Guys Gather for Men's Fall Kick-Off

by Donovan Dobbs

On Monday September 24, we had the first fall gathering of the men of Lifepoint. It was great! We ate real man food (fried fish, fried potatoes, and cookies) that was cooked like real men should cook (outside over open flames). A little over 20 men showed up to eat and fellowship. It was nice to see men fishing with their sons. Men talking and getting to develop new relationships. Men deepening old relationships.

In his message, Lane spoke about authentic manhood. This made me think "Is that when I can whoop anyone else in the church?" or "Is that when I am always right about everything and my wife knows it?" I wonder if that is what some think is the right and proper view of manhood. My question would be "Is that your view of authentic manhood?" The world has so skewed the view of manhood that at times it has infiltrated the church. This is the view that men should be tough at all costs. Men should be right at all costs. Serving and sacrifice are weakness and bad.

God from the beginning has had the plan for manhood. Lane brought out the point that the first man (Adam) was designed for and had a relationship with God. Since his sin, we have not been able to have a complete relationship with God. Just like us, Adam thought something was better than his relationship with God. He took that relationship so lightly that he threw it away for nothing. We are not any different. Jesus continually wants to build a relationship with us yet we ignore or dismiss him. We allow so much to take priority in our lives other than Christ. Who gets most of your thought, time, and heart? Christ or everything else—work, activities, playing, building our dreams, etc.? As the old saying goes, "Actions speak louder than words." What are your actions saying? Do you have authentic manhood using God's standards?

Come join us at the next men's gathering on Monday, 10/29 (check E.notes in the coming weeks). Let us gain authentic manhood together!

Raising a Modern-Day Knight Teaches Fathers — Sons About Authentic Manhood

by Don Emmack

Can you clearly define authentic manhood? Even if you're able to cobble a few thoughts together, can you imagine trying to teach this idea to a young boy? It's a big challenge for most fathers and one where we fail often, yet Robert Lewis' Raising a Modern-Day Knight [RMDK] Bible study attacks this problem head-on.

Like many dads, I didn't receive much Christian guidance as a young man or as a young adult. After 30+ years Christ saved me, but I remember how my life waned absent of true purpose. I don't want my boys to leave the care of my house lost in a fallen world without hope and guidance, yet I feel overwhelmed teaching my sons the right things in life—with no clear plan to fix the problem.

Just imagine, your son is 18 years old, waving good-bye and driving off to college. How would you feel? Is your son equipped to handle the rough ride life will surely bring? Robert Lewis, author of RMDK, presents this sorrowful picture clearly to young dads. Based on his own experiences as a son and father, Lewis gives dads strategies to raise their boys. A six-week series, RMDK exposes many of the pitfalls of fatherhood and teaches men to lead their sons toward authentic manhood.

The study is short, yet the program teaches fathers techniques to raise their sons toward being a real man. It's a clear process to teach boys life lessons marked with appropriate ceremony. As a dad, you exit the program much better equipped and with a precise plan to teach your sons the underpinnings of manhood.

Recently, a dedicated group of fathers from Life Point and Second Baptist joined me in working through the program. I'd love to tell you all the details of the series but it would spoil the fun. First off, no girls allowed! This program is about godly men working together to form an environment for impressionable young boys. Don't worry, there are no secrete handshakes or passwords; however, ceremonies are important and kept private to enhance the memory of the event in the boys' life.

At the end of the program, each dad walks away well-equipped to work through the upcoming years with their boys. Some projects from the program will take years to complete and ultimately provide a road map for future generations in the family. Plus, the camaraderie from the program helps the fellowship of the men's community.

At the end of our first RMDK series, the fathers joined together to take the boys camping. It was the most rainy trip I've ever seen! Thunderstorms raged all night filling the tents with 2 inches of water. While we were wet and muddy, everyone had a good time and I'm certain the boys will always remember the trip.

If your a father of young boys I urge you to take the RMDK program. Better yet, sign up to lead an upcoming program. RMDK is helpful to most fathers, yet the program suits young boys from 6–12 years old. Scott O'dell has volunteered to lead the next RMDK adventure in the first quarter of 2008. Contact him directly for more information.

Guys Ping Pong Tourney 2007 Photos

from Chris Austin

Men's Work Day Photos

from Chris and Summer Bryant

Guys Ping Pong Tourney 2006 Photos

from Chris Austin