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A
Vision For Men of the Church
Men need to experience the promised reality
that to be in Christ is to know that now there is no
condemnation (Romans 8:1). To be set free to live is
the opportunity made possible through faith. When
this grace is accepted, life begins — the
abundant life promised to all in Christ.
We enter the world connected, but in order to
survive, we adopt cultural norms that often limit
our sense of self, our understanding of manliness
and our connections with others. These
disconnections can become norms, habits or even
addictions and block our deepest, truest desires for
love, goodness and community.
The Church is in the unique position to assist
men in understanding their need to be loved and
loving. As men begin to experience this new freedom,
they respond to opportunities to develop and grow.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through its
men's ministries:
 | affirms men and their part in the mission of
Jesus Christ; |
| teaches men appropriate leadership skills; |
| models for men effective organization based
upon equality and inclusiveness; |
| challenges men's growth in the stewardship of
time, talent and treasure. |
| builds on men's expertise, gained in their
ministries of work; |
| upholds the ethics of Christian love for men
in their business, family and leisure pursuits; |
| takes seriously the spiritual journeys of men,
guiding them in prayer and worship; |
| calls men to a vital life of witness and
evangelism, which is the faithful daily
manifestation of the church's authentic life; |
| provides opportunities for men to be in
fellowship with other men — denominationally,
ecumenically and globally; |
Men have historically been active in the church's
mission, central in the development of the church's
lay leadership and dedicated to the task of building
bridges to overcome differences. Men's ministries
continues to work creatively in these areas of
service in partnership with women for the whole work
of Christ, and to act responsibly in the ministry
that lies before us.
— Written in
partnership with the Executive Board of Presbyterian
Men, 2001
Copied from www.pcusa.org
website. |
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