wfn.org | Fellowship of Carpenters helps men rebuild their

[DISCNEWS.parti@ecunet.org]

spiritual lives
September 5, 1996
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Cliff_Willis.parti@ecunet.org
     
96b-75    

     INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- Promise Keepers and other
"beyond-the-congregation" men's ministries are gaining in
influence. But one Lexington, Ky., minister believes that
men can be just as powerfully transformed through ministries
designed just for them and carried out in the familiar
setting of their own congregations. 

     Enter the Rev. J. Gregory Alexander. The Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) minister, backed by a research
grant from a Louisville, Ky.-based institute, has developed
"The Fellowship of Carpenters."

     The "blueprints" for the fellowship evolved from his
1994 study on the absence of men in congregational life.
^From the blueprints Alexander fashioned a ministry which
blends group study and personal reflection with outward
expression through worship, mission and service. 

     "Promise Keepers gives men permission to be fully human
Kentucky associate regional minister. It doesn't, however,
create the congregational framework for men's ongoing
spiritual development, he added.  

     "Fellowship of Carpenters gives us a way to wrestle
with these various dimensions of faith," said Alexander. It
is a "tool in which men who have had a Promise Keepers
experience can live it out in the congregation."

     Participants move through three developmental phases:
apprentice, journeyman and master carpenter. The aim of the
fellowship is to help men rebuild their "spiritual houses." 

     The ministry, says Alexander, will help each man
inspect his spiritual house, develop a blueprint for
"repairs," and help each acquire the resources "to become
the spiritual house . . . acceptable to God through Jesus
Christ."

     To begin, congregations must identify several men who
are willing to lead small groups using written materials
from a chapter starter kit. The kits currently are available
from Alexander at 353 Bob-O-Link Dr., Lexington, KY 40503.

     Newly recruited men begin the building process as
apprentices. Under the guidance of a project foreman, the
men covenant to participate in six courses or "rules." Four
one-hour to 1.5-hour sessions comprise each course. Upon
completion, the apprentices earn the journeymen's
designation. 

     The men receive certificates of completion to mark
their passage from one stage to the next, according to
Alexander. He is encouraging congregations to also recognize
men as they progress in the Fellowship of Carpenters. "We
want churches to celebrate men's completing each phase of
the journey."

     At the end of the apprenticeship period, it is hoped that
participants will be able to identify what they need to continue
building their spiritual house. 

     The tools for continuing their spiritual development are
obtained in the journeyman phase. At this stage men in the
fellowship learn while "living out what one is seeking to
become." Special interest studies, mission projects, spiritual
formation retreats and other activities help them balance
personal spiritual growth with corporate expression.

     After completing journeymen's training, a participant may
elect to become a master carpenter. This stage emphasizes
disciplined study of and reflection on the scriptures, deepening
one's prayer life, and developing knowledge of the local
congregation and basic Disciples history.

     In addition, a master carpenter teaches apprentices, thus
completing the program "full-circle." Master carpenters give
their knowledge, gifts and love of God to "bring other men into
the joy and fulfillment of living Christ-centered lives."  

     In the end, Alexander wants men "to wrestle with" their
identity, purpose and Christian witness as males. "Why am I here?
What is my story?" 

     The Fellowship of Carpenters, according to Alexander, can
help men find the answers and at the same time "develop their
story and gifts for the church."

                          - 30 -

(Editor's note: The price for the Fellowship of Carpenters
chapter starter kit is $44.95 plus $3.00 for shipping and
handling.)

DISCNEWS - inbox for Disciples News Service, Office of Communication,
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), PO Box 1986 Indianapolis, IN 46206,
tele. (317) 635-3100, (DISCNEWS.part@ecunet.org) Wilma Shuffitt, News and
Information Assistant; (CLIFF WILLIS.part@ecunet.org) Cliff Willis, Director
of News and Information; (CURT MILLER.part@ecunet.org) Executive Director