20150331_Logo and Invitation jpeg

20150319_Comm_Group_Chap01

Community Group – Week 20150320 Notes

That He gave His only Son -

           Who is Jesus - 

              If you were approached by someone and asked you who Jesus is

              what would you say?

                 It's ok to repeat someone else's answers.

                           Alpha and Omega. The Beginning and End. I will give

                               freely from the springs of the water of life.

             Savior - Do we deserve his loving-kindness.  No we are so evil that there

                           is nothing redeeming in us.

           C.S Lewis makes a great case for who Jesus is and who he is not.

               0 ------------------------------------------------------------------0

            Madman                         Great Moral Teacher                  Son of God

            Lunatic                                                                                    Lord

            Devil                                                                                        God

        

          People who say he was a great moral teacher, have no concept of 

          morality, they may have a concept of right or wrong but we are

          fallen sinners and if we don't Christ, we will always fall on the wrong

          side of morality.  That's what scary for non-believers.  That Jesus is God

          and so has the ability to judge our morality. 

           (Pharisees - harsh , woman in adultery - grace)                                      

Mormon - begotten of the Father, spirit brother of Lucifer

JW - However, we take Jesus at his word when he said: “The Father is greater than I am.”  So we do not worship Jesus, as we do not believe that he is Almighty God.

Talks about the incarnation - Jesus in the flesh

 He was not denying that He was God.  He was simply acknowledging that He was also a man; and as a man, he was subject to the laws of God so that He might redeem those who were under the law, namely, sinners (Gal. 4:4-5).

So in practice... since we defined who Jesus.

 Are we obeying what we have said.

       Is He our Lord (in everything) not just on Sunday

       Is He our Savior all the time and do we thank Him daily for his Sacrifice.

       Is He our God that we show him reverence, even in our everyday conversations when

              we utter the name of Jesus every knee shall bow on earth, heaven and under  

              the earth  if demons and angels bow to Jesus, because we're saved and redeemed does

                 absolve us from honoring Jesus.

 

That whoever believes won't perish but have life

Doctrine - 

 The Greek text says whoever believes into Him should not perish. Real belief takes us into Jesus Christ.  Real belief destroys aloofness. We stop treating him as a religious garnish to be placed on the side of life. When I believe into Christ, I stop hiding and resisting. I surrender my autonomy. I want to be really forgiven of my real sins by real Savior.

His grace received by faith and not works, relocates you deeply into His heart.

Edwards  - And has not Christ been made low enough for you and has he not suffered enough?

Culture - What matters most about you in God's sight is not the bad or good things you've done but your trust and openness to Christ versus your self-trust and defensive-ness toward Christ. We don't have to be good enough.

If Christ is so kind as to want us warts and all,

 Why do we put up facades for other people.  We want to let people see always our good side.

Why can't we accept other people warts and all?  Our sinful nature. 

What does it mean to love earnestly? (Showing or expressing sincerity or seriousness:)

    to love deeply, not superficially

    to love unconditionally, not because someone is deserving of my love

    

In the book of Ruth we studied had a Hesed love for Naomi.

Hesed - Enduring, Eternal, Undeserved Love ( I would like to add tenacious, nothing can stop me from loving you.)

We see how massive God's love really is, and so we give up our aloofness and come together to care for one another in real ways, even as God wonderfully care for us.  That is when a church starts looking like a community where God of John 3:16 dwells in power.

Prayer for needs:

   Doctrine - some of us may be hazy on our doctrine.

   Culture - In your life Does the Gospel Doctrine create a Gospel Culture in your life.

         Is your life centered around the Jesus and Hesed Love for you?

20150317_SummaryLetter

SMPC Men’s MinistrySMPC Men’s Ministry

Summary -

Three types of men that will come to the breakfast.

Funnel

             Introductory (men are inquisitive on superficial level)

             Committed - (men are thinking they want to get involved

                      and that the men's group is a worthwhile ministry)

             Volunteer - (men fully or almost all the way committed

                       and willing to join outreach)

- This ministry is sanctioned and blessed by the session.

- The gospel is has to be preached at each meeting.  And see where it leads.

- The involvement of other guys can't be coerced or forced.  

    Personal communication is the best way to invite men to join the meeting. 

- We need to bathe the ministry in prayer and be ready for where God leads it. It could be an abject 

  failure or a stunning success, either way is in accordance to God's plan.

- Each meeting has to be well thought out. 

