1	Ministry to men for ministry through men General Commission On United Methodist Men 2005 - 2008 Quadrennial Proposal NACP Meeting Nashville TN March 2003
2	Our purpose declare the centrality of Christ in every man’s life promote spiritual growth and effective discipleship in men help men model the servant leadership of Christ
3	Our purpose The GCUMM’s primary responsibility: to coordinate and provide resources for men’s ministry in the UMC, and to provide the global UMC with effective resources that reach the minds, hearts and souls of men for Jesus Christ.
4	GCUMM’S mission - to reach ALL men in the UMC. How have we done?
5	We began as an agency based on key expectations
6	Which expectations proved to be true? Agency status would help us access and support All UMC congregations. FALSE That increased access and support provided would result in increase funding and an expanding charter base. FALSE That fixed expenses would only increase slightly over the UMM Division budget. FALSE
7	Some present realities Only 1 in 6 congregations are chartered Funding from charters is NOT adequate to: reach all men in the entire UM church develop, promote and deploy new men’s ministry resources communicate with all churches, clergy and men fully support agency responsibilities
8	Under the current funding structure, GCUMM cannot: Service and support present constituents adequately Serve ALL men of the church Provide direct support to local congregations Fulfill all agency responsibilities Match our funding with our ministry task
9	Clearly, the task is bigger than we first thought What is the big picture?
10	Men in the church Men are half the population; but a third of the congregation Declining in attendance Likely to abandon church when young
11	Why are so many men missing?
12	Reaching men is TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT 93% of the time!
13	Bigger than it seems This seems to be about men, but what is at stake is much bigger It is about the ability of the entire church to connect with ALL of God’s people - men, women and children.
14	REACHING MEN IS A SURVIVAL ISSUE FOR THE ENTIRE CHURCH!
15	How can GCUMM begin to address the big picture? Provide men’s spiritual formation resources Equip local congregations for effective men’s ministry Connect with younger men Reach new men, and those who have left
16	As the UMC agency for men, GCUMM must Engage the entire UMC as partners in addressing the key issues of men Why are so many men missing from church? How can clergy and laity develop ways to effectively reach the hearts of men for Jesus Christ?
17	What steps have we already taken to position ourselves for the future?
18	Positioning for the future Reduced support staff by 4 Created new Field Services Director position
19	Streamlined Programs and Resources Outsourcing Travel expenses Office equipment Computer support and hardware Many other efficiencies
20	Program Streamlining Moving United Methodists One board meeting Magazine redesign Future decisions
21	Cutting expenses is not enough, we face a greater challenge
22	The shift of an era From: the modern “print” era To: the post modern “electronic” era This era shift changes the way that people, institutions and culture functions.
23	Social interests of men Modern Era membership organizations hierarchical meetings identity with a group Post-modern Era individual relationships networked experiences identify with a cause
24	Post Moderns EPIC Experiential Participative Image -based Connective How EPIC are we? How about the UMC?
25	The Future: a choice Support and service traditional UMM units face declining constituency decline of local congregations in UMM service and project focused Equip all local congregations for effective ministry TO and THROUGH men Reach the HEARTS of men for Christ Connect through electronic media
26	Does one size fit all? In shoes… In men…?
27	A simple way to see men Men’s lives in Quarters Q1 [0 to 20] - Key question: what does it mean to be a man? Q2 [20 to 40] - Key question: who am I? Q3 [40 to 60] - Key question: what is my work? Q4 [60 +] - Key question: What is my legacy?
28	Time is ticking... What quarter are we in men? Q3 - a few / Q4 - most Q4 men are like cowboys … “we’re burning daylight”
29	We need a noble act from Q4 men Leave a legacy
30	Ways to express your legacy Support the Redirection of significant resources to reach Q1/2/3 men Provide coaching for traditional UMM units Connect electronically Reduce paper & save mailing costs
31	Ways to express your legacy Relational ministry Reach Q1/2/3 Through scouting, mentoring, fathering, prison ministry, TQuest, volunteer programs. Participate in existing UMM/UMC ministries Hunger relief Prayer ministry Emmaus missions service work Disciple Help build financial base of UMM Foundation Contribute financially Identify prospective donors
32	UMM Congress a Legacy Event Sponsor a Q3/2/1 man Begin monthly plan this year Program content: Are there speakers, workshops, music for Q3/2/1 men? Attendance Goal: 50% Q1/2 men
33	What key concept should guide our future? Relational ministry, i.e. men expressing their Christianity through relationship with: God Family Church Community Spiritual formation Prayer Prison ministry Mentoring Outreach
34	Entry points for relational ministry Spiritual formation Prayer Prison ministry Mentoring Outreach
35	GCUMM future priorities Leverage - most impact for time and money invested Spiritual Formation - through relationships Partnerships - with agencies & other ministries Co-branding - identifying existing resources for our use
36	Electronic Communication - A Leverage example Electronic communication as primary way to reach: Q2/Q3 men Clergy and seminarians Central conferences (global outreach) US UMC Offer greater support to Q4 men
37	Spiritual Formation Heart Quest retreats TQuest
38	Partnerships Within the UMC Agencies; GBGM, GBOD, GBCS, UMPH Ministries; prayer, restorative justice, others Existing partners SoSA, Upper Room, BSA, others Other ministries Interdenominational - NACCMS, NCMM International - WFMUCM
39	Co-branding Resources Identify existing resources that can be adapted for UMM use. Develop resources ONLY when essential for the future, and a similar resource cannot be adapted, or co-branded.
40	The major problem – starving development As each additional program is deployed, total support costs increase. support costs gradually starve out development and promotion Our options are: Increase funding for support to protect development Co-brand Curtail development
41	Where should we concentrate our efforts? Electronic communications Heart Quest / TQuest - wide and deep now Build partnerships; gain effectiveness Expand resources through co-branding Shift resources to develop, promote and deploy Limited resources for charter support
42	Are there New Models and Methods to explore? From Charters to congregational men’s ministry certification move to equip congregations for effective ministry to and through men From EMS to MENistry Partners move to committed partners in men’s ministry who are personal advocates and regular donors. Boomers as the new 4th Quarter men
43	Charter Transition Pilot In all US Jurisdictions Target all willing: conferences districts congregations leaders, clergy & Lay
44	UMC MENistry Partners Men and women who share our vision to equip the UMC for effective ministry to and through men
45	EMS to MENistry Partners A shift from membership annual fee printed resources personal benefits all resources consumed by members A shift to partnership regular giving based upon stewardship daily communication and blessing most resources used to reach out to men worldwide
46	What’s on the horizon Baby boomers, the largest US population group will become 4th Quarter men in five years. What kind of men’s ministry will they need? Partnership opportunities with older adults?
47	How can you respond?