s Network has been sustained upon this key scripture:
“Commit these words to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” 2 Timothy 2:2.
From this passage came the word “Teach to Teach to Teach.” The way ministry grows and
flourishes is when men not only “buy into” the ministry to men but also become the ministers to
men.
Creating a vibrant ministry to men takes prayer, sweat and unswerving determination. The
maximum amount of energy required in nature is the amount needed to start a stationary
object into motion. Success is the result of constancy—to continue to focus on the objective,
despite any momentary obstacle—to continue meeting, no matter the season or interruption of
special events. Men will not commit to a moving target.
Building momentum takes prayer, planning, preparation, perseverance and perspiration. The
singular purpose of taking men to a passionate, committed lifestyle of following Christ must be
at the core of every prayer and plan. Fellowship is the by-product of ministering together, not
the goal.
As you pray and plan, work with your pastoral and men’s ministry leadership to develop a
biblically-based vision statement for what you want to accomplish in your men’s ministry.
Momentum-Building Materials: Twelve confrontational books by Ed Cole
Maximized Manhood; Strong Men in Tough Times; Courage;
The Power of Potential; Real Man; Sexual Integrity;
Communication, Sex and Money; The Unique Woman;
Never Quit; Absolute Answers; Treasure; Irresistible Husband
The CMN MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum is currently in use in over 50 nations worldwide. It
has been tested by top leaders, by churches from various denominational backgrounds and in
every conceivable cultural setting.
Ten powerful books and corresponding workbooks currently make up the curriculum. The
curriculum is intended for small groups but is self-explanatory as a single-person study and
adapts easily to classes, university settings, seminars, retreats, church services and, of
course, men’s events.
Nine books are mandatory for full commissioning, four for the MAXTRAK certificate program.
The core curriculum are Maximized Manhood, Courage, Strong Men in Tough Times and
Communication, Sex and Money.
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Build Motivated Men:
1. Support of the senior pastor is a must.
The tone set in the pulpit on Sunday morning will set the direction for the ministry to men
more than any other ministry of the church.
2. Teamwork makes the dream work.
A team of men committed to the ministry to men will carry it through any difficulty. The
Bible says war is waged with a multitude of counselors. This does not mean a variety of
directions but rather wisdom from leaders.
3. Minister for results, not reactions.
Men want to be a part of something “larger than themselves.” They don’t want to be busy
for the sake of being busy. Make sure that every meeting or event you schedule clearly
serves your overall purpose.
4. Pray for wisdom to develop strategy.
All victory comes from the right strategy which comes from wisdom. Men pray for victory;
God gives wisdom. The pattern is wisdom—strategy—victory! Pray for wisdom to do what
is culturally relevant for your area. You don’t have to do what does not fit the personality
of your church or strains resources to the point of diminishing returns. Ask God for
creative ideas for your men.
5. Be relationship focused rather than task oriented.
Most long-term change takes place in the context of church-based relationships with a
bedrock of a relationship with God through His Word and prayer. Events can motivate
men. Relationships make them stay. Look for ways to give men opportunities to create
relationships.
6. The Bible says to make disciples and pray for workers.
Your best workers will be the men discipled in your church. Resist the natural urge to look
for men with talent. Commit to the men who are faithful.
Most often, the first place to begin creating momentum is to motivate men toward a specific
event. Events built around a “church service” type of event can motivate men as can
campouts, “encounters” or even service-oriented events such as community building projects.
Momentum must be directed, leading men into the local church and toward a sustained
discipleship focus in their lives.
“The challenge is not in the ability to obtain but to maintain.”
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Edwin Louis Cole® Sermon Outline:
Why Men’s Ministries Succeed or Fail
The only man in a church who is given the responsibility to disciple the man is the pastor.
Deuteronomy 6, 7 and 8—Reveal God as supernatural supply
Deuteronomy 6:4-12
Psalm 78:1-8—The pastor disciples the men; the man disciples the family.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THE MAN IN THE HOME:
Prophet, Priest, King
Guide, Guard, Govern
Direct, Protect, Correct
Nourish, Cherish, Admonish
Men’s ministries in the church succeed or fail on the basis of the leadership of the pastor.
Luke 16:12
THREE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENTS IN FAITHFULNESS:
Constancy
Loyalty
Submission
THE GOAL OF BRINGING MEN TOGETHER:
Discipling the man for the purpose of evangelizing the world
EVANGELISM:
The natural outgrowth of spiritual maturity
THE MOTIVATION FOR LEADING SOULS TO CHRIST:
An outgrowth of the love of God in your heart
IDENTIFICATION—THE BASIC ISSUE OF CHRISTIANITY
We are identified with Christ by Word, Blood and Spirit.
Pattern: IDENTIFICATION—INVOLVEMENT—INVESTMENT—INCREASE
Some people have a talent for hearing the Word but have never submitted themselves to a
local church.
John 15:8
Bring men into identification with your men’s ministry which causes them to be involved. Then
they will invest, and the church reaps the increase.
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MEN’S MINISTRY BASICS
It may surprise you how unique a men’s meeting is in comparison with other church functions.
Once you identify a small team of men who will commit to work with you, require them to sit
down with you and cover these points step-by-step before you schedule your first meeting.
Many of these points, however, are practical ideas that can be applied to any gathering of
people and adjusted to fit any cultural situation. A church can excerpt from them to train and
assist ushers, the women’s ministry, the hospitality committee, the children’s crusade, etc. Use
the years of experience behind these pointers to help your church and ministry in every facet!
ATTENDANCE
WHO IS INVITED TO YOUR MEETINGS:
Meetings are for “men only.” The only thing we really ask when you start for the first time is “no
women.” Many churches share videos and even curriculum training with the rest of the
church—women’s ministry adapts it to their needs, children’s ministry teaches the principles to
the children. But to build men, give the men the first opportunity to view and absorb the
teachings. By keeping the uniqueness of the “men only” meeting, you encourage a larger
crowd. Opening the meetings to all dilutes the effectiveness.
“Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the Lord,” the Bible says in
Deuteronomy 16:16. Men respond differently to the Lord’s commandments when they are with
just their male counterparts. There is an open honesty among them that does not surface
when women or children are present. Men want to be men, but they want to make that
decision without any embarrassment or intimidation from other family members. They will
respond among their peers.
In years of “men only” meetings, we have watched men come clean before God; heard and
seen them as they confessed sex sins of all kinds; watched them cry openly as they asked for
deliverance from abuse of their wives and children; admit their greed, pride or hatred and seek
help from other men; forgive their fathers and other relatives of their sins against them; want to
become men of faith and courage by declaring their desire for freedom and moral courage.
We’ve seen it all.
There is much to gain from the “men only” meetings.
We believe that manhood should be recognized in young men from the age of 13 on, although
even 11 and 12 year olds have attended and been touched by God. Their attendance should
be encouraged in men’s meetings or in young men’s meetings as they are mentored by the
men who have already worked on the curriculum. Read the book, COURAGE, for a further
understanding of this principle.
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By treating young men as men, you encourage their manhood at an age when it is most
important for them to develop their character. Young men who are not allowed to attend with
their fathers at age nine eagerly await their thirteenth birthday to participate with “Dad.” This
strengthens the church as young men learn to take their manhood seriously. Some churches
are now in their third generation of men, and the character, discipline and gentlemanly qualities
of their men permeates every church service.
WHEN TO CONDUCT YOUR MEETINGS
1. TIME
Meetings can be planned at any time that is convenient to the men and leaders of the
individual church or group. Here are a few suggestions about when to conduct yours:
•
•
•
The time of the meeting is important only because it is the time best suited to the
majority of men. It is wisdom for some to have a meeting on a Saturday morning, for
others on a Thursday night.
The day of the week or month is important in that you should not plan meetings on
holiday weekends if at all possible. For example, if you want to meet the third Saturday
of every month, by all means, look at the calendar for the year and see if most third
Saturdays are free weekends. If many of them are going to be holidays, change your
plan. Men are typically caught up in family activities on those days, and you do not want
to detract from their family life by requiring their faithfulness to the men’s meetings.
Whatever you do, determine what is best from the men’s perspective, and then make
your decision for the maximum good. Don’t base your decision on information gained
from men whom you know will not cooperate or from those who do not attend other
services regularly.
2. REGULARITY OF MEETINGS
Consistency is a virtue, so whatever you do, DO IT.
It is always more attractive to people when they see something grow and be added to rather
than dwindle or be cut back. If you decide to start your meetings on a weekly basis but find your
men are too busy, by cutting it back, people will interpret that as a failure and not want to
become involved. If weekly meetings looks like it could be a challenge, start with monthly or
every two weeks.
Likewise, if you decide to have meetings on the first Saturday of every month but change the
date for two months in a row, it will plant seeds of doubt in those who you want to attract.
Research before you make your announcement. If there is any doubt, start smaller and leave
yourself room to grow.
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Then, stick to your decision—but don’t be afraid to change. It sounds like a contradiction,
but there is a ruthlessness in the Gospel that says, “If it doesn’t produce, lop it off” Luke
13:6-9. Lop off old dead works, so you can bring forth new fruit.
If your first plan doesn’t work, have the courage to admit it and change it, even if it was your
own idea. As you develop and learn God’s pattern for your men’s ministry, stick to it. Don’t
let anyone change it. We’ve had men find their patterns and carry on for more than a year
before they began to see the increase. But God rewards faithfulness, and ultimately, they
ended up with more men, more salvations, more changed lives than they ever imagined.
HOW TO AVOID PITFALLS
The principle is: NEW CONSTRUCTION IS ALWAYS EASIER THAN RECONSTRUCTION.
If at all possible, do something new and inviting rather than boost an old program by merely
adding something new.
Don’t use “faded glory.” Stay fresh.
Women who are not interested in their husband’s attendance will try to keep him home if it
interferes with his responsibilities in the home. The absentee father is the curse of our day. We
are dedicated to putting the father back into the home, not giving him another excuse to stay
away once a week or month. When a man becomes more responsible due to the ministry, the
wife and children will come around to his ways instead of trying to lure him to theirs.
Men need to compensate their wives and families for the time they spend away from them by
doing something special when they get home. Encourage your men to stop and buy a card,
take the family on an outing or plan a special family activity at home as a way of saying “Thank
you.” One church actually purchased cards the men could pick up at the meeting to take home
to their wives. Their wives loved it!
WHERE TO HOLD A MEETING
Esthetics, the environment of your meeting, can often determine its success or failure. If you
are a pastor, you may have heard this before, but it bears repeating: Do not let the facility
where you worship dictate your limits. You must determine to lead personally, not
circumstantially.
Testifying to faith, signs, wonders, miracles and “maximized” manhood while meeting in a
room that is deteriorated or moth-eaten is to work in opposition to yourself. Many men will not
invite friends or neighbors to the meeting if they are embarrassed by the location or the
conduct of the meeting.
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Check the details! Is the room lighted properly? Can men easily read their Bibles as well as
see the video screen without glare?
What about the physical dimensions of the room? Is there too much space for too few men?
This will be intimidating and produce distance instead of intimacy. Make sure the room is the
appropriate size for your group. The rule of thumb is that it’s better to have standing room only
than too much space.
Are the ceilings so low that you feel cramped? If all the ceilings are low in your facility, choose
a room with a window, and leave the door open. Men have a tendency to feel “boxed in” easily.
NAME YOUR MEN’S MINISTRY
You are a part of the Christian Men’s Network. You hold MAJORING IN MEN® meetings.
These names have good recognition and will help build your group. But it can benefit your
individual men’s ministry, or small groups within the ministry, to have a special name. Some
members identify themselves by their group name. One man at a Christian Men’s Network
event greeted a CMN staff member by saying, “Hello! I’m an MMOV!” Instantly, the staff knew
which church he was, as they were members of the “Mighty Men of Valor”!
When you choose a name, don’t give your group an ordinary name, or it will garner an ordinary
response. For example, you don’t want to hold an “encounter” when you could hold “24 Hours
of Courage” or hold a “seminar” when you could have a “Strong Men in Tough Times Event.”
Give distinction to what you do. Satisfy people’s desire to be part of something unique.
LOGISTICS
LOCATION: “WALK IT THROUGH”
When you arrive at your meeting location, survey the scene, personally checking every detail
of the meeting. Do this until your people are trained to do it right. Once they are, delegate this
job.
Esthetics determine first impressions. Make sure everything has the look of “excellence.” Men
read about sports because they want to read about winners. Make yourself a “winner” in their
eyes.