- We are not teachers as much as facilitators or moderators.

- We(as leaders) also need to show a passion to encourage,

   lift-up and promote each man in the group.

- As we start to get involved in outreach efforts we will work alongside and under the leadership of the diaconate as they help the group identify needs of the church and community.  We need to start a dialogue with the diaconate early so when the need arises we will both ready.

Meeting time: Every two months on Saturday 8 - 9:30am

Menu: Bagels, pastries, fruits, coffee, juice, water (continental)

Where: SMPC Office. We will hold the meeting at men's houses.  Kevin Parkinson is willing to host the first meeting.  At the meeting, we will ask the men if they would like to host future meetings. Josh Cools has already volunteered his house.

8 - 8:15  Grab our breakfast items and fellowship a bit

8:15 - 8:30 - Introduction  

8:30 - 9:00 - Discussion Questions 

9:00 - 9:30 - Gospel Interpretation 2 Kings 5 

9:30 - Closing Prayer (The closing prayer can't be an afterthought. It should be an important part of the whole meeting.)

Purpose Statement:

The purpose of the ministry is two-fold.

1) To use what the church has faithfully taught us and apply these principles in our daily lives as we interact with our family and community.

2) To be an outward facing group as we become active in identifying the needs of our community and provide the assistance in meeting these needs and always integrating the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5) in our actions.

Mission Statement:

All we do for God's gracious glory, our men's group hopes to spur each man to escape his comfort zone and positively impact each other as we grow to full maturity in Jesus our Lord.

Week 1 Discussion Topic - "Who are you to the real world"

Scenario 1a-

A few people at work know that I'm a Christian.  I don't overtly profess my Christianity but I also

don't shrink when asked about it. Either you profess to be a Christian or as Pastor Tim alluded to

in his sermon about a month ago, you don't tell anyone that you're a Christian.

Do you profess yourself a Christian to your co-workers? Do you fear being marginalized or patronized for your faith?  I work with a lot of Indian Hindu's and there is a respect for each other's religion, but when I tried to inject my faith, they become defensive and guarded. 

Scenario 1b-

A few years ago, Donna gave me a cross that had the Lord's Prayer emblazoned on it. I  hung the cross prominently opposite the entrance of my cubicle, so it can be seen by people walking by or by people who stood at the entrance.  I noticed that I used the get chit-chatters or even co-workers who want to ask questions stopping by regularly, prior to the display of the cross.  After the cross was displayed, the people who talked to me, dwindled to almost nothing.  Unless it was important work related stuff, no one visited my cube. The few who talked to me talked in an almost solemn, ascetic tone.  Weeks later I placed the cross on the side wall visible but not openly.  People started stopping by again. A lot more laughing, joking banter.  Conversation became easy.  What happened? Did I do right?  Did the cross cause so much

uncomfortable sensitivity?  Was it fear that I might talk about God and religion? What "scared" them off?

 Scenario 2-

Once upon a time (maybe a year ago), I was at Walmart standing in line and I struck up a conversation with the lady in front of me.  I mentioned I liked her cross necklace and the subject turned to our faith. She said she was a devout Christian and she even handed me a business card for her church, and to come and visit her.  Very nice and uplifting lady.  Then as she was checking out, she proceeded to blast the cashier (a difference of price on an item) and she turned ugly very rapidly.

I'm very sorry to say that I didn't say a word. I was taken aback by her actions.  I said a few kind words to the cashier but not enough.  We’ve all had similar experiences, when people are professing to be

Christians but acting totally non-Christian like.  There is hypocrisy in all of us, some more than others. If an injustice is done or your faith is being maligned, do you come to its defense? Who is my neighbor?

The purported Christian lady or the cashier?

The following scenarios will be discussed in future sessions. 

Scenario 3-

There's an attractive lady that works with you.  You greet each other and that's about it.

One day she's working in the same area as you and begin a conversation, about general things.

Then at least once maybe twice a week she comes into your area and start talking about relationship issues she's having with her husband. Hmm. You, the concerned co-worker start to listen, give words of encouragement, AND you love the attention.  Wow, an attractive woman trusting you enough to talk about deep, emotional issues.  AND you start to become attracted.  What is wrong with this picture?

