July 28, 2006
blokes and church
I sent out this letter today. It will be fascinating to see what might emerge. (Note to self: if this works once, then it could easily be reproduced with other "invite" groups).
Over the last while, 7 of you have independently spoken to me about men and ministry at Opawa. I hear from all of you a concern to do something. I also hear from all of you a lack of clarity about the what and how and when and who. Which I think is a good thing, because it gives us some space to nut out together God's unique dream at Opawa.
So, as a pastoral leader in your midst, because of your concern for men and ministry at Opawa, I am inviting you to commit 4 hours to a process of listening and learning from each other as men. At the end I suspect we will know a lot more clearly what God might want to birth among the blokes at Opawa.
I am asking you to engage with me and some others for 4 weeks around the following topics:
Blokes + their sheds - who we are + the toys we enjoy
Blokes + their Bibles - ways we do + don't connect spiritually
Blokes + their mates - ways we do + don't connect relationally
Blokes at Opawa - so what for men + ministry at Opawa
Rest assured it won't just be talking. Nor will there be any books to read. Instead, you will be asked to bring something and/or do something each week.
I am suggesting 2 ground rules:
1 - A bloke is a bloke: please, no stereotypes about men, women, relationships in general.
2 - Show us your guts: be as honest and real as you can.
I don't like cutting into people's evenings, so I am suggesting we gather for an hour XXXXXXXXXX straight after work for 4 weeks.
If you are up for it, and the time suits, get in touch ASAP and I will tell you what to bring for our first gathering.