Ensure that all papers are properly placed if you have a display of books for sale or to give
away. Remove unsightly boxes (stow them under tables if there is a table cloth or in a closet. If
necessary, put them in a car, but get them out of sight). Ensure there are no materials lying
around haphazardly nor are there planning materials in view. All stage and podium equipment
(lectern, piano top) must be dusted and blackboards cleaned. If meeting in a home, make sure
there is a conveniently-located bathroom and that one room is tidy.
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If you are doing an event, banners help men identify with the men’s ministry name, church or
event name. Hang them evenly. Place them in a location where they can be seen at all times
but without obtrusion or intrusion into attendees’ view.
When planning the meeting, be sure to see and walk through every inch of space to be used. If
doing an event, assure yourself that you have arranged for easy access to the platform, where
people will sit, what kind of equipment will be used. Know it exactly. (If, for some reason, a
woman is going to address an audience, always plan in advance who will escort her to the
podium and promptly take her elbow as soon as she rises.)
In a home, chairs should be arranged so every person is facing each other. If in an event, they
must face the speaker. Sit in some of the chairs to ensure everyone has an unhindered view.
Spacing of chairs is vital in a men’s meeting. They require plenty of leg room and at least two
inches of space between each chair to be comfortable. When chairs are packed together, the
discomfort undermines the concentration of the attendees.
For an event, try to set up no more than five chairs in a row between aisles. Men tend to seek
out the “end” chair, and this allows more “choice seats.” It is better to have too few chairs set
up and have to increase than to have too many chairs set up. Too many chairs intimidates
people. Attendees will be looking around to see who else is coming or feeling they are part of
something that failed.
The speaker should be the only person on the platform for the message. He needs to be the
focal point of interest. Others who sit around him may distract from him.
Air conditioning must be monitored at all times during the meeting. The temperature control is
an important matter; therefore, the responsibility needs to be assigned to someone
responsible. Men tend to generate more heat than mixed crowds, so set your thermostat lower
in summer and do not use as much heat in winter.
PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM
The sound system is an extension of your voice. If it is not good, your presentation is adversely
affected. Muffled, garbled or “tinny” sounds make listening an effort, and the audience will tire
of straining to hear. If you don’t trust your P. A. system, don’t use it. It is far more conducive to
learning to listen to a man’s voice directly, even if faintly, than to a faulty P. A.
Have sound check at least one hour prior to the meeting. Many singers will want to have sound
check at the last minute which creates confusion as your people are being seated. That should
not be allowed.
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GUESTS
Whether at a home, in a restaurant or at a public event, parking places should be arranged.
When needed, someone should be assigned to guide guests to parking and to the entrance of
the event if there is any chance of confusion. Don’t let your own familiarity dictate your hosting
responsibilities. Make sure men are clear on where they are supposed to go.
Hosts need to be assigned to assist guests at all times. Instant readiness and anticipation of
needs is much appreciated.
FOOD SERVICE
If you are going to have a meeting involving food, remember that there is a corollary between
flesh and carnality. Take into consideration what you serve, how much and when. Food should
never become a focal point or an issue at a men’s meeting where you are trying to reach the
spirit of the man. Disciplining the physical appetite heightens the spiritual receptivity. It is more
important to minister to the spiritual man than to the physical man. Keep it “lean and mean”!
For our all-day Saturday men’s events, we have served coffee and a roll in the morning and
fruit and soft drinks at the second break. Never serve men a heavy lunch if you want their
attention after the meal!
If you meet for a breakfast, serve quickly. Don’t major in the meal rather than in ministry. For
an evening meeting, a simple refreshment is nice for a time of fellowship following the ministry.
Something light and digestible is desirable. But remember, men need to return to their families
rather than linger aimlessly—don’t give them an opportunity to escape practicing what they
have just learned!
There are non-ministry occasions when it is appropriate and desirable to “break bread”
together with the brethren. Here are some helpful tips:
• If catered, give the caterer the exact length of time in which you want the meal served.
Make him fit your time schedule. Do not put your meeting at the mercy of the caterer.
• If in a hotel, they may argue with you, but remind them YOU are paying the bill, and you
want the meeting done to YOUR specifications. In Maximized Manhood, you can read
about people creating your world for you. Don’t let other people create your world for you!
• Pre-set as much food as possible to cut down on the serving time. We generally ask that
the beverage, salad, rolls and dessert be on the table before people enter. Then, serve
the entree ten minutes after the blessing is said. Otherwise, you will let them take more
than an hour with the meal, and you will wear out the people. Give a forty-five minute
maximum serving and clearing time. This way, the program, prayer and testimonies are
never interrupted by clanging dishes and scurrying waiters.
• If serving buffet style, make sure to have enough tables and food lines to get the people
through in twenty minutes maximum. Again, they may argue, but if you have it agreed
upon and put into the contract, it is a “done deal,” and they must comply.
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•
When catering is done by church groups, they can be the very best, but they can also be
the very slowest. You cannot allow the time taken to serve the meal to ruin your meeting.
I’ve been at meetings that have taken up to an hour and forty-five minutes to serve!
Worse, the leaders waited to begin the program until after the meal had been served!
Poor, poor planning.
At any meal function, church banquet, anything, ALWAYS start the program before the meal is
finished. Don’t let your people become bored or distracted. Hold their interest by giving them
something interesting, even if it is just to read greetings from dignitaries or to show an
appropriate music video.
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PRAYER FOR SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY
“Father, in the Name of Jesus, I love You. I love Your Church. I love the Body. I love my
brethren. I love the ministry. I love Your ministers. I love what You’ve done in my life.
“I want to be a success in ministry. It’s Your ministry through me, Lord.
“Give me my pattern for ministry. I don’t want to wear someone else’s. I don’t want to fit theirs.
I want mine, Lord. I want to pay the price to be alone with You until You give it to me. And
then, with uninhibited zeal, lifestyle, fervency of spirit, singleness of mind and devotion to
purpose, I want to give myself to it, Lord.
“Flow through me, Lord. Raise me up, I pray.
“For Your glory and for Your Kingdom, I praise You for what You are doing today in me.
AMEN.”
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BUILDING YOUR MEN’S GROUP
IDENTIFICATION TO INCREASE
The men of your group will cohere and become a standing “membership,” either by a
membership program you implement or simply in fact. We encourage you to establish a form
of “membership” and seal that commitment by utilizing the available resources. Creating lapel
pins, t-shirts and caps add to the camaraderie of your men and encourage the commitment
that makes for a great men’s ministry.
The Biblical pattern for successful membership is a four-part process:
Identification
Involvement
Investment
Increase
When a man takes the initial step by becoming IDENTIFIED with a Network Center, he must
be led through the series of steps before he will yield an increase personally or to the group.
After making identification by attending a meeting, he needs to be encouraged to become
INVOLVED with the ministry. This can be as simple as taking a flyer for the next meeting and
giving it to someone at work.
Then he needs to make a real INVESTMENT, either by giving in the offering or by volunteering
his time. He must invest in order to reap the INCREASE.
Make the effort to bring every man in your Network Center through these steps to see an
increase in his life and in the life of your group. If you need ideas or help, call our office, and
your CMN staff will be able to assist you.
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POINTS TO CONSIDER BEFORE STARTING YOUR MEETING
1. Nothing succeeds like work.
Work is a four-letter word. To some, it is an obscenity and vulgarity, because they are
mentally or physically lazy. Proverbs 18:9 says the “lazy man is brother to the saboteur.”
Laziness will sabotage anything you desire to do.
Your success in the Network will be directly proportionate to your efforts. The only thing
God can bless is an effort. Without effort, there is no blessing.
Have you ever noticed how hard it is for men who win a sports championship to win again
the next year? Few ever do if they “rest on their laurels” from the previous year.
One of the greatest boxers of all time, who won the championship three times, was asked
what the hardest part was to becoming a champion. His answer was succinct and potent:
“The day after is the hardest part. You don’t want to get up as early, run as much or train as
hard.”
For the same reason, many men’s ministries do not maintain their level of effectiveness.
They wait too long after an event to plan their next meeting, assume everyone will come
because they merely announce it and don’t spend the same amount of time in prayer and
planning as they did before.
Nothing breeds failure like success.
There is an old adage in the ministry that goes like this: “Work as if it is all up to you, but
pray as if it is all up to God.”
Hebrews 11:6 says, “He is a rewarder of them that DILIGENTLY seek Him.” Your efforts in
seeking God will allow God to bless your efforts in seeking men.
Don’t blame yourself for failures, but don’t take glory for success either. Remember, it is
God who gives the increase.
Ninety percent of an iceberg is below the surface of the water, out of sight. Ten percent is
visible. That is the same as a successful meeting—ten percent is seen, but there is ninety
percent unseen that includes prayer, preparation and planning.
2. Work must be planned.
In the Bible, the prophet always precedes the deliverer. In the same way, preparation must
always precede the inspiration. Glibness in the pulpit does not compensate for preparation for
the pulpit. The old adage to “plan your work and work your plan” has merit for you.
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Meditate on what you desire to accomplish. Plan it. Prepare for it. And then enjoy it.
Planning is simply the development of a strategy for achieving success.
Remember –
THE GLORY IS IN THE VICTORY; THE WISDOM IS IN THE STRATEGY!
Men who do not plan properly are only one of two things: lazy or dumb.
Be wise—plan—prepare for every detail.
3. Communicate properly to everyone involved.
It’s not what you know that will make your ministry successful but what the people know
from you that will augur success. The success of a football coach is not revealed by what
he knows but by what his players know. Same with you.
Remember the teaching:
ASSUMPTION IS LIFE’S LOWEST FORM OF KNOWLEDGE...DON’T ASSUME
ANYTHING!
And, write it down for proper communication. IF IT ISN’T IN WRITING, IT DOESN’T EXIST!
Memories are faulty at best. When instructions are only verbal, without the ability to refer to
them in writing, the possibility of misunderstanding is ever present.
4. The first in intention is the last in execution.
In this life, your first intention as a Christian is going to Heaven to be with the Lord, but that
is the last thing you will do. Everything in between leads up to the “first in intention.” When I
want to fly to Washington, D.C., that is my “first in intention.” But I have to buy my ticket,
pack my bags, plan a ride to the airport and complete other arrangements before I can get
where I want to go.
This means that in planning, always begin with the day after the meeting and work toward
the day you begin planning. In other words, plan backwards. Most people, when planning a
meeting, plan only up to the meeting time and never make arrangements for afterward.
Then, since they had to do everything themselves, they create a negative attitude toward
the meeting.
Remember, it’s not how you start that counts but how you finish. Follow-up calls and thank
you letters are as important as all the advertising you do beforehand. If they are done
properly, then when you want to have your next meeting, you will not have to start all over
again to build interest and enthusiasm.
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PLANNING CHART EXAMPLE:
30 days after ......... IMPORTANT: Know the date of your next monthly men’s event before
you do this one! Announce it—build it! For weekly meetings, make your
announcements for the time and place of the next week’s meeting
before and after this week’s.
2 weeks after.......... Send out announcements for the next monthly meeting. For weekly
meetings, start calling for the next week two DAYS after.
1 week after .......... Have committee critique last meeting in preparation for next one. Be
honest with yourselves to improve: what worked, what didn’t work.
Day after ................ Inventory all materials, prepare for a mailing, if necessary, write thank
you notes; The principle is: Gratitude confirms relationships.
Night of meeting..... Lock up, carry out trash, load materials, clean tables. Have someone
assigned to these tasks. Asking for volunteers during the meeting is
amateurish.
Meeting .................. Schedule of events, personnel, time frame
Pre-meeting ........... Arrange materials, table cloths, personnel, manning tables, bring in
materials, set up tables, arrange for greeters and parking guides. If
selling materials/products, have adequate cash to make change.
Prior to meeting...... Publicity, promotion, announcements
Planning meeting ... Prepare, print and communicate.
This is only a brief guideline to let you see that planning begins after the meeting and works
toward the time you are planning it. Once you have thought about the details of your
specific meeting, its location, members and other logistics, write down the details, and take
some time to think about them. Meditation is the matrix of creativity. Make sure you have
prayerfully considered every aspect of the meeting—it will be vital to making you a success.
5. Use personnel wisely.
Don’t expect people to perform to their maximum if you have given them something to do
that is not their strength. Rotate positions until you find what suits each volunteer.
6. Be sure to give people recognition.
Though you do not have to make a public display of appreciation in every regular meeting,
it is necessary to give them a private word of recognition and gratitude. Don’t overlook
anyone. Their good works make you look good.