The rationalizing comes "Hey, I'm being kind, I'm just listening, nothing's going to happen, I have a wife and family." But as more days pass an emotional bond begins to form with the other person. What is your best course of action?  She’s coming to you for advice, right? Let's add another wrinkle.  Home-life hasn't been that pleasant.  You and your wife have been at odds lately and the kids are being more obnoxious than usual. Now what? And oh by the way, she knows you’re a Christian and trusts you to be discreet about her issues.

Scenario 4

A lot of times at work you get pulled in a conversations with a bunch of guys and a few off-color

and lewd jokes are being said. Two things happen.  One, you stay and don't say a word, you don't encourage but you don't say anything.  Two, you say something like "hey don't say things like that".

But here's what happens. Now you're branded.  You're ridiculed and feel like you've got the plague.

People start uninviting you to conversations.  It's a price you have to pay.  Everyone wants to be part of a group, to fit in.  What is the cost of your participation in the secular world?  As men, we have egos that need to be fed.  How far will we go, how high will we climb, how low will be bend to accommodate the world?  Are we men of faith always or only on Sunday or during community group or other church activities?  

Ideas for future discussion topics:

Meeting 2: Fear

Meeting 3: Money Matters
Meeting 4: What’s the harm in a little porn?  


MARKS Distillation Summary
From: mark@springmeadowschurch.org
Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2015 11:45:50 -0700
Subject: Distillation of "Philosophy of Men's Ministry" at SMPC
To: germanprivera@hotmail.com; jdcools@gmail.com

Guys,

Here is my distillation of German's document.  This is what I'm putting down in writing.  If anything is missing, please let me know.

Mark 

Philosophy of Men's Ministry at SMPC

PURPOSE  (Why do we have this ministry?)

The SMPC Men's Ministry exists to help men apply what the Scriptures teach in their daily lives as they interact with family and community 

MISSION (How will we do this ministry?)

This will take the form of an outward-facing fellowship of men who become active in identifying the needs of one another and the community as they provide assistance in meeting these needs in accordance with how each man is spiritually gifted.

"All we do is for God's gracious glory. The Men's Ministry at SMPC hopes to spur on each man to escape his comfort zone to positively impact each other as we grow to full maturity in Jesus our Lord."

APPLICATION (What will this ministry look like?)

• This ministry is under the direct oversight and has the endorsement of the Session of SMPC.
  
• The gospel must be preached at each meeting.  It is up to the Holy Spirit as to where it leads.
  
• The involvement of other men cannot and should not be coerced or forced. Personal communication is the best way to invite men to join us.
  
• This ministry must be bathed in prayer.  Whether it is a failure or success, either way it is in accordance with God's plan.
  
• Men's gatherings will be facilitated and moderated discussion.  This will not be heavy-laden with teaching.
  
• The facilitators of the group need to demonstrate a passion to encourage, lift up, and promote each individual man in the ministry, one-to-one discipleship is important.
  
• Involving the diaconate as the ministry becomes involved in outreach will be an important step as the group identifies the needs of the church and the community.

20150317_Meeting Topics And Notes

Ideas for future meetings

    The problem with lust / porn
    Fear
    Money Matters
    Surrender issues - to absolute worship of Jesus Christ
    Addiction - prescription drugs/alcohol/smoking
    Arrogance vs Humility in light of Doctrine of Grace


 

Week 1 Discussion Topic - "Who are you to the real world"

Scenario 1-

A few people at work know that I'm a Christian.  I don't overtly profess my Christianity but I also

don't shrink when asked about it. Either you profess to be a Christian or as Pastor Tim alluded to

in his sermon about a month ago, you don't tell anyone that you're a Christian.

Do you profess yourself a Christian to your co-workers? Do you fear being marginalized or patronized for your faith?  I work with a lot of Indian Hindu's and there is a respect for each other's religion, but when I tried to inject my faith, they become defensive and guarded. 
A few years ago, i was given a cross that had the Lord's Prayer emblazoned on it. I have a cubicle and hung the cross prominently opposite the entrance of the cube, so it can be seen by people walking by or by people who stood at the entrance.  I noticed that I used the get chit-chatters or even co-workers who want to ask questions stopping by regularly, prior to the display of the cross.  After the cross was displayed, the people who talked to me dwindled to almost nothing.  Unless it was importantly work related no one visited my cube. The few who talked to me talked in an almost solemn tone.  Weeks later I placed the cross on the side wall visible but not openly.  People started talking to me again. A lot more laughing, joking and banter.  There was an easy conversation with them.  Did I do right? On one hand 

Scenario 2-

Once upon a time (maybe a year ago), I was at Walmart standing in line and I struck up a conversation with the lady in front of me.  I mentioned I liked her cross necklace and the subject turned to our faith. She said she was a devout Christian and she even handed me a business card for her church, and to come and visit her.  Very nice and uplifting lady.  Then as she was checking out, she proceeded to blast the cashier (a difference of price on an item) and she turned ugly very rapidly.

