wfn.org | Churches reminded to form United Methodist Men units

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Sept. 9, 2002 Media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert7(615)742-54707Nashville,
Tenn.
10-71B{399}

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - A churchwide agency is mailing information to
all
local churches reminding them of their responsibility to form an
organized
unit of United Methodist Men as mandated by the denomination's Book of
Discipline.

"When we ask, 'where are the men in our congregations?' it may be an
indication that we have not accepted the call/challenge of General
Conference for each congregation to have an organized unit of United
Methodist Men," said Bishop Ernest S. Lyght, president of the
Commission on
United Methodist Men. "Churches that answer the call are faithfully
building
men spiritually and utilizing their gifts in the total ministry of the
church." 

"The critical need to increase the participation of men at the local
church
level is well documented," said Joseph Harris, the commission's top
executive. "Regardless of their demographics, churches must learn to
disciple men if they are going to have even a possibility for lasting
growth." The program's goal is to "move men toward becoming
disciple-making
servant leaders," he said.

"Men in today's church want to do more than usher and chair the
trustees,"
noted Gil Hanke, president of the National Association of Conference
Presidents of United Methodist Men. "They want to grow spiritually and
lead
others to Christ. They want to make a difference for the kingdom."
Young men
are not attracted to "meet and eat" gatherings but will likely
participate
if the organization puts them to work, he said.

Many units of United Methodist Men are raising funds to send copies of
a
book of daily devotions to service men and women around the world. The
book,
first published shortly after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, has been
updated to include meditations by leading religious leaders today. The
first
shipment of books is en route to troops in Afghanistan and neighboring
nations. Other shipments will follow as funds are available.

For information on United Methodist Men, see www.gcumm.org.
# # #
*The Rev. Richard J. Peck, communications consultant for the churchwide
Commission on United Methodist Men in Nashville, Tenn., provided
information
for this story.

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United Methodist News Service
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