7. Make sure you cover every detail.
Prepare for emergencies and interruptions.
“The little foxes spoil the vines” is the scripture in Song of Solomon 2:15. That is another
way of saying that details have a way of killing the greatest of efforts. DETAILS! DETAILS!
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8. Don’t invite anyone to speak out of sheer friendship.
If people don’t have a ministry or valid contribution to make, they don’t belong in your
meeting.
Remember, this is a ministry—not a country club. This is not fun and games but life and
death. Souls can be lost for eternity—prayers can be annulled—God’s grace can be
frustrated—simply because you succumb to sentiment.
9. People are saved only through prayer.
You will never see the power of God’s Presence in your meetings without prevailing
intercessory prayer. Your prayer life will determine the prayer life of your men.
Two principles will help you:
First, the place of agreement is the place of power. You must be in agreement, in prayer,
with the other leaders of the group. If you are not in agreement in spirit, purpose, planning
or personnel, then your meeting will not be maximized to its fullest potential.
Second, intercessory prayer ministry will undergird the rest of the ministry. No one ever
gets saved without prayer. Your meeting will be only as effective as your intercessory
prayer ministry because prayer is the foundation for successful ministry.
10. Maintain the unity of the faith.
Power is produced through agreement. However, too many times, there is a compromise
given to someone else’s desires simply to satisfy him, when the truth is that he is not in
agreement with the purpose of the meeting. Compromise simply dilutes the power of
ministry. Bring people into agreement with the total vision first, then you will find agreement
on the details.
11. Though every meeting is not the same, your consistency will ensure increasing
attendance.
Never be satisfied with what you have. Always seek God for greater meetings.Too often,
men have become satisfied with what measure of success they have. They eventually
decline and disintegrate. Jesus said, “My true disciples produce bountiful harvests. This
brings great glory to my Father” John 15:8 TLB. The more bountiful the harvest, the greater
the glory.
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THE MEETING ITSELF
1. START ON TIME.
Starting on time rewards virtue. Start late rewards vice.
Starting on time is an example of keeping your word. Keep within the parameters you have
set before the meeting to build credibility and excellence in your group. Only the Holy Spirit
has the right to change those parameters.
If you start late, you are dealing with a “slack hand.” The Bible says that if you deal with a
slack hand, you cannot prosper.
Remember that you are living in a world that rejects discipline. Only those who love and
pursue excellence love discipline. There is a little “death” in all discipline. All discipline is
based on preference, not hatred. You must lead people to prefer excellence. It is “deathdealing” but must be done. If you discipline your people to promptness, they will respond to
it. The later you start the meeting, the later they will come.
Be willing to discipline to achieve excellence.
2. TIMING
Before you begin your meeting, write out the times when you want to finish each segment.
First, write the start and end times you have announced. Next, estimate the amount of time
you will need for each item you want to cover; for example, opening prayer, remarks, going
through the materials, discussion, prayer requests and prayer.
Plan backwards. Add the total time allotted for each segment. Subtract the total from the
time you have announced you will end the meeting. This gives you the time you MUST start
the first segment if you expect to end promptly.
There may be times when God is moving to change men’s lives and the ministry extends
beyond the time parameters you have announced. Fine. Aside from that, your men need to
know that when they come, the meeting is going to be precise and concise. Hold to it.
Discipline yourself to it.
Start on time; end on time. Dismiss those who must leave at the time you announced the
meeting would end. Many of them will have engagements waiting and will appreciate your
respect for their valuable time. Others will want to linger for fellowship or additional ministry.
Let the men know the meetings will be clear, sharp, punctual. They will respond to it. They
will want to return the next time.
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3. RECOGNIZE THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Any manifestation of the Spirit of God must do three things:
Edify
Exalt
Elevate
Don’t be adverse to let people share with the signs, wonders and miracles that God has
done in their lives, but make sure it is of the Spirit and not of the flesh. When it is of the
Spirit, it edifies, exalts or elevates.
The Word says to judge the spirits. When someone speaks up, there is a “witness” in the
spirits of others though the Spirit of the Lord as to whether or not it is of God. If you are
conducting the meeting and someone speaks up in a way that is not of God, you are
required of God either to give an explanation, to give correction to the individual or, in some
way, to make sure people understand the difference between what is of God and what is of
the flesh.
You discipline to the level of the anointing of the Holy Spirit in your life.
Teach people the reverential awe and fear of the Lord, and discipline them to the anointing
of the Holy Spirit. Some people may not understand, but they are not in leadership.
One day God spoke to me as I was praying about this very thing and said, “Others may—
you cannot.” As a leader, you must discipline yourself to the anointing God has placed on
you.
The anointing breaks the yoke. Different men have different anointings for different
ministries. Recognize the various offices, functions, gifts and ministries from the Scripture.
Any testimony from men should always edify, exalt or elevate. Don’t cater to the flesh of
anyone. Avoid the mundane, repetitious or banal. Let Christ be the Lord in your meetings.
4. THE MINISTRY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SPEAKER.
Not all preaching ministers and not all of ministry is preaching. Speakers are important
vehicles for the Lord to use to bring His Word. But “ministry” is more than just speakers. It
involves more people than that.
We are in a life-changing ministry. The speaker is just the forerunner for the actual ministry.
Make sure you don’t feature the speaker and forget the ministry. Signs, wonders and
miracles are the ministry. The important thing to ask is, “What is God wanting to do in the
meeting?” and get your pattern for it in prayer.
The materials for mentoring men just set the stage for ministry. Use them and minister!
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5. AFTER THE LESSON
The ministry is not just the speaker or the materials. These are just part of the total ministry
for your group for a particular day. When the lesson is over, you may choose to enter
ministry with prayer, an altar call, an additional statement that you feel the Lord has given
you for the men or a variety of other things. Sometimes, we simply pair off men into prayer
partners and let them finish by ministering to each other.
Remember one thing, however. You are stepping into an anointing when you stand up to
speak. And stepping into it, it is very easy to go way too far. The ministry is what is
important. When you come to the end of the lesson, let there be ministry, not more
speaking that can wear out the people. RESIST the temptation to re-teach what was just
taught!
6. TAKING AN OFFERING
An offering and an altar call are synonymous; they are both asking for a commitment. If you
are in a meeting where an offering is necessary, here are guidelines:
a. Always know what the offering is for before receiving it.
b. Offerings are sacred and should be regarded as such. Therefore, they should never be
belittled by humor or degraded by greed.
c. The Word of God is the source of faith in giving and, therefore, should always be employed
in receiving the offering.
d. Prayer is vital for both the person who receives it and the person who is giving to the Lord.
e. Giving an offering is an expression of faith. Therefore, the person receiving it should always
do so in a positive manner.
f. Make the presentation simple but clear. What people do not understand, they do not
cooperate with easily.
g. People respond to need. Christ came to meet needs. Let them know what the need is, and
then ask them to meet it. Never be embarrassed about asking people to meet the need. It is
the Lord’s pattern. He instituted it; therefore, it is a glory, not an embarrassment.
h. The Holy Spirit is always at work in people’s lives. When receiving an offering, always
determine prayerfully what it is the Spirit of the Lord wants to do in that person’s life and
present it as you are led.
i. Give the Spirit time to work in the lives of those who are to give. Don’t grieve the Spirit with
haste.
j. Always give God glory for what He does.
k. Regarding the use of envelopes and passing baskets, here are some pointers:
i. Always be prepared for an offering.
ii. Be sure to have envelopes available, if at all possible.
iii. Offering containers should be flat and open, rather than deep and closed. Let
offerings be an open expression by collecting them on wide open plates.
iv. Ushers should look at every person as he gives. A smile to each person who gives is
a gracious way of saying “Thank you.”
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TIPS ON SPEAKING
These principles have been learned through years of ministry experience. They are for leaders
as well as for every man who participates in the ministry program. Utilize these by giving
copies to the men you are training up in leadership or you are assigning to give testimonies,
take the offering, etc., when you have a public meeting.
1. OPENING A MEETING
Always create an atmosphere of expectancy. Talk about God, not self. Tell of God’s power
present to meet needs. Tell of victory, not defeat.
Start with a positive statement of faith that has the quality of immediacy in it. Example:
“Tonight is going to be a great night because where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.
God is at liberty to do His pleasure in this meeting.”
Make the statement strong but true. If you exaggerate, people know it and immediately turn
you off. They witness in their spirit to truth and reality.
Never start the meeting with a negative statement. An apology concerning attendance,
preparation or program creates negative images in attendees’ minds. “I’ve never done this
before” or “I’m not really much of a public speaker” make YOU feel better but makes
everyone else uncomfortable. If you say that you didn’t know you were going to be there
until a few minutes before, it makes people wonder about those in charge. Just as bad is
stating that you are not sure why you are there.
2. SPEAK WITH AUTHORITY.
Authority comes from knowing Who God is, who you are in God and what God has
promised in His Word for the meeting.
When you are secure in your mind and heart about what God wants from the meeting, how
it is to be conducted, what is the outline—you can speak with the authority of “knowing.”
3. WATCH YOUR SPEECH.
Elocution, diction, vocabulary are vital in communication. Sloppy, lazy speech patterns are
boring and banal to the listener. It may take work, but it’s worth it to write out your opening,
introductions or whatever you will need to say. Learn them. Memorize them. Then ad lib
when you actually speak.
Some of the most successful men’s meetings are led by men who take the time to go over
the new words from the curriculum with their men. The men know they are improving their
minds, as well as their spirits, which helps them in their careers, personal presentation and
promotions. This becomes an added incentive to attend the meetings each week—the men
know when they miss, the other men will use words on them they don’t know!
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4. APPEARANCE IS VITAL.
First impressions are lasting.
Shined shoes, creased pants and pressed clothes are an indication of carefulness and
thoughtfulness.
5. SPEAK TO THE BACK SEAT.
This is the same as the “first in intention, last in execution” principle we discussed earlier. If
you’ll preach to the people in the back of the room, you’ll have the attention of everyone in
front of them as well. Never speak to just the front seat, or you will lose the back half of
your audience.
6. CLOSING THE MEETING
In the theatre, there is a saying, “Always leave them asking for more.”
Biblically speaking, the principle is that there are only two things you ever do in life: enter
and leave. If they leave on a note of condemnation or resentment, they will be reluctant to
want to enter again. Leave them with a positive note so that when they think about entering
again, they will think about it with warmth instead of with coldness.
CLOSE BEFORE THE MEETING ENDS.
Finish as succinctly as you began, fully prepared and not prolonging the close. When the
meeting is over, the men might want to stand around and talk for an hour to share the
blessings of the Lord. Great. But don’t make that hour a part of the meeting.
Always leave them wanting more. Send them away filled but desiring more.
The way we’ve said it in men-only meetings is: God made us with two ends: one to sit with
and one to think with. Whether we win or lose depends upon which end we use. Heads,
you win; tails, you lose! Think about it!
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“KICK OFF” YOUR MEN’S MINISTRY
HOW TO CONDUCT MEN’S RETREATS
The most important element affecting attendance at your meetings, other than prayer, will be if
men are aware of the meetings. To make men aware of this new ministry for them, it makes
sense to launch your new ministry in a way that catches their attention.
One idea is to plan a retreat. Use any combination of CMN videos in the place of having a
guest speaker at a retreat. If your men cannot go away somewhere to view the videos, then
show them on consecutive nights, on a Friday night/Saturday morning or as an all-day
Saturday meeting with an exciting theme.
Here are some tips we have learned through years of experience on conducting a men’s
retreat:
1. SET GOALS.
“Fellowship is always a by-product, never a goal.”
See the needs of your men, and set your goals accordingly. This will influence when and
where you have your retreat, how you show the videos or the topics of speakers and what
kind of follow-up you prepare.
Kick off the MAJORING IN MEN® ministry by introducing the men to the teaching they will
be receiving each week or month. Set goals to help the men establish closer relationships
with each other, to bring them into a closer walk with the Lord, to provide a forum where
they can express their needs, frustrations and problems. Goals depend on your group. You
should set priorities so that you emphasize your most important goals at all times.
2. APPOINT A STRONG COMMITTEE OF MEN WHO SHARE THE VISION.
IMPORTANT: Do not do everything alone. You will exhaust yourself and defeat your
purposes.
Do not even plan everything yourself. The principle is, “What a man doesn’t know, he is
against.” The initial idea of having a retreat is best approached on the individual level. Let
each man you are inviting to serve on the committee know about the retreat before he is
asked to the first committee meeting for it.