I'm very sorry to say that I didn't say a word. I was taken aback by her actions.  I said a few kind words to the cashier but not enough.  We’ve all had similar experiences, when people are professing to be

Christians but acting totally non-Christian like.  There is hypocrisy in all of us, some more than others. If an injustice is done or your faith is being maligned, do you come to its defense? Who is my neighbor?

The purported Christian lady or the cashier?

Scenario 3-

There's an attractive lady that works with you.  You greet each other and that's about it.

One day she's working in the same area as you and begin a conversation, about general things.

Then at least once maybe twice a week she comes into your area and start talking about relationship issues she's having with her husband. Hmm. You, the concerned co-worker start to listen, give words of encouragement, AND you love the attention.  Wow, an attractive woman trusting you enough to talk about deep, emotional issues.  AND you start to become attracted.  What is wrong with this picture?

The rationalizing comes "Hey, I'm being kind, I'm just listening, nothing's going to happen, I have a wife and family." But as more days pass an emotional bond begins to form with the other person. What is your best course of action?  She’s coming to you for advice, right? Let's add another wrinkle.  Home-life hasn't been that pleasant.  You and your wife have been at odds lately and the kids are being more obnoxious than usual. Now what? And oh by the way, she knows you’re a Christian and trusts you to be discreet about her issues.

Scenario 4

A lot of times at work you get pulled in a conversations with a bunch of guys and a few off-color

and lewd jokes are being said. Two things happen.  One, you stay and don't say a word, you don't encourage but you don't say anything.  Two, you say something like "hey don't say things like that".

But here's what happens. Now you're branded.  You're ridiculed and feel like you've got the plague.

People start uninviting you to conversations.  It's a price you have to pay.  Everyone wants to be part of a group, to fit in.  What is the cost of your participation in the secular world?  As men, we have egos that need to be fed.  How far will we go, how high will we climb, how low will be bend to accommodate the world?  Are we men of faith always or only on Sunday or during community group or other church activities?  Who are we to the real world?

      Do your co-workers/non-Christian friends/neighbors know that you are a Christian?
      Why do or don't they know?

     Do you even tout yourself as a Christian

     Have you been ashamed of being a Christian Man
     Hey we're just being guys... do we participate in inappropriate jokes

     Are we Christians always... are we Christians only on Sunday, during the week except at work.
    Are we Christians to our wives.  Ephesians 5 Be Imitators of God and walk in love as Christ loves            us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
    Are we Christians to our children. Are you so immersed in your faith that every second, you think
        about God.  Just like when you were in high school where you really liked a girl and she was               always on your mind. Or just like your wife when you finally found the one.   Fantasizing on                how you could sweep her off her feet.

There are so-called evangelical Christians who don't walk the walk and therefore marginalized
by the society.

On the other hand - there's a tendency in the Reformed faith since we are elect to be arrogant.
Are there times when you're talking to a non-believer to think "I'm redeemed and you're not
so you better listen."

  Mathew 5:16  Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven

Do you publicize yourself as a Christian

If you say you’re a Christian how do your coworkers or acquaintances relate to you.

Are you marginalized, ignored, antagonized or

Are you praised, held in high esteem or just one of the guys

Restaurant experience

A bar/lounge where women wear revealing clothes (no not Hooters).

Lot’s of my coworkers go there for lunch, but not

                       all the time.  But I never went and was hounded

                      to go (I think because they knew I was a Christian

                      and they wanted to see how I would react.)

                       They also said it had the best chicken fingers in town. Yeah right.

                 So finally, one day, I relented. I thought to myself let me be just one of the guys and I’m not a                  prude and there’s no harm.  They were so excited that I was going. Finally!

All through lunch they kept badgering me into looking at the waitress. So the guys made fun of me, told me to look at the waitress.  It wasn’t a big deal (and the food wasn’t even that good).

So now that I went, the guys kept poking fun at me. How I reacted, my look of peevishness

and blushing when she would come close.