At your first meeting, you can set goals, dates, format and together make the
announcement to the rest of the church or group. Ask each man on the team to accept a
responsibility—location, food, advertising, program.
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3. BATHE IT IN PRAYER.
The first thing on your committee’s agenda should be a commitment by every member to
pray daily for the retreat.
Prayer produces intimacy.
As the men agree together in prayer, they will begin to work together. As they begin to pray
for the others who will attend, they will begin to love those brothers more. This will set the
tone for the retreat.
Some men’s ministry have ministry captains with a ratio of 1 to 5 men attending. These
“captains” have the names of their men far in advance and start bathing that brother in
prayer before they even meet at the event.
4. PLAN FAR IN ADVANCE.
Check early to book the facility. Confirm the date, then count backwards to determine when
everything will have to be done. Prepare for printed advertising materials. Make sure to
allow yourself enough time to accommodate your ideas. For example, one idea is to have
T-shirts made with a slogan or the retreat date on it, but make them far enough in advance
to show the men what they’ll get when they sign up.
If you are trying to reach more than just the most dedicated men in the group, think of the
holidays surrounding the event—football games, high school graduations, etc. Plan
accordingly for the fewest possible excuses for not attending.
5. COMMUNICATE.
Immediately notify committee members of changes. Announce details to the rest of the
group as they are finalized. Make a list of prayer needs, although not individual men’s
needs, so you can engage the wives, mothers or other prayer groups in prayer for the
meeting.
Finalize preparations in writing with your facilities coordinator, printer, anyone you may
enlist for your retreat. Keep a steady flow of communication going out. This will minimize
any confusion people may have and keep the retreat in the forefront of people’s minds.
Make it a great, serious event to you so it will be a great, serious date to them.
6. SET THE SCHEDULE.
Know what you’re going to do and when you’re going to do it. Allow time for fellowship and
recreation. Ensure prayer captains know when the teachings end and one-on-one ministry
begins. Know when the men will be free to go to snack bars, make phone calls, etc., and
make sure the facility and concessions are aware and prepared.
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7. WALK IT THROUGH.
Ensure someone is assigned to each specific duty and knows what to do when the time
comes. Make a list of all items needed, from the microphones and video projectors, to the
lights and offering buckets. Know where everything is, who will get them and when and who
will be the back-up in case of emergency.
Know who will take registration money to the bank, who will turn out the lights when the
event is over, who will pay the bill at the facility, who will pack up the extra books and
tapes. Also have someone designated as the last to leave to inspect the facilities for any
possible loss or damage. Get a signed statement that the facilities are in order at your
departure.
8. PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED.
Be prepared for surprises. Make a plan in advance for what you’ll do IF.... Then, if
something unexpected does happen, you will be ready to move into action immediately.
Some things you could think about are a DVD player not working (even after being checked
and re-checked), a wife wanting to attend with her husband, men not able to sleep because
someone in the room snores, someone not being able to eat the meals prepared, etc.
9. PREPARE FOR FOLLOW-UP MINISTRY LATER.
Many men’s groups design their program to break into smaller groups with one leader who
will follow up or break into pairs who will follow up with each other. The bottom line is to get
results, to reach your goals—not just to have great reactions to a great retreat that won’t
last. A man who gets saved or has a life-changing experience at the retreat will need
someone to help him through whatever difficulties he encounters when he returns home. A
friend he can call at any time could make a tremendous difference in his life.
10. DETAILS!
The steps to achieving success are:
Decision
Dedication
Discipline
DETAILS
Details that are not taken care of make men lose their concentration, feel uncomfortable
and get distracted. Details that have been taken care of will make a retreat smooth and
enable the Lord to do a great work in the men’s lives.
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CHRISTIAN MEN’S EVENTS
For seven years prior to the launch of the Christian Men’s Network, Edwin Louis Cole brought
personal ministry to men through regional and city-wide “Christian Men's Events.” Few areas of
the United States were missed as Brother Cole crisscrossed the country from Hawaii to Maine
and from Alaska to Florida. He also ministered personally in locations both small and large in
over 60 nations.
Still today, men’s events take place by ministers and ministries associated with the Christian
Men’s Network. Taking your men to such events exposes them to new teachings to talk about
and affords you an opportunity to have the benefits of a retreat or event without the burden of
conducting it yourself.
While every Christian men’s event varies, when the power of God is evident, the results are
life-changing. The most impressive aspects of a men’s event are the freedom and openness of
hundreds of men joined together for one purpose and the powerful altar calls for salvation,
repentance and commitment.
You may also use such events as an evangelistic tool to bring more men into the Kingdom of
God and into their fellowship.
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NOTES ON ADVERTISING YOUR MEN’S MEETINGS
The same amount of work goes into a meeting that has twenty people as one that has two
hundred people. When you are going to invest all the work to make a men’s meeting happen,
you want to meet your attendance goals. For small groups, your goal may be to have all 8
members present. For retreats, your goal may be to fill the 100 beds at the facility. For events,
you may want to have as many men as possible in the facility.
Advertising is necessary to bring the men. You must create a sense of destiny, urgency and
interest in the place, theme and goals of your meeting.
Use every opportunity to advertise in your local church. Print inside the bulletin, use flyers,
create screen images and ask them to be on church screens as people arrive. You may also
put a table at the back of the church. Even if it is free, have men sign up to attend. People are
committed to what they confess, so you want them to confess that they will come. If you give
them a t-shirt or sell one just for signing up, it will boost their identification with the event, their
involvement and investment. Prepare a skit for the announcement time on Sunday. Create
posters. Keep the same images on everything you create.
You may also send a press release to the local newspaper. Many churches fail to notify their
local media of the events going on and lose a great deal of free publicity. Also make sure you
send a press release to any “community calendar” publications or programs. They will usually
run the information for free. Don’t be afraid to send out press releases each month. Change
the wording a little, and keep sending them out until you get someone’s attention!
People respond to free gifts. Although it is difficult to get the press to drive to a meeting you
might have, they may respond if you send them a complimentary copy of Maximized Manhood
or another book or tape. If you use the local press, keep your witness with them. See them as
another source for men who need to become maximized in their lives through Jesus Christ!
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BUILD THE MEN
Reading Makes a Man Irresistible! ..................................................................... 44
Chronological Annual Bible Reading .................................................................. 47
Psalms and Proverbs ......................................................................................... 51
Repetitive Bible Reading .................................................................................... 52
Nine Keys to Intercession................................................................................... 54
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READING MAKES A MAN IRRESISTIBLE!
One of the leader’s greatest responsibilities is to lead a man into learning for himself. The
greatest benefit a pastor or leader can provide for a man is to guide him into a lifelong learning
habit of reading the Bible for himself. The art of reading helps develop the man as an
individual, helps him become more of a leader at home and elsewhere and helps him to leave
a godly legacy to his children.
Here is what Edwin Louis Cole wrote about reading:
The greatest sight in all the world is not Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe nor Niagara Falls in
America, not the Sphinx nor the Taj Mahal, not the Grand Canyon nor the Swiss Alps. The
greatest sight in all the world is a man reading the Bible to his family. A man reading to or with
his child is a sight to behold.
A father misrepresents God to his children when he leaves the education entirely to
others. Caring enough for your children to read to or with them will make you great in their
eyes and in your wife’s eyes. Reading is the easiest ingredient in child development that bonds
parent to child.
The practice of reading develops the power of concentration, encourages creative
thinking, broadens understanding and increases sharpness of mind and enjoyment of life.
Reading to children develops their power of concentration, so they’ll do better in school.
Keeping the mind active is an agent against aging. If you and your children simply watch
television, your minds will be more sluggish. As a result of not reading, children mature more
slowly and men age faster.
Men do not own what they possess; they are only stewards. The three basic
responsibilities of any steward is to guide, guard and govern. Those are the three areas of
responsibility of a man with his family. In practical terms, this means to direct, protect and
correct. In relationship, it is to nourish, cherish and admonish. Fathers who are godly stewards
are the earth’s and a family’s greatest blessing. Teaching children to be good stewards of their
minds is a lesson taught by example.
Reading is an art form, and every man can be an artist. I’ve had men tell me, “But I
don’t read that good.” That’s no surprise. If you don’t read, you won’t read “good.” The only
way you’ll read “good” is if you read! It’s so simple, we miss it. Television, CDs and audio
cassettes are all technological marvels but not if they usurp the skill of reading.
Reading is the most inexpensive thing a man can do, and not doing it is the most
expensive. Reading the Bible to your children is the most inexpensive thing you can do, but the
most expensive thing you don’t do.
The Bible says it was through ignorance that men crucified Christ, and it is through
ignorance that men are destroyed. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because
thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing
thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children” Hosea 4:6 KJV.
Ignorance in its most common form is simply a lack of knowledge. Failure to instruct and
implant truth into children’s minds and hearts leaves them ignorant and the father liable before
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God. However, if you school them in the Word, will and ways of God and they reject it,
they are liable for their own consequences.
“Children will not always listen to you, but they will always imitate you.” The example set
is not in the words that are spoken but in the deeds done as a pattern to be followed. It is not
the father’s responsibility to make all his children’s decisions for them but to let them see him
make his.
Setting the pattern by taking time to read engenders good study habits. The TV
generation that is taught to learn in “sound bites” is easily led astray and has no concept of
where to look for real answers when the inevitable crises arise.
Too often, fathers try to do the work of the Word in their children’s lives. Fathers wait
until there is a crisis then try to tell the children what the Bible says about it, which breeds
resentment in the heart of the child toward God. “The yoke you wear determines the burden
you bear” Matthew 11:29-32. Your yoke is what you believe, and what you believe determines
the burden you carry in life. Reading the Word to your children yokes them to truth which
creates the lightest burden. It provides them with a platform from which to build their own
relationship with God over a lifetime, not just during a crisis.
Reading the Bible also teaches your children to love and respect wisdom. To hold God’s
Word in our hands, study it, learn from it, apply it, is a treasure made possible because of a
few real men who recognized and respected wisdom. William Tyndale was strangled by a
hangman and burned at the stake in 1535 for translating the Scriptures into common language.
John Cranmer and John Rogers followed his fate trying to preserve God’s Word for you and
your family. Less than five hundred years ago, the Geneva Bible was made available to the
public. These men fought and died for the right to read the Bible and to give you its truths
today. They gave their lives for what they counted more dear than life itself. Yet we take the
Bible so casually. Few believers today ever read the Bible in its entirety. Instead, we base our
lives on Sunday morning readings and three-minute prayers.
“Home is the school of first instruction.” Parenting is the basic societal art form. Training
is teaching by example, and to train up a child properly is to set an example for them to follow.
“Follow me as I follow Christ,” is the pattern for fathering found in 1 Corinthians 11:1. What is
taught in the home by word and deed determines the culture of a nation or people. No wonder
our children have learned to watch television, when millions of fathers believe it is the
sovereign right of men to live with a remote control secured in their hands.
“Just as my mouth tastes good food, so my mind tastes truth when I hear it” Job 12:11
TLB. Teaching your children to love truth by reading to them gives them a taste for the best
life. The best is when you can do no better, and nothing can be better than the Word of God.
Words are power, and life and death are in the power of the tongue. We live on the
basis of the words others have spoken to us that we have received into our lives or the words
we have spoken which have become the basis of our belief and conduct. Reading the Bible to
your children gives them words with which to create a world for themselves that is filled with
truth, grace, liberty, wisdom, righteousness and honor. What a life! What a legacy!
Public reading of God’s Word was once done religiously in synagogues and churches. It
taught people to listen and learn. Today in most churches, it is uncommon to hear more than a
scripture text for a sermon. Absence of knowledge of the Word leaves people scripturally
illiterate.
45
v.2.1
Absence of public reading has allowed secular humanists to legislate reading the Word
to private practice. Mental unhealthiness in America is often derived from the lack of
knowledge of the Word of God. It’s no wonder people are disturbed. When so many are living
on the advice of psychics, astrologists and psychologists, watching unhealthy people defend
their sick predilections on talk shows, putting trust in lying leadership and believing paranormal
phenomena to determine their choices in life, it’s a marvel they do as well as they do.
We preach and pray for revival, yet what might help most is if we simply found a time
and place for public reading of the Bible. We have a National Prayer Day, but a National Bible
Day where the Bible is read in every city would help even more. The Word does the work!
Reading the Bible to the family lets the Word do the work rather than parents trying to “work
the Word.” A “maximized” man is above all else a lover of God’s Word. He does not steal time
from the Word and from his family by giving it to television or hobbies or friends. He freely
gives his family attention and leads them in paths of righteousness by allowing them to see
him walk that path himself.
46
v.2.1
CHRONOLOGICAL ANNUAL BIBLE READING
Every man must be encouraged to develop the habit of reading his Bible. Reading the Bible
will lead to further understanding of the messages taught. In the Christian Men’s Network,
besides regular Bible reading, and sometimes as a precursor to developing the habit, we read
the Psalms each night for courage and the Proverbs each morning for wisdom.
For regular Bible reading, CMN recommends an easy, modern translation of the Bible. Dr. and
Mrs. Cole’s favorite was The Living Bible. For study, you may choose another version, such as
The Amplified Bible, which was Dr. Cole’s favorite teaching translation.
Should you decide to adopt a schedule for daily Bible reading, CMN uses one that follows the
events of the Bible chronologically and can be used with any translation or paraphrase of the
Bible. Each day has an average of 77 verses of Scripture. If you follow this annually, then by
your third year, you will recognize where you are and what is going to happen next. By your
fifth year, you will understand the Scriptural background and setting for any reference spoken
of in a message or book. At that point, the Word will become more like “meat” to you and less
like “milk.” Once you understand the basic stories and what happens on the surface, God can
reveal to you the layers of meaning beneath. The only way to get there is to start today! Just
make copies of this chart to keep in your Bible and mark off as you read. And start reading—
it’s the greatest adventure in life!
Notes for beginning Bible readers:
1. Choose your Bible translation thoughtfully. Some modern translations don’t have verses
numbered (such as The Message), so they cannot be used with this chart. Also, be aware
that longer translations or paraphrases (such as The Amplified Bible and The Living Bible
mentioned above) tend to take longer to read each day.
2. The Daily Bible Reading Chart after this one has the daily Proverbs and the nightly Psalms.
By using both charts together, you will cover the entire books of Psalms and Proverbs
along with the rest of the Bible.
3. The chronology of Scripture is obvious in some cases and educated guesswork in others.
The placement of Job, for example, is purely conjecture, since there is no consensus
among Bible scholars as to its date or place. For the most part, however, chronological
reading helps the reader, since it places stories that have duplicated information or
prophetic utterances elsewhere in Scripture within the same reading sequence.
4. Scripture notations are written with the book of the Bible first, then the chapter, separated
by a colon from the verse. If you are to read more than one chapter (no particular verse), it
is separated by a semicolon. Note the following examples:
a. Book chapter: verse. (Mark 15:44 means the book of Mark, chapter 15, verse 44.)
b. Book chapter; chapter (Mark 15; 16; 17 means the book of Mark, chapters 15, 16, 17.)
c. Books continue the same until otherwise noted. (2 Kings 22; 23:1-28; Jeremiah 20 means the
book of 2 Kings, chapter 22, the book of 2 Kings, chapter 23, verses 1-28; then the book of
Jeremiah, chapter 20.)
47
v.2.1
Chronological Annual Bible Reading Chart
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
Jan 1
Jan 2
Jan 3
Jan 4
Jan 5
Jan 6
Jan 7
Jan 8
Jan 9
Jan 10
Jan 11
Jan 12
Jan 13
Jan 14
Jan 15
Jan 16
Jan 17
Jan 18
Jan 19
Jan 20
Jan 21
Jan 22
Jan 23
Jan 24
Jan 25
Jan 26
Jan 27
Jan 28
Jan 29
Jan 30
Jan 31
Feb 1
Feb 2
Feb 3
Feb 4
Feb 5
Feb 6
Feb 7
Feb 8
Feb 9
Feb 10
Feb 11
Feb 12
Feb 13
Feb 14
Feb 15
Feb 16
Feb 17
Feb 18
Feb 19
Feb 20
Feb 21
Genesis 1; 2; 3
Genesis 4; 5; 6
Genesis 7; 8; 9
Genesis 10; 11; 12
Genesis 13; 14; 15; 16
Genesis 17; 18; 19:1-29
Genesis 19:30-38; 20; 21
Genesis 22; 23; 24:1-31
Genesis 24:32-67; 25
Genesis 26; 27
Genesis 28; 29; 30:1-24
Genesis 30:25-43; 31
Genesis 32; 33; 34
Genesis 35; 36
Genesis 37; 38; 39
Genesis 40; 41
Genesis 42; 43
Genesis 44; 45
Genesis 46; 47; 48
Genesis 49; 50; Exodus 1
Exodus 2; 3; 4
Exodus 5; 6; 7
Exodus 8; 9
Exodus 10; 11; 12
Exodus 13; 14; 15
Exodus 16; 17; 18
Exodus 19; 20; 21
Exodus 22; 23; 24
Exodus 25; 26
Exodus 27; 28; 29:1-28
Exodus 29:29-46; 30; 31
Exodus 32; 33; 34
Exodus 35; 36
Exodus 37; 38
Exodus 39; 40
Leviticus 1; 2; 3; 4
Leviticus 5; 6; 7
Leviticus 8; 9; 10
Leviticus 11; 12; 13:1-37
Leviticus 13:38-59; 14
Leviticus 15; 16
Leviticus 17; 18; 19
Leviticus 20; 21; 22:1-16
Leviticus 22:17-33; 23
Leviticus 24; 25
Leviticus 26; 27
Numbers 1; 2
Numbers 3; 4:1-20
Numbers 4:21-49; 5; 6
Numbers 7
Numbers 8; 9; 10
Numbers 11; 12; 13
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
Feb 22 Numbers 14; 15
Feb 24 Numbers 18; 19; 20
Mar 1
Numbers 31, 32:1-27
Mar 2
Numbers 32:28-42; 33
Mar 3
Numbers 34; 35; 36
Mar 4
Deuteronomy 1; 2
Mar 5
Deuteronomy 3; 4
Mar 6
Deuteronomy 5; 6; 7
Mar 7
Deuteronomy 8; 9; 10
Mar 8
Mar 9
Mar 10 Deuteronomy 17; 18; 19; 20
Mar 11 Deuteronomy 21; 22; 23
Mar 12 Deuteronomy 24; 25; 26; 27
Mar 13 Deuteronomy 28
Mar 14 Deuteronomy 29; 30; 31
Mar 15 Deuteronomy 32; 33
Mar 16 Deuteronomy 34; Psalm 90;
Joshua 1; 2
76 Mar 17 Joshua 3; 4; 5; 6
77 Mar 18 Joshua 7; 8; 9
78 Mar 19 Joshua 10; 11
79 Mar 20 Joshua 12; 13; 14
80 Mar 21 Joshua 15; 16
81 Mar 22 Joshua 17; 18; 19:1-23
82 Mar 23 Joshua 19:24-51; 20; 21
83 Mar 24 Joshua 22; 23; 24
84 Mar 25 Judges 1; 2; 3:1-11
85 Mar 26 Judges 3:12-31; 4; 5
86 Mar 27 Judges 6; 7
87 Mar 28 Judges 8; 9
88 Mar 29 Judges 10; 11; 12
89 Mar 30 Judges 13; 14; 15
90 Mar 31 Judges 16; 17; 18
91 Apr 1
Judges 19; 20
[You have completed ¼ of the Bible!]
92 Apr 2
Judges 21; Job 1; 2; 3
93 Apr 3
Job 4; 5; 6
94 Apr 4
Job 7; 8; 9
95 Apr 5
Job 10; 11; 12
96 Apr 6
Job 13; 14; 15
97 Apr 7
Job 16; 17; 18; 19
98 Apr 8
Job 20; 21
99 Apr 9
Job 22; 23; 24
100 Apr 10 Job 25; 26; 27; 28
101 Apr 11 Job 29; 30; 31
102 Apr 12 Job 32; 33; 34
48
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
Apr 13 Job 35; 36; 37
Apr 14 Job 38; 39
Apr 15 Job 40; 41; 42
Apr 16 Ruth 1; 2; 3
Apr 17 Ruth 4; 1 Samuel 1; 2
Apr 18 1 Samuel 3; 4; 5; 6
Apr 19 1 Samuel 7; 8; 9
Apr 20 1 Samuel 10; 11; 12; 13
Apr 21 1 Samuel 14; 15
Apr 22 1 Samuel 16; 17
Apr 23 1 Samuel 18; 19; Psalm 59
Apr 24 1 Samuel 20; 21; Psalm 34; 56
Apr 25 1 Samuel 22; 23, Psalms 52;
142
Apr 26 1 Samuel 24; 25; 1 Chronicles
12:8-18; Psalm 57
Apr 27 1 Samuel 26; 27; 28; Psalms
54; 63
Apr 28 1 Samuel 29; 30; 31; 1
Chronicles 12:1-7; 12:19-22
Apr 29 1 Chronicles 10; 2 Samuel 1; 2
Apr 30 2 Samuel 3; 4; 1 Chronicles
11:1-9; 12:23-40
May 1 2 Samuel 5; 6; 1 Chronicles
13; 14
May 2 2 Samuel 22; 1 Chronicles 15
May 3 1 Chronicles 16; Psalm 18
May 4 2 Samuel 7; Psalms 96; 105
May 5 1 Chronicles 17; 2 Samuel 8;
9; 10
May 6 1 Chronicles 18; 19; Psalm 60;
2 Samuel 11
May 7 2 Samuel 12; 13; 1 Chronicles
20:1-3; Psalm 51
May 8 2 Samuel 14; 15
May 9 2 Samuel 16; 17; 18; Psalm 3
May 10 2 Samuel 19; 20; 21
May 11 2 Samuel 23:8-23
May 12 1 Chronicles 20:4-8; 11:10-25;
2 Samuel 23:24-39; 24
May 13 1 Chronicles 11:26-47; 21; 22
May 14 1 Chronicles 23; 24; Psalm 30
May 15 1 Chronicles 25; 26
May 16 1 Chronicles 27; 28; 29
May 17 1 Kings 1; 2:1-12; 2 Samuel
23:1-7
May 18 1 Kings 2:13-46; 3; 2
Chronicles 1:1-13
May 19 1 Kings 5; 6; 2 Chronicles 2
May 20 1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 3; 4
May 21 1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles
v.2.1
142 May 22 1 Kings 9; 2 Chronicles 6; 7:110
143 May 23 1 Kings 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles
7:11-22; 8; 9:1-12; 1 Kings 4
144 May 24 1 Kings 10:14-29; 2 Chronicles
1:14-17; 9:13-28; Psalms 72; 127
145 May 25 Song of Solomon 1; 2; 3; 4; 5
146 May 26 Song of Solomon 6; 7; 8; 1
Kings 11:1-40
147 May 27 Ecclesiastes 1; 2; 3; 4
148 May 28 Ecclesiastes 5; 6; 7; 8
149 May 29 Ecclesiastes 9; 10; 11; 12; 1
Kings 11:41-43; 2 Chronicles 9:29-31
150 May 30 1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10;
11
151 May 31 1 Kings 13; 14; 2 Chronicles
12
152 June 1 1 Kings 15: 2 Chronicles 13;
14; 15
153 June 2 1 Kings 16; 2 Chronicles 16;
17
154 June 3 1 Kings 17; 18; 19
155 June 4 1 Kings 20; 21
156 June 5 1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18
157 June 6 2 Kings 1; 2; 2 Chronicles 19;
20; 21:1-3
158 June 7 2 Kings 3; 4
159 June 8 2 Kings 5; 6; 7
160 June 9 2 Kings 8; 9; 2 Chronicles
21:4-20
161 June 10 2 Chronicles 22; 23; 2 Kings
10; 11
162 June 11 Joel 1; 2; 3
163 June 12 2 Kings 12; 13; 2 Chronicles
24
164 June 13 2 Kings 14; 2 Chronicles 25;
Jonah 1
165 June 14 Jonah 2; 3; 4; Hosea 1; 2; 3; 4
166 June 15 Hosea 5; 6; 7; 8; 9; 10
167 June 16 Hosea 11; 12; 13; 14
168 June 17 2 Kings 15:1-7; 2 Chronicles
26; Amos 1; 2; 3
169 June 18 Amos 4; 5; 6; 7
170 June 19 Amos 8; 9; 2 Kings 15:8-18;
Isaiah 1
171 June 20 Isaiah 2; 3; 4; 2 Kings 15:1938; 2 Chronicles 27
172 June 21 Isaiah 5; 6; Micah 1; 2; 3
173 June 22 Micah 4; 5; 6; 7; 2 Kings 16:118
174 June 23 2 Chronicles 28; Isaiah 7; 8
175 June 24 Isaiah 9; 10; 11; 12
176
177
178
179
180
181
June 25 Isaiah 13; 14; 15; 16
June 26 Isaiah 17; 18; 19; 20; 21
June 27 Isaiah 22; 23; 24; 25
June 28 Isaiah 26; 27; 28; 29
June 29 Isaiah 30; 31; 32; 33
June 30 Isaiah 34; 35; 2 Kings 18:1-8;
2 Chronicles 29
182 July 1
2 Chronicles 30; 31; 2 Kings
17; 2 Kings 16:19-20
[You have completed ½ of the Bible!]
183 July 2
2 Kings 18:9-37; 2 Chronicles
32:1-19; Isaiah 36
184 July 3
2 Kings 19; 2 Chronicles
32:20-23; Isaiah 37
185 July 4
2 Kings 20; 21:1-18; 2
Chronicles 32:24-33; Isaiah 38; 39
186 July 5
2 Chronicles 33:1-20; Isaiah
40; 41
187 July 6
Isaiah 42; 43; 44
188 July 7
Isaiah 45; 46; 47; 48
189 July 8
Isaiah 49; 50; 51; 52
190 July 9
Isaiah 53; 54; 55; 56; 57
191 July 10 Isaiah 58; 59; 60; 61; 62
192 July 11 Isaiah 63; 64; 65; 66
193 July 12 2 Kings 21:19-26; 2 Chronicles
33:21-25; 34:1-7; Zephaniah 1; 2; 3
194 July 13 Jeremiah 1; 2; 3
195 July 14 Jeremiah 4; 5
198 July 17 Jeremiah 12; 13; 14; 15
199 July 18 Jeremiah 16; 17; 18; 19
200 July 19 Jeremiah 20; 2 Kings 22; 23:128
201 July 20 2 Chronicles 34:8-33; 35:1-19;
Nahum 1; 2; 3
202 July 21 2 Kings 23:29-37; 2 Chronicles
35:20-27; 36:1-5; Jeremiah 22:10-17;
26; Habakkuk 1
203 July 22 Habakkuk 2; 3; Jeremiah 46;
47; 2 Kings 24:1-4; 2 Chronicles 36:6-7
204 July 23 Jeremiah 25; 35; 36; 45
205 July 24 Jeremiah 48; 49:1-33
206 July 25 Daniel 1; 2
207 July 26 Jeremiah 22:18-30; 2 Kings
24:5-20; 2 Chronicles 36:8-12; Jeremiah
37:1-2; 52:1-3; 24; 29
208 July 27 Jeremiah 27; 28; 23
209 July 28 Jeremiah 50; 51:1-19
210 July 29 Jeremiah 51:20-64; 49:34-39;
34
211 July 30 Ezekiel 1; 2; 3; 4
212 July 31 Ezekiel 5; 6; 7; 8
49
213
214
215
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
Aug 1
Ezekiel 9; 10; 11; 12
Aug 2
Ezekiel 13, 14, 15, 16:1-34
Aug 3
Ezekiel 16:35-63; 17; 18
Aug 4
Ezekiel 19; 20
Aug 5
Ezekiel 21; 22
Aug 6
Ezekiel 23; 2 Kings 25:1; 2
Chronicles 36:13-16; Jeremiah 39:1;
52:4; Ezekiel 24
Aug 7
Jeremiah 21; 22:1-9; 32; 30
Aug 8
Jeremiah 31; 33; Ezekiel 25
Aug 9
Ezekiel 29:1-16; 30; 31; 26
Aug 10 Ezekiel 27; 28; Jeremiah 37:321
Aug 11 Jeremiah 38; 39:2-10; 52:5-30
Aug 12 2 Kings 25:2-22; 2 Chronicles
36:17-21; Jeremiah 39:11-18; 40:1-6;
Lamentations 1
Aug 13 Lamentations 2; 3
Aug 14 Lamentations 4; 5; Obadiah;
Jeremiah 40:7-16
Aug 15 Jeremiah 41; 42; 43; 44; 2
Kings 25:23-26
Aug 16 Ezekiel 33:21-33; 34; 35; 36
Aug 17 Ezekiel 37; 38; 39
Aug 18 Ezekiel 32; 33:1-20; Daniel 3
Aug 19 Ezekiel 40; 41
Aug 22 Ezekiel 48; 29:17-21; Daniel 4
Aug 23 Jeremiah 52:31-34; 2 Kings
25:27-30; Psalms 44; 74; 79
Aug 24 Psalms 80; 86; 89
Aug 25 Psalms 102; 106
Aug 26 Psalms 123; 137; Daniel 7; 8
Aug 27 Daniel 5; 9; 6
Aug 28 2 Chronicles 36:22-23; Ezra 1;
2
Aug 29 Ezra 3; 4:1-5; Daniel 10; 11
Aug 30 Daniel 12; Ezra 4:6-24; 5; 6:113; Haggai 1
Aug 31 Haggai 2; Zechariah 1; 2; 3
Sept 1 Zechariah 4; 5; 6; 7; 8
Sept 2 Ezra 6:14-22; Psalm 78
Sept 3 Psalms 107; 116; 118
Sept 4 Psalms 125; 126; 128; 129;
132; 147
Sept 5 Psalm 149; Zechariah 9; 10;
11; 12; 13
Sept 6 Zechariah 14; Esther 1; 2; 3
Sept 7 Esther 4; 5; 6; 7; 8
Sept 8 Esther 9; 10; Ezra 7; 8
Sept 9 Ezra 9; 10; Nehemiah 1
Sept 10 Nehemiah 2; 3; 4; 5
v.2.1
254
255
256
257
Sept 11 Nehemiah 6; 7
Sept 12 Nehemiah 8; 9; 10
Sept 13 Nehemiah 11; 12
Sept 14 Nehemiah 13; Malachi 1; 2; 3;
4
258 Sept 15 1 Chronicles 1; 2:1-35
259 Sept 16 1 Chronicles 2:36-55; 3; 4
260 Sept 17 1 Chronicles 5; 6:1-41
261 Sept 18 1 Chronicles 6:42-81; 7
262 Sept 19 1 Chronicles 8; 9
263 Sept 20 Matthew 1; 2; 3; 4
264 Sept 21 Matthew 5; 6
270 Sept 27 Matthew 17; 18; 19
[You have completed ¾ of the Bible!]
274 Oct 1
Matthew 26; 27; 28
275 Oct 2
Mark 1; 2
276 Oct 3
Mark 3; 4
277 Oct 4
Mark 5; 6
278 Oct 5
Mark 7; 8:1-26
279 Oct 6
Mark 8:27-38; 9
280 Oct 7
Mark 10; 11
281 Oct 8
Mark 12; 13
282 Oct 9
Mark 14
283 Oct 10 Mark 15; 16
284 Oct 11 Luke 1
285 Oct 12 Luke 2; 3
286 Oct 13 Luke 4; 5
287 Oct 14 Luke 6; 7:1-23
288 Oct 15 Luke 7:24-50; 8
289 Oct 16 Luke 9
290 Oct 17 Luke 10; 11
291 Oct 18 Luke 12; 13
292 Oct 19 Luke 14; 15
293 Oct 20 Luke 16; 17
294 Oct 21 Luke 18; 19
295 Oct 22 Luke 20; 21
296 Oct 23 Luke 22
297 Oct 24 Luke 23; 24:1-28
298 Oct 25 Luke 24:29-53; John 1
299 Oct 26 John 2; 3; 4:1-23
300 Oct 27 John 4:24-54; 5; 6:1-7
301 Oct 28 John 6:8-71; 7:1-21
302 Oct 29 John 7:22-53; 8
303 Oct 30 John 9; 10
304 Oct 31 John 11; 12:1-28
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351
352
353
Nov 1
John 12:29-50; 13; 14
Nov 2
John 15; 16; 17
Nov 3
John 18; 19:1-24
Nov 4
John 19:25-42; 20; 21
Nov 5
Acts 1; 2
Nov 6
Acts 3; 4
Nov 7
Acts 5; 6
Nov 8
Acts 7
Nov 9
Acts 8; 9
Nov 10 Acts 10
Nov 11 Acts 11
Nov 12 Acts 12; 13
Nov 13 Acts 14; 15; Galatians 1
Nov 14 Galatians 2; 3; 4
Nov 15 Galatians 5; 6; James 1
Nov 16 James 2; 3; 4; 5
Nov 17 Acts 16; 17
Nov 18 Acts 18:1-11; 1 Thessalonians
1; 2; 3; 4
Nov 19 1 Thessalonians 5; 2
Thessalonians 1; 2; 3
Nov 20 Acts 18:12-28; 19:1-22; 1
Corinthians 1
Nov 21 1 Corinthians 2; 3; 4; 5
Nov 22 1 Corinthians 6; 7; 8
Nov 25 1 Corinthians 15; 16
Nov 26 Acts 19:23-41; 20:1; 2
Corinthians 1; 2
Nov 28 2 Corinthians 6; 7; 8; 9
Nov 30 2 Corinthians 13; Romans 1; 2
Dec 1
Romans 3; 4; 5
Dec 2
Romans 6; 7; 8
Dec 3
Romans 9; 10; 11
Dec 4
Romans 12; 13; 14
Dec 5
Romans 15; 16
Dec 6
Acts 20:2-38; 21
Dec 7
Acts 22; 23
Dec 8
Acts 24; 25; 26
Dec 9
Acts 27; 28
Dec 10 Ephesians 1; 2; 3
Dec 11 Ephesians 4; 5; 6
Dec 12 Colossians 1; 2; 3
Dec 13 Colossians 4; Philippians 1; 2
Dec 14 Philippians 3; 4; Philemon
Dec 15 1 Timothy 1; 2; 3; 4
Dec 16 1 Timothy 5; 6; Titus 1; 2
Dec 17 Titus 3; 2 Timothy 1; 2; 3
Dec 18 2 Timothy 4; 1 Peter 1; 2
Dec 19 1 Peter 3; 4; 5; Jude
50
354
355
356
357
358
Dec 20 2 Peter 1; 2; 3; Hebrews 1
Dec 21 Hebrews 2; 3; 4; 5
Dec 22 Hebrews 6; 7; 8; 9
Dec 23 Hebrews 10; 11
Dec 24 Hebrews 12; 13; 2 John; 3
John
359 Dec 25 1 John 1; 2; 3; 4
360 Dec 26 1 John 5; Revelation 1; 2
361 Dec 27 Revelation 3; 4; 5; 6
362 Dec 28 Revelation 7; 8; 9; 10; 11
363 Dec 29 Revelation 12; 13; 14; 15
364 Dec 30 Revelation 16; 17; 18; 19
365 Dec 31 Revelation 20; 21; 22
[You have completed the entire BibleCongratulations!]
v.2.1
PSALMS AND PROVERBS
In the Christian Men’s Network, we urge men to read Proverbs each morning and Psalms each
night. Proverbs each morning provides wisdom for the day. Psalms in the evening will produce
strength and courage in your life. The following plan lists the chapters to read each day,
enabling you to read both books through each month.
DAY
PROVERBS
in the morning
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
PSALMS
in the evening
First step to wisdom
Benefits of wisdom
Rewards of wisdom
Wisdom is supreme
Guard your affections
Warning against folly
Fatherly advice
Value of wisdom
Learning wisdom
Common sense
Honesty
Discipline
A wise man
Planning ahead
Wisdom loves truth
Honest gain
Strife
Sound judgment
Walk blameless
Warning against cheating
Learn by listening
A good name
Gluttony
Envy
Timely advice
Honor
Boasting
Choose good friends
Example of leadership
Sayings of Agur
The virtuous woman
51
1-5
6-10
11-15
16-20
21-25
26-30
31-35
36-41
42-46
47-51
52-56
57-61
62-67
68-72
73-77
78-82
83-87
88-92
93-97
98-102
103-107
108-112
113-118
119
120-125
126-130
131-135
136-140
141-144
145-147
148-150
v.2.1
REPETITIVE BIBLE READING
To permeate your heart and mind with the Word of God, nothing is as effective as reading the
Bible repeatedly. Two types of Repetitive Bible Reading will lift your Bible knowledge to a new
level and give your spirit man the opportunity to mature. Incorporate one or both of the patterns
below into the chronological reading, and see how soon you understand the Word! This is a
highly ambitious reading program and may be adopted for seasons of your life or adopted as a
lifelong method of Bible reading. If discouragement sets in or if you miss more than three
consecutive days of reading, drop back to the chronological reading or the daily Proverbs and
Psalms reading. Just keep READING!