But now I'm not invited to bars or this restaurant anymore.  They talk about going out the previous night or having lunch at a questionable place but I wasn't asked to go.  I try to engage myself in their group conversations and the clam up or they kiddingly say "you wouldn't know about these things" 

What’s wrong with being just one of the guys?

What’s wrong with getting drunk once in a while, or going to a Hooters, or going to a strip club?

        The pressure to conform is tremendous.

         How have you guys been marginalized for your faith?

         What's my next step... now how do I reach these guys?
         Where does love my neighbor fit in?

From R.C. Sproul's series : Developing Christian Character
There are some people who have ideals and standards.  And when you profess Christ certain expectations from non-Christians are brought before you and you will not live up to them.  And out comes the disappointment.  In Romans 2 "The Gentiles blaspheme God because of you."

What would have happened if I keep going with them?

What's the difference to me, can I hide my indiscretions from you? 

  

20150315_New Perspective

Funnel
             Introductory (men are inquisitive on superficial level

             Committed - (men are thinking they want to get involved
                      and that the men's group is a worthwhile ministry

             Volunteer - (men fully or almost all the way committed
                       and willing to join outreach)

The gospel is has to be preached at each meeting.  And see where it leads.
The involvement of other guys can't be coerced or forced.  We need to bathe
the ministry in prayer and be ready for where God leads it.
It could be an abject failure or a stunning success, either way is in accordance
to God's plan.

20150302_Letter to Zac

Men's Ministry

German P Rivera

8:59 AM

To: Zac Nash

Hi Zac,

It was nice talking with you last Sunday.  I tried to give you a birds-eye view on my vision of the men's group, but I sensed you had a lot more questions than I had answered. 

Basically I'd like to recap - 

My vision for the group is:

1)We are continually and faithfully being taught sound doctrine by the church which in itself is awesome, through Sunday School, Worship and Community Groups.  But I thought it would be good to devote one Saturday a month to enjoin the men to a have a meaningful discussion on how to apply these teachings in our lives.  I envision the leadership not as teachers but as facilitators.  

We select a topic, something relevant to men's issues, and create open-ended questions that will spur the men to dialogue about the subject.  We're there to police the conversation, praise where praise is needed but play devil's advocate when required. Hopefully at the end of the meeting we'll come up with a few meaningful application points we can take with us. 

2) As a men's group, we really don't have a finger on the pulse of your local community. We do have our diaconate that offer help and individually we contribute our talents and assist in many worthwhile ministries but as a men's group we corporately don't have a consistent outreach. We would like to see the group be more receptive and helpful in ameliorating the needs of our community.

Logistically:

One Saturday a month.

Meeting 8-9:30 with Continental breakfast (bagels, fruit, pastries, coffee, juice)

Here are examples of topics I came up with that I think are relevant to men (by no means complete.)

     "Who are you to the outside world"

    Fear

    Money Matters

    Surrender issues - to absolute worship of Jesus Christ

    Addiction - prescription drugs/alcohol/smoking,etc.

    The problem with lust / porn

    Arrogance vs Humility in light of Doctrine of Grace

Sorry for the wordiness of this email but I wanted to share my vision and heart for this ministry.

Please, what I've just laid out is not set in stone and they are just my thoughts (I have a few more concepts but we can talk about them when we meet.) But I do think we need to be consistent in supporting the men in our body and one of the ways is through a men's group, but a men's group that just doesn't mouth the words "iron sharpens iron", but actually see sparks fly.

Here’s what I come up with as the group's purpose and mission statements…

Purpose Statement:

The purpose of the ministry is two-fold.

1)To use what the church has faithfully taught us and apply these principles in our daily lives as we interact with our family and community.

2) To be an outward facing group as we become active in identifying the needs of our community and provide the assistance in meeting these needs and always integrating the fruits of the Spirit (Gal 5) in our actions.

Mission Statement:

All we do for God's gracious glory, our men's group hopes to spur each man to escape his comfort zone and positively impact each other as we grow to full maturity in Jesus our Lord.

So Zac, what do you think? I know that you are a pastor and have been in the ministry a long time.  I have lead a few small groups and have been a part of numerous men’s groups.  I really need a "partner in crime" in this endeavor and would deeply appreciate your oversight and mentorship (just to make sure my motives are not my own and we're following God’s will and plan.)

It's a great responsibility and I believe will humbly make us crave God's grace all the more.  So, I do look forward to talking and getting your ideas and input. Have a great rest of the week (even though your very busy:)  

Soli Deo Gloria,

German.