Pattern 1 - Accelerated Bible Reading
The average Bible is 1500 pages long. Use any translation you like, perhaps rotating
translations with each reading. Read 15 pages daily, and you’ll complete the entire Bible in 100
days—more than three times per year. We recommend 7 pages each morning and 8 pages
each night. To use with the chronological guide, read 3-4 days’ worth of readings each day,
and you’ll finish in 100 days.
Pattern 2 - In-Depth Repetitive Reading
The following chart sections the Bible into roughly seven-chapter “bites.” Read the same seven
chapters once or twice daily for an entire month. Then start the next section on the next month.
Reading in-depth repetitively takes roughly three years. This may seem a long time, but men
need to consider—how long are you going to be a Christian? When you see three years
compared to an entire lifetime, it’s not such a great sacrifice!
We recommend that midway through the month, you identify a one-word or two-word “theme”
for each chapter. Write it at the beginning of the chapter, next to the chapter number, and
memorize it as you read during the rest of the month. You will soon be able to recite from
memory the outlines of most of the books of the New Testament, which is an invaluable tool for
remembering God’s Word and understanding the context of other Scriptures.
The order of the following chart is the actual writing order of the New Testament, according to
scholars, except for the Gospels which are separated so you can experience other books as
well.
To record your progress, write the month and year in the margin next to each section you
complete.
52
v.2.1
In-Depth Repetitive Reading Chart
Month
Chapters
1 ......................................Mark 1-8
2 ......................................Mark 9-16
3 ......................................Acts 1-7
4 ......................................Acts 8-14
5 ......................................Acts 15-21
6 ......................................Acts 22-28
7 ......................................Galatians 1-6
8 ......................................John 1-7
9 ......................................John 8-14
10 ......................................John 15-21
11 ......................................James
12 ......................................1 & 2 Thessalonians
13 ......................................Matthew 1-7
14 ......................................Matthew 8-14
15 ......................................Matthew 15-21
16 ......................................Matthew 22-28
17 ......................................1 Corinthians 1-8
18 ......................................1 Corinthians 9-16
19 ......................................2 Corinthians 1-7
20 ......................................2 Corinthians 8-13
21 ......................................Luke 1-8
22 ......................................Luke 9-16
23 ......................................Luke 17-24
24 ......................................Romans 1-8
25 ......................................Romans 9-16
26 ......................................Ephesians 1-6
27 ......................................Colossians & Philippians
28 ......................................Philemon & 1 Timothy
29 ......................................Titus & 2 Timothy
30 ......................................1 Peter
31 ......................................Jude & 2 Peter
32 ......................................Hebrews 1-7
33 ......................................Hebrews 8-13
34 ......................................2 John, 3 John, 1 John
35 ......................................Revelations 1-7
36 ......................................Revelations 8-14
37 ......................................Revelations 15-22
53
v.2.1
NINE KEYS TO INTERCESSION
Ed and Nancy Cole credited learning these keys to effective intercession with the depth of the
closeness of their marriage relationship. When they began to pray together, God moved them
to a new level of life, ministry and relationship.
When you enter a time of prayer, remove all distractions and take a Bible, pencil and paper
with you. Then follow these steps:
1. Confess out all known sin.
Psalm 66:18; 1 John 1:9
2. Acknowledge our need of the Holy Spirit to direct your prayer.
Romans 8:26
3. Die to our own desires, imaginations and prayer burdens.
Proverbs 3:5-6; Isaiah 55:8
4. Ask God to fill us with His Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 5:18
5. Praise God in faith for the prayer time we are about to experience.
Psalm 100:4
6. Deal aggressively with the enemy.
James 4:7
7. Wait in silent expectancy for God to speak.
John 10:27
8. Confirm prayer with God’s Word.
Psalm 119:105
9. Praise God in advance for His marvelous work in our lives.
Romans 11:36
54
v.2.1
USE THE METHODS
MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum ....................................................................... 55
Details on Commissioning .................................................................................. 58
Application to Receive a Commission ................................................................ 59
Sample Commissioning Ceremony .................................................................... 61
Unique Women “Commissioning” ....................................................................... 63
v.2.1
MAJORING IN MEN® CURRICULUM
FLEXIBLE TO FIT EVERY CHURCH OR MEN’S GROUP
Every church or organization can find a way to use the MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum
because of its extreme flexibility. Use it for personal study, men’s small groups, church-wide
men’s meetings, prisons, work groups, Sunday School, Bible studies, home groups and even
for women, as you will see. Meet twice weekly, weekly, monthly, Sunday mornings, weekday
mornings, Saturdays, midweek, at church, in homes, at work, in a restaurant or just about
anywhere. Christian Men’s Network men’s groups have met under trees in Uganda, in side
rooms at the Pentagon, in no-visitors-allowed hard-core prisons and on trains in communist
countries where their men’s group synchronized with the train schedule.
You can find the time and place, too!
Workbooks have twelve lessons, with the exception of Sexual Integrity and Treasure which
each have six. We recommend men go through workbooks one lesson per week or one book
for every three months. Should you want to increase the pace for a select group of men, we
still recommend moving no faster than one book and workbook per month. This will allow
enough time to ensure maximum impact of the principles, so your men will write them in their
hearts.
Using the curriculum in small men’s groups gives men optimal time to have personal ministry
and helps hold men accountable. Quarterly men’s events help the small groups come together
with the pastor in a focused setting to celebrate their growth and maturity. Annual men’s
retreats or encounters help the pastor further cement his relationship with his growing and
changing men.
Because we “teach to teach to teach,” the curriculum comes with a merit program whereby
men who have completed the majority of curriculum books can be “Commissioned” as a
“minister to the men of the world.” These “commissioned” men become trainers for other men
as you continue to develop your men’s program.
MERIT AWARDS
Certificates or commissioning ceremonies should be conducted with both men and women
present, preferably before the entire church. This allows men to be openly congratulated and
receive due respect for completing what they started. This also allows women and children to
see men being honored. This helps the entire church respect men who exhibit true manhood. It
allows the wife to congratulate her husband openly for doing what she always hoped he would
do. It allows children to see men as heroes. Most importantly, it gives young men an image to
which to aspire and plants the desire to achieve what they have seen.
55
v.2.1
Completion of each book earns a man a certificate. Completion of four books earns a
certificate at a special ceremony (see MAXTRAK). Completion of nine book earns a special
“Commissioning” ceremony. (You will see the sample ceremony later.) The emblem of
commissioning for a man is a sword. If you commission young men, the preferred emblem is a
dagger. If you commission women (see below), the emblem is a tiara.
METHODS FOR USE
Two programs exist that result in men’s certifications. The first will allow the men to wade in
before they jump in. The second will allow men to aspire and commit to the long-range plan of
completing an entire course of study. You may find it easiest to start with the first, then
announce plans to continue into the second method.
1. MAXTRAK
Complete the entire MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum Core:
Maximized Manhood
Communication, Sex and Money
Strong Men in Tough Times
Courage
After completing the Core Curriculum, the candidate must complete one essay question from
the book of his choice, which is downloadable at www.EdCole.org.
Pastors should participate with men’s leaders to confer certificates of completion to each man
in each group as he completes each book. Let men “graduate” to the next book in front of the
entire congregation.
When all four books are complete — usually after one year of study — and one essay question
has been written, hold a special meeting, or dedicate a regular church service, to give each
man a final “MAXTRAK” certificate. Certificates can be downloaded from www.EdCole.org.
2. COMMISSIONING
Complete the entire MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum Core and any four of the MAJORING IN
MEN® Curriculum Elective books with the corresponding workbooks.
MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum Electives:
Sexual Integrity
Real Man
Treasure
Winners Are Not Those Who Never Fail but Those Who Never Quit
The Power of Potential
The Unique Woman
[Absolute Answers and Irresistible Husband — Dr. Cole’s final two books — will have
curriculum available soon.]
56
v.2.1
For a man to receive a full “Commission,” he must also complete three essay questions for the
three books of his choice (found on www.EdCole.org). He must demonstrate that he is an
active member and tither of a local church and that he participates in outreach ministry. He is
to submit an Application to Receive a Commission to the local church to be reviewed by the
leadership of that men’s group or of the church.
If the MAJORING IN MEN® Licensed Organization is commissioning a man from another
church, his pastor must sign a Pastoral Referral Form.
57
v.2.1
DETAILS ON COMMISSIONING
1. Have men complete an Application to Receive a Commission (see following sample).
Your governing body which will review the applications can be your men’s committee, a
committee of the pastor’s choice, the church board or any combination. The Application
should be accompanied by an Application Fee (usually $125 - $150) to cover
administration, the cost of the special event and the sword.
2. Require the Final Exams and Essays be sent to the MAJORING IN MEN® Director for
your organization. Review them by comparing to the Answer Keys on the
website, www.EdCole.org.
3. If the Applicant is from outside your church, send his pastor a Pastoral Referral Form
(sample below) far in advance of the MAJORING IN MEN® Commissioning Ceremony,
giving that pastor plenty of time to respond.
5. The Ed Cole® Library recommends a sword (dagger for young men; tiara for women) be
used as an Emblem of Commissioning. This emblem should be engraved with the
person’s name, date and the name of the MAJORING IN MEN® Licensed Organization.
Certificates are available for download on www.EdCole.org. Emblems such as swords
can be found locally, or contact [email protected] for sources.
6. Commissioned men must be given a responsibility immediately. Missions trips, leading
a men’s group, teaching other churches how to conduct men’s ministry or becoming a
specialist within your men’s group on one specific book are all good ideas to turn the
Commissioned man’s sense of accomplishment into an active asset for your men’s
ministry and for the benefit of the local church.
58
v.2.1
APPLICATION TO RECEIVE A COMMISSION
PERSONAL:
Name:________________________________________________
If married, wife’s name: __________________________________
Names of Children – Age – Do they live with you? (Y/N)
__________________________ ___
___
__________________________ ___
___
__________________________ ___
___
Address: ______________________________________________
City/State/Zip:__________________________________________
Daytime Telephone:_____________________________________
Evening Telephone:_____________________________________
Email address: _________________________________________
SPIRITUAL:
Briefly describe your salvation experience:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Briefly describe your ministry gifts and areas you have been active in ministry, including men’s
ministry:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
List all churches regularly attended during the past ten years, with dates and reasons for
leaving:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Briefly describe any financial, marital, family or personal set-backs you may have experienced:
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
Name and date of most recent Men’s Event (or activity) attended:
__________________________________________________________________________
Location and date of most recent ministry trip you have taken:
__________________________________________________________________________
59
v.2.1
COMMISSIONING:
Check One:
___ I have read the Commissioning Requirements and believe that I fulfill them.
___ I have read the Commissioning Requirements and believe that I will fulfill them in
___ months.
Signed: _________________________ Date: _____________________
Send this application to your MAJORING IN MEN® Organization.
You will hear from the Commissioning Review Board within a month.
USE THIS ON A SEPARATE SHEET IF THE APPLICANT IS FROM ANOTHER CHURCH:
PASTORAL REFERRAL FORM
__________________________ has completed the MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum and
has applied to become Commissioned as a “minister to men.” A commissioned man is
authorized by [Your Organization], licensed by the Ed Cole® Library under the BUILD MEN
RAISE SONSSM banner to be a “minister to men” by teaching other men the truth of Christlike
manhood and helping evangelize the world — one man at a time.
In order to qualify, the Applicant’s pastor must verify that he is an active member in good
standing and a tither. If he is qualified, please sign and return this form. Room is provided for
any additional comments you may have.
Additional Comments:
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Pastor’s Signature: ________________________________
Date: _____________________
Please sign this form and return it to your organization.
60
v.2.1
SAMPLE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY
1. Set a date for the MAJORING IN MEN® Commissioning Ceremony. This can become
an annual or even a quarterly event, based on size and demand. Some MAJORING IN
MEN® Licensed Organizations commission as few as one man at a time and others as
many as hundreds at a time. The Christian Men’s Network will send a representative to
your MAJORING IN MEN® Commissioning Ceremony, anywhere in the world, should
you request it in advance.
2. Request Commissioning candidates to be dressed properly for the Commissioning
Ceremony and to arrive early. Plan in advance where you want family photographers,
so the attending audience can view those receiving their Commissions and the family
can snap the photo memory. Have ushers manage this during the service.
Place the swords for each man in alphabetical order by last name on a conspicuous
table in the front of the room to inspire those attending.
3. Before the Ceremony begins, take candidates into an adjoining room to hear final
instructions from the pastor or MAJORING IN MEN® Director and to pray. Have
candidates form a line in alphabetical order by last name to ensure ease of conferring
the Commission. After the crowd has arrived, have candidates walk into the meeting
hall or church together and sit or stand together.
4. We recommend the Commissioning Ceremony come at the end of a service or meeting
in which the pastor, minister or special speaker is able to teach or preach on the
significance of what is to follow.
5. Begin the Commissioning Ceremony with the Pastor/Director making a bold statement
such as:
A commission is an authorization or a command to act in a prescribed manner or
perform prescribed acts. It is a charge giving authority to act for or on the behalf of or in
the place of another. We read in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things that thou has heard of
me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to
teach others also.”
The men who have been commissioned before today have accepted a ministry majoring
in men, to bring men to a place of identification with Christ and impress them with the
reality that “manhood and Christlikeness are synonymous.”
Today we are recognizing who have proven themselves faithful by successfully
completing MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum. We will commission them to reach others
with these principles through evangelism, teaching and living a Christlike life.
The Pastor/Director may then list the qualifications that have been fulfilled. The
Pastor/Director may indicate that a sword, the emblem of Commissioning, is a weapon
of battle and that the men receiving the sword are now armed for battle for the souls of
men.
61
v.2.1
6. The Pastor/Director then calls, “Will the Candidates for Commissioning please come
forward?” The men respond by walking to the front.
The men are presented by the Pastor/Director, “I present these men as having
successfully completed the MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum and ask that they be
commissioned to ‘teach others also.’”
The Pastor/Director then asks the men to kneel. Once they are kneeling, he prays a
prayer of confirmation over the Candidates, calling them to courage to help fulfill the
Great Commission and to make disciples of all men. We recommend the
Pastor/Director pray for each Candidate individually. Usually, this is accompanied by the
“laying on of hands,” according to Scripture.
7. Have the Pastor/Director and any other leader move to the center stage.
Have an Associate or Pastor stand at a microphone and call each man to center stage,
one name at a time. CMN has used the phrase used for Gideon in the Judges 7:20. Call
out with a loud and deliberate voice, “The sword of the Lord and of
_______________________ (name).”
Ushers should lift the sword for the name of the man called and place it in the
Pastor/Director’s hands. The man should move forward as his name is called.
The Pastor/Director should face the man and pause long enough for the weight of the
moment to be felt by the Candidate. This also gives the family the opportunity for
photographs.
8. Each Candidate should return to his position in line, holding his sword down with both
hands, so the tip touches the ground.
After every name is called and every man has received his sword, the Pastor/Director or
the Assistant/Pastor on the microphone may call out, “Gentleman, unsheath the sword
of the Lord!”
Commissioned Men hold their swords high in the air.
Have appropriate music determined in advance for this climactic moment. Tell the men
in advance how long swords will be drawn and give the signal when they are to be
sheathed again. Allow for men to move off the stage to the congratulations of other
Commissioned Men or family members.
62
v.2.1
UNIQUE WOMEN “COMMISSIONING”
Because of the demand for teaching for women, many places around the world have women
complete a series of teachings. When the woman completes the series, women have their own
commissioning ceremony. NOTE: Do not take away the uniqueness of the women by doing
their ceremony at the same time as the men. The reverse is always true.
The emblem of the woman’s commissioning is not a sword but a tiara, honoring her as a
woman crowned with wisdom and symbolizing how a woman is her husband’s crown.
Dr. Cole often told women that they could read the men’s books, but they were never to
underline them and then give them to their husbands! Should you wish to have women’s
ministry, it is better that the woman has her own book.
In order to start women’s ministry, follow two simple steps:
1. Choose your curriculum. MAJORING IN MEN® is utilized exclusively or combined with
other books specifically for women. If there is no workbook for the books selected, the
woman are asked to answer an essay question at the end.
A sample curriculum could be:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
The Unique Woman with Workbook
Communication, Sex and Money with Workbook
Every Women’s Battle
Never Quit with Workbook
The Power of Potential with Workbook
The Battlefield of the Mind by Joyce Meyer
Sexual Integrity with Workbook
The Power of a Praying Woman
Maximized Manhood with Workbook
2. Plan your meetings according to the outline in this book.
To aid in your planning, you may wish to survey the women in your church with
questions such as these:
Name: _______________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Home #: ____________________
Cell #: ________________
Email: __________________
Best time to call:______________
63
v.2.1
Are you interested in the commissioning? (circle) Yes No
Not sure yet, want to get further information? (circle) Yes No
Please check all that apply:
___ I am single.
___I am married.
___I have children at home.
___ I work outside the home.
___Other, please explain_______________________________
In your opinion what are the three greatest needs facing women today?
1. ___________________________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________________________
How often do you attend a women’s function? ______________
Are you in a small group?
Yes
No
Why or why not? _______________________________________________________________
Please circle the most important areas of need you have:
Friendships
Healing of my past
Studying the Bible
How to pray
Relationships with my spouse
Chemical dependency
Relationships with my children
Career advice
Building self esteem
Parenting help
Dealing with my finances
Organizational skills
64
v.2.1
USE THE MATERIALS
Catalog of Materials............................................................................................ 65
Support Materials as a Tool for Counseling........................................................ 66
Men’s Ministry Self-Evaluation............................................................................ 68
CMN Licensing ................................................................................................... 69
License Application............................................................................................. 70
2008 Calendar
v.2.1
SUPPORT MATERIALS AS A TOOL FOR COUNSELING
You will find the library you develop to be an excellent resource center for counseling. We
have discovered that with the basic Biblical principles in our books, tapes and videos, there are
literally hundreds of practical applications.
Churches, counseling centers and chaplains around the world loan books to parishioners and
clients. They have remarkable results, with far less effort and far fewer hours of counsel on
their part.
Men studying the curriculum may be encouraged to share portions of it with their wives or
families at home to open the door to talk, pray and begin to change together. This greatly
lessens the amount of time the pastor or leader spends in counseling. If you do have to
conduct extensive counseling, however, we offer you the following guide:
POINTS ON COUNSELING
There is an axiomatic principle in counseling. It states: You cannot mold clay when it is dry.
Neither can you be effective in giving counsel unless there is a receptive mind or heart. There
is a season for everything under the sun. The seasons for effective counseling are the time to
listen and the time to speak. The time to speak is never right until there is a readiness to hear.
Most people want to say a great deal in counseling, and the counselor needs to be willing to
listen; however, there are ways to help accelerate the process. When a person “bogs down” in
non-essential or petty details, it is appropriate for a counselor to interrupt with a question to
move the counseling session along.
One ironclad rule about listening: Keep your own mind free from moral contamination. Never
engage in in-depth counseling with sexually frustrated women. That is the responsibility of
older Godly women, whose responsibility is to minister to younger women.
One of the most important questions that can be asked after someone has unburdened his
heart or mind concerning a particular problem is, “What do you think you ought to do?”
That is a sure way to determine from him the direction and decisions he is considering and
then give corrective counsel. Remember, all counseling is from The Counselor, and He has
given His Word as the source of all wisdom. Use God’s Word!
Always try to determine if a person simply wants advice, pity or sympathy or if he sincerely
seeks answers to concerns. When counseling troubled men, you may make appointments as
early as 6:00 AM. This helps you quickly learn if the man really means business and is willing
to change.
66
v.2.1
True counseling always dissipates energy, so remember that a heavy session can leave you
drained—which, in turn, makes you vulnerable to the very things you were helping someone
else to conquer in their life.
A second principle in counseling declares: “Truth and reality are synonymous.”
Deal only with what is true or real. If you discern there is a facade, pretense or other
constructed emotional or mental wall—knock it down quickly. Get to the heart of the matter as
quickly as possible. Apply the Word, and let God do the work in the heart.
67
v.2.1
MEN’S MINISTRY SELF-EVALUATION
One of the greatest needs in a church is to “major in men.” Most churches develop ongoing
ministry to children, youth, college and career, young adults, single adults, women and even
older adults. But few have anything substantial for the men. Those churches that do are
morally strong, active in the community, well-funded and growing.
“Men’s ministry” is defined as an ongoing ministry consisting of training, equipping, discipling
and mentoring men with a plan for spiritually employing them.
The following self-test is a private evaluation to reveal how healthy your men’s ministry is and
what your role as pastor or “shepherd” of men is. It may also give you ideas to help you fulfill
Christ’s Commission to “Make disciples of all men….”
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Do you know exactly how many men attend your church?
Does a men’s leader lead the men?
Does the pastor lead or help lead the men?
Is there a monthly men’s meeting?
How many of the men tithe?
0-25%
26-50%
51-75%
76-100%
6. Do you have an accountability system to monitor the men?
7. Besides “fellowship,” do you have a discipling class for men?
8. How many of the men fulfill a specific role in the church?
0-25%
26-50%
51-75%
76-100%
BONUS: Score 10 each if you have any of the following:
Annual planned men’s mission field trip
Fatherless ministry
“Rites of passage” ministry for young men
Regular men’s prayer for pastor
Special training materials for men
Community ministry by men’s groups
Someone to whom you (the leader) are personally accountable
Men in every ministry or outreach of the church
Score
Score
Score
Score
Score
Score
Score
Score
Score
Score
10
5
10
5
5
10
15
20
20
10
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Score
Score
Score
Score
5
10
15
20
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
______
Place score here: ______
SCORE YOURSELF
0-5 points ..................................... Do not pass “GO,” call CMN!
10-20 points................................. You have males, not men.
25-60 points................................. There’s hope for your vision.
65-80 points................................. You have the foundation for a “megachurch.”
85-110 points............................... You should write a book for men!
115+ points .................................. You, not CMN, should be teaching this.
68
v.2.1
CMN LICENSING
COPYING, QUOTING, LENDING AND DUPLICATING MATERIALS
We believe God is pleased when we do all we can to take His Word to men everywhere.
However, we also believe legal copyright laws and Christian ethics are involved in any copying
or distributing of materials. The following are the official guidelines we expect users of CMN
materials to follow:
1. Copyrights
a. Published Books – International copyright law prohibits the reproduction of any part
of a book without written permission from the publisher. Inside each book is the
address of the publisher. Should you write to ask permission, enclose a copy of the
type of publication in which you wish to use the excerpt. Proper credit must be
given to the author and publisher when you reprint any portion of the book.
b. Letters, newsletters, etc. – You may reprint or use excerpts from our letters or
newsletter articles, as long as you give Edwin Louis Cole® credit for the writing and
do not profit by the items you publish.
c. Verbal expression – Our convictions on Christian ethics dictate that we give credit
verbally when we use another person’s thought or statement. We expect others to
have the same integrity. Dr. Cole has powerful statements, almost like proverbs,
which we have called "Coleisms." Anyone may use these statements as long as
proper credit is given. When used on radio or in advertising, where space or time is
limited, and Dr. Cole is not credited, we request that credit be given as to the
source if any inquiries are made. Under no circumstances are “Coleisms” to be
printed or otherwise made available for profit.
Great ways to use copyrighted materials: You may wish to use “Coleisms” or excerpts
from the current book being studied in your men’s newsletters or church bulletins. Some
men’s ministries have given “Coleisms” to the local grocery stores and utility companies
to place on their printed circulars or customer bills.
2. Trademarks – The following are trademarks of Christian Men’s Network and are
protected by law:
Edwin Louis Cole®
Ed Cole®
Images of Edwin Louis Cole®
The Christian Men’s Network™
Maximized Manhood®
In order to advertise your men’s ministry using these registered trademarks, you may apply
for a FREE license. Use the application on the following page.
69
v.2.1
LICENSE APPLICATION
The MAJORING IN MEN® Curriculum and licensing of organizations is a unique pattern to help
reach and teach men the truths of God’s Word in order to equip, train and commission them as
“ministers to men.”
Please fill out this application and send it to the Ed Cole® Library Licensing Department at P.O.
Box 92921, Southlake, TX 76092, or fax it to (817) 864-9980, or email the information below to
[email protected].
ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
City/State/Zip: _________________________________________________________
Telephone: ______________________
Briefly explain your organization’s background:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
Briefly explain your interest in MAJORING IN MEN® and commissioning:
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Name: _______________________________________________________________
Title (if any):___________________________________________________________
Telephone ____________________________________________________________
Email: ______________________________________________________________________________
70
v.2.1
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majoring in men

Transcription

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Student Leadership